Psoriasis

5 Phototherapy is an effective treatment, especially for widespread psoriasis. Systemic treatment options for psoriasis are divided into traditional therapies, such as methotrexate, acitretin and cyclosporine, and newer biologic therapies such as adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and ustekinumab.5 Although relatively new, the biologic medications can be very effective for both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.5 Assessment and monitoring by a dermatologist is typically required for these therapies. There is a recently published evidence-based Canadian guideline for the management of plaque psoriasis.4 3 Guttate psoriasis is a form of psoriasis often observed in young people and typically noted following streptococcal pharyngitis. It is characterized by widespread small, red scaly papules (guttate means "resembling drops") rather than the typical larger lesions observed in plaque psoriasis. Whereas spontaneous resolution of guttate psoriasis is often observed within 12 weeks, 2%-30% of patients may progress to chronic plaque psoriasis.3 Phototherapy and topical steroid preparations are often used to treat guttate psoriasis.3