Psoriasis is a commonly occurring inflammatory condition affecting the skin and joints. The exact etiology of this chronic disease is still unknown. However, it is said to be caused by interaction of certain genetic and environmental factors.

This disease presents with a highly variable clinical picture. Different clinical types of psoriasis include plaque, guttate, flexural, erythroderma, generalized pustular, palmoplantar pustulosis and psoriatic nail disease. In majority of the psoriatic patients, the symptoms improved during summer and worsened during the winter.

Although psoriasis is not a life-threatening condition, it has a great impact on the quality of life. “The treatment strategy for psoriasis should aim at reducing the disease symptoms, limiting the psychological consequences and preventing systemic complications and comorbidities. Psoriasis can be treated with phototherapy or topical, systemic and biologic drugs.

Topical formulation contain tar, dithranol, corticosteroids, salicylic acid or vitamin D analogues. Vitamin D analogues are shown to be safe and effective in long-term treatment of psoriasis. Seasonal variations play a major role in the disease presentation and the symptoms improve in summer. Hence, climate therapy is reported to be an effective treatment for psoriasis. Likewise, phototherapy can be used in case of widespread psoriasis. It includes broad-band ultraviolet (UV) B, narrow-band UVB and heliotherapy. Topical vitamin D analogs can be used in combination with phototherapy.

Use of targeted therapies with biologic drugs has gained popularity in recent times. They include tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists, adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and efalizumab.