Q: My 51 years old friend is suffering from psoriasis. Her doctor prescribed her Acerate 25, Rolsical ointment and Diflorate ointment. When she continues applying these creams, she feels well but the problem recurs after discontinuing the medication. Acerate 25 showed some side effects therefore she does not want to continue it for a long time. She has also suffered from breast cancer seven years back and after proper treatment it has been cured. How can psoriasis be treated?

A:Psoriasis is a lifelong disease. Aim is to control the disease, give maximum possible comfort to the patient with least possible medication so as to minimise possible side-effects. Once remission has been achieved, it is sometimes possible to stop all medicines and restart when relapse occurs. There are a number of medicines to choose from, depending upon various factors. Attempt should be made to start with the minimum possible and the mildest of all; step up depending upon the response.