Should I go for UV rays therapy for treating psoriasis?

Q: I am a 33 years old Indian, living in Chicago right now. I am suffering from Psoraisis since long. My Indian doctor prescribed me Neotrexate. But, the doctors here in Chicago are asking me to stop that and to go for UV rays treatment instead. What shall I do?

A:Psoriasis is a chronic disease, characterised by exacerbations and remissions. Therefore, one will like to induce remission by minimal medication and preferably by a medicines which have a good safety profile. UV therapy is much safer than methotrexate. I will advise methotrexate only if other modalities like topical ointments, UV therapy etc., either fail to produce the desired result or the patient finds them unacceptable for some reason or the other.