As one of the main means of treating psoriasis, there are many types of external drugs, and good results can only be obtained by using external drugs correctly and reasonably.
How to use topical drugs?
Dosage of topical drugs in different areas: Clinically, in order to avoid overdose or underuse of topical drugs, "fingertip units" are generally used to standardize the dosage. Fingertip unit (FTU) is the amount of ointment (like squeezing toothpaste) squeezed on the index finger, and the amount of ointment is about 0.5g in units of the length of one joint of the fingertip of the adult index finger. This amount of medicine can be used to cover the area of 2 palms of an adult.
Principles of treatment with topical medications:
(1) When the area of skin lesions does not exceed 10% of the body surface area, local treatment can be used as the main treatment for psoriasis
(2) However, if the area of the skin lesion is large, it is necessary to use systemic therapy or phototherapy.
Different medications used at different times:
(1) If the disease is in the advanced stage, it is not advisable to use strong irritating drugs, and the misuse of irritating drugs will expand the skin lesions and even induce erythroderma or pustular psoriasis.
(2) In the quiescent phase, drugs with strong effect and good permeability can be used, and patients with limited or scarce skin lesions can use external drugs alone. Once the lesions have largely resolved, consolidation therapy with a safe, nonhormonal drug such as calcipotriene can be switched. If the lesions are extensive, they should be applied as needed as recommended by your doctor, or you should apply the drug separately and change the drug separately
When seeking medical treatment, you must listen carefully to the doctor's correct guidance on the use of the drug, strictly follow the doctor's instructions, and inform the doctor of your medication completely, so as to avoid the doctor from issuing repeated or invalid prescriptions, resulting in the inability to achieve the ideal treatment effect and affecting everyone's treatment mood.