Local therapies

Local therapies include topical treatments and phototherapy. Topical medications are typically used as the first-line treatment for most patients with psoriasis affecting <5% body surface area. They may also be used as an adjunctive treatment in patients with more extensive disease. Topical therapies include emollients, corticosteroids, vitamin D analogs, retinoids, and calcineurin inhibitors. Phototherapy (UV irradiation) is recommended as a first-line treatment option in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis, or in those with localized disease but severe symptoms, targeting the hyperproliferative epidermis and T cells.