[Topical treatment of psoriasis: a systematic update]

Classical topical treatment regimens in psoriasis including dithranol and corticosteroids are widely used and have been supplemented in recent years by topical vitamin D preparations, by vitamin D analogues and topical retinoids. The combination of these preparations with each other, with UV light or with systemic drugs often lead to improved effectiveness and tolerability when compared with the respective monotherapy. In private offices, the combination of calcipotriol with various corticosteroids is very commonly prescribed for patients with mild to moderate psoriasis. This combination can be sequentially applied twice daily or--in a newly introduced fixed preparation--once daily. In severe psoriasis requiring systemic treatment a concomitant effective topical treatment regimen can greatly improve the overall longtime management in affected patients.