Psoriasis: impact and management of moderate to severe disease

Psoriasis is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory skin disease that typically exhibits a flare and remission pattern, with a number of known genetic and environmental trigger factors. While mild psoriasis is a manageable disease that is coped with well by the majority of sufferers, moderate to severe disease has a profound physical and psychological impact; there are, in addition, a number of important comorbidities. Treatments include topical, ultra-violet light, and systemic therapies including recent advances in biological drugs. This article summarizes these treatments and the nursing care required for the patient in severe flare; it discusses the considerations the nurse should have in enabling a patient to self-manage their condition, offering support that is practical and psychological, with health education often including family and carers.