Dermatologists utilize a wide range of medications to treat various skin conditions. These medications can be topical (applied to the skin), oral (taken by mouth), or injected. The specific medicine prescribed depends on the individual's diagnosis and condition severity.
Topical Medications
Topical treatments are commonly used for conditions like eczema, acne, and psoriasis. Examples include creams, ointments, lotions, and gels containing corticosteroids, retinoids, or other active ingredients.
Oral Medications
Oral medications are often necessary for more severe or widespread skin conditions. Examples include:
- Antibiotics: To treat bacterial infections.
- Antivirals: To treat viral infections like herpes simplex.
- Antifungals: To treat fungal infections like ringworm.
- Systemic retinoids (Isotretinoin): A powerful medication for severe acne. This requires careful monitoring due to potential side effects.
Biologic Medications (Injectables)
Biologic medications are increasingly used for treating inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. These are injected and target specific parts of the immune system. Examples include:
- Cimzia: Treats plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
- Cosentyx: Treats plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
- Dupixent: Treats atopic dermatitis, asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.
- Enbrel: Treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
- Humira: Treats rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and plaque psoriasis.
- Otezla: Treats plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
- Simponi: Treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and Crohn's disease.
- Skyrizi: Treats plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
The list above is not exhaustive, and many other medications are used by dermatologists depending on the specific skin condition being treated. Always consult a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment of skin problems. Further information on psoriasis medications can be found at this University of Michigan Health System resource.
