An overview of psoriasis and the role of emollient therapy.
Psoriasis is a common skin condition affecting 1.5% of the UK population. Patients with psoriasis have to manage and cope with their psoriasis on a day to day basis; which includes understanding how to self manage and use topical therapy. General skin care, including the importance of emollients is often an overlooked therapy area in psoriasis. This article gives an overview of psoriasis and current recommended topical treatments by the new NICE Assessment and Management of psoriasis Guidelines (2012). A recent survey looking at emollients and psoriasis are discussed. The best emollient for the patients is the one with the formulation that individually suits them and they want to use as part of a daily skin care routine.