Psoriasis is an ongoing skin condition with no cure at this time. But it’s possible to achieve remission, or a period of time with no symptoms. Reaching remission — the goal of many treatment plans — can improve your overall quality of life.

Current treatment options include topical treatments, medicated lotions, ultraviolet (UV) light therapy, and systemic drugs. These can dramatically improve symptoms of psoriasis, like itchy plaques. Regular check-ins with your dermatologist about treatments and keeping track of psoriasis triggers can also help you achieve remission. Here’s what remission means and four strategies to help you reach it.

How Is Psoriasis Remission Defined?

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin disease. This means your body has an excessive immune response, which leads to its symptoms. The definition of psoriasis remission can vary based on the type of psoriasis and how severe it is. In many cases, treatment aims to make symptoms less severe and reduce how often and how long flare-ups happen.

Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis. For plaque psoriasis, remission usually means the plaques have cleared completely. Remission periods can vary significantly based on many factors. They can last for short periods of time or even years.

Psoriasis therapy goals may be based on the change in your Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score from before and after treatment. A PASI score is a number doctors use to measure the extent of a person’s psoriasis. Scores are calculated based on an evaluation of the color, thickness, and scaling of psoriasis lesions. There are other ways to measure how severe psoriasis is. This is particularly true for less common forms of the skin condition.

There is no single clinical definition of psoriasis remission. But a treatment plan is considered successful and can usually be continued if it leads to at least a 75 percent reduction in PASI score. With several newer biologic drugs, treatment plans may be able to achieve a 90 percent to 100 percent PASI reduction. This gets people very close to completely clear skin.

Some people develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA), which affects parts of the body besides the skin. The definition of PsA remission can also vary. Some studies say that PsA remission means having a very low disease activity score (VLDA). This indicates a small number of tender, swollen joints with minimal pain and a low PASI score.

How Can You Achieve or Stay in Remission?

Remission can be followed by flare-ups. Regular check-ins with a dermatologist and an effective treatment plan can help people achieve and stay in remission. Treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy, topical corticosteroids like creams and ointments, and systemic treatments, including biologics, can help improve skin clearance. Below, we discuss four strategies that may help you achieve and stay in remission.

1. Biologic Treatments Target the Source of Inflammation

Biologic treatments are different from traditional systemic drugs. That’s because they target specific parts of the immune system that contribute to psoriasis and PsA. Biologics can be used to treat moderate to severe psoriasis (plaque psoriasis) and PsA. They can also treat other health conditions in people who haven’t responded to first-line treatments. Biologic drugs are given by injection or intravenous (into a vein) infusion. Drugs that are given as an injection can generally be received at home.

Newer biologic drugs in a class called IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors block proteins causing psoriasis. Studies of the new biologics have shown significantly improved clearance rates. In many cases, they make 100 percent skin clearance a realistic treatment goal. These drugs may work better for people who have not found relief with first-line treatments. Studies show that these drugs can clear skin for more people, and often faster, in long-term plaque psoriasis.

2. Avoiding Triggers Helps Keep Symptoms at Bay

Avoiding psoriasis triggers can help keep your skin clear of psoriasis lesions. Triggers can vary, since not everyone reacts to the same conditions. Some common triggers include:

• Stress
• Skin injury
• Extreme weather
• Infection
• Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Some medications

Moisturizing your skin, bathing in lukewarm water, and using a humidifier in dry weather are other at-home steps you can take to help care for your psoriasis. Lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep may also help you manage psoriasis.

3. Regular Check-Ins With Your Doctor Are Crucial

It’s impossible to predict who will reach remission and how long remission will last. Work with your healthcare provider to find the right combination of psoriasis treatments that will reduce or eliminate symptoms. You and your doctor should weigh potential side effects against potential remission benefits. Regular follow-ups with your dermatologist may help you manage psoriasis better.

Treating psoriasis can take time. It’s important to follow your treatment plan and take your medications exactly as your doctor prescribes. Even if you follow your doctor’s plan exactly, you may need different medications or therapies over time to keep your psoriasis in check. Be sure to tell your doctor about any improvements or side effects from medications. That way, they can help you find the best combination of treatments for your journey to and through remission.

4. Keeping up With Your Treatment Helps Maintain Remission

Once you reach near or complete clearance, you may feel like stopping some or all psoriasis treatments. Don’t stop any form of treatment without first consulting with your healthcare provider or dermatology specialist. Depending on your health status, psoriasis history, and treatment plan, your doctor may recommend continuing therapy without making changes. The doctor may also suggest modifying dosages or stopping particular medications.

In general, dermatologists don’t recommend stopping biologic therapy, as lesions often recur in the same locations after therapy is discontinued. Long-term treatment may help maintain remission. Once you reach remission, you should discuss a maintenance plan with your dermatologist. You may need close monitoring and regular adjustments to your treatment plan to keep your psoriasis under control.

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