There are many who would consider steroids an unhealthy method for treating psoriasis because of it’s wide range of oftentimes severe side effects, including abnormal bodily growth, immune system suppression, mood swings and diabetes.  These side effects tend to appear after heavy, prolonged steroid use.

So why would anyone use steroids to treat psoriasis?

Steroids help out with the joint problems that are symptomatic of psoriatic arthritis by decreasing immune system activity.  Sounds backward, right? Actually it’s not.

In the process of defending the body from infection, the immune system tends to create a lot of swelling around infected areas.   This swelling tends to hinder joint functionality as well as the general healing process.  Thus, as an end product, steroids speed up the healing process.

Steroids can be administered orally or injected directly into problematic joints.

Unfortunately, over time, steroids tend to weaken both muscle and skin tissue, which is exactly the opposite of what a person with psoriasis (primarily a skin condition) needs.

Definitely consult your doctor before using steroids (for anything).