Antibiotics

Antibiotics are strong medicines that can be prescribed by a doctor to treat bacterial infections associated with skin problems. Medications used to fight infection can come in ointment or pill form and are taken for a set period of time.

Antihistamines

Sedating antihistamines, which are best to take at bedtime, can help ease severe itching associated with various skin problems and help restless sleepers and "scratchers" to sleep. The sedating antihistamines are more effective at relieving itching than the newer, non-sedating antihistamines, but the sedating antihistamines cause drowsiness.

Antimetabolites

Methotrexate, first used for psoriasis in 1958, is the antimetabolite most often prescribed by dermatologists for this disease. Double-blind, controlled studies have confirmed that methotrexate is superior to placebo in improving skin manifestations and joint symptoms in psoriatic patients. A good to excellent response (50% to 100% clearing of psoriasis) occurred in 70% of patients with severe disease treated with a single weekly oral dose of methotrexate.

Biologic Response Modifiers

Biologic response modifiers interfere with specific components of the immune system. High target specificity prevents the system-wide damage caused by more broad-spectrum immunosuppressants. Methotrexate, oral retinoids, and cyclosporine have been the first-line treatments up until now for several different severe skin problems. Yet, these medications carry potential toxic side effects, such as irreversible liver and renal damage, elevated triglyceride levels, and hypertension.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids block certain substances made by the body that result in inflammation. Topical corticosteroids, which are rubbed on the skin, reduce inflammation of the skin, and are the most common treatments used for several skin problems. There are low-strength corticosteroids, like some hydrocortisones, but often doctors will prescribe stronger corticosteroids, depending on the severity of symptoms.

Immunosuppressants

In severe cases of eczema that do not respond to any other treatment, an immunosuppressive drug, like cyclosporine, may be used for a short time. These drugs block the production of some of the body's immune cells and curb the effect of others. They can provide relief from very serious eczema flares, but this improvement while on the drug often does not continue after the drug course is over. They are used to treat people with severe disabling psoriasis who have not responded to or tolerated other treatments. Side effects include hypertension and kidney problems, nausea, tingling or numbness, headaches, and a possible increase in cancer risk.

Psoralens

Psoralens are a class of drugs that make the skin more sensitive to light and the sun. Methoxsalen and trioxsalen are commonly prescribed psoralens. Psoralens have no effect unless combined with ultraviolet light therapy. They are used with the light therapy to slow skin-cell overproduction.

Retinoids

Retinoids are used to control psoriasis and reduce the redness of the skin. They can be used in combination with medically controlled ultraviolet phototherapy to minimize the dose of each.

Topical Immunomodulators (TIMs)

Topical immunomodulators (TIMs) are a new class of steroid-free drugs that have proven effective in the treatment of mild to moderately severe eczema and for people with disabling psoriasis. These drugs work by altering the reactivity of the immune cells in the skin. Elidel (pimecrolimus), which comes in a cream-based formula, and Protopic (tacrolimus), an ointment-based drug, belong to this class of medications. Side effects are usually limited to a mild burning upon application. Non-steroidal, topical immunomodulators control acute inflammation without the side effects associated with long-term steroidal treatments. They can also be used on sensitive skin where corticosteroid use is restricted and in people who experience relapsing flares after discontinuing a course of steroidal treatments.