Treatment of Psoriasis with Topical Agents

The history of immunosuppressive drugs is linked to both the evolution of scientific under‐ standing of inflammatory diseases and the development of organ allografts. These drugs are part of a valuable arsenal for the treatment of diseases mediated by the immune system. As medical and public health practices have evolved, infectious processes are no longer the primary diagnostic and therapeutic challenge posed by dermatological conditions. Emerging in this void are cutaneous manifestations mediated by the immune system that present new management issues and require extensive use of the group of drugs described as immuno‐ modulating agents. Psoriasis, among many other diseases in the purview of the dermatologist, is treated with these medications. Observing the use of these medications also helps to illustrate the evolution of dermatologic therapeutics. Some of these drugs, such as topical corticoste‐ roids, are considered the basis of the dermatological therapeutic arsenal. To use these medi‐ cations appropriately, it is important to be aware of both facts and myths concerning the action of immunosuppressive agents and the burden of side effects. [1]