Treatment can help reduce inverse psoriasis symptoms or make them go away temporarily (remission), but flare-ups can occur throughout life
Inverse psoriasis an immune-mediated, non contagious skin condition characterized by rashes in the folds of the skin, such as the groin, armpits, navel, under the breasts, crease between thigh and groin, and the genitals.
Inverse psoriasis is a chronic condition. Treatment can help reduce inverse psoriasis symptoms or make them go away temporarily (remission), but flare-ups can occur throughout life.
Although there is no permanent cure for inverse psoriasis, treatment can help manage and alleviate symptoms, including itching and discoloration.
What treatment can help manage inverse psoriasis?
Treatment options for inverse psoriasis may include:
- Topical corticosteroids
- Available in the form of creams, lotions, oils, sprays, foams, gels, and ointments
- Work by reducing the inflammation related to psoriasis
- Overuse can lead to stretch marks or thinning of the skin
- Over-the-counter topicals
- Examples include salicylic acid and coal tar
- Includes other products such as aloe vera and zinc pyrithione, which help moisturize skin, remove scales, or relieve itching
- Topical calcineurin inhibitors
- Examples include Elidel (pimecrolimus) cream and Protopic (tacrolimus), which are FDA-approved to treat eczema
- Work well in the case of inverse psoriasis
- Topical vitamin D analogs (calcipotriol, calcitriol)
- These are a form of vitamin D that help reduce discoloration.
- Dovonex
- This drug slows the growth of skin cells and reduces inflammation.
- Castederm (Castellani's paint)
- This product is “painted” onto the skin to dry out the psoriasis lesions in the skin folds when the rashes have a bacterial or fungal infection.
- Oral medications
- Biologic medications
- Used as injections or infusions and made from living cells that target specific parts of the immune system:
- Humira (adalimumab)
- Cyltezo (adalimumab-adbm)
- Enbrel (etanercept)
- Tremfya (guselkumab)
- Remicade (infliximab)
- Renflexis (infliximab-abda)
- Inflectra (infliximab-dyyb)
- Taltz (ixekizumab)
- Cosentyx (secukinumab)
- Stelara (ustekinumab)
- Phototherapy
- Ultraviolet (UV) light therapy uses ultraviolet B (UVB) waves from special lamps that help reduce inverse psoriasis.
What home remedies can help relieve symptoms of genital psoriasis?
- Avoid hot water baths and use lukewarm water
- Limit the amount of time spent in the water to under 15 minutes
- Use mild soaps and other products that are free of fragrances, dyes, and alcohol
- Dry the skin gently after bathing
- Moisturize the skin several times a day using a cream or ointment
- Use coconut oil to keep the skin hydrated
- Wear loose underwear and cotton clothing that allows affected areas to breathe
- Apply petroleum jelly or talcum powder to genital areas
- Minimize stress
- Avoid any type of phototherapy (ultraviolet B, psoralen plus ultraviolet-A radiation, or laser treatments) that can increase the risk of developing genital cancer
- Avoid getting urine or feces on the affected area
- Consume plenty of fiber to ease bowel movements
- Take over-the-counter medicines (antihistamines) for severe itching
How serious is inverse psoriasis?
Inverse psoriasis tends to affect sensitive parts of the body and can therefore be annoying, uncomfortable, and painful, but it is rarely serious.
Scratching a rash, however, can break the skin and lead to a superadded infection, which can be more serious and difficult to treat.
Can you have sex with genital psoriasis?
If you have genital psoriasis, you can still be intimate. Tips for reducing irritation during sex include the following:
- Avoid or postpone sex when the skin on or around the genitals is raw or oozing
- Before sex, gently cleanse the area by using a mild, fragrance-free cleanser that will help prevent psoriasis medication from rubbing onto your partner
- Use a lubricated condom, as this lessens the risk of irritating the inflamed area
- After sex, gently wash the area to help reduce irritation
