Psoriasis Remission: What Can You Expect?

• There is no cure for psoriasis, but it is possible to achieve remission.
• Remission from plaque psoriasis is generally defined as complete skin clearance.
• Continuous treatment can help you maintain remission.

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin disease with no cure at this time. However, it is possible to achieve remission (periods where you have no symptoms). Reaching remission — the goal of many comprehensive treatment plans — can improve your overall quality of life.

Current treatment options, including topical treatments, phototherapy, and systemic drugs, can dramatically improve psoriasis symptoms such as itchy plaques. Here’s what remission means and how you can reach it.

How Is Psoriasis Remission Defined?

Definitions of psoriasis remission vary depending on the type of psoriasis and the level of disease severity. In many cases, therapies aim to reduce the severity, frequency, and length of psoriasis flares.

Remission from plaque psoriasis, the most common form of psoriasis, is generally defined as complete skin clearance from discolored, scaly plaques. Most periods of psoriasis remission last up to 12 months, although this time varies from person to person. Remission can go from weeks to months to even years in some cases.

Psoriasis therapy goals can be based on the change in your Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score (PASI) from before and after treatment. A PASI score is a number doctors use to measure the extent of a person’s psoriasis. Scores are based on an evaluation of the color, thickness, and scaling of psoriasis lesions.

Although specific clinical definitions for psoriasis remission do not exist, a treatment plan is considered successful (and should typically be continued) if the treatment leads to a greater than 75 percent reduction in PASI score. With several newer biologic medications targeting inflammatory mediators such as IL-17 and IL-23, treatment plans may soon strive for a 90 percent to 100 percent PASI reduction.

For people who develop psoriatic arthritis, remission definitions also vary. Some studies say psoriatic arthritis remission is having a very low disease activity score which 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 may be followed by periods of flare-ups. Close monitoring by a dermatologist, as well as an effective treatment plan, can help people achieve and better sustain remission. Treatment with phototherapy, topical corticosteroids, and systemic medications such as methotrexate or biologics can help improve skin clearance.

Biologics used to treat psoriasis include:

• Enbrel (etanercept)
• Humira (adalimumab)
• Remicade (infliximab)
• Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa)
• Stelara (ustekinumab)

Treating psoriasis is a complex process. Over time, you may need different medications or therapies to keep your psoriasis in check. Avoiding triggers such as stress, skin injury, extreme weather, infection, and smoking can help keep your skin clear of psoriasis lesions.

It is impossible to predict who will reach remission and how long remission will last. The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends working with your health care provider to find the right combination of psoriasis treatments that reduces or eliminates symptoms. You and your doctor should also weigh potential medication side effects against potential remission benefits. Regular follow-up with your dermatologist may help you manage psoriasis more effectively.

What Does Psoriasis Remission Mean for Treatment?

Once you reach near or full skin clearance, you may feel like stopping some or all psoriasis treatments. Depending on your health status, psoriasis history, and treatment plan, however, your dermatologist may recommend continuing therapy unchanged. The doctor may also suggest modifying dosages, or they may suggest stopping particular medications.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one of three things may happen if psoriasis treatment is stopped:

1. A person’s skin stays clear (remission).
2. A person’s psoriasis returns with similar symptoms (relapse).
3. A person’s psoriasis returns worse than before (rebound).

In general, dermatologists do not recommend stopping biologic therapy. Long-term, continuous therapy is ideal for maintaining 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 help keep your psoriasis under control.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyPsoriasisTeam is the social network for people with psoriasis and their loved ones. On MyPsoriasisTeam, more than 101,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with psoriasis.

Do you have questions about psoriasis remission? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on MyPsoriasisTeam.