Treatment Options
At Central Dermatology Clinic we offer the full spectrum of modern Dermatology treatments. Ranging from tailored topical treatments to phototherapy, laser & light, tablet treatments and injectables (biologics) we will provide you with the best treatments available for your skin condition.
Narrowband Ultraviolet Light (phototherapy)
This safe, simple, and often very effective treatment uses a very select part of the light spectrum (only light with the wavelenght 311 nm) to penetrate the skin and reduce the abnormal growth of skin cells and inflammation in the skin of patients with various skin diseases. It is particularly useful when large areas of the body are affected by the condition. This treatment is NOT the same as indoor tanning beds.
Treatment is usually performed 2-3 times per week under medical supervision in our clinic and continues for approximately 10 weeks. Each individual treatment takes only minutes and is painless. Most patients (around 70{a715dc82460ef316453535d8f5a5bb71203d64b0dd9e1da30c14866b8663dde1} or more) notice significant improvement of their skin disease with this treatment. The benefits are often seen for many months following treatment. All phototherapy treatments are bulk-billed at Central Dermatology Clinic, so the only cost to the patient is their time.
Topical treatments
The application of creams, gels and ointments to the skin is a very traditional way of treating many skin conditions. These often include topical steroid products, vitamin A medications and calcipotriol (a synthetic vitamin D agent). Salicylic acid and tar-based preparations are often used to help reduce scale and redness in the skin. When tailored to the patient and combined with other treatments, topical treatments can be a very effective and safe way of treating skin problems for many patients.
Dermatologists at Central Dermatology Clinic use both prescription and non-prescription topical treatments for patients, individualised for the greatest benefit and often combined with other treatments.
Systemic (oral medication) treatments
While generally used for the more moderate to severe forms of psoriasis and eczema, systemic treatments are also used when skin conditions do not responded to other forms of treatment. These treatments have traditionally included drugs such as methotrexate, cyclosporine and acitretin and several others used occasionally.
Systemic treatments generally require a dermatologist’s prescription and close supervision and monitoring for side effects. However, when used appropriately and with close supervision, the risk of side effects is usually kept to a minimum. Systemic treatments are not appropriate for all patients. Your dermatologist at Central Dermatology Clinic will discuss the risks and side effects of systemic treatments with you to determine whether this is the right treatment for you.
Biologic (injectible) treatments
This fascinating new group of drugs for the treatment of psoriasis are often referred to as the “biologics”. These are highly specialised, immune system medications, which selectively target special parts of the immune system such as TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor), IL-12, 23, 17A (interleukins) and PD-4 (phosphodiesterase) which play important roles in psoriasis.
These special medications are generally administered by needle with several new drugs currently under development. They are proving much safer than the systemic treatments traditionally used for treating psoriasis, however, very strict criteria are set by Medicare to determine which patients are eligible to receive these costly new drugs. Your dermatologist at Central Dermatology Clinic can determine whether these specialised medications are suitable and available to you under the current PBS medication subsidy scheme.
Complementary and natural treatments
Approximately two thirds of the Australian population use complementary, traditional or alternative medicines for treating common, chronic diseases such as psoriasis. This rate is continuing to increase. In some instances, despite an absence of established medical evidence, patients can find benefit in some of these treatments. Selective diet and good nutrition, vitamins, herbs and minerals, natural sunlight, exercise and relaxation techniques can often work alongside more conventional medical treatments to benefit patients.
It is important to discuss these treatments with your dermatologist at Central Dermatology Clinic as not all “natural” treatments are safe and some may interact with prescribed treatments for your skin condition.
