Hospital Treatment of Psoriasis

Abstract

The Ingram stiff anthralin paste is effective in the treatment of psoriasis. Application of the Ingram regimen, however, has been limited by a number of disadvantages including frequent irritation and staining of skin and clothing, as well as the need for specialized care in a supervised setting. A modified anthralin program alternating daily applications of topical corticosteroids with nightly low-strength anthralin paste was evaluated in 25 hospitalized patients and found to compare favorably with the more conventional Ingram treatment. Irritation and staining was minimized with complete clearing of individual lesions in an average of 11 days. After hospital discharge these benefits make possible a simplified ambulatory program of continuing anthralin therapy.