Jerry Bagel, MD, from the Psoriasis Treatment Center of Central New Jersey: Moving Beyond Tar and Lights in Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis

It was not long ago that patients diagnosed with plaque psoriasis would require a month-long hospital stay for a short-lived treatment of the condition.

Jerry Bagel, MD, of the Psoriasis Treatment Center of Central New Jersey, spoke about the history of the treatment of plaque psoriasis, and how previously patients had a crude tar applied to the body for more than an hour, and then showered to remove the tar. An ultraviolet light was then applied. The patient often returned 6 months later to repeat the treatment, which dated back to 1920.

Bagel said the psoriasis still has no known cure, though it can go into remission, and “wax and wane” in its flare up in the patient. Newer medications have since been developed, but many are a variation of the original tar and light treatments, just with different ingredients or improved aesthetics.