Silkis

Silkis is an ointment applied to the skin that contains calcitriol, a form of vitamin D. It's used for treating mild to moderate psoriasis. Psoriasis occurs when your body makes skin cells too rapidly, and Silkis helps slow down this overproduction of skin cells.

Silkis is only available with a prescription, so a clinician must ensure it's safe for you before use. Share details about your health in our online consultation, and we'll let you know if Silkis is suitable for you – and prescribe it if it is.

Silkis contains calcitriol as its active ingredient, which is a form of vitamin D. This means it works on the vitamin D receptor to control how cells grow, what roles they perform, and how the immune system functions. It helps slow down the fast growth of skin cells, which can reduce the scaling and plaques associated with psoriasis.

Research over both long and short periods has shown that calcitriol is effective in treating psoriasis and carries a low risk of side effects. It can also be used alongside corticosteroids, another psoriasis treatment, to allow for a reduced corticosteroid dose, which in turn lowers the risk of side effects associated with them.

Silkis is a treatment for psoriasis that contains only vitamin D. For more moderate to severe cases, there are treatments available that combine corticosteroids with vitamin D. Vitamin D helps slow down the production of new skin cells, while the corticosteroid works by 'turning off' the genes responsible for inflammation.

Corticosteroids work by reducing inflammation, which should help relieve psoriasis symptoms, while vitamin D addresses the underlying cause. Studies indicate that vitamin D can enhance the effectiveness of corticosteroids when used together, allowing you to use a lower dose of steroids and for a shorter period.

If you're seeking an alternative treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis, you might consider a coal tar product like Psoriderm or Evorex. Coal tar treatments can help reduce inflammation to ease psoriasis symptoms and also slow down the quick production of new skin cells that cause psoriasis.

They may also cause fewer side effects compared to other psoriasis treatments and can be used alongside other therapies, like phototherapy.

Emollients are another type of topical treatment for psoriasis. These moisturisers help to hydrate your skin, relieve itching and discomfort, and lessen scaling. Using other topical treatments on moisturised skin might make them work better, so you could use an emollient along with another medication.

Silkis has been shown to be effective and safe for treating psoriasis both in the short and long term. In two clinical trials where participants applied calcitriol or a placebo twice daily, 34% of those using calcitriol saw their psoriasis clear up or reduce to minimal levels. This is compared to 12% and 22.5% in the first and second studies, respectively. Calcitriol also helped reduce symptoms like plaque elevation, scaling, redness, and itching more effectively than the placebo.

Calcitriol ointment rarely causes skin irritation and, unlike some other psoriasis treatments, it doesn't increase your sensitivity to the sun.