(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Psoriasis patients may soon get some much needed relief.
A new study shows an experimental treatment -- known as ISA247 -- is safe and effective for moderate to severe psoriasis.
One of the most effective treatments for psoriasis today is ciclosporin (Neoral). But the drug has toxic effects on the kidneys which limit its long-term use. Other newer treatments such as infliximab (Remicade) are safe and effective, but because they are expensive, inconvenient to take, and there’s little data on long-term safety and effectiveness, they are not for everyone.
Researchers in Canada looked at the effectiveness of ISA247 -- an experimental drug for treating autoimmune diseases like psoriasis and for preventing organ transplant rejection -- in 451 patients aged 18 to 65 with plaque psoriasis on at least 10 percent of their body. The patients were divided into four groups -- all got their treatment orally twice a day. The first group got ISA247 at 0.2 milligrams/kilogram body weight; the second at 0.3 milligrams/kilogram; the third at 0.4 milligrams/kilogram, and the fourth group got a placebo. Patients were followed up for a total of 24 weeks.
Results show the higher the dose of ISA247, the better it worked. The researchers conclude the link between the concentration of the drug and its effectiveness may make it easier to give patients the right dose compared to other psoriasis drugs.
SOURCE: The Lancet, 2008;371:1337-1342
Thursday, April 24, 2008
New Psoriasis Treatment Safe and Effective
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Psoriasis Severity
by Rachel Broune
Psoriasis is a common skin disease that comes in different forms and varying levels of severity. It affects up to 3 percent of populations worldwide. Most researchers agree that it is an auto-immune disease. It is a common skin disease characterised by thickened patches of inflamed red skin, sometimes accompanied by painful joint swelling and stiffness.This skin condition most often appears on the scalp, elbows and knees. Psoriasis affects between 1-3% of the population. It varies in severity from mild to severe. Psoriasis can start at any age. Areas of the skin grow much faster than normal and form red, scaling patches.
Research shows that the signs and symptoms of psoriasis usually appear between 15 and 35 years of age. About 75% develop psoriasis before age 40. However, it is possible to develop psoriasis at any age. After age 40, a peak onset period occurs between 50 and 60 years of age.
Basis Facts about Psoriasis Psoriasis most often occurs on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet; diagnosis may be difficult because psoriasis often looks like other skin diseases. Doctors generally treat psoriasis in steps according to the severity of the disease or responsiveness to initial treatments. This is sometimes called the "1-2-3" approach.
Care if you are suffering from Psoriasis Avoid scratching or itching that can cause bleeding or excessive irritation. Soaking in bath water with oil added and using moisturizers may help. Bath soaks with coal tar or other agents that remove scales and reduce the plaque may also help. Cortisone creams can reduce the itching of mild psoriasis and are available without a prescription.Some people use an ultraviolet B unit at home under a doctor’s supervision.
A dermatologist may prescribe the unit and instruct the patient on home use, especially if it is difficult for the patient to get to the doctor’s office for phototherapy treatment.
Reports from people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis are mixed: Some say acupuncture helps their disease while others report no effect. People who try acupuncture and improve say it takes many treatments. Acupuncture has few known side effects.
Homeopathic remedies are usually so diluted that they will not cause major side effects. A consultation with someone trained in this practice will help guide the treatment and ensure your safety.
Psoriasis Treatment by Diet People with psoriasis are individuals with different backgrounds, habits and medical histories, who respond to substances differently at different times. Moreover, people with psoriasis can have remissions that have nothing to do with changes in diets or treatments. These variables make it difficult to evaluate whether any specific dietary change is responsible for clearing or worsening psoriasis.
The addition or elimination of one substance from the diet can be the remedy for one person and the culprit for another. There is certainly no harm in exploring how diet impacts your psoriasis, as long as your overall health is not compromised.
Dietary supplementation with fish oil is said to have a variety of favorable effects on both the cardiovascular and immune systems in laboratory animals. Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease, so it follows that fish oil if it alters immune reactivity could improve psoriasis.
Rachel Broune writes articles for Psoriasis Home Remedies. He also writes for Home Remedy for Psoriasis and Psoriasis Treatment.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Say Goodbye to Nail Fungus
by Wong Darren
Nail fungus, also called Onychomycosis or Tinea Unguium scientifically, are those irritating tiny organisms that lives under our toe and fingernails. It belongs to the dermatophyte family, which also causes athlete´s foot, jock itch, psoriasis, and ringworm. These organisms consume the keratin substance of the nails making it deformed. Sometimes, this infection gets confused with psoriasis of the nails or nail ridges as they normally share the same appearance.
People with leukemia or diabetes are more prone to nail fungus because of the weakened immune system and problems in blood circulation. Adults are also among the most likely individuals to acquire the disease due to aging.
It isn´t all about age and illness, though. The nails serve as a very efficient armor to these fungi, which make the infection hardly treatable especially on the foot. These can be acquired through contagion or improper care of the nails. Where there is lesser oxygen supply, the nail fungus survives as they are anaerobic. Public swimming pools, workout centers and toilets are just some of their breeding grounds.
As nail fungi loves to grow in moist areas, the feet become the common victim especially when they are frequently enclosed in shoes and socks. Some other common causes are the application of nail polish and/or artificial nails and misuse of nail instruments.
The reddening of the toe nails and mild irritation are among the early signs of the developing fungi. The affected areas become sore and itchy. A white or yellowish spot can be found under the nails at some point. As it spreads, bleeding starts with unsightly discoloration accompanied occasionally with white discharges. While the nails gradually thicken and form crack lines, the cuticles also detaches. Besides these, one has to endure the sting that goes with it.
On the other hand, treating nail fungal infection isn´t too much toil. There are handy remedies available over the counter. Oral or topical creams like Lamisil, Tinactin, Penlac and Dermisil prove to work slowly but surely. For a cheaper option, you may try applying Vicks VapoRub on the infected areas. Testimonials say that it performs effectively as well as the more sophisticated brands.
While it is safer to follow the doctor´s prescription, some still prefer home remedies such as soaking the contaminated part in vinegar for 15-20 minutes twice daily until the infection disappears. It will take for a new nail to grow three months or more.
Otherwise, stick to professional advice. Your podiatrist can help you eliminate the fungus faster. However, the infection may recur so you are not absolutely fungi-free for life. Prevention is still better than cure. By keeping the nails clean cut and sanitized, you can drive these fungi off your way. Frequent washing is one way to de-stress those pretty hands and feet. Dry it well and sprinkle moderate amount of foot powder afterwards. If the use of nail polish or artificial nails is necessary, make sure to clean the area before and after removal. Also it is better to sterilize any instruments that you or your favorite salon will be using. Following these simple instructions is the ultimate key in preventing this annoying infection.
Have you tried the Lanni Ultimate Moisturiser?
Article Source: http://www.losangeleschronicle.com/articles/57874
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
The Itchy, Scaly Psoriasis
Author: Rachel Broune
A chronic disease of the skin consisting of itchy, dry, red patches, usually affecting the scalp or arms and legs. A common chronic skin disease, more common in whites (2% of the population) than in other racial groups, in which red flaky lesions occuroften on the elbows and knees, or in the scalp. May cause nail abnormalities. A chronic skin disease that occurs when cells in the outer layer of the skin reproduce faster than normal and pile up on the skin's surface. This results in scaling and inflammation. An estimated 10 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop an associated arthritis called psoriatic arthritis.
More than 4.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with psoriasis, and approximately 150,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. An estimated 20% have moderate to severe psoriasis.
Causes of Psoriasis
The cause of psoriasis is not known, but it is believed to have a genetic component. Several factors are thought to aggravate psoriasis. These include stress, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. Individuals with psoriasis may suffer from depression and loss of self-esteem. When psoriasis develops, patches of skin thicken, redden, and become covered with silvery scales; these patches are also known as plaques.
Types of Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) - is the most common form of psoriasis. It affects 80 to 90% of people with psoriasis.
Flexural psoriasis appears as smooth inflamed patches of skin. It occurs in skin folds, particularly around the genitals (between the thigh and groin), the armpits, under an overweight stomach (pannus), and under the breasts (inframammary fold).
Guttate psoriasis is characterized by numerous small oval spots. These numerous spots of psoriasis appear over large areas of the body, such as the trunk, limbs, and scalp.
Pustular psoriasis appears as raised bumps that are filled with non-infectious pus (pustules). The skin under and surrounding pustules is red and tender.
Nail psoriasis produces a variety of changes in the appearance of finger and toe nails.
Treatment of Psoriasis
There can be substantial variation between individuals in the effectiveness of specific psoriasis treatments. Because of this, dermatologists often use a trial-and-error approach to finding the most appropriate treatment for their patient. It has long been recognized that daily, short, non-burning exposure to sunlight helped to clear or improve psoriasis. Climatotherapy involves the notion that some diseases can be successfully treated by living in a particular climate. Several psoriasis clinics are located throughout the world based on this idea.
According to supporters of Ayurvedic medicine, managing disease and restoring health involve assessing the whole person to understand the nature of the imbalance. For psoriasis, a specific treatment regimen might involve topical application of certain oils, such as sesame or mustard; fasting and other dietary guidelines; elimination of stress; and regular physical exercise.
Naturopathic practice excludes major surgery and the use of most synthetic drugs. Naturopathic treatments can complement those used by conventionally trained doctors. How a naturopathic doctor treats psoriasis varies from practitioner to practitioner.
Herbal remedies are increasingly popular and mainstream. Many people dealing with chronic diseases such as psoriasis turn to these alternatives when Western medicine stops working.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/disabilities-articles/the-itchy-scaly-psoriasis-351219.html
