Thursday, October 29, 2009

Today is World Psoriasis Day! Oct 29th, 2009

Source: www.psoriasis.org/wpd
Join Today: http://www.psoriasis.org 


NATIONAL PSORIASIS FOUNDATION


Today is World Psoriasis Day, a global effort to raise public awareness about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and the seriousness of these diseases.


Psoriasis—a noncontagious disease of the immune system that appears on the skin—affects approximately 125 million people worldwide. In the U.S., psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease, affecting as many as 7.5 million people.

Psoriasis is linked to other serious conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, liver disease and obesity. People with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis report that their disease impacts their daily lives, shapes their feelings about themselves and affects how they believe others perceive them.



Take action for World Psoriasis Day!



Find more information about World Psoriasis Day at www.psoriasis.org/wpd.


Help find a cure for psoriasis. 

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

How to Clear Up Bad Acne – Diet is Important


How to Clear Up Bad Acne – Diet is Important

October 22nd, 2009


There are some simple techniques that have been known to reduce the redness of pimples but how ever do not teach you how to clear acne up but they can help take the ugly redness away which is a major concern for many acne sufferers. Many people question how long does it take to clear up acne but that depends on the type of treatment that you choose.

Acne is caused by the sebaceous glands in your skin producing too much sebum and then it overflows and appears as what is known as a whitehead. It can happen anywhere one your body and that is why the question of how to clear up back acne constantly pops up because it appears on your back a lot as well.
When I suffered with acne I tried so many different types of treatments for my acne but there are some products that helped a little. You see many products will actually help you clear down your redness but they will not clear the bacteria on your face which is the main concern.

When trying to clear up acne your main goal is to stop new breakouts appearing as the post acne marks will linger on your skin for a long time. You must cure acne by making sure that you stop future breakouts thus limiting future red marks and then allowing your natural skin to heal. This is how to clear acne up the best way and is basically what happened in my clear skin transformation.

Look my advice to you is to basically skip the normal household products because really they are not going to do much to help out your acne or even your cystic acne. There are so many home remedies that people boast about working and sure they might take the redness out of your skin but they will not cure your acne in the long run.

How to clear up your acne will also involve using a good diet because many of the essential vitamins and minerals needed for healthy skin are only found in healthy foods. Make sure you are eating plenty of vegetables, salmon, raw nuts like almonds and oatmeal. These foods contain very high amounts of nutrients and can further aid in your skin healing process.

How to clear acne up is easy as long you use a good plan of attack just as I did, once again I hope you found this informational useful.

Source: http://howtoclearacneup.com/

How to Clear Acne Up – Useful Information


How to Clear Acne Up – Useful Information

October 21st, 2009


It is a known fact that 80% of the worlds population will at some stage in their life suffer from acne so an important question is how to clear acne up? Well looking at the specific acne problem is vital to choosing the right treatment because how to clear up cystic acne is very different to how to clear up back acne.

There are various ways to get rid of pimples but the most popular are facial treatments. You would know these products as the simple treatment creams that you can purchase from your local drug store or grocery store but fact is that they are not as powerful as many people believe. You can often tell this by the large range of products that they offer as they are globally advertising.

Some other people will opt for the home remedies acne. How to clear acne up will take some time and people also begin to become frustrated when they can not get rid of their facial or even body acne. It does take time for your skin to heal and the process could take months but there are some effective treatments that work in weeks and as little as days.

Some home remedies to clear up acne are toothpaste, honey, baking soda and avocado. These items work in a way to correct your normal skins ph balance and can in turn make your skin cells replenish. Acne is caused by an irritation in the sebaceous glands causing an excess in sebum to be produced so limiting this process is essential.

To cure acne you must take many factors into consideration including diet and treatments as some foods may trigger the release of sebum which will only worsen your condition. How to clear acne up is easy providing you use the right quality treatment and use an effective plan. I hope you found this information helpful and you can find more at -

Source: http://howtoclearacneup.com/

Monday, October 12, 2009

Neem: The Miracle Herb

Neem: The Miracle Herb

There is perhaps no other herb known to man that has so many and varied potential benefits for humanity. Neem has been used for thousands of years and has been widely documented in the ancient herbal healing science of India, Ayurveda. But the value of neem does not rely solely on traditional folklore. Rather, it is one of the most widely studied herbs of modern times, with hundreds of scientific papers having been written about it. The result of both traditional review and modern scientific evidence is that Neem truly is the “miracle herb”.

The Neem Tree, Azadirachta indica, is a relative of the Mahogany tree. It is extremely hardy and virile, able to thrive in a wide variety of climates and environmental conditions, and overcome deficiencies of the soil or the climate with its native strength and vitality. This “signature” of neem is a sign in nature of its wide ranging ability to conquer adverse circumstances. The herb that we use contains this same over-arching power within it that we find in the tree and its vital will to live.

Traditional Ayurvedic lore holds that Neem has incredible ability to restore and maintain healthy function of the body in a number of ways. It is used internally to relieve excess heat conditions, as its bitter taste is said to reduce the quality of “pitta” (hot quality) when it is in excess. It is also used topically in soaps, crèmes and lotions for its ability to soothe and reduce “pitta excess” conditions on the skin that manifest themselves through heat, redness, itching and swelling, all indicative of “pitta” out of balance.

Science Validates the Uses of Neem:

Modern science is also studying Neem for its potential use in the field of medicine. Preliminary results and clinical evidence tend to support the extraordinary benefits of neem oil, neem leaf and neem bark. Other studies indicate that Neem supports the structure and function of the immune system. Again, while generally outside the scope of our product line, it is interesting to once again note the wide-ranging benefit of neem and how it is now being recognized throughout the world, and confirmed by scientific studies.

Those interested in learning more about neem and its uses might start with some of the current literature on the subject as follows:
The National Research Council, organized by the National Academy of Sciences, and acting under a grant from the Agency for International Development, compiled an extensive body of research on the many incredible beneficial uses of Neem. This information was published under the title Neem: A Tree for Solving Global Problems, National Research Council, 1992, National Academy Press, Washington DC.

Neem has also been the subject of a major book originally published under the auspices of the Neem Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to informing the public about the uses of neem, and now re-issued in an updated edition by Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, under the title: Neem: The Ultimate Herb by John Conrick. The author has compiled an extensive list of research studies and scientific reports done on various potential benefits of neem.

Source: http://www.neemauranaturals.com/

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Psoriasis and the flu season


Source: http://www.psoriasis.org/netcommunity/h1n1_09


Psoriasis and flu season

With special information for people taking immunosuppressive drugs
Everyone wants to avoid the aches and pains of flu season—but for people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis who are taking immunosuppressive drugs, influenza can be a much more serious health threat. Learn more now about how to prevent infection.

A worse flu season ahead

There are two kinds of flu you should know about this year.
  • Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and can sometimes lead to death. Older people, young children, people with certain chronic health conditions and those taking immunosuppressive drugs are at a higher risk for serious complications.
  • 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) is a new and very different flu virus that is spreading worldwide. It may cause more illness or more severe disease than usual.

Take steps to prevent infection

Both types of viruses are spread by close contact (i.e. coughing or sneezing) with individuals who already have the flu. Protect yourself against infection:
  • Seasonal flu vaccine
    The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step to protect anyone from infection. The vaccine is available beginning in September and through the winter. Details on seasonal flu vaccine.
  • H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine
    Additional vaccines for the new H1N1 virus will be available this fall, though exact dates are not known. Check the CDC’s H1N1 page for up-to-date information.
  • You must receive both vaccines to be protected from both seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses.
  • Practice good habits
    The CDC recommends that you avoid close contact with people who are sick, wash your hands frequently, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. More recommendations from the CDC.

Special information for patients taking immunosuppressants

In most other cases, patients with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis should follow the recommended schedule of immunization for the general populationavailable on the CDC Web site.
However, patients taking immunosuppressive medication including biologic (Amevive, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Simponi or Stelara) or non-biologic (cyclosporine-Neoral or methotrexate) drugs may be more susceptible to all kinds of flu.
If you are taking any of these medications, take the following steps:
  • Get vaccinated early
    The same medications that suppress your psoriasis make you more vulnerable to influenza viruses. Make an appointment to be vaccinated as soon as you can.
  • Receive only inactivated vaccines
    Both seasonal and H1N1 vaccines come in inactivate and live forms (such as FluMist). People taking immunosuppressive medication should only receive the inactivated vaccines.
  • Take more health precautions
    Be sure to closely follow the CDC guidelines for avoiding infection.
  • Talk to your doctor
    As always, patients should discuss the risk and benefits of vaccination with their doctor.
Find more information on seasonal flu and on the H1N1 flu at the CDC Web site.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

What Causes Acne?


http://www.acnecuresrevealed.net/articles-what-causes-acne.php


What Causes Acne?


Causes of Acne

What causes acne? Well, that's a hard question. After all, there's no known cause per say. In fact, that's why there's no known ¡°cure¡± for acne. However, this does not mean you're stuck up a creek when searching for the right acne treatment or acne solution. There has been some speculation that hormones cause acne. But as the facts have suggested, they are more of contributors, and they can certainly cause acne flare ups, just like many other factors. So here are a few contributors to acne.
  1. Hormones-specifically speaking, testosterone and high levels thereof is more likely to cause acne breakouts than for example high levels of estrogen. Most women experience acne breakouts during times of imbalance, during times when their estrogen levels may not be quite as high in fact such as menopause for example. On the other hand, most men experience more oil production as teens and when they use steroids, because the testosterone levels are significantly higher.
  2. Diet-yes, if you eat greasy foods, if you drink a lot of milk, eat too much sugar, etc, you are more likely to have acne breakouts. If you don't eat enough vitamins and minerals, if you don't have powerful antioxidants or fiber in your diet, you are more likely to suffer through acne breakouts. So diet plays a substantial part in acne.
  3. Genetics-unfortunately, all types of acne seem to be hereditary. If your mother had more acne, you are more likely to have more severe acne. If your parents did not have severe acne at all, you are less likely to suffer from greater acne.
  4. Bacteria and toxins-these two culprits can literally come from anywhere. Likewise, free radicals can often come from things like the sun and pollution, and they often build up in the pores. This causes greater acne breakouts, and it is one of the basic causes of acne you could say. Everybody somewhat appropriately blames bacteria, because it's one of the easiest things to eliminate.
  5. Excess oils-keep in mind, you need a certain amount of oils in order to get healthy and beautiful skin as well as acne free skin. But when your skin produces too many oils, you are going to break out more, have red skin in some cases, have greasy skin, you get the basic idea
  6. Stress-stress often sends oil glands, sweat glands, etc, into overdrive. So if you are experiencing more stress, you are more likely to experience more serious acne breakouts, therefore suggesting that stress may very well be a ¡°cause¡± of acne.
  7. Inflammation-this is not one you normally think of. But studies have actually shown that when you experience inflammation, your skin is more likely to trap harmful chemicals and substances inside the body, therefore causing more acne breakouts. Basically speaking, when inflammation occurs, you have an army of white blood cells coming to attack the bacteria that it sees as a foreign object. However, it can cause pimples to be red, swollen, and painful, and apparently it's stronger in adult women.

Salicylic Acid Review


Source: http://www.acnecuresrevealed.net/salicylic-acid.php


Salicylic Acid Review

One of the most common ingredients you will find in any acne treatment, salicylic acid is a hydroxy acid. While all others are alpha hydroxy acids, or at least those used in acne treatment, this is actually a beta hydroxy acid. Either way, hydroxy acids are meant to promote the shedding of dead skin cells, essentially speaking helping you to unclog the pores in the whole process of things.
Salicylic acid comes from what is known as the salicin plant. It is actually chemically similar to aspirin, and it helps plants in their process of photosynthesis. It was first officially noticed by Greek philosopher and physician Hippocrates in the 5th Century BC. He wrote about a bitter powder capable of easing pain and aches and also reducing fevers. Since then, it has been used by Native Americans as well as various others like the Reverend Edward Stone of Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, England in 1763.
Since then, it has obviously continued to be used for aches, pains, and fevers. But its uses have been widely expanded. It works as a powerful anti inflammatory reducing pimples as well as obviously unclogging pores to fight acne in general and keep it away. It has also been used in the treatment of psoriasis, calluses, corns, keratosis, pilaris, and warts, and in higher amounts, in chemical peels. Some have also used it for the treatment of dandruff.
In one noted and recorded case, one individual actually experienced a severe buildup of warts due to a mutation in the HPV virus. The disease at that time was unclassified, because everybody thought it had to be some kind of rare and previously unseen genetic disorder. Hence, he became known as the tree man, because he experienced a buildup of bark like structures. In testing a piece of the wart, it was discovered that it was a mutated form of HPV, and as soon as they used salicylic acid, the warts literally started peeling away in droves. He had to keep using it, because they would keep coming back. But obviously, an effective solution is still just that.
Now for those with darker skin types, you should reconsider the use of salicylic acid. Even in smaller amounts, and especially in chemical peel amounts, it is often cautioned against and many do not allow you those options, because it has been known to actually lighten the skin. However, for most people, salicylic acid is generally recognized to be safe. It does not cause irritation in smaller amounts as many alpha hydroxy acids even would. Its peeling process is generally relatively clean, and unless using chemical peel amounts, it is highly unlikely to bleach the skin. Still, some say it could potentially happen.
Salicylic acid is one ingredient with one of the longest histories of any acne treatment on the market. It has been used for hundreds of different purposes, and users have been quite successful to say the least. Without question, salicylic acid is capable of great things. It's just a question of what you will end up using it for.

Adult Acne


Source: http://www.acnecuresrevealed.net/adult-acne.php


Adult Acne

Adult acne is a more common occurence than you may think. So you really don't have to be all that embarrassed or feel unprofessional if you happen to suffer from it. For years, many of us have suffered from the misconception that once you hit 18 or may 21 for that matter, your acne will magically disappear, it will magically go away. And when we hit adulthood, we want it to go away, we don't want to look like an overgrown teenager, especially when we obtain more serious careers.
But the simple fact is that your hormones don't automatically die down, in fact they are likely to rise up again in times of stress and for that matter during certain life experiences such as menopause and pregnancy for women. And in some cases, adult acne is actually more severe than teenage acne, though in other cases while still present, it lessens in general severity.
The second most common misconception about adult acne is the idea that you need a specialized treatment. The treatments you used as a teenager are no longer good enough, and you need something that is possibly even harsher and more damaging to the skin, causing redness, peeling, and other symptoms that are just as embarrassing in some ways than the acne itself.
Adult acne in some ways is no different than teenage acne. Unless you have something such as acne rosacea or acne conglobata, the treatments are EXACTLY THE SAME. Believe it or not, your body may seem different, but your hormones for the most part are not if you happen to suffer from adult acne. So don't resort to harsher treatments, definitely don't resort to something like a chemical peel which can easily do irreparable damage to the skin and even disfigure you in some ways.
Instead, use natural and gentle treatments. They are actually some of the most effective treatments for any kind of acne vulgaris. A classic example of this would be tea tree oil. It is generally a little bit more expensive. But it has been shown to be just as effective as benzoyl peroxide. But it actually nourishes your skin, softens it, and it causes no side effects at all according to clinical studies, except in the cases of allergic reaction, which applies to any acne treatment or ingredient in general.
With this in mind, a less expensive and yet still effective alternative would be either salicylic acid or witch hazel. Both of these work in different ways, salicylic acid by peeling away dead skin cells increasing cell turnover and witch hazel as an astringent. But nonetheless, both are extremely effective, common, and extremely affordable. These are treatment options you can find just about anywhere.
Either way, if you suffer from adult acne, you don't have to panic. In fact, though scarring is more likely if you for example pop your zits, there are perfectly natural and appropriate ways to deal with it. You just have to take a realistic approach and most of all, be educated about the adult acne!

Psoriasis - Specific locations: scalp


Specific locations: scalp

At least half of all the people who have psoriasis have it on their scalp.
Scalp psoriasis can be very mild, with slight, fine scaling. It can also be very severe with thick, crusted plaques covering the entire scalp. Psoriasis can extend beyond the hairline onto the forehead, the back of the neck and around the ears.
Other skin disorders, such as seborrheic dermatitis, may look similar to psoriasis. However, scalp psoriasis appears powdery with a silvery sheen, while seborrheic dermatitis appears yellowish and greasy.

Treating scalp psoriasis

Treatments are often combined and rotated because a person’s psoriasis may become less responsive to medications after repeated use. Systemic treatments are not commonly used just for scalp psoriasis but may be used if psoriasis is present elsewhere on the body and/or the psoriasis is moderate to severe.
Mild scalp psoriasis
Tar products and salicylic acid are generally sufficient for treating very mild scalp psoriasis.
Many coal tar and non-coal tar medicated shampoos for treating scalp lesions are on the market. Remember, medicated shampoos are designed for the scalp, not the hair.
Sometimes doctors inject scalp lesions with steroid medications. This is done only when the scalp psoriasis is mild and involves a few areas. Steroid injections are given sparingly because the medication can be absorbed into the system.

Moderate to severe scalp psoriasis

If you have a more severe case of scalp psoriasis, you may need to try different treatment plans before you find the one that works for you. If crusting of the scalp along with scaling occurs and/or the lymph nodes in your neck are enlarged, indicating a yeast infection, your doctor may prescribe antimicrobial treatment.

Common topical treatments for scalp psoriasis include:

  • Anthralin
  • Dovonex 
  • Taclonex 
  • Tazorac 

 Common systemic medication treatments for psoriasis include:

  • Methotrexate
  • Oral retinoids
  • Cyclosporine
  • Biologics

Ultraviolet light

Hair blocks ultraviolet (UV) light treatments from reaching the scalp. However, better results can be achieved with conventional UV units if you part your hair in many rows, if you have very thin hair or if you shave your head. Hand-held devices called UV combs are available to deliver a higher intensity of UV light. Natural sunlight may also help if the hair is very thin or the head is shaved.

Scalp itch

Itching is often a problem for those with scalp psoriasis. Over-the-counter tar shampoos and shampoos containing menthol can help reduce itching. Topical steroids and oral antihistamines are also effective for reducing scalp itch.

Search the online treatment guide for more treatment information.

Psoriasis - Specific locations: genitals


Specific locations: genitals

The most common type of psoriasis in the genital region is inverse psoriasis. This type of psoriasis first shows up as smooth, dry, red lesions. It usually lacks the scale associated with plaque psoriasis.
There are various regions of the genital area that can be affected by psoriasis:

Pubis

The pubis is the region on males and females above the genitals. This area can be treated similarly to psoriasis on the scalp; however, use caution. Skin in the pubic region is more sensitive than the skin on the scalp.

Upper thighs

Psoriasis on the upper thighs often consists of many small, round patches that are red and scaly. Psoriasis in between the thighs is easily irritated, especially if the thighs rub together you walk or run.

Creases between thigh and groin

Psoriasis generally appears as non-scaly and reddish-white in the creases between the thigh and groin. The skin may have fissures (cracks). People who are overweight or athletic may have an infection called intertrigo, which looks similar yeast infection in the folds of the skin.

Genitals

Psoriasis of the vulva often appears as a smooth, non-scaly redness. Scratching this area may cause an infection, produce dryness, and result in thickening of the skin and further itching.
Genital psoriasis usually affects the outer skin of the vagina as psoriasis does not normally affect mucous membranes. In general, genital psoriasis does not affect the urethra.
Psoriasis of the penis may appear as many small, red patches on the glans, or shaft. The skin may be scaly or smooth and shiny. Genital psoriasis affects both circumcised and uncircumcised males.

Anus and surrounding skin

Psoriasis on or near the anus is red, non-scaly and prone to itchiness. Psoriasis in this area may be confused with yeast, infections, hemorrhoidal itching, and pinworm infestations. The presence of these conditions can complicate the treatment of psoriasis. Rectal examinations and skin cultures can confirm these conditions. Symptoms of anal psoriasis may include bleeding, pain during bowel movement, and excessive dryness and itching.

Buttocks crease

Psoriasis in the buttocks crease may be red and non-scaly or red with very heavy scales. The skin in this area is not as fragile as that of the groin.

Treatment

Genital psoriasis generally responds well to treatment. Due to the sensitivity of genital skin, treatment requires special attention. Topicals and ultraviolet (UV) light are most often used. Doctors generally don’t prescribe systemic medications for genital psoriasis alone. However, they may if psoriasis is severe or resistant to topical therapy, or also appears on other parts of the body.

Psoriasis - Specific locations: hands and feet


Specific locations: hands and feet

Treat acute flares of psoriasis on the hands and feet promptly and carefully. In some cases, cracking, blisters and swelling accompany flares.
Traditional topical treatment of palm and sole psoriasis includes tar, salicylic acid and corticosteroids. Combinations of these three agents may work better than using each individually. Moisturizers, mild soaps and soap substitutes also are often used.
Calcipotriene can also be effective to treat psoriasis on hands and feet. Wear cotton gloves so the medicine doesn’t get on sensitive skin sites, such as the face or skin folds. A regimen alternating calcipotriene and potent topical corticosteroids may be helpful.
If topical medications do not work, your doctor may recommend methotrexate, cyclosporine or Soriatane (acitretin). Methotrexate can clear many cases of palm and sole psoriasis within four to six weeks.
The risks of side effects from phototherapy are reduced by combining low doses of oral retinoids with UVB or PUVA. The combination of low doses of oral retinoids with PUVA or UVB phototherapy is one of the most effective treatments available for palm and sole psoriasis. Special light therapy units for palms and soles are available.

Pustular psoriasis of the palms and soles

Topical treatments for pustular psoriasis such as corticosteroids and coal tar are usually prescribed first. Phototherapy, oral retinoids and/or methotrexate are also prescribed. Soriatane can be a helpful long-term solution for pustular psoriasis.
For difficult cases, doctors may prescribe a biologic drug.

Nails

Nail changes occur in up to 50 percent of people with psoriasis and at least 80 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis. The nail problems most commonly experienced by psoriasis patients are:
  • Pitting—shallow or deep holes in the nail
  • Deformation—alterations in the normal shape of the nail
  • Thickening of the nail
  • Onycholysis—separation of the nail from the nail bed
  • Discoloration—unusual nail coloration, such as yellow-brown

Nail treatments

Because psoriasis affects the nail when the nail is being formed, it is challenging to treat. The nail bed is difficult to penetrate with topical medications. Injections of corticosteroids into the nail bed have been used with varying results.
In addition to topical treatments and phototherapy, other treatments for nail psoriasis are:
  • Corticosteroid injections into each affected nail;
  • Cosmetic repair including nail scraping and filing, nail polish, artificial nails and surgical removal.
Onychomycosis, a fungal infection that causes thickening of the nails, may be present with nail psoriasis. It can be treated with systemic anti-fungal agents. About one-third of people who have nail psoriasis also have a fungal infection.

Nail care

In most cases, keep the nails trimmed back with manicure scissors to the point of firm attachments. Keep nails as short as possible. Loose nails continue to be injured as they rub against surfaces. It is important to protect your nails from damage because trauma will often trigger or worsen nail psoriasis.

Psoriasis - Specific locations: face


Specific locations: face

On the face

Facial psoriasis most often affects the eyebrows, the skin between the nose and upper lip, the upper forehead and the hairline. You might need a biopsy to confirm that it is psoriasis.
Psoriasis on and around the face should be treated carefully as the skin here is very sensitive.  Occasional use of mild topical steroids, also called corticosteroids, may be effective.  Other treatments include DovonexTazorac, keratolytic products (scale removers) and ultraviolet light. Dovonex and Tazorac can be irritating, so you should work with your doctor to find a way to address this concern.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two drugs, Protopic and Elidel, for the treatment of eczema which many dermatologists have found work well for treating psoriasis on the face or other sensitive areas.  Medication used to treat facial psoriasis should applied carefully and sparingly; creams and ointments can irritate eyes.  Because facial skin is delicate, prolonged use of steroids may cause it to become thin, shiny and/or prone to enlarged capillaries. Treatment with steroids may be safe if a careful treatment schedule is followed.

Around the eyes

When psoriasis affects the eyelids, scales may cover lashes. The edges of the eyelids may become red and crusty. If inflamed for long periods, the rims of the lids may turn up or down. If the rim turns down, lashes can rub against the eyeball and cause irritation.  Psoriasis of the eye is extremely rare.  When it does occur, it can cause inflammation, dryness and discomfort.  It may impair vision.  Topical antibiotics may be used to treat infection.
In some cases, a special steroid medication made for use around the eyes may be used to treat scaling. Your doctor must carefully supervise the treatment because eyelid skin can be easily damaged. If topical steroids are overused in and around your eyes, glaucoma and/or cataracts may develop, which is the reason doctors suggest having your intraocular pressure checked regularly by an ophthalmologist.
Protopic ointment or Elidel cream won't cause glaucoma and is effective on eyelids, but can sting the first few days of use. Using Protopic or Elidel for eyelid psoriasis may help you avoid the potential side effects of topical steroids.

In the ears

Psoriasis in the ears can cause scale buildup that blocks the ear canal. This buildup may lead to temporary hearing loss. A doctor should remove this scale. Psoriasis generally occurs in the external ear canal, not inside the ear or behind the eardrum.
Prescription steroid solutions can be dripped into the ear canal or applied to the outside portion of the ear canal. Dovonex or Tazorac may cause irritation when used alone and may be best used in combination with a topical steroid. The eardrum is easily damaged. Care should be taken when inserting anything rigid into the ear. Also, impaction of scale already present from psoriasis can occur if medication prescribed for the skin on the ear is not appropriately applied inside the ear canal.

Around the mouth and nose

For a very small number of people, psoriasis lesions appear on the gums, the tongue, inside the cheek, inside the nose or on the lips. The lesions are usually white or gray. Psoriasis in these areas can be relatively uncomfortable. It can cause difficulty in chewing and swallowing food.
For the most part, psoriasis treatments for the mouth and nose involve the use of topical steroids that have been designed to treat moist areas. Improving hygiene and rinsing frequently with a saline solution can help relieve oral discomfort. Low-potency steroids, such as hydrocortisone 1% ointment, may be useful in treating psoriasis on the lips. Protopic and Elidel may also be effective treatment options for psoriasis in and around the mouth.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Dr. Crowley : Board-Certified Dermatologist - Management of Psoriasis

Meet Dr Crowley
I’m Jeffrey Crowley. I’m a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in Bakersfield, California. I’ve been involved in the treatment of psoriasis patients for many, many years.
Diagnosing psoriasis
To establish a diagnosis of psoriasis, we examine the entire patient’s skin. That includes the scalp and the entire body. Psoriasis can sometimes hide in certain places, like, people can have it just on the scalp or just on the hands or just on the feet. Sometimes psoriasis can even involve areas that aren’t seen... in the underarm or in the groin area.
So we generally examine the entire skin, but before we examine the skin, we talk to the patient, and it’s important to understand what they’re concerned about. Are there rashes that they’re concerned about? What has been going on with their skin? Do they have itching? Do they have a family history of psoriasis? Do they have any symptoms of arthritis? And that’s very important. Are they having some morning stiffness in their hands? Are they having back problems? Problems in their joints? And so, really, it’s a very comprehensive exam in terms of, determining whether a patient has psoriasis, and then what type of psoriasis and how severe the psoriasis is. And then, of course, how much the psoriasis is affecting the patient’s daily activities and life.
Importance of seeing a dermatologist
So in our healthcare system now, you often have to see a primary care provider, whether that’s a physician, a physician’s assistant, or a nurse practitioner. And that may be the first place that you seek care for your skin. And that may be all you need, you know, if you just need a topical treatment. But it really is important to get an expert opinion, and an expert opinion comes from a dermatologist, and especially a dermatologist that’s interested and treats a lot of patients with psoriasis.
Preparing for your dermatologist appointment
When you go and see your dermatologist—when you set your appointment—that is your time, and you need to really set the agenda for what you want to get out of that visit with your doctor. And I would recommend really making a list. What are your concerns for your psoriasis? What are the issues that you’re concerned about? What do you want to achieve with your psoriasis? Are there certain areas that you’re more concerned with? Do you have joint involvement? Do you have arthritis? Those are all things that you want to address with the dermatologist because the dermatology practice is very busy, just like all doctors are—just like we all are—and so they may not address all your issues without you specifically asking the questions. So I recommend being prepared for your visit, especially your initial visit with your dermatologist.
Doing some research on your own, I think, is an outstanding idea. The National Psoriasis Foundation has an excellent Web site, which can provide you with background information. There are other Web sites that are available as well, which can give you information on psoriasis. They can tell you not only the types of psoriasis, but the different types of treatments available, too, and if you are armed with that knowledge going into the appointment, you’re going to get a lot more out of that visit.
Sharing all the ways psoriasis affects you
So psoriasis can affect you both in terms of how you look and how your skin feels—itch, things like that—discomfort, trouble sitting… all sorts of different physical symptoms can occur with psoriasis. And then, of course, there’s the emotional aspects of psoriasis, and this really varies dramatically by patients, and some patients with even fairly small amounts of disease may be very troubled emotionally by their psoriasis. I have patients who basically are recluses in their home. Now we have treatments that can help these people, and we’d like to see more of those patients in our practices and be able to help them.
Don’t be afraid to tell the doctor what is bothering you. Don’t hold back, you know, if the psoriasis is keeping you from having the social life that you want, keeping you from doing the things that you want to do, the fact that you can’t wear shorts because you have these ugly plaques on your legs—those are the kind of things you need to communicate with your doctor. You need to tell him the emotional toll that it’s taking on you. Is it affecting other people in the family as well? Is this affecting relationships? Those are all important things to convey.
Psoriasis treatment options
There are a wide range of treatments for psoriasis, and more than one treatment may be appropriate for you. There’s phototherapy, which is usually done in-office, but sometimes can be done at home with a home phototherapy unit. This can be very effective, even for fairly widespread psoriasis. There are topical therapies. These usually work better for patients with smaller amounts of disease because it’s very difficult to put topical medications on large areas of your skin.
And then there are more systemic-type therapies; there are therapies that have pills that you can take, such as methotrexate and cyclosporine, which have been used for psoriasis for many years. And then we have the biologic therapies, and there’s a whole host of different agents available.
Finding the treatment that’s right for you
One of the most important things that I look at every time a patient comes in the office—are they happy with their current treatment, and that is the most important question. Are you happy with how things are going? And this is, of course, on a follow-up visit. You know, sit down, how is it going? How is the current treatment going? And if it’s not going well, if there’s not a good degree of satisfaction, then something else should be done, and at that point, we discuss the options. That may include changing to another medication.
If you have a question about how to use your medication, if you didn’t understand what the dermatologist was telling you or they didn’t even communicate it to you effectively, you need to ask. You need to call, you need to ask.
Taking control
You may be very frustrated with the attempts you’ve made to improve your psoriasis, with the treatments that you’ve tried, with the healthcare professionals that you’ve seen. You need to know that there are other options, and that you haven’t had every treatment available. And you need to find someone—a healthcare provider, preferably a dermatologist—who you can work with to make your psoriasis better.
So if you’re sitting there at home and you have psoriasis, you’re frustrated, you’ve been checking on the Internet trying to see what’s out there, but you haven’t been happy with the experience that you’ve had with physicians in the past or with the healthcare system in the past, you really need to give it another chance. And I would do some research. I would ask friends, check on the Web sites for the National Psoriasis Foundation—find doctors who are treating psoriasis, find dermatologists who are interested in treating psoriasis, and give them a chance.
Living well
One of the most important things in managing your psoriasis is taking care of your overall health—eating healthy, being healthy, exercising. There are a lot of things that contribute to making psoriasis much more difficult to treat. These include being overweight, they include not eating well, drinking alcohol to excess… all of these can be factors that can make your psoriasis more difficult to control.
One of the wonderful things is having a patient back who’s used a therapy and is pleased. And, it’s changed their lives, you know, and it really can change your life. Now you may not even realize how much improving your psoriasis may change the way you feel, the way you see yourself, the way others see you.