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2011-04-29T06:26:00.001-07:00

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Mushatts @ Market Point Pharmacy Ireland

2011-04-28T07:33:00.001-07:00

Mushatts for Psoriasis Management and Treatment is now available at Martket Point Pharmacy, Ireland
Please visit http://www.GotClearSkin.com to purchase Mushatts Online within the USA
Mushatts #9 available at (GCS) GotClearSkin.com
Read more about the 1 year aniversary of Market Point Pharmacy below:
quoted from 1st Anniversary for Market Point Pharmacy

1st Anniversary for Market Point Pharmacy Just one short year ago – September 8th, 2008, to be exact – Mullingar pharmacist John Keane M.P.S.I. opened the doors […]

OTC Treatment

2011-02-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

Moisturizers:

Moisturizers help control scaling and dryness and may improve associated itching. They should be applied immediately after bathing and at other times during the day. Moisturizers should be applied in the direction of the hairs to minimize the risk of pimple like eruptions. Vaseline®, Eucerin® and Aquaphor® are all occlusive sticky products that can be of benefit.

Tars:

Tars are available as shampoos, soaps, gels, lotions, creams, ointments, and bath oils. Coal tar has been used since at least the beginning of the last century. These products can be combined with topical corticosteroids. These products make the skin sensitive to ultra violet-A light waves (UVA). They are often used in combination with ultra violet-B light waves (UVB). Folliculitis can be a side effect.

Tar shampoos are commonly used to treat scalp psoriasis however, they may discolor white hair turning it a yellowish color. Side effects are related to skin irritation and staining of skin and clothing.

They also tend to have an unpleasant odor.

Salicylic Acid:

Salicylic acid moisturizers and shampoos help remove some of the scales seen in psoriasis, it may be useful in reducing the thickness of psoriatic scale, but care must be taken to be gentle to the skin to prevent flaring of the psoriasis. It may be combined with tar, anthralin, and topical corticosteroids.

It is true that compounding calcipotriol and salicylic acid is not recommended because calcipotriol could be inactivated in an acidic environment. However, application of salicylic acid to the skin does not influence skin surface pH enough to influence the stability of calcipotriol in its in vivo situation. A combination treatment of Dovonex* and Psorimed® (10% salicylic acid, marketed by LEO Pharma in Germany) is actually recommended for the treatment of scalp psoriasis: Dovonex* is used in the morning and salicylic acid in the evening for the first 3-4 days; or salicylic acid is applied for 3-4 days followed by Dovonex* twice daily with no expected special risk of accelerated calcipotriol breakdown.

Other Shampoos:

There are many over the counter dandruff shampoos which can improve scalp psoriasis, particularly the scaling. They include the tar and salicylic acid shampoos listed above, ketoconazole and zinc pyrithione also.

Hydrocortisone Cream:

Hydrocortisone cream may improve psoriasis on the face and in the skin folds and improve itching. A stronger prescription topical corticosteroid is usually required to improve psoriasis lesions elsewhere.

(GCS) GotClearSkin.com | Great products for Management of Psoriasis

Topical Treatment

2011-02-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

Topical psoriasis treatment includes corticosteroids, calcipotriol/calcipotriene, tazarotene, tars, and anthralin. Tars and anthralin are discussed above.

Calcipotriol and Betamethasone Dipropionate (Dovobet®)

Calcipotriol is safe and an effective treatment for psoriasis when used along but the onset of action is slower than that of topical corticosteroids. Skin irritation may also limit its use for some patients. Topical steroids are effective for the treatment of psoriasis by reducing the inflammatory process. The risk of side effects increases with increasing potency of the steroid as well as the duration of their use.

Combining both corticosteroid and calcipotriol has been shown to be effective. However, extemporaneous compounding of these products is a problem because of stability issues. Calcipotriol needs a basic pH environment whereas betamethasone dipropionate requires an acidic medium. A new vehicle was created in order to satisfy the needs of both of these molecules. This combination product is available in Canada as Dovobet®.

Studies show that Dovobet® is more effective than calcipotriol or betamethasone dipropionate alone. In one clinical trial, after 1 week of treatment, the percentage of reductions in PASI scores were 28% in the calcipotriol trial group, 44% in the betamethasone group and 48% in the Dovobet® group.

Dovobet® is as effective when used once daily compared with twice daily. In addition to the adverse effects which may be seen with calcipotriol and topical corticosteroids, Dovobet® is known to cause itching at the site of application. The itching is usually mild with no need to stop treatment. For patients that have been prescribed Dovonex* or Dovobet®, you can access more product information by clicking either of these links and entering the DIN Number from your prescription: www.dovobet.ca or www.dovonex.ca.

Topical Calcipotriol/Calcipotriene (Dovonex®):

Calcipotriol/calcipotriene is a derivative of vitamin D, and it is available in a cream, ointment, and scalp solution. The mechanism of action is unknown, but it is known to slow the excessive turnover of epidermal cells, by influencing keratinocyte differentiation.
The improvement usually starts within 2-3 weeks. The full effect may require up to 2 months. This is effective in a large number of psoriatic with mild to moderate disease. The full effect may require up to 2 months. It is usually effective and safe for long term use. Calcipotriol is an effective treatment in a large number of psoriatic patients with mild to moderate disease. There is a risk of hypercalcaemia if calcipotriol is used extensively, but at dosages of less than 100 gm per week calcium metabolism is not affected. Since it may cause irritation, calcipotriol is not usually used on the face, genitals, or in skin folds.

This can be used in combination with other topical agents as well as photo therapy, (PUVA or UVB) and systemic therapies such as cyclosporine A or acitretin. The use of calcipotriol in combination with other treatments (i.e. topical steroids, cyclosporin, acitretin, PUVA phototherapy or UVB phototherapy) improves efficacy allowing for dosage reduction of the other treatments. However, since the stability of calcipotriol in its marketed formulations may be affected by other compounds, mixtures of calcipotriol and other topical agents should not be prepared.

Anthralin (Dithranol®):

This is derived from chrysarobin, from the bark of the Araroba tree. Anthralin is available as a cream, ointment, and scalp lotion. Lower concentrations can be left on overnight, while stronger ones (1% or higher) should be left on for 15-30 minutes. It is used to treat plaque and guttate psoriasis. Short contact with a high concentration works better than longer contact with a low concentration.

Anthralin slows down the growth of the skin cells and has anti-inflammatory actions. Anthralin can cause staining (purple/brown color) of your clothes, skin, and hair, which limits its use, irritation may also occur, but this can be minimized by applying the anthralin only to the psoriasis patches and avoiding uninvolved skin. You should not use anthralin on the face, genitals, or in the skin folds.

In hospital, administration of anthralin often will clear psoriasis within 2 weeks. Short contact anthralin is effective in a large number of individuals with mild to moderate psoriasis.

In hospital and Day Care Ingram regime involves anthralin paste, coal tar baths as well as ultraviolet light. Short contact anthralin can be administered at home and is good for localized areas of psoriasis. It may be used in combination with both UVB and PUVA.

A product developed in Sweden called Micanol® is designed for short contact use. The anthralin does not stain if it is washed off with cool water.

The mechanism of action is unknown. They may effect expression of genes for cytokines and cell adhesion molecules.

Dithrocreme® 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%
DithrocremeHP® 1%
Dithroscalp® 0,25% 0,5%
Micanol® 1%
Topical Corticosteroids (Diprosone®, Valisone®):

Topical steroids are the most commonly prescribed psoriasis medications and they are available as creams, ointments, gels, lotions, solutions, oils, and shampoos. They can be used anywhere on the body and work quite quickly, often within 1-2 weeks. However, with long term use, steroids often lose their effectiveness.

Usually you won't have any side effects with short term use. However, longer use particularly with stronger preparations, may cause thinning of the skin, stretch marks, dilated blood vessels, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, bruising, and hair growth. Progression to a more active form of psoriasis for example, pustular or erythrodermic psoriasis, increased susceptibility to infections, and a flare up of the psoriasis when the medication is stopped.

Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the blood circulation and cause a number of side effects in your body, particularly if you are treating large areas and/or using strong steroids. Only mild steroids should be used on the more sensitive skin, such as your face, and in skin folds. Stronger steroids are usually required elsewhere. Pulsed betamethasone diproprionate used three times, 12 hours apart is shown to be useful in maintaining psoriasis. This regimen is suitable for weekend use while non-cortisone can be used during the weekdays.

Topical Tazarotene (Tazorac®):

Tazarotene is a selective retinoid with properties that are similar to vitamin A. Tazarotene is available as a cream and gel. It is effective in the treatment of psoriasis, acne, and photoaging. In the treatment of psoriasis, it may be used by itself, or in combination with a corticosteroid cream or ointment, calcipotriol/calcipotriene or light treatment (UVB, PUVA).

Irritation is common with tazarotene, but you can minimize this by applying a thin layer of the medication only to the patches and avoiding the uninvolved surrounding skin and/or protecting the surrounding skin with petrolatum. You should not use tazarotene on the genitals or in the skin folds. You should not use this medication if you are pregnant.

The mechanism of action is unknown. It may induce growth suppressor genes in keratinocytes. The efficacy is usually slow and starts with reduction of plaque thickness and some improvement in redness and scaling usually occurs after 3 months.

Side effects include redness and burning. It should not be used in women who wish to become pregnant.

Application is usually used daily.

(GCS) GotClearSkin.com

Etanercept (Enbrel)

2011-02-05T09:33:00.000-08:00

This is a fusion protein. This is a TNF-alpha receptor fused onto human IgG. It acts by inhibiting TNF-alpha activity.

It is used for rheumatoid arthritis,juvenile rheumatoid arthritis as well as psoriatic arthritis. This shows good activity against psoriatic arthritis with eighty-seven percent of patients in one study showing significant improvement compared to twenty-three percent in the placebo group. In patients with skin psoriasis about one quarter showed seventy-five percent improvement in their PASI scores.

Dosage

Etanercept is given as a 25 mg twice weekly dose injected subcutaneously at home. This drug should be avoided in patients with a history of multiple sclerosis.

Side Effects

The common side effect is at the site of injection. These reactions are usually mild to moderate and diminish in frequency after the first month of treatment. Redness, itching, pain and swelling were described. There is a slight increase in the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections. It should not be used in those with congestive heart disease. There is a risk of re-activating tuberculosis so therefore it is avoided in individuals with positive tuberculin skin tests. There is a small series of patients who have developed signs of drug induced systemic lupus. It is possible that this drug may unmask multiple sclerosis.

Drug Interactions

This drug has been used in combination with both cyclosporine and methotrexate.

(GCS) GotClearSkin.com

Efalizumab (RAPTIVA®)

2011-02-05T09:29:00.000-08:00

RAPTIVA® is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to the CD11a subunit of LFA-1 (lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1), a leukocyte cell surface protein. By this mechanism, efalizumab:

inhibits the primary T lymphocyte activation in lymph nodes (including T lymphocyte proliferation, interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor expression, CD11a expression, and cytokine release);
inhibits T lymphocyte binding to endothelial cells and trafficking to psoriatic lesions;
inhibits T lymphocyte reactivation in dermis/epidermis and interaction with keratinocytes.
RAPTIVA® is indicated for the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis in adult patients (18 years or older) who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. It has also been studied in refractory patients who were not controlled by, contraindicated to, or intolerant to two or more systemic therapies (CLEAR study).

Clinical trial data

The efficacy of RAPTIVA® is largely based on 7 key studies that included more than 3,200 patients: 5 placebo controlled studies, plus two extension studies ranging from 12 weeks to 1 year and a long term open label trial for treatment up to 27 months. Patients randomized to the RAPTIVA® dose group achieved statistically significantly better responses than placebo on the primary endpoint, i.e., achieving a greater or equal to 75% improvement in PASI score compared to baseline in all studies. For example, in one study of 339 patients, 41% achieved PASI-75 and 82% achieved PASI-50 at week-12.

The improvement in PASI score in the RAPTIVA® arm relative to the placebo arm was seen as early as Week 2 of treatment and increased over time.

Dosing

RAPTIVA® is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of a health care professional. RAPTIVA® is administered as a subcutaneous injection and patients may self-inject following proper training in measurement of the correct dose and injection technique. Injection sites should be rotated. RAPTIVA® should be administered as an initial single 0.7 mg/kg body weight dose followed by weekly injections of 1.0 mg/kg body weight. The maximum single dose should not exceed a total of 200 mg.

Safety

The most common adverse drug reactions observed during RAPTIVA® therapy were mild to moderate dose-related acute flu-like symptoms including headache, fever, chills, nausea and myalgia. In large placebo-controlled clinical studies, these reactions were observed in approximately 17% of subjects in excess of placebo-treated patients over 12 weeks of treatment. Headache was the most prevalent type of flu-like symptoms. These reactions were greatest with the first dose administration, decreasing with the second and subsequent doses. Severe acute events of headache, chills, fever and myalgia were reported only in the RAPTIVA®-treated subjects affecting 3.6% of subjects.

Duration of Response

RAPTIVA® is best used as a continuous therapy. The median time to relapse among PASI responders who discontinued treatment after 12 weeks is approximately 67 days (time to relapse [= 50% loss of improvement] was evaluated in patients who were classified as responders [= 75% improved on PASI] after 12 weeks of treatment.). The majority of responding patients who were responders at the end of 12 weeks and continued RAPTIVA® treatment, maintained this response at 24 weeks. Extended treatment showed additional benefit for subjects who, at the end of the initial 12-week treatment, were either non-responders (subjects who did not achieve a PASI 50 response) or partial responders (subjects who achieved a PASI 50 but not a PASI 75 response). RAPTIVA® re-treatment was effective in subjects whose psoriasis recurred after RAPTIVA® withdrawal.

Drug Interactions

There have been no formal drug interaction studies conducted with RAPTIVA®. No data are available on the effects of vaccination or on the secondary transmission of infection by live vaccines in patients receiving RAPTIVA®. Patients should not receive acellular, live and live-attenuated vaccines during RAPTIVA® treatment.

The interaction of RAPTIVA® with other systemic antipsoriatic therapies, such as cyclosporin, methotrexate or oral retinoids, has not been formally studied. Limited data from clinical studies has been accumulated on concomitant use of RAPTIVA® and methotrexate, oral retinoids, UVB phototherapy, non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and topical antipsoriastic agents. RAPTIVA® should be administered with caution in combination with these medications.

Given the mechanism of action of RAPTIVA® it is not recommended to use RAPTIVA® in combination with other immunosuppressive drugs.

(GCS) GotClearSkin.com

Biologic Drugs and How They Work

2011-02-05T09:27:00.000-08:00

We are entering a very exciting stage in medical treatment in that drugs have been designed to specifically hit immunological targets that are involved in specific conditions. Previous immune therapy has involved drugs that have a general suppressing effect on the immune system which consequently prevents high doses being used because of the fear of side effects. Theoretically the more specific the target to be blocked, the less interference with other biological functions - making the drug safer.

These new drugs are known as biological drugs. They are created in living cells. The technique has been used for a long time for drugs such as insulin or interferon.

There are a number of new biologic drugs that are currently used in psoriasis.

Alefacept (Amevive)
Efalizumab (Raptiva)
Inflixiamab (Remicaide)
Etanercept (Enbrel)
Explanation of the difficult drug names:

The suffix denotes the drug class.

Mab = monoclonal antibody

Ximab = chimeric(mouse-human) monoclonal antibody

Zumab = Humanized monoclonal antibody-ie. Reducing the amount of mouse to under10%

Umab = Human monoclonal antibody

Cept = receptof –antibody fusion protein that mimics an immunoglobulin

These drugs can target different steps in the pathway of producing psoriasis. The following general targets have been identified and can be blocked.

T-cell activation
Inhibiting memory or activated T-cells
Blocking the migration of T-cells into the skin
Inhibiting the chemicals or cytokines produced eg. tumor necrosis factor
Blocking conversion of one cytokine into another

(GCS) GotClearSkin.com

Light therapy (phototherapy) for Psoriasis

2011-02-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

Light therapy (phototherapy) is given under the supervision of a physician. It is available in dermatologists’ offices, psoriasis day-care centers, phototherapy clinics, and some hospitals.

UVB:

Ultraviolet B (UVB) light waves have wavelength’s ranging between 290-320 nm. It is the wavelength in sunlight which is responsible for most of the sunburns; sometimes tar, anthralin, calcipotriol/calcipotriene, or tazarotene topical therapy is also used in conjunction with UVB phototherapy. In 1925, Goeckerman used tar in addition to UVB, the Ingram method refers to tar baths, topical anthralin, and UVB.

UVB is given to the whole body in a cabinet, or to localized areas with a small portable unit. Most UVB given is broadband UVB. Narrow band UVB, which has a wavelength of 311 nm, is available in certain centers. Some patients may do better with narrow band UVB, but the risk of a sunburn reaction may be greater.

The eyes need to be protected with special glasses during UVB treatment in order to prevent eye damage. Although treatment is often limited to 2-4 weeks, long term treatment might be associated with aging of the skin, burning, and potentially an increase in skin cancer. UVB is usually administered three times a week for three months for clearing and maintenance can be achieved by using it less frequently. Long remissions may occur after UVB phototherapy.

The mechanism of action is unknown. It may reduce synthesis of DNA within epidermal cells and alter the immune response in the skin. It is less effective than PUVA but can be improved by adding other systemic therapies. The onset of response is slow.

Narrow Band UVB:

This is seen to be more effective than UVB. It can cause freckling and changes of skin aging. It takes longer to administer narrow band versus regular UVB.

PUVA:

PUVA stands for Psoralen (a medication that sensitizes your skin to ultraviolet A light waves) + UVA (ultraviolet A, with a wavelength range of 320-400 nm). The psoralen may be taken internally as a pill or applied to the skin (in bath water or as a cream, ointment, or lotion). After a set time after the psoralen has been taken or applied, the skin is exposed to ultraviolet A radiation in a cabinet or with a small portable unit.

You must wear protective eye glasses as soon as you take the psoralen pill during treatment (for both the internal and topical PUVA treatments), and for one day after your treatment, in order to prevent eye damage. Other potential side effects include itching and dryness of the skin, a sunburn reaction, freckling, aging of the skin, and skin cancer. The pill often causes an upset stomach. You can minimize nausea by taking the psoralen pill with food. PUVA therapy is usually given initially 2 to 3 times a week, then less frequently as the skin improves. It takes about 25 treatments over a 2-3 month period before clearing takes place. Long remissions may occur after PUVA therapy. Maintenance of improvement can in some be achieved by much less frequent use.

Phototherapy is useful when the psoriasis is generalized. It is effective and may have an ability to turn off the psoriasis for months. It can be used in combination with both methotrexate and the retinoids. The disadvantage is the increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma as well as melanoma. Photo damage with freckles and lentigines are seen particularly with PUVA.

The mechanism of action is unknown but involves the interaction of methoxsalen into DNA forming cross links. This results in the reduction of DNA synthesis and blocks cell proliferation. It may also suppress immune response in the skin.

The efficacy is very significant in a large percentage of patients. The duration of effect is long but the onset of improvement is slow.

Re-PUVA:

Re-PUVA refers to treatment with a retinoid (for example, Acitretin) and PUVA. The retinoid is usually started a couple of weeks before the PUVA. The total dose and number of PUVA treatments may be less if treatment with a retinoid is also given.

Laser:

Laser light treatment has been used for localized resistant patches with some success. However, it is still considered experimental. The laser used is the 308nm Eximer® laser which gives a quick response. Since the light beam is relatively small, it is not a practical treatment option for generalized disease.

(GCS) GotClearSkin.com

Combination Therapy for Psoriasis

2011-02-05T09:20:00.000-08:00

Phototherapy + Drugs/Tar/Anthralin

1. Acitretin

It has been widely accepted that combining acitretin with photo therapy either UVB or PUVA is beneficial. PUVA is being used less because of the risk of skin cancers. This has meant that UVB is the most convenient and most commonly used in combination with retinoids for moderate to severe psoriasis which is unresponsive to topical therapy. A low dose of acitretin in the range of 10 to 25 mg daily is started about two weeks before adding UVB.

This combination is one of the safest treatments available for moderate to severe psoriasis with no long-term adverse effects documented. Short-term effects of dry skin, thinning of hair and photosensitivity apparently are reduced by lowering the dose of both the retinoid and UVB. The dose of UVB is reduced to avoid photo toxicity. Acitretin when combined with narrow band UVB (311 nanometers) has been shown to be more effective than broad band UVB. Some believe this combination is as effective as PUVA. It is certainly simpler and safer. The long term remission rate may not be as high as PUVA.

2. Methotrexate, Cyclosporine, and UVB

This combination is synergistic allowing a reduction in the total dose of both methotrexate and UVB. There is frequently a rebound on stopping both of these modalities. Cyclosporine can be used in combination with UVB but has not been studied extensively. There is a concern about increasing the risk of squamous cell carcinoma because of the immunosuppressive effect of cyclosporine combined with ultraviolet light.

3. Topical Calcipotriol / Tazarotene

Studies suggest that UVB and Dovonex produces a much greater response than UVB and placebo ointment. UVB twice a week combined with Dovonex was as effective as UVB administered three times a week. The Dovonex should be applied more than two hours before UVB exposure. Tazarotene can be combined with UVB which is particularly useful for resistant lesions. The patients burn more easily because of the thinning effect on the epidermis produced by the tazarotene. UVB doses are usually reduced by up to one third when tazarotene is used in combination.

4. Tar and Anthralin

The Goeckerman regime is still one of the most effective treatments for clearing psoriasis. This is combining tar with UVB. The Ingram regime uses anthralin and UVB. Short contact tar and anthralin when combined with UVB can produce remission in about 70 percent of patients which can be maintained for about six months.

(GCS) GotClearSkin.com

Volcanic Earth Products

2010-08-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

Volcanic Earth coming to (GCS) GotClearSkin.com!

It is through the use of real volcanic ash that Volcanic Earth seeks to harness and incorporate the earth’s energy into its flagship all natural "Elementals" skin care range and its unique "Ash Clothing" range.
Elementals

This exotic line of natural, organic skin products utilizes the sensuous scents of pure Frangipani, Vanilla and Sandalwood, along with our certified organic Cocoa Butter and the highly prized, anti-aging benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil and the Oil of Tamanu. Real volcanic ash is used as a gentle, purifying and cleansing exfoliant throughout this entire, macrobiotic range.

The “Elementals” Ranges

“Unpredictable” – A unique blend of sensuous Frangipani and Vanilla pure essential oils to invigorate your body, uplift your spirits and stimulate your sensual energies. “Eruptable” – Incorporating Sandalwood with Frangipani and Vanilla essential oils for beautiful, healthy skin - stimulates vitality & inner strength. A natural aphrodisiac.

“CocoVan” – A beautiful combination of Vanilla, Virgin Coconut Oil and Lime to soften and heal damaged skin, reduce the effects of aging and soothe emotional tension.

“Tropical First Aid” – Traditional Melanesian skin care treatments based on the healing qualities of the Sacred Oil of Tamanu, pure Virgin Coconut Oil and volcanic ash.

Healing With The Sacred Oil of Tamanu

Enjoy the esteemed ancient qualities of our pure Tamanu Oil which is renowned in the South Pacific for healing and as a natural sun block. Blended with our certified organic Cocoa Butter, Paw Paw and Virgin Coconut Oil.

FACT SHEET ON TAMANU OIL

The Endless Skin Care Benefits of Tamanu Oil Are Ancient, Traditional and Unbelievably Fabulous. The Leaf and fruit of the Tamanu Tree

The benefits of this fabulous oil seem to be endless. In fact, there appears to be a complete absence of any negative consequences. Tamanu Oil (or “Green Gold” as it is sometimes known) has been one of the best kept skin care secrets of all time.

Although indigenous Melanesian and Polynesian communities discovered this mind-blowing, natural skin care remedy many centuries ago, it is only in recent times that Tamanu Oil has begun to attract serious attention from the beauty industry. Volcanic Earth's efforts in promoting pure Vanuatu Tamanu Oil in the global marketplace, via our international resellers and Tropical First Aid range, may well have contributed to this development in some small way - at least our sales figures seem to reflect this.

One thing that is clear is that Tamanu Oil is at the cutting edge of a new wave of emerging skin care products. Below I will attempt to explain precisely why this is the case.

How Tamanu Oil Is Produced

The Tamanu tree only bears fruit once a year and the fruit itself is inedible. However, inside the fruit is a pale-coloured nut kernel. When this nut kernel is dried (which takes 1-2 months), it turns a deep, chocolate brown and releases a sticky, rich oil. These days, the oil is often extracted from the nut kernels using some form of mechanical cold press. The resulting Tamanu Oil is a rich, luxurious, greenish-amber colour. It is non-toxic and devoid of any chemical additives.

The Healing Benefits Of Tamanu Oil

Tamanu Oil is made from the nut kernels of the Tamanu Tree. While the tree itself does grow inland, it prefers salty, sandy soil, with the result that it tends to grow profusely near the sea. The native Ni

Vanuatu people claim that the best Tamanu Oil comes from the trees that grow near coastal areas, rather than from those that grow inland.

The ability of Tamanu Oil to heal the skin surpasses that of most, if not all, modern day skin care products. Scientific studies show that Tamanu Oil is a significant healing agent because of its ability to produce new skin tissue and because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-neuralgic, antibiotic and antioxidant properties.

While Tamanu Oil can be used effectively to treat a range of infections including ring worm, athlete’s foot, itching and dermaphytosis of the scalp or beard (due to the presence of Friedelin) and infected wounds and burns (due to the anti-bacterial presence of Canophyllol and the antibiotic presence of lactone), it is its cicatrizing capacity that sets it apart.

Dried Tamanu Nuts

Cicatrization is the process involved in the formation of new tissue. Consequently, Tamanu Oil is amazingly effective for the treatment of everything from acne and acne scars, scarring generally, stretch marks, diabetic sores, psoriasis, sunburn, blisters, abrasions, burns, cuts, eczema, herpes sores, insect bites and stings, fissures, dry or scaly skin and my personal favourite – the reduction or complete removal of unsightly age spots.

Tamanu Oil is also a natural deodorant and this is why it is used for the reduction of foot and/or body odour. The natural anti-inflammatory qualities of the oil also produce significant pain-relieving properties (due in part to the presence of Phenyl Coumarin Calophyllolide and various xanthones in the oil). It is this anti-inflammatory quality that is primarily responsible for the reduction of general swelling, rashes, sores, and abrasions.

Sometimes referred to as “Green Gold” or the Sacred Oil of Tamanu, this oil also possesses analgesic properties that help rid the body of pain extremely fast – this is especially so when it comes to conditions such as neuralgia, sciatica, shingles and rheumatism. The combination of the oil’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities can be particularly beneficial in the case of pulled muscles, ligament damage and sprains.

Tamanu Oil can be applied to the surface of the skin to promote healthy, blemish-free skin. Many Ni Vanuatu women apply use it on babies to prevent nappy rash. It may be applied to treat a variety of skin irritations, including those caused by warts, allergies or skin ulcers. Tamanu Oil has proved successful in the treatment of severe skin conditions, including a gangrenous leg ulcer.

Some of the other skin care benefits of this tropical first aid remedy include the treatment of dermatitis, chemical burns, skin grafts, post surgical wounds, vaginitis, chilblains – just to name a few.

One of the most important features of Tamanu Oil is its ability to penetrate all three layers of the skin – i.e. the Epidermis, Dermis and Hypodermis. Apart from all its other qualities, this fact goes a long way towards explaining why Tamanu Oil can do what it does.

Not surprisingly, this wonderful oil can even be used to treat animals such as dogs and cats.

How To Use Tamanu Oil

Tamanu Oil is non-greasy and readily absorbed into the skin. As the oil is so effective, a little goes a long way. Our handy Tamanu Oil 12ml Roll On is an ideal applicator. Better still, it’s refillable so once you have the roll-on, you can simply buy our 50ml bottle of Tamanu Oil and refill it.

Simply roll the oil onto the affected area. Initially, it’s a good idea to apply the oil 3-5 times a day and then cut back as the problem begins to heal. This is another reason why our little Roll-On is so handy, as it will easily fit into most purses/handbags or trouser/shirt pockets.

Although we are not aware of any documented reports of adverse effects due to application of Tamanu Oil, care may need to be taken if you are allergic to nuts. The Oil of Tamanu is an all-natural product that is clearly very versatile and effective. It can be applied directly to the skin and is suitable for treating a wide range of skin conditions.

Effect On Environment

It is only after the fruit of the Tamanu Tree have fallen to the ground naturally that the nuts are collected and dried. Consequently, there is no negative impact on the trees themselves. The harvesting of the nuts and the subsequent cold pressing into Tamanu Oil is a sustainable source of income for the native Ni Vanuatu in a largely non-cash economy. This income is much needed to pay for their children’s schooling and basic necessities such as rice.

Limitations

Bearing in mind that Tamanu Oil is made from nuts, it is strongly recommended that anyone with an allergy to nuts consult their doctor, as appropriate.

Apart from this precaution, there are no known adverse effects.

So, get yourself some Tamanu Oil TODAY - Just make sure it's pure Tamanu Oil and that it is not mixed with some lesser, inferior oil. Pure Tamanu Oil and Tamanu Oil-based skin products can be found in our Tropical First Aid range.

VIRGIN COCONUT OIL FACT SHEET
About Coconut Oils I bet you don’t know there is a difference!

Note: Volcanic Earth only uses virgin coconut oil in all its products. The coconuts are organically grown in Vanuatu and no artificial chemicals, additives or preservatives of any kind are used in its production. In fact it is made traditionally, the same way as the islanders have made it for centuries. This does make our coconut oil more expensive as other companies use coconut oil made by the copra method, which produces more oil (see below for a definition of copra method) but chemicals must be used in the purification process.

Virgin Coconut Oil can only be achieved by using fresh coconut meat and milk or what is called the non-copra method.

What is the difference between coconut oils?

Most commercial grade coconut oils are made from copra. Copra is basically the dried meat of the coconut. It can be made by smoke drying, sun drying, or kiln drying, or derivatives or a combination of these three. If standard copra is used as a starting material, the unrefined coconut oil extracted from copra is not suitable for consumption and must be purified - i.e. refined. This is because the way most copra is dried is very unsanitary. Most of the copra is dried under the sun in the open air, where it is exposed to insects and moulds. The standard end product made from copra is RBD coconut oil. RBD stands for refined, bleached, and deodorized. Both high heat and chemicals (e.g. solvent extractions) are used in this method.

RBD oil is also often hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated. Hydrogenated oils have been shown to increase serum cholesterol levels, which contribute to heart disease.

One of the main differences between Virgin Coconut oil and refined coconut oils is the scent and taste. All Virgin Coconut Oils retain a distinct fragrance and taste of coconuts, whereas the copra-based refined coconut oils have no taste or fragrance at all due to the refining process.

Why Virgin Coconut Oil is arguably the best type of oil to use on your skin?

The answer is free radicals

Most commercial creams and lotions are predominantly water. Their moisture is quickly absorbed into dry, wrinkled skin. As the water enters the skin, it expands the tissues, like filling a balloon with water, so that wrinkles fade away and the skin feels smoother. But this is only temporary. As soon as the water evaporates or is carried away by the blood stream, the dry, wrinkled skin returns.

As we age, connective tissue fibers are continually subjected to free-radical attack, which breaks them down. As a result, connective tissues become hardened and lose both elasticity and strength. The skin loses its ability to hold itself together and begins to sag and become wrinkled. Once young, soft and smooth the skin turns dry and leathery. Once a free-radical reaction is started it can cause a chain reaction that produces more free radicals, which ultimately damages thousands of molecules. The only way our body has to fight them is with antioxidants. When a free radical comes into contact with an antioxidant, the chain reaction is stopped. For this reason, it is good to have plenty of antioxidants in our cells and tissues to protect us.

Virgin Coconut Oil is especially useful in fighting free radicals, as it is unrefined and hasn't been stripped of any of its natural components through the refining process. Conventional body care products that are made with refined vegetable oils which have all the antioxidants stripped from them are highly prone to free-radical generation both in and outside the body. This is also the reason why you should be careful about the type of oils you use on your skin, and in your lotions, creams and lip balms. If you use a lotion, or cream with a refined oil in it you are in fact causing your skin to age faster. The lotion, though it may bring temporary improvement will actually accelerate the aging of the skin and even promote skin cancer through the free radicals that are readily formed from the refined vegetable oil. Conventional body care products that are made with refined vegetable oils which have all the antioxidants stripped from them are highly prone to free-radical generation both in and outside the body. That is why eating processed vegetable oils can cause a deficiency in vitamin E and other antioxidants. The antioxidants are used up fighting off free radicals causing permanent damage to connective tissues. This is also the reason why you should be careful about the type of oils you use on your skin, and in your lotions, creams and lip balms. If you use a lotion, or cream with a refined oil in it you are in fact causing your skin to age faster. The lotion, though it may bring temporary improvement, will actually accelerate the aging of the skin and even promote skin cancer through the free radicals that are readily formed from the refined vegetable oil.

One of the classic signs of old age is the appearance of brown, freckle-like spots or liver spots. It is a sign of free-radical deterioration of the lipids (fats) in our skin, thus the name lipofuscin. Oxidation of polyunsaturated fats and protein by free radical activity in the skin is recognized as the major cause of liver spots. Liver spots don't ordinarily hurt or show any signs of discomfort. If we couldn't see them we wouldn't even know they were there. But they do affect our health and our appearance. Because cells cannot dispose of the lipofuscin pigment, it gradually accumulates within many cells of the body as we age. Once lipofuscin pigment develops, it tends to stick around for life, but you can prevent further oscitation and perhaps even reduce the spots you already have by using the right kind of oils in your diet and on your skin.

The ideal lotion is one that is made from oil that softens the skin, but also protects it against damage, promoting healing and giving the skin a more youthful, healthy appearance. Coconut oil fits that description. Pure virgin coconut oil is the best natural ingredient for skin lotion available. It prevents destructive free-radical formation and provides protection against them. It can help to keep the skin from developing liver spots, and other blemishes caused by aging and over exposure to sunlight. It helps to keep connective tissues strong and supple so that the skin doesn't sag and wrinkle. In some cases it might even restore damaged or diseased skin. The oil is absorbed into the skin and into the cell structure of the connective tissues, limiting the damage excessive sun exposure can cause.

Coconut oil will not only bring temporary relief to the skin, but it will aid in healing and repairing. It will have lasting benefits, unlike most lotions. It can help bring back a youthful appearance. The coconut oil will aid in removing the outer layer of dead skin cells, making the skin smoother. The skin will become more evenly textured with a healthy "shine". While doing this, the coconut oil will penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and strengthen the underlying tissues.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF VOLCANIC ASH

Volcanic ash has been used for centuries by the native Melanesians and Polynesians for the treatment of a wide variety of infections due to its anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-yeast and overall disinfectant qualities. The ash is high in Sulphur, an active Mineral ingredient which not only helps the body to resist bacteria but actually destroy it. Sulphur exists in your haemoglobin and connective body tissue: -

to disinfect the blood;

stimulate bile secretion;

aid the oxidation reactions in the body

protect the protoplasm of cells; and

for the synthesis of Collagen (one of the main proteins needed for the structural integrity of your skin).

Sulphur slows down the aging process because of its ability to protect against the toxic effects of pollution and radiation. It is part of the chemical structure of the amino acids glutathione, taurine, cysteine, and methionine.

Volcanic ash particles are finely crushed and may be as small as 1/1,000th of an inch (or 0.025mm). The ash does not dissolve in water and so makes for a fantastic, mild exfoliant. We also use volcanic ash in our foot scrubs and body scrubs because of its purification and cleaning qualities.

Sulphur is also FDA-approved for the treatment of acne.

INGREDIENTS LIST

The COCOVAN Range - An alluring combination of anti-aging Virgin Coconut Oil, sensual Vanilla and Lime.

Coconut Lime Vanilla Body Gloss (Moisturizer/Massage Creme) - A delicious blend of Coconut milk, certified organic cocoa Butter and Vanuatu’s pure Virgin Coconut Oil, fragranced with pure Vanilla and Lime.

Exotic Island Mister (135ml) - Fragrance - Coconut and pure Vanuatu Vanilla, Lime essential oil and alcohol.

Exotic Island Mister (8 ml Spray On) – as above.

Coconut Ash Scrub (Body Scrub) - Pure water, Volcanic Ash, certified organic Cocoa Butter, Virgin Coconut Oil, Corn Starch, Palm Oil, Emulsifying Wax (from palm), Citrus Seed Extract, Fragrance -Coconut, Lime and Vanilla.

Coconut Ash Scrub (Sealed Plastic bag - 35ml) – as above.

Mineral Explosion (Bath Salt) - Bicarbonate Soda, Citric Acid, Mineral Clay, Coconut & Vanilla Extracts.

Coconut Ice Bomb (Moisturizing Bath Bomb) - Bicarbonate Soda, Citric Acid, Cocoa Butter, Desiccated Coconut, Coconut & Vanilla Extracts.

CocoVan Virgin Coconut Oil -135ml (Scented with Vanilla & Lime) -Vanuatu pure Virgin Coconut Oil and fragrance - Vanuatu Vanilla and Lime essential oil.

CocoVan Virgin Coconut Oil -50ml (Scented with Vanilla & Lime) – as above.

Virgin Coconut Oil (Sealed Plastic bag - 35ml) – Vanuatu pure, Virgin Coconut Oil.

CocoVan Moisturizer (Coconut and Vanilla) (135 ml) - Vanuatu’s pure, Virgin Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Emulsifying Wax (from palm), Citrus Seed Extract, Pure Water, Vanilla Extract & Fragrance.

CocoVan Moisturizer (Coconut and Vanilla) (Sealed Plastic bag - 35ml) – as above.

Volcanic Butt Buffer (Body Scrub) - Pure Water, Pure Soap, certified organic Cocoa Butter, Freshly Squeezed Limes, Volcanic Ash, Mineral Clay, Vanilla Extract and Fragrance.

Erupt Foot Scrub - Pure Soap, certified organic Cocoa Butter, Vanilla Stick, Pure Water, Freshly Squeezed Limes, Pumice Ash, Organic Coffee, Lime Essential Oil, Vanilla Extract.

The UNPREDICTABLE Range - An exotic combination of unique blends of sensuous Frangipani and Vanilla pure essential oils for women.

Explosive Cloud (Refreshing Mister - 135ml) - Pure Vanuatu water, alcohol and our Unpredictable blend of 100% pure essential oils - Frangipani, Vanilla, Neroli, Bergamot, Cedarwood & Jasmine.

Lava Flow ( Moisturizer - 135ml) - Pure Water, Palm Oil, Citrus Seed Extract, Emulsifying Wax (from palm), Virgin Coconut Oil and our Unpredictable blend of 100% pure essential oils - Frangipani, Vanilla, Neroli, Bergamot, Cedarwood & Jasmine.

Active Ash (Body Scrub) - Pure water, certified organic Cocoa Butter, Volcanic Ash, Corn Starch, Palm Oil, Citrus Seed Extract, Emulsifying Wax (from palm), Virgin Coconut Oil and Unpredictable’s blend 100% pure essential oils.- Frangipani, Vanilla, Neroli, Bergamot, Cedarwood and Jasmine.

Volcanic Woman Anti-aging Massage Crème – Unpredictable’s blend of 100% pure essential oils.- Frangipani, Vanilla, Neroli, Bergamot, Cedarwood,Jasmine; certified organic Cocoa Butter & Pure Virgin Coconut Oil.

Unpredictable Perfume - The Unpredictable blend of 100% pure essential oils of Frangipani, Vanilla, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Jasmine Neroli, alcohol & pure Vanuatu water. The ERUPTABLE Range - A blend of Vanuatu’s unique scents of Sandalwood, Frangipani and Vanilla essential oils, coupled with Vanuatu's purist Virgin Coconut Oil and our certified organic Cocoa Butter, for men.

Explosive Mist (Aftershave/ Body Spray) - Vegetable Glycerine, Pure Vanuatu water, Alcohol, and Eruptable’s blend of 100% pure essential oils of Sandalwood, Bergamot, Frangipani & Vanilla.

Lava Smooth Anti-aging Moisturizer for Men - Vanuatu’s pure, Virgin Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Emulsifying Wax (from palm), Citrus Seed Extract, Pure Water, and our Eruptable blend of 100% pure essential oils - Sandalwood, Frangipani, Vanilla & Bergamot.

Ash Power (Body Scrub) - Pure water, certified organic Cocoa Butter, Volcanic Ash, Palm Oil, Corn Starch, Citrus Seed Extract, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Emulsifying Wax (from palm), Virgin Coconut Oil and Fragrance – Eruptable’s blend 100% pure essential oils of Sandalwood, Bergamot, Vanilla and Frangipani.

Volcanic Man Anti-aging Massage Crème - certified organic Cocoa Butter, Pure Virgin Coconut Oil & Eruptable’s blend of 100% pure essential oils of Sandalwood, Bergamot, Vanilla and Frangipani.

Eruptable Eau de Cologne - The Eruptable blend of 100% pure essential oils of Sandalwood, Bergamot, Frangipani & Vanilla; alcohol and pure Vanuatu water.

FACE & HAIR CARE Bar - ALL NATURAL: CHEMICAL FREE - For all Skin Types.

Volcanic Earth Clay Mask - Pure Water, Green Clay, Virgin Coconut Oil, Gylcerine, Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamin E, Lavender and Rose Geranium Essential Oils.

Facial Cleanser - Pure Vanuatu water, Emulsifying Wax, Virgin Coconut Oil, White Volcanic Clay, Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamin E, Lavender and Rose Geranium Essential Oils.

Facial Toner (Lavender & Rose Geranium) - Vanuatu pure water, Apple Cider Vinegar, Citrus Seed Extract, Rose Geranium Oil, Vitamin E & lavender.

Honey & Pumice Exfoliant - Pure Vanuatu water, Kaolin Clay, Fine Pumice, Honey, Virgin Coconut Oil, Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamin E, Lavender and Rose Geranium Essential Oils.

Facial Moisturizer (with Tamanu Oil) - Pure Vanuatu water, Olive Oil, Citrus Seed Extract, Vegetable Glycerine, Virgin Coconut Oil, Tamanu Oil, Emulsifying Wax & Vitamin E.

Facial Cleansing Soap (Unscented) - Pure Vanuatu water, Palm Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil, Olive Oil & White Volcanic Clay.

Gardenia Hair Wax (moulding cream) - Virgin Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Coco Butter & Gardenia Essential Oil.

Coconut Oil Hair Treatment - Pure Vanuatu water & Virgin Coconut Oil.

Our SMOKERS Face Care - enriched with the healing powers of Fragonia, Lavender, Spearmint & Sandalwood.

Smokers Night Cream – Mango butter, Virgin Coconut Oil, Olive OIl, Emulsifying Wax, Glycerine, Vitamin E, Essential Oils - Fragonia, Lavender, Spearmint and Sandalwood.

Smokers Toner – Pure Vanuatu Water, Alcohol, Essential Oils - Fragonia, Lavender, Spearmint and Sandalwood.

Smokers Moisturizer – Pure Vanuatu water, Virgin Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Glycerine, Emulsifying Wax, Vitamin E, Olive Oil, Essential Oils - Fragonia, Lavender, Spearmint and Sandalwood.

TROPICAL FIRST AID - Traditional Melanesian skin care treatments based on the healing qualities of the Sacred Oil of Tamanu, pure Virgin Coconut Oil and volcanic ash.

Pure Tamanu Oil (12ml Roll-On; 50 ml bottle & 100 ml bottle) - Pure Tamanu Oil.

Nutritive Lip Balm – Beeswax, certified organic Cocoa Butter, Vanilla Extract, Vanuatu Honey, Paw Paw Essential Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil Sc- Glucan (natural UV protection), and pure Tamanu Oil.

Headache Stopper – Coconut Oil, Lavender, Peppermint and Marjoram essential oils.

After Sun Spray – Virgin Coconut Oil, Tamanu oil, Beta- Glucan and Papaya Essential Oil and alcohol.

Foot Reviver (The 2 Minute Pedicure) - Pure Virgin Coconut Oil, certified organic Cocoa Butter, Beeswax, Pure Water, Tamanu Oil, Vanilla and Lime essential oils.

Lemon Grass Mosquito Repellant – Virgin Coconut Oil, Lemongrass, Pure Water, Citric Acid, Emulsifying Wax, Vegetable Glycerin, Essential Oils - Cedar, Citronella, Geranium & Peppermint.

Insect Stopper – Virgin Coconut Oil, Cedarwood, Citronella, Lemongrass & Peppermint Essential Oils.

Web www.spirited-lady-boutique.com
Where and What is a Vanuatu?!

Located in the beautiful South West Pacific, Vanuatu (formerly known as the New Hebrides) is comprised of a line of volcanic islands and submarine volcanoes, giving rise to a roller-coaster ride of volcanic activity and tremors as well as occasional tsunamis (tidal waves). Straddling what is known as the “Pacific Ring Of Fire”, Vanuatu is situated between Fiji and New Caledonia (about 1,400 miles east of north-eastern Australia) and boasts the most accessible active volcano on our planet (Mt. Yasur on the outer island of Tanna).
Historically, volcanoes were believed to be the dwelling house of “spirits” and so these mighty sleeping giants were greatly respected and revered. This strong belief in the spirit of the volcano still forms part of the tradition, custom and mythology in some of the outer islands of Vanuatu. Volcanic earth is ancient earth. It comes from deep within the earth’s surface and even below the seabed of some of the world’s deepest oceans. This ancient earth houses the secrets of lost civilizations and reminds us that "to stay in touch with this ancient earth is to stay in touch with the universe and ourselves".

Vanuatu is also one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is known for its natural waterways, sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and spectacular sunsets. This magical country is an untouched paradise, virtually free of pollution, pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers or insecticides. Everything seems to grow and flourish here in the rich volcanic soils and high rainfalls. Crops are grown organically without the need for chemicals.

The name "Vanuatu" means 'Land Eternal' and it's people are predominantly Melanesian. The Ni Vanuatu have populated these volcanic islands for centuries with more than 115 distinctly different cultures and languages still thriving here. There are also small communities of French, British, Australian, New Zealand, Vietnamese, Chinese and other Pacific Island people living in harmony with the Ni Vanuatu. As such, Vanuatu is recognised as one of the most diverse countries in the world.

Psoriasis overview

2010-01-28T20:21:00.000-08:00

Psoriasis overview

Readers unfamiliar with psoriasis may find this overview useful.
Psoriasis is a disorder of the skin and nails, characterized by inflammation and abnormal reproduction of skin cells. It can also affect joints and other tissues. The disease produces areas of thickened, scaly, silvery-white and reddened skin; discolored, crumbling, deformed, or uplifted nails; and arthritic symptoms in joints.
Approximately 2-3% of the population develop psoriasis. Two types of psoriasis are recognized: Type 1 strikes before age 40 and is generally found in other family members, type 2 strikes after age 40.
At present there is no cure for psoriasis, but patients typically experience periods of exacerbation and remission.
A common attitude among non-sufferers of psoriasis is that it is a ‘merely cosmetic’ condition and therefore not worth spending research funds on. The truth is that the cosmetic aspects alone are serious enough to drive some patients to suicide, and the arthritic aspects can be debilitating. Furthermore, research into psoriasis adds to our basic understanding of molecular and cell biology, which inevitably improves our understanding of other ailments.
The causes of psoriasis
Psoriasis is only partly understood. Recent research indicates that the disease is driven by activated immune cells called ‘T-cells’ (or ‘antigen-presenting cells’). These cells are involved in the recognition of foreign materials (such as viruses); when they find such a material, they communicate this information to other immune system cells by producing signalling molecules called ‘cytokines’. However, some of these cytokines can induce excessive reproduction of skin cells and cause them to develop abnormally. And some of the cytokines cause inflammation and its consequences: swelling, pain, redness, and heat.
This is the essence of the disease, but the process is extremely complex and not all of the signalling molecules and growth factors involved have been identified. Important questions remain unanswered: Do genetic factors account for why some people develop psoriasis while others don’t? Why do most people get psoriasis later in life and not earlier? Does something trigger the T-cells to release inappropriate combinations of signalling molecules? If so, what is this trigger?
Recent studies suggest that the microorganism Malassezia furfur may play a role in promoting psoriasis.
Inflammation — the non-explanation
Psoriasis and many other ailments are often attributed to ‘inflammation’. But what does this word actually mean, and is it a useful explanation for anything?
Traditionally, physicians used the word ‘inflammation’ for any condition in which four characteristics were present: redness, heat, swelling, and pain. The word gave no hint of the mechanisms responsible for these characteristics, because the medical world at that time had no knowledge of molecular biology.
In recent decades the molecular mechanisms involved in inflammation have been coming to light. They are extremely complicated, and involve cytokine signalling between different types of immune cells, the release of free radicals, dilation of blood vessels (which causes redness and heat), increase in permeability of capillaries (which causes swelling), and pressure on nerve endings (which causes pain).
The word ‘inflammation’ is still a convenient word for this collection of processes. But it is almost useless as an explanation for anything. For example, if someone says “Psoriasis is caused by chronic inflammation in the skin,” they are telling you nearly nothing, whereas if they say “Psoriasis is caused by abnormal releases of ‘Transforming Growth Factor-alpha’ in the skin,” then they are giving you at least a partial explanation of what is going on.
Treatments for psoriasis
In what follows, I will list both drugs and supplements that have anti-psoriatic properties or potential. The drugs will receive only brief mention — the main focus of this article is supplements, since they can be obtained without interference from government or medical professionals. I will give special attention to supplements that promote the body’s production of a cytokine called ‘interleukin-10’ (‘IL-10’), since IL-10 seems to hold special promise for suppressing psoriasis.
Some treatments for psoriasis date back 100 years or more. These include:
coal tar
anthralin (a cell-growth inhibitor, now called ‘dithranol’)
These topical treatments, although beneficial in many cases, are very messy to use, and harmful if applied carelessly. They have largely been abandoned in the industrialized world, where unstained clothes are highly valued. We won’t discuss them further here.
Corticosteroid drugs:

cortisone
hydrocortisone
clobetasol
halobetasol
betamethasone
diflorasone
Most of these are prescription drugs that are quite effective in suppressing proriatic lesions in some people in the earlier stages of the disease. But their side effects can be serious, and include thinning of the skin, dilated blood vessels, bruising, and skin color changes.
Anti-inflammatories:

Aspirin
NSAIDs (‘Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs’)
Monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins
Aspirin and NSAIDs are of more use in treating psoriatic arthritis than in treating psoriatic skin lesions. Antibodies and fusion proteins can prevent progression of joint destruction, but are very expensive. Since they are officially (and arbitrarily) classified as ‘drugs’ rather than ‘supplements’, we won’t deal further with these substances here.
Immune-suppressive drugs:

methotrexate
cyclosporine
These prescription drugs are used for severe and recalcitrant psoriasis. They require careful monitoring and can expose patients to increased risk of infections.
Retinoid drugs:

vitamin A
tretinoin
adapalene
tazarotene
Retinoids are substances that regulate the development of cells into specific cell-types, and that have anti-inflammatory activity. The doses of vitamin A required for anti-psoriatic effects are very high and cause unacceptable side effects. The other retinoids in the above list have been used with some success in treating psoriasis, but since these are prescription drugs, not supplements, they are outside of the scope of this article.
Estrogens:

Estrogens suppress inflammation, increase IL-10, enhance collagen synthesis, maintain skin moisture, and accelerate cutaneous wound healing by regulating the production of growth factors. It has therefore been suggested that estrogens might have value as psoriasis treatments. On the other hand, there is evidence that estrogens can exacerbate psoriasis. In the absence of clinical trials to determine the truth of the matter, the issue is unresolved.
Vitamin D compounds:

calcitriol (1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3, 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol)
calcipotriene
Vitamin D3 and its analogs are steroid hormones that have complex effects on the mix of cytokines produced by target cells. Some of these compounds, such as calcitriol, are stimulators of IL-10 production and suppressors of inflammatory cytokines; these are therefore potential treatments for psoriasis. They will be dealt with later in this article.
Calcipotriene is a ‘designer’ form of vitamin D — it is therefore a drug rather than a supplement. This substance has also been shown to increase IL-10 production. A clinical trial in 1998 showed its efficacy as a psoriasis treatment.
Antioxidants:

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
Alpha-lipoic acid
Curcumin
Pine bark extract
EGCG (epigallocatchin gallate, from green tea)
Unusually high levels of oxidants and insufficient antioxidant activity have been found in psoriatic lesions, suggesting that excessive free radical activity might play a role in causing and maintaining the lesions, and that antioxidants might ameliorate this condition.
The search for appropriate antioxidants, however, is complicated by the fact that antioxidants are cell-specific in their actions — a given antioxidant may cause the production of different sets of cytokines in different cell types, and these cytokines will then have differing effects on the production of growth factors and therefore on cell growth. For example, the green tea antioxidant ‘EGCG’ promotes the production of the cytokine IL-10 in white blood cells, but inhibits IL-10 production in certain skin cells. Whether the net effect of such an antioxidant would be beneficial or counterproductive can only be determined by clinical studies.
Unfortunately, only a handful of clinical studies have tested antioxidants as psoriasis treatments. The above list of antioxidants is therefore offered merely on general principles as potential psoriasis therapies.
Cell-growth inhibitors:

Curcumin
Green tea catechins, such as EGCG (epigallocatchin gallate)
Resveratrol
Wild bilberry extract
Blueberry extract
Baicalein (from Scutellaria baicalensis)
and many others
Since psoriasis is characterized by abnormally fast reproduction and growth of skin cells, cell growth inhibitors are naturally of interest as treatments. Furthermore, psoriatic tissue seems to require excessive growth of capillaries and small blood vessels; inhibitors of blood vessel growth (‘angiogenesis inhibitors’) are therefore also of interest. The above list includes only a few of the many plant-derived cell growth inhibitors that have been revealed by tissue culture experiments. A few of them have been tested in vivo.
The best studied of these cell-growth inhibitors are resveratrol, green tea catechins, and curcumin. All three of these substances have problems, however. Resveratrol is easily degraded by air, light, and temperature, and most of the resveratrol supplements on the market are of poor quality by the time they reach the end-user. Green tea catechins, although anti-inflammatory in some tissues, are pro-inflammatory in others. Curcumin at high concentrations is a cell growth inhibitor, but at low concentrations it is a cell growth promoter — in cell culture experiments, at least. Since curcumin is poorly absorbed from the digestive tract, large doses may be required if it were used orally to inhibit cell growth.
These problems suggest that one would more likely get good results for psoriasis if the substances were used topically rather than orally. A compounding pharmacy could make a cream or ointment containing curcumin and/or tea catechins. (If a good source of resveratrol can be identified, it could be included as well.) One should bear in mind, however, that some of these substances will stain clothes.
Studies funded by a manufacturer of blueberry and bilberry extracts have shown them to be angiogenesis inhibitors. These extracts are highly colored and will undoubtedly stain clothes when used topically. Unfortunately they are very poorly absorbed when used orally; therefore, large doses are required.
Omega-3 fatty acids:

Fish oil
Eicosapentaenoic acid
Docosahexaenoic acid
Evening primrose oil
Linolenic acid (not linoleic acid)
Omega-3 fatty acids have immune-modulating effects that can be exploited to prevent or suppress psoriasis. These effects are brought about by modulation of the type and amount of cytokines produced by immune cells, by altering gene expression, and by lowering the ability of certain enzymes to produce inflammatory substances. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils — eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexenoic acid (DHA) — appear to be much more effective than those in plants. Since these substances are sold as oils (i.e., as triglycerides) rather than as free acids, one must use them orally so that the free acids can be released by lipase enzymes in the digestive tract.
Probiotics:

Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium supplements
Probiotics contain ‘beneficial bacteria’ that have been shown to reduce inflammation for a variety of diseases. They seem to work by modifying the body’s production of certain T-cells.
Avoidance therapies:

Smoking avoidance
Gluten avoidance
Androgen avoidance
Smoking is a known promoter of psoriasis.
Gluten, a substance found in wheat, oats, rye, barley, and millet, promotes psoriasis in some people — namely, those who have IgA and/or IgG antibodies to gliadin (a component of gluten).
Androgens tend to promote inflammation and may exacerbate psoriatic symptoms.
Other psoriasis treatments:

Salicylic acid
zinc pyrithione cream or lotion (DermaZinc)
melatonin
Salicylic acid is a widely used non-prescription treatment for many skin disorders. It acts as a softener of dead, hardened skin cells — it probably does not have any activity against the causes of psoriasis.
Zinc pyrithione is an anti-fungal drug available without prescription. Microorganisms such as Malassezia furfur are known to be involved in other skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, and are likely to be involved in psoriasis, as well. Although this substance is not a nutritional supplement, it appears to be an important adjunct to other psoriasis treatments. I will therefore include it in the list of promising remedies given in the Amounts section below.
Melatonin levels in the blood of psoriasis patients lack the nocturnal peak that they have in non-psoriatics. Some patients therefore supplement with melatonin at bedtime. No formal clinical studies have evaluated this treatment.
Skin-Cap and the blundering bureaucracies
Skin-Cap was a topical psoriasis product from Spain that took the psoriasis world by storm in the mid-1990s because of its remarkable effectiveness. The product’s manufacturer, Cheminova International, claimed that the product’s active ingredient was zinc pyrithione, but the truth was that the product also contained a corticosteroid, clobetasol propionate. Government drug agencies all over the world therefore banned Skin-Cap, thereby making it unavailable to the entire psoriasis community and infuriating many users for whom it had been the only treatment that had ever worked.
It is interesting to note that several months before the disovery that Skin-Cap contained clobetasol, the distributors of Skin-Cap in the U.S. had been ordered by the Food and Drug Administration to stop selling it — not because the FDA deemed it dangerous or ineffective, but because it was being sold to treat psoriasis and other skin disorders. A psoriasis product that ostensibly contained only zinc pyrithione, a supplement, could be sold in the U.S. only if the seller abstains from telling the buyer what it is to be used for. The fact that Skin-Cap was the most effective psoriasis treatment ever seen did not matter a whit — the FDA’s regulations are designed to keep the bureaucrats in control, not to bring effective treatments to the public.
Once clobetasol was found in Skin-Cap, however, the product’s fate was sealed. It was soon banned; users were warned not to use it and were told to send their remaining Skin-Cap back to the seller at their own expense. Many refused, of course, and there is still a small amount of the product in circulation. Many newer products are being sold on the Internet claiming to be Skin-Cap. Most are zinc pyrithione without any corticosteroid, but some do contain other corticosteroids. The particular combination of ingredients in the original Skin-Cap were far more effective than any of the ingredients used separately.
New concept: the interleukin-10 connection
Interleukins are the signalling molecules (‘cytokines’) that are used by white blood cells for communication. The human immune system makes use of several dozen different interleukins, each conveying different information and causing different actions on target cells.
Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a cytokine that limits or terminates inflammatory responses and helps to regulate the formation and proliferation of several kinds of immune cells, including T-cells. (Reminder: Badly regulated T-cells are considered to be leading actors on the psoriatic stage.) One of the mechanisms involved is IL-10 suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8.
More than ten years ago researchers discovered that psoriatic skin contains significantly less IL-10 than does normal skin. This suggested that psoriasis might be treated by raising IL-10 levels in the skin. From 1998 to 2002 several clinical trials were carried out to test this concept. It was found that IL-10 therapy caused a marked regression of the lesions, decreased the incidence of relapse, and prolonged the disease-free interval. But it became apparent that this approach was impractical — Interleukin-10 is a polypeptide and is expensive to make. It would be ineffective if taken orally or used topically (i.e., as a cream or lotion) and would therefore have to be injected repeatedly into each affected area of skin.
The next step should have been obvious: search for substances that can be used topically or orally and that indirectly cause a rise in IL-10 production by the cells in psoriatic skin that are under-producing it. With today’s research tools it is possible to screen thousands of chemicals simultaneously for their effects on IL-10 production — chemicals from plants, from animals, and from existing chemical archives. So… with at least three years to develop a list of good IL-10 inducers, we should by now have many clinical trials in progress testing these inducers on psoriatic patients, right? Readers will probably not be surprised to learn that no such search has been reported in the medical literature, no list has been developed, and no such clinical trials are in progress. Such is the state of medical research in today’s government-regulated world.
Nevertheless, just by searching on the Internet you and I can identify a few such compounds that have turned up during research studies not necessarily directed at psoriasis. These are:
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), and its analogs (e.g., calcitriol, calcipotriene)
Baicalein (from Scutellaria baicalensis root, ‘Baikal Skullcap’)
Silibinin (from Silybum marianum, ‘Milk Thistle’)
EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate, from green tea)?
Whether green tea, and its principal active constituent EGCG, belong on this list of IL-10 promoters is debatable. In some studies, in certain cell types, EGCG promotes IL-10 production. In other studies, in other cell types, it inhibits IL-10 production. The lack of actual clinical data on the use of EGCG for treating psoriasis means that if psoriasis patients want to know what EGCG does to psoriatic lesions, they will have to try it themselves.
One supplement to avoid (with respect to its effects on IL-10, that is) is
Genistein
Genistein has been shown to inhibit IL-10 production.
Amounts required for anti-psoriatic effects
How much of each of the supplements discussed in this article would one have to use in order to achieve anti-psoriatic effects? Since the clinical trials that would answer this question have not been done for most of these substances, the answers I give here are just educated guesses. Furthermore, there is a significant possibility that some of these compounds, if used orally, could have harmful interactions with other substances already being used by patients. On the other hand, certain combinations of these and other substances are likely to be better treatments than the substances used by themselves; identifying these combinations, however, will require a lot of experimentation — far more than is currently being done by the medical research establishment.
Generally speaking, it makes more sense to treat psoriasis by using a substance topically rather than orally, since smaller amounts of the substance are needed, and they are less likely to affect the whole body. In some cases topical use may be impractical: for example, the omega-3 oils may be too messy to use this way — but these are beneficial for the whole body in any case.
Most of the substances listed below are available as oral supplements but usually not in forms that can be used topically. Topical formulations can be made by a compounding pharmacy, or even by non-professionals if they can get the active ingredients. It pays to ‘shop around’ for compounding pharmacies, since the prices charged for the same product can vary enormously.
Calcitriol (aka ‘1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3’, or ‘1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol’) — 3 microgram/gram ointment applied in the evening.
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) — topical: 10% cream applied twice daily
Alpha-lipoic acid — topical: 5% cream applied twice daily; oral: 250 mg twice per day
Curcumin — topical: 2% cream (likely to stain clothes); oral: 333 mg three times/day plus 10 mg piperine to improve absorption
Pine bark extract — oral: 100 mg proanthocyanins per day
EGCG (epigallocatchin gallate, from green tea) — oral: 800 mg/day?
Wild bilberry or blueberry extract (25% anthocyanidins) — oral: 120 mg twice per day with meals.
Fish oil, EPA, or DHA — oral: at least 4 g/day of combined EPA+DHA.
zinc pyrithione cream or lotion (DermaZinc) — as stated on the package.
melatonin — topical: 0.5% gel
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) — topical: 0.005% ointment
Baicalein — topical: 0.07% cream or gel (calculated from in vitro data from prostate cell study)
Silibinin — topical: 10% cream or gel (based on photoprotection study in mice)
In conclusion
Certain nutritional supplements have great potential as psoriasis treatments, but have received very little attention from medical researchers. These supplements fall into several categories, which suggests the possibility of synergistic action between the substances in different categories. Although some of these supplements seem fairly expensive, their costs are miniscule compared to the costs of many prescription drugs — and many of the latter are not even especially effective.
A psoriasis patient who wants to try out some of the substances mentioned in this article should realize that he or she will be operating in largely uncharted territory. While self-experimentation is the only way to get answers to questions that mainstream medicine does not want to address, it carries certain risks that should be weighed against the risks of not self-experimenting. Is it better to try an untested treatment or to leave matters as they are? One has to judge that for oneself. While government bureaucrats and physicians’ groups are all-too-willing to tell you not to do it, I’m not as arrogant as they are — I suggest that you decide for yourself.
Discussion group
I’ve set up a discussion group at Yahoo Groups for those who want to exchange information, and share experiences about self-experimentation with psoriasis remedies, especially those based on supplements. The group will be lightly moderated to remove spam and prevent verbal attacks on members (‘flaming’, in other words).
To join, go to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/psori/. If you are not already registered with Yahoo, you will be guided through the registration process (which is free).
— Dr. Alexis Zarkov, Ph.D.
You can contact Dr. Zarkov at AskDrZarkov@yahoo.com.
Last modified 2005.Sep.13
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Therapeutic management of psoriasis [Tutorial on psoriasis treatments]
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Inflammation

The inflammatory response in mild and in severe psoriasis. Br J Dermatol. 2004 May;150(5):917-28.
Tutorial on inflammation
Nutritional treatments

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Regulatory roles of sex hormones in cutaneous biology and immunology. J Dermatol Sci. 2005 Apr;38(1):1-7. Epub 2004 Dec 9.
Tamoxifen-induced remission of psoriasis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999 Nov;41(5 Pt 2):887-9.
Vitamin D

Use of vitamin D in the treatment of psoriasis — a historical analysis
Calcipotriene-induced improvement in psoriasis is associated with reduced interleukin-8 and increased interleukin-10 levels within lesions. Br J Dermatol. 1998 Jan;138(1):77-83.
1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D3 and calcipotriol induce IL-10 receptor gene expression in human epidermal cells. Inflamm Res. 1997 Jan;46(1):32-4.
Immunoregulation by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3): Basic concepts. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2005 Jul 18
Calcitriol ointment and clobetasol propionate cream: a new regimen for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. Eur J Dermatol. 2003 May-Jun;13(3):261-5.
Antioxidants

[Melatonin in dermatology. Experimental and clinical aspects] Hautarzt. 1999 Jan;50(1):5-11.
Plasma melatonin levels in psoriasis. Acta Derm Venereol. 1988;68(4):312-6.
Mood-dependent fluctuations in the severity of tardive dyskinesia and psoriasis vulgaris in a patient with schizoaffective disorder: possible role of melatonin. Int J Neurosci. 1990 Feb;50(3-4):215-21.
Suppression of UV-induced erythema by topical treatment with melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine). A dose response study. Arch Dermatol Res. 1996 Aug;288(9):522-6.
The role of oxidants and antioxidants in psoriasis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2003 Jan;17(1):34-6.
Oxidative stress and its role in skin disease. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2002 Aug;4(4):665-73.
Antioxidant activity, lipid peroxidation and skin diseases. What's new. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2003 Nov;17(6):663-9.
Pine bark extract pycnogenol downregulates IFN-gamma-induced adhesion of T cells to human keratinocytes by inhibiting inducible ICAM-1 expression. Free Radic Biol Med. 2000 Jan 15;28(2):219-27.
Flavonoids that mimic human ligands from the whole plants of Euphorbia lunulata. [Quercetin mimics IL-10.] Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2005 Mar;53(3):305-8.
Testing of lipoxygenase inhibitors, cyclooxygenase inhibitors, drugs with immunomodulating properties and some reference antipsoriatic drugs in the modified mouse tail test, an animal model of psoriasis. Skin Pharmacol. 1994;7(6):324-34.
[Selenium nutritional status and the course of psoriasis] Pol Merkuriusz Lek. 1999 May;6(35):263-5.
Antioxidant [N-acetyl cysteine] Useful For Dry Skin and Possibly Psoriasis
Topical N-acetylcysteine treatment in neonatal ichthyosis. Turk J Pediatr. 2003 Jul-Sep;45(3):245-7.
Alpha-Lipoic acid-based PPARgamma agonists for treating inflammatory skin diseases. Arch Dermatol Res. 2004 Aug;296(3):97-104. Epub 2004 Jun 24.
Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study on the clinical efficacy of a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid related to photoageing of facial skin. Br J Dermatol. 2003 Oct;149(4):841-9.
Pharmacological activities of curcuma longa extracts U.S. patent # 6,841,177 January 11, 2005
Green tea protects against psoralen plus ultraviolet A-induced photochemical damage to skin. J Invest Dermatol. 1999 Dec;113(6):1070-5.
A single ascending dose study of epigallocatechin gallate in healthy volunteers. J Int Med Res. 2003 Mar-Apr;31(2):88-101.
Cell growth inhibitors

Nutraceuticals as anti-angiogenic agents: hopes and reality. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2005 Mar;56 Suppl 1:51-69.
REVIEW: Anti-angiogenic, Antioxidant, and Anti-carcinogenic Properties of a Novel Anthocyanin-Rich Berry Extract Formula Biochemistry (Mosc). 2004 Jan;69(1):75-80, 1 p preceding 75.
Anti-angiogenic property of edible berries. Free Radic Res. 2002 Sep;36(9):1023-31.
Method and composition of anthocyanin-rich berry extracts that prevents or inhibits angiogenesis and helicobacter pylori and acts as a powerful antioxidant that provides various health benefits United States Patent Application # 20040109905
Baicalein and baicalin are potent inhibitors of angiogenesis: Inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. Int J Cancer. 2003 Sep 10;106(4):559-65.
Characterization of chemical constituents in Scutellaria baicalensis with antiandrogenic and growth-inhibitory activities toward prostate carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res. 2005 May 15;11(10):3905-14.
Bioavailability of anthocyanidin-3-glucosides following consumption of red wine and red grape juice. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2003 May;81(5):423-35.
The influence of chokeberry juice supplementation on the reduction of oxidative stress resulting from an incremental rowing ergometer exercise. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2005 Feb;15(1):48-58.
Fatty acids

Polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory diseases. Biomed Pharmacother. 2002 Oct;56(8):388-96.
Evening primrose oil and borage oil in rheumatologic conditions. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Jan;71(1 Suppl):352S-6S.
Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. J Am Coll Nutr. 2002 Dec;21(6):495-505.
Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, on UVR-related cancer risk in humans. An assessment of early genotoxic markers. Carcinogenesis. 2003 May;24(5):919-25.
Probiotics

Lactobacillus casei reduces CD8+ T cell-mediated skin inflammation. Eur J Immunol. 2004 Sep;34(9):2520-8.
Avoidance therapies

Psoriasis patients with antibodies to gliadin can be improved by a gluten-free diet Br J Dermatol. 2000 Jan;142(1):44-51.
Cutaneous Effects of Smoking. J Cutan Med Surg. 2005 Jul 7
Salicylic acid

Salicylic Acid (Topical) MedLine Plus
Skin-Cap and zinc pyrithione

The Skin-Cap story Dave's Psoriasis Info
The highly effective use of topical zinc pyrithione in the treatment of psoriasis: a case report. Dermatol Online J. 1997 Mar;3(1):3.
Malassezia furfur: a fungus belonging to the physiological skin flora and its relevance in skin disorders. [zinc pyrithione explanation?] Cutis. 1997 Jan;59(1):21-4.
Histopathology of psoriasis treated with zinc pyrithione. [Skincap study] Am J Dermatopathol. 2000 Jun;22(3):272-6.
FDA WARNS CONSUMERS NOT TO USE SKIN-CAP
Psoriasis patients talk about Skin-Cap
Dermatologists talk about Skin-Cap
Interleukin-10

Interleukin-10 and Psoriasis
IL-10 Expression in Psoriasis
Interleukin-10 Therapy—Review of a New Approach Pharmacol Rev 55:241-269, 2003
IL-10 Is a Key Cytokine in Psoriasis — Proof of Principle by IL-10 Therapy: A New Therapeutic Approach J. Clin. Invest. Volume 101, Number 4, February 1998, 783-794
Interleukin 10 treatment of psoriasis: clinical results of a phase 2 trial. Arch Dermatol. 1999 Feb;135(2):187-92.
The treatment of psoriasis with IL-10: rationale and review of the first clinical trials. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2000 Jan;9(1):95-102.
Immunomodulation by interleukin-10 therapy decreases the incidence of relapse and prolongs the relapse-free interval in Psoriasis. J Invest Dermatol. 2002 Apr;118(4):672-7.
Interleukin-10: an important immunoregulatory cytokine with major impact on psoriasis. Curr Drug Targets Inflamm Allergy. 2004 Jun;3(2):185-92.
The antiinflammatory and analgesic effects of baicalin in carrageenan-evoked thermal hyperalgesia. Anesth Analg. 2003 Dec;97(6):1724-9.
Anti-oxidants reverse uraemia-induced down-regulation of mitochondrial membrane potential and interleukin-10 production. [NAC stimulates IL-10 synthesis.] Eur J Clin Invest. 2005 Feb;35(2):148-53.
Silibinin protects mice from T cell-dependent liver injury. [Silibinin increases IL1-10 synthesis.] J Hepatol. 2003 Sep;39(3):333-40.
Silibinin protects against photocarcinogenesis via modulation of cell cycle regulators, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and Akt signaling. Cancer Res. 2004 Sep 1;64(17):6349-56.
The effects of phenolic components of tea on the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines by human leukocytes in vitro. Cytokine. 2001 Mar 7;13(5):280-6.

GotClearSkin.com

Report on the Psycho-Social Impacts of Psoriasis Summary

2009-12-29T06:38:00.000-08:00

National Psoriasis Foundation Report on the Psycho-Social Impacts of Psoriasis Summary

This report is the culmination of the largest longitudinal study to date of the psycho-social impacts of psoriasis on individuals.

Over a period of six years, the National Psoriasis Foundation collected responses to questions about the emotional and social effects of psoriatic diseases from nearly 5,000 people with
psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis.

The results of this study highlight sharp differences in the negative impact psoriasis has on various populations including women, minorities and young people. The National Psoriasis Foundation will use this information to design and deliver programs and services that continue to assist these populations in coping with and managing their condition.

Click the link below for the PDF / Report

http://www.psoriasis.org/NetCommunity/Document.Doc?id=619

Elorac, Inc. Announces Launch of Novel, Steroid-free, Prescription Cream for Psoriasis

2009-12-29T06:29:00.000-08:00

Elorac, Inc. has announced the launch Zithranol™-RR (anthralin rapid release microcrystalline encapsulated cream, 1.2%) for the treatment of mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. Zithranol™-RR is available by prescription in a 45 gram tube

VERNON HILLS, Ill.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Now patients with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis have a new topical treatment option available by prescription. Zithranol™-RR (anthralin rapid release microcrystalline encapsulated cream, 1.2%), is an innovative topical therapy for plaque psoriasis according to Elorac, Inc., a privately held emerging dermatology company. Zithranol™-RR provides an advanced delivery system for anthralin achieving long remission times with no long-term side effects in a steroid-free, silky cream.

While there is no cure for psoriasis, treatment can clear psoriatic skin for periods of time. Zithranol™-RR contains the active ingredient anthralin which has been shown to clear psoriasis and keep it in remission for long periods of time with only once-a-day application.

“The key to Zithranol™-RR is the advanced delivery system designed to rapidly release anthralin allowing for excellent efficacy with only once daily application,” said Joel Bernstein, MD, a dermatologist and CEO of Elorac. “Zithranol™-RR makes it easy to utilize the known efficacy and safety of anthralin while minimizing the challenges commonly seen with traditional anthralin formulations.”

Zithranol™-RR’s advanced delivery of anthralin is designed to rapidly release anthralin to the psoriatic skin reducing the risk of staining and irritation seen with traditional formulations of anthralin. It is a 1.2% anthralin cream in which the active ingredient is surrounded by a protective layer of lipids. These layers melt at body temperature, releasing the anthralin only on the skin where it is applied, not on clothes, bedding or bathroom fixtures.

The unique, quick delivery of Zithranol™-RR is known as short contact anthralin therapy (S.C.A.T.). “A patient can apply Zithranol™-RR, have breakfast then rinse off the medication with cool or luke-warm water and be done with the treatment for the day,” said Dr. Bernstein.

Additional benefits to Zithranol™-RR include:

Long lasting efficacy with up to 6 months remission times
Convenient once daily, short-contact therapy
Proven safe with no long-term side effects
Rapid release delivery reduces irritation and staining
Zithranol™-RR is available by prescription. There are no branded or generic equivalents for Zithranol™-RR.

For full prescribing information and patient instructions regarding Zithranol™-RR, please visit www.eloracpharma.com.

About Zithranol™-RR’s Advanced Delivery of Anthralin

Zithranol™-RR contains 1.2% microcrystalline encapsulated anthralin in a green, aqueous cream. The anthralin in Zithranol™-RR is microencapsulated into a proprietary formulation of surface active crystalline polar lipids to provide for rapid release, as well as to reduce irritation and staining frequently observed with nonencapsulated anthralin preparations. Since Zithranol™-RR’s advanced delivery system rapidly releases anthralin into psoriatic plaques on contact with skin, Zithranol™-RR is especially useful for short contact (5-15 minutes) therapy with anthralin. Zithranol™-RR contains no preservatives.

About Elorac

Elorac, Inc. is a privately held pipeline and marketing pharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of novel products for the management of skin disorders. Elorac owns or licenses the rights to over 20 novel treatments for various cutaneous diseases. The company is poised to launch unique prescription products representing potentially significant improvement over current therapies focusing exclusively on the management of skin disease.

About Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a non-contagious, chronic skin disease that affects between 5.8 and 7.5 million Americans according the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It usually appears as thick, red, scaly patches created by a rapid overgrowth of skin cells.

Contacts

Elorac, Inc.
Christopher Gabanski, 847-362-8200 ext. 238
Vice President Sales & Marketing
cgabanski@eloracpharma.com
www.eloracpharma.com

Permalink: http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20090827005683/en

Diagnosing psoriatic arthritis: tests to confirm the diagnosis

2009-12-29T06:15:00.001-08:00

Psoriatic arthritis
Diagnosing psoriatic arthritis: tests to confirm the diagnosis

A person with joint aches and pains should talk to a doctor about diagnosis and treatment. Primary-care doctors or dermatologists can treat psoriatic arthritis, but psoriatic arthritis patients should consider seeing a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in arthritis.

There is no definitive test for psoriatic arthritis. The diagnosis is made mostly on a clinical basis and by a process of elimination. Medical history, physical examination, blood tests, MRIs and X-rays of the joints that have symptoms may be used to diagnose psoriatic arthritis. It is important to communicate your history of psoriasis to your doctor.

The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are similar to those of three other arthritic diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, gout and reactive arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis generally involves joints symmetrically distributed on both sides of the body, and it may produce bumps under the skin that are not present in psoriatic arthritis. However, some forms of psoriatic arthritis look very similar. The simultaneous presence of psoriasis on the skin and nail changes supports a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis.

A certain antibody, called a rheumatoid factor, is normally present in rheumatoid arthritis. The rheumatoid factor is not usually found in the blood of psoriatic arthritis patients. A blood test for that antibody may help distinguish between the two diseases. A person can have rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, but that is rare. Many of the treatments for psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis overlap.

Likewise, it is possible to have gout along with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. If you have an excruciatingly painful attack in a joint, particularly in the big toe, you may want to have a test for gout. Fluid drawn from the affected joint is examined to resolve the diagnosis of gout or psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis patients are commonly misdiagnosed as having gout, because they often have elevated serum uric acid levels, which also can be caused by taking low-dose aspirin or by increased skin cell turnover. It is important to distinguish between the two forms of arthritis, because they may be treated with different medications.

In the very early stages of the disease, X-rays usually do not reveal signs of arthritis and may not help in making a diagnosis. In the later stages, X-rays may show changes that are characteristic of psoriatic arthritis but not found with other types of arthritis, such as the "pencil in cup" phenomenon where the end of the bone gets whittled down to a sharp point. Changes in the peripheral joints and in the spine support the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. However, most of the changes occur in the later stages of the disease.

Frequently asked questions about psoriatic arthritis

2009-12-29T06:12:00.001-08:00

Frequently asked questions about psoriatic arthritis

What is psoriatic arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis [pronounced sore-ee-AA-tic] causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints and places where tendons and ligaments connect to bone. Without treatment, psoriatic arthritis can potentially be disabling.

What causes psoriatic arthritis?

Both genetic and environmental factors seem to be associated with the development of psoriatic arthritis. The immune system plays an important role. Psoriatic arthritis is linked to psoriasis on the skin; in 85 percent of individuals, skin disease preceded joint disease.

What are the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis?

Tender swollen joints
Swollen and tender entheses (where a muscle or ligament attaches to a bone)
Back pain
Nail changes—for example, a nail that separates from the nail bed and/or becomes pitted and mimics fungal infections
Morning stiffness and tiredness
Generalized fatigue
A reduced range of motion
Redness and pain of the tissues surrounding the eyes, such as conjunctivitis
How is psoriatic arthritis diagnosed?

There is no specific test for psoriatic arthritis. The diagnosis is based mostly on symptoms, examination, X-rays and the elimination of other types of arthritis. If you have psoriasis and experience persistent joint pain, you may have psoriatic arthritis and you should see a rheumatologist. These doctors specialize in arthritis and can provide further evaluation and/or a diagnosis.

Is all psoriatic arthritis the same?

No. There are considered to be five different forms of psoriatic arthritis:

Symmetric: Affects multiple symmetric pairs of joints (occurs in the same joints on both sides of the body).
Oligoarticular: Affects few joints in an asymmetric pattern and is usually milder.
Distal interphalangeal (DIP): Affects primarily the distal joints of the fingers and toes (the joints closest to the nail).
Spondylitis: Predominantly affects the spinal column from the neck to the lower back.
Arthritis mutilans: Affects the small joints of the hands and feet, although it can appear in other joints. This rare form of arthritis is severe and destructive.
What treatments are available for psoriatic arthritis?

Drugs for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis are divided into three main categories:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include over-the-counter medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen as well as prescription products.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may relieve more severe symptoms and attempt to slow or stop joint/tissue damage and the progression of psoriatic arthritis.
Biologics such as adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab are also considered DMARDs. They are highly selective agents that target specific parts of the immune system that cause psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis
Treating psoriatic arthritis

Treatment for psoriatic arthritis can relieve pain, reduce swelling, help keep joints working properly and possibly prevent further joint damage. Doctors will recommend treatments based on the type of psoriatic arthritis, its severity and an individual’s reaction to treatment.

Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the disease and preserve function and range of motion. Some early indicators of severe disease include onset at a young age, having many joints involved and spinal involvement. Good control of the skin disease may be valuable in the management of psoriatic arthritis. Some treatments are approved to treat both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

"Localized" mild psoriatic arthritis

Generally, localized psoriatic arthritis is mild and affects only one or two joints. A person may experience long periods with no symptoms. Psoriatic arthritis of this nature generally causes less deformity and long-term disability.

"Generalized" disabling psoriatic arthritis

A portion of people who have three or more affected joints may have a higher risk of joint destruction and disability. When it is not relieved by anti-inflammatory drugs, more potent medications may be required. Some cases may require surgery and rehabilitation.

Home versus outpatient ultraviolet B phototherapy.

2009-11-12T06:50:00.000-08:00

Research

Home versus outpatient ultraviolet B phototherapy for mild to severe psoriasis: pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled non-inferiority trial (PLUTO study)

Mayke B G Koek, research fellow1, Erik Buskens, professor of medical technology assessment2,3, Huib van Weelden, investigator photodermatology1, Paul H A Steegmans, dermatologist4, Carla A F M Bruijnzeel-Koomen, professor of dermatology/allergology1, Vigfús Sigurdsson, dermatologist1

1 Department of Dermatology/Allergology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, Netherlands, 2 Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, 3 Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands, 4 Department of Dermatology, St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, Netherlands

Correspondence to: M B G Koek author@koek.com

Objective To determine whether ultraviolet B phototherapy at home is equally safe and equally effective as ultraviolet B phototherapy in an outpatient setting for patients with psoriasis.

Design Pragmatic multicentre single blind randomised clinical trial (PLUTO study).

Setting Dermatology departments of 14 hospitals in the Netherlands.

Participants 196 patients with psoriasis who were clinically eligible for narrowband (TL-01) ultraviolet B phototherapy. The first 105 consecutive patients were also followed for one year after therapy.

Intervention Ultraviolet B phototherapy at home using a TL-01 home phototherapy unit compared with standard narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy in an outpatient setting. Both therapies were done in a setting reflecting routine daily practice in the Netherlands.

Main outcome measures The main outcome measure was effectiveness as measured by the proportion of patients with a 50% or more reduction of the baseline psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) or self administered psoriasis area and severity index (SAPASI), called the PASI 50 and SAPASI 50 (relevant treatment effect). Another outcome of effectiveness was the percentage reduction in median scores on the PASI as well as SAPASI. Also the proportions of patients reaching the PASI 75 and SAPASI 75 (successful treatment effect), and the PASI 90 and SAPASI 90 (almost complete clearance) were calculated. Other secondary outcomes were quality of life (SF-36, psoriasis disability index), burden of treatment (questionnaire), patients’ preferences and satisfaction (questionnaire), and dosimetry and short term side effects (diary).

Results 82% of the patients treated at home compared with 79% of the patients treated in an outpatient setting reached the SAPASI 50 (difference 2.8%, 95% confidence interval -8.6% to 14.2%), and 70% compared with 73% reached the PASI 50 (-2.3%, -15.7% to 11.1%). For patients treated at home the median SAPASI score decreased 82% (from 6.7 to 1.2) and the median PASI score decreased 74% (from 8.4 to 2.2), compared with 79% (from 7.0 to 1.4) and 70% (from 7.0 to 2.1) for patients treated in an outpatient setting. Treatment effect as defined by the mean decline in PASI and SAPASI scores was significant (P<0.001) and similar across groups (P>0.3). Total cumulative doses of ultraviolet B light were similar (51.5 v 46.1 J/cm2, difference 5.4, 95% confidence interval -5.2 to 16.0), and the occurrence of short term side effects did not differ. The burden of undergoing ultraviolet B phototherapy was significantly lower for patients treated at home (differences 1.23 to 3.01, all P 0.001). Quality of life increased equally regardless of treatment, but patients treated at home more often rated their experience with the therapy as “excellent” (42%, 38/90) compared with patients treated in the outpatient department (23%, 20/88; P=0.001).

Conclusion Ultraviolet B phototherapy administered at home is equally safe and equally effective, both clinically and for quality of life, as ultraviolet B phototherapy administered in an outpatient setting. Furthermore, ultraviolet B phototherapy at home resulted in a lower burden of treatment and led to greater patients’ satisfaction.

Source: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/338/may07_2/b1542

Today is World Psoriasis Day! Oct 29th, 2009

2009-10-29T06:37:00.000-07:00

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. Donate today!

How to Clear Up Bad Acne – Diet is Important

2009-10-27T22:02:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-27T22:01:00.000-07:00

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/

Neem: The Miracle Herb

2009-10-12T07:32:00.001-07:00

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/

Psoriasis and the flu season

2009-10-11T10:41:00.001-07:00

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.

What Causes Acne?

2009-10-10T23:40:00.000-07:00

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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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

2009-10-10T23:39:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-10T23:37:00.001-07:00

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

2009-10-10T23:24:00.001-07:00

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

2009-10-10T23:23:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-10T23:21:00.001-07:00

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

2009-10-10T23:18:00.001-07:00

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 Dovonex, Tazorac, 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.

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

2009-10-03T00:17:00.000-07:00

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.

http://www.therealyou.com/ManagingYourPsoriasis/Default.aspx

National Psoriasis Foundation - FDA approves new psoriasis drug

2009-09-26T07:45:00.001-07:00

National Psoriasis Foundation - FDA approves new psoriasis drug

FDA approves new psoriasis drug Stelara

Stelara offers patients a new treatment option

September 25, 2009

Stelara, a new drug for treating moderate to severe psoriasis in adults, was approved today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Known by the generic name ustekinumab, the drug is injected in the skin, and works by blocking part of the body's immune system.

Stelara is a "very significant medication," said Dr. Craig Leonardi, a dermatologist in St. Louis, Mo. who served as a lead investigator in clinical trials for the drug. Leonardi believes Stelara is particularly effective for patients who've seen little or no response to treatments with other medications.

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NPF - Foundation research dollars doubled this year

2009-09-15T06:23:00.000-07:00

National Psoriasis Foundation
September 2009

Foundation research dollars
doubled this year

The National Psoriasis Foundation's top priority is to find a cure for psoriatic diseases. While no one can say for sure when a cure will be discovered, it will certainly be achieved sooner if we bolster our investment in biomedical research. For this reason, the Foundation's new 5-year strategic plan calls for a 12-fold increase in annual research-grant funding (see graphic below).

In this first year of the strategic plan, the Foundation's $550,000 research investment more than doubles the 2008 figure, making it the largest research outlay in the Foundation's history! This is also the first year that the Foundation will front two different types of research grants. The first grant is called the Discovery Award; it provides $50,000 of research support for one year. This grant is designed to encourage the advancement of promising new investigators and new ideas in psoriatic-disease research. The second grant is called the Psoriatic Arthritis Research Award and provides $200,000 in research support over the course of two years. This award, as the name suggests, promotes research leading to the prevention, treatment or cure of psoriatic arthritis.

Not only is this the first time the Foundation has targeted a grant for psoriatic arthritis, it is also the first research grant funded through collaboration with another nonprofit health-advocacy group, the Arthritis National Research Foundation (ANRF). The ANRF will fund half the grant and partner with the Foundation to recruit scientific peer-reviewers to score and prioritize the applications.

Psoriasis - It works for me 09/14/09

2009-09-14T06:38:00.000-07:00

It works for me 09/14/09

Source: NPF http://www.psoriasis.org (National Psoriasis Foundation)

Itchstuff

My brother-in-law had one of the worst cases of psoriasis I've ever seen, both legs, feet, arms, and elbows. He was miserable and it looked really bad.

He started using a herbal ointment called Itchstuff that he gets on line at Greenstuff2.com He swears by it and most of his psoriasis is gone. I think he has been using it for about 6 months, maybe a bit more, not sure.

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Buttermilk bath

I was diagnosed with psoriasis 6 years ago at the age of 32. I did seek treatment with a dermatologist, but had to stop due to the travel cost. After my fourth child was about two, I decided to start seeing another dermatologist who was closer to work. My dermatologist informed me that some psoriasis might actually be caused by yeast. I was treated for that type, and I cleared up. I had to stop treatment due to cost as my husband was no longer able to carry insurance on me due to a new job.

I recently remembered being told that taking a buttermilk bath helps with yeast. I decided to try this, as my psoriasis had returned and was extremely painful. 2 weeks ago, I began putting buttermilk in an empty shampoo bottle and using it as a body wash while in the shower. My psoriasis has cleared up well.

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Neem oil

My daughter has had psoriasis since she was four years old. I've tried everything from prescribed medications to alternative medicines. I wanted only to use homeopathic because of the side effects of the prescribed medications. I went back and forth with them all. Until my lactation consultant told me about a product called Neem. I went to a Web site called Neem Tree Farms and found a plethora of products for my daughter. Including soaps (unscented of course) and shampoos with out wax and sodium laurel sulfate. These products are all natural and some are organic. They mainly all contained Neem oil or cold pressed Neem oil. I apply Neem lotion to my daughter everyday. It has worked wonders and wards all kinds of biting bugs too. I even use it as a mosquito repellent. I use Xbalm during times that her psoriasis is flared and it helps calm her right away. I have also added fish oil to her diet.

Submitted: about one month ago by member

====

Natural options

I developed full blown psoriatic arthritis when I turned 50 years old. To date, it has been the most horrible experience I ever want to go through ever. It has affected all of my joints and depleted the ligaments in both my knees � I had to have total knee replacements on both. Whenever the weather doesn�t cooperate, my hips, feet, ankles, hands, wrists, shoulders and even knees swell with inflammation causing me stiffness and pain. In addition to my psoriatic arthritis, I have psoriasis on my scalp. I tried what the doctors have suggested as far as cream, RX shampoos, etc. but these did not work for me.

I started using shampoos that are naturally based and I have found a lot of relief. At the present, I use Selsun Blue Naturals, Jason�s Aloe Vera shampoo and conditioner, and my favorite is Pantene�s new series of Pro-V called Moisture Balance shampoo and Moisture Balance conditioner. I have found that I need to switch off every two to three weeks as the effectiveness wears off and that the psoriasis cranks back up to high gear.

Psoriasis also affects my facial skin � I have found that using a gentle soap like Castile Soap or Dead Sea Mud Soap works extremely well at keeping the skin clear and calm. I also have Dead Sea Mud that I use as a mask for my face and anywhere the psoriasis is affecting me. The minerals in the mud seem to soothe my skin, muscles, and joints. You can purchases this online for a very reasonable price. These also can be purchased at better natural health food stores and some grocery stores.

I have also found a very good licensed Naturopathic doctor/pharmacist/nutritionist who is presently helping me by getting my body�s cells, organs, insides cleaned out and healthy through natural herbs and supplements. I am starting to feel much better with the natural method of healing than through conventional medicine. I found conventional medicines too harsh and abusive for my body and it affected my heart muscles and brain functioning more than I cared for. My body likes the natural way and I am sticking with the regime my new Naturopathic doctor is suggesting.

Oh, lastly but not least, I do 30 minutes of deep breathing meditation daily to ease my tension and calm my worrisome soul.

Submitted: about one month ago by Mary Jo Verbanick

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Clearing guttate psoriasis

My 10 year old son was diagnosed with guttate psoriasis several months ago. Four doctors (three of them being dermatologists) several creams, ointments, and painful/itchy months later we have found what works for me. Despite the urging of the doctors, we decided against using systemic medications. We treated naturally with results in less than two weeks. Months after getting a little relief from a 21 day course of antibiotics, his symptoms worsened and became extremely severe. After much research, I decided to treat my son for leaky gut syndrome.

Here is what we did: several Dead Sea salt baths and incorporated many dietary supplements (suggested by our acupuncturist). We are using Standard Process supplements.

Black Current seed oil - two capsules twice a day, we believe that this has been most helpful.
Mintran minerals - three tablets taken in the evening only
Livaplex -two capsules in the a.m. and then one at night
Zypan - one in the morning and one at night
Super EFF - one capsule in the morning and one at night
Zinc Liver Chelate - one in the morning
Nordic Naturals Junior Fish Oils - two in the morning -two at night.

This may sound like a lot, but; the results were almost immediate. Within two days there was a marked improvement. Less than two weeks later all the lesions are almost flat and white. Marked improvements on the scalp. No coal tar was needed.

We plan on burning my son's swim shirt this weekend,seven and a half months after his initial flare. Two weeks after starting the supplements.

Submitted: about two months ago by Carolyn (Gigi) Covington

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CPAP helped me!

I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis in 1999. It took a long time to get a diagnosis and these days, many dermatologists don�t bother with a condition they cannot cure.
My hands got infected and bled; I was in so much pain. I had to quit my job as a conference planner for an association because of the pain and stigma of people not wanting to shake my hand or work with me.

In 2003, I went to a pulmonary specialist for sleep disorders. My family was concerned that I was snoring and not breathing normally when asleep. I was always tired and even fell asleep while driving. After I started using my CPAP machine for six months, my hands cleared up. Honestly, my hands are fine and I feel so much better. I still have bouts with scalp psoriasis but I can live with that.

If this message can help one person who suffers, it would make me happy. Thanks for the support on-line and the stories from other sufferers who made the journey not so painful.

Submitted: about two months ago by S.S., Georgia

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Fish Oil Supplements

I have had psoriasis for over 30 years. It has fluctuated in seriousness. In recent years, living in northern New Mexico in a dry climate with lots of light at a high altitude, has helped to keep it under control. But there have always been stubborn places on legs, elbows, body spots that just wouldn't go away.

Two months ago I started taking 4,000 mg of fish oil daily for osteoarthritis (two in the morning and two in the evening). I just realized that the psoriasis is almost totally gone! - one dime-sized spot on body, and small (very small) patches on elbows.

Fish oil works for me! (by the way it has also helped with arthritis).

I believe it is important to buy the purest fish oil possible. A natural food store is a good place to find quality fish oil.

Submitted: about two months ago by Lorraine C.

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Onion Seed Oil

I used to have psoriasis on my scalp and legs. I began using a mixture of onion seed oil, also known as blackseed oil, and lime juice on my plaques. I apply it 2 times a day and have seen great changes in my plaques. In particular on my scalp. I apply the mixture to my scalp and then wait 20 to 30 minutes before washing it out. The best onion seed oil that I have found has been from Pakistan.

Submitted: about two months ago by Elizabeth

New Innovative Delivery System For Enbrel

2009-09-13T12:18:00.001-07:00

Wyeth Launches New Innovative Delivery System For Enbrel
Main Category: Arthritis / Rheumatology Also Included In: Eczema / Psoriasis Article Date: 13 Sep 2009 Enbrel , Wyeth's biological treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, is now available as a new easy-to-use pre-filled auto-injector device, known as the Enbrel MYCLIC pen.

Read full story from MediLexicon

http://www.medilexicon.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=163742

Psoriasis Resources

2009-09-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

The following is a list of resources for Psoriasis, you may google each resource for more information.

About psoriasis

* AAD PsoriasisNet: Information for patients
* HealthTalk Psoriasis Information Network
*
* International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA)
* Mayo Clinic: Psoriasis information
* MedlinePlus: Psoriasis information
* The Murdough Family Center for Psoriasis
* National Institue of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
* NIAMS Questions and answers about psoriasis
* National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Treating psoriasis

* NIH Clinical Trials listings
* U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
* American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
* Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD)
* Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS)
* National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)

Psoriatic arthritis

* American College of Rheumatology
* Arthritis Foundation
* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Arthritis Program
* Mayo Clinic: Psoriatic arthritis information

Accessing health care

* Medicare
* Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
* Medicare Rights Center
* Social Security Administration
* Health Assistance Partnership
* State Medicaid finder
* Kaiser Family Foundation
* National Association of Insurance Commissioners
* Acces2Wellness
* American Association for Retired People
* Benefits Checkup
* The Free Medicine Program
* Georgetown University Health Policy Institute
* HealthWell Foundation
* Chronic Plaque Psoriasis (CPP) Premium/Copayment assistance program
* NeedyMeds, Inc.
* Partnership for Prescription Assistance
* Patient Action Network Foundation
* Patient Advocate Foundation
* Pharmaceutical and Research Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
* RxHope
* Volunteers in Health

Living Well

* American Cancer Society
* American Diabetes Association
* American Heart Association
* Arthritis Foundation
* Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America
* Lymphoma Research Foundation
* National Institute of Mental Health
* Small Steps to Better Health

Discrimination

* U.S. Department of Labor: Family and Medical Leave Act
* U.S. Department of Justice: Americans with Disabilities Act
* U.S. Department of Labor: Office of Disability Employment Policy
* U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Psoriasis Statistics

2009-09-12T23:21:00.000-07:00

Prevalence

*

Psoriasis is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases in the U.S.
*

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as many as 7.5 million Americans—approximately 2.2 percent of the population--have psoriasis.
*

125 million people worldwide—2 to 3 percent of the total population—have psoriasis.
*

Studies show that between 10 and 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis.
*

Psoriasis prevalence in African Americans is 1.3 percent compared to 2.5 percent of Caucasians.1

Quality of life

*

Psoriasis is not a cosmetic problem. Nearly 60 percent of people with psoriasis reported their disease to be a large problem in their everyday life.2
*

Nearly 40 percent with psoriatic arthritis reported their disease to be a large problem in everyday life.3
*

Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis experienced a greater negative impact on their quality of life.4
*

Psoriasis has a greater impact on quality of life in women and younger patients.4

Age of onset

*

Psoriasis often appears between the ages of 15 and 25, but can develop at any age.
*

Psoriatic arthritis usually develops between the ages of 30 and 50, but can develop at any age.

Severity of psoriasis

*

The National Psoriasis Foundation defines mild psoriasis as affecting less than 3 percent of the body; 3 percent to 10 percent is considered moderate; more than 10 percent is considered severe. For most individuals, the palm of the hand is about the same as 1 percent of the skin surface. However, the severity of psoriasis is also measured by how psoriasis affects a person's quality of life.
*

Nearly one-quarter of people with psoriasis have cases that are considered moderate to severe.

Cost of psoriasis

*

Total direct and indirect health care costs of psoriasis for patients are calculated at $11.25 billion annually, with work loss accounting for 40 percent of the cost burden.5 Approximately 60 percent of psoriasis patients missed an average of 26 days of work a year due to their illness.6

Genetic aspects of psoriasis

*

About one out of three people with psoriasis report having a relative with psoriasis.
*

If one parent has psoriasis, a child has about a 10 percent chance of having psoriasis. If both parents have psoriasis, a child has approximately a 50 percent chance of developing the disease.

Learn More

* National Psoriasis Foundation Survey Panel Snapshots

Cited studies

1. Gelfand JM, Stern RS, Nijsten T, Feldman SR, Thomas J, Kist J, Rolstad T, Margolis DJ. The prevalence of psoriasis in African Americans: results from a population-based study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 Jan;52(1):23-6.
2. Stern RS, Nijsten T, Feldman SR, Margolis DJ, Rolstad T. Psoriasis is common, carries a substantial burden even when not extensive, and is associated with widespread treatment dissatisfaction. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2004 Mar;9(2):136-9.
3. Gelfand JM, Gladman DD, Mease PJ, Smith N, Margolis DJ, Nijsten T, Stern RS, Feldman SR, Rolstad T. Epidemiology of psoriatic arthritis in the population of the United States. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 Oct;53(4):573.
4. Gelfand JM, Feldman SR, Stern RS, Thomas J, Rolstad T, Margolis DJ. Determinants of quality of life in patients with psoriasis: a study from the U.S. population. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004 Nov;51(5):704-8.
5. Fowler JF, Duh MS, Rovba L, Buteau S, Pinheiro L, Lobo F, Sung J, Doyle JJ, Swensen A, Mallett DA, Kosicki G. The impact of psoriasis on health care costs and patient work loss. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Nov; 59(5):772-80.
6. Horn EJ, Fox KM, Patel V, Chiou CF, Dann F, Lebwohl M. Association of patient reported psoriasis severity with income and employment. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007 Aug; 57(6):963-71.

What causes psoriasis?

2009-09-12T23:19:00.000-07:00

No one knows exactly what causes psoriasis. However, it is understood that the immune system and genetics play major roles in its development. Most researchers agree that the immune system is somehow mistakenly triggered, which causes a series of events, including acceleration of skin cell growth. A normal skin cell matures and falls off the body in 28 to 30 days. A skin cell in a patient with psoriasis takes only 3 to 4 days to mature and instead of falling off (shedding), the cells pile up on the surface of the skin, forming psoriasis lesions.

Scientists believe that at least 10 percent of the general population inherits one or more of the genes that create a predisposition to psoriasis. However, only 2 percent to 3 percent of the population develops the disease. Researchers believe that for a person to develop psoriasis, the individual must have a combination of the genes that cause psoriasis and be exposed to specific external factors known as “triggers.”

Learn more about genetic and immune system involvement in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriasis triggers

Psoriasis triggers are not universal. What may cause one person’s psoriasis to become active, may not affect another. Established psoriasis triggers include:
Stress

Stress can cause psoriasis to flare for the first time or aggravate existing psoriasis. Relaxation and stress reduction may help prevent stress from impacting psoriasis.
Injury to skin

Psoriasis can appear in areas of the skin that have been injured or traumatized. This is called the Koebner [KEB-ner] phenomenon. Vaccinations, sunburns and scratches can all trigger a Koebner response. The Koebner response can be treated if it is caught early enough.
Medications

Certain medications are associated with triggering psoriasis, including:

*

Lithium: Used to treat manic depression and other psychiatric disorders. Lithium aggravates psoriasis in about half of those with psoriasis who take it.
*

Antimalarials: Plaquenil, Quinacrine, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine may cause a flare of psoriasis, usually 2 to 3 weeks after the drug is taken. Hydroxychloroquine has the lowest incidence of side effects.
*

Inderal: This high blood pressure medication worsens psoriasis in about 25 percent to 30 percent of patients with psoriasis who take it. It is not known if all high blood pressure (beta blocker) medications worsen psoriasis, but they may have that potential.
*

Quinidine: This heart medication has been reported to worsen some cases of psoriasis.
*

Indomethacin: This is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat arthritis. It has worsened some cases of psoriasis. Other anti-inflammatories usually can be substituted. Indomethacin's negative effects are usually minimal when it is taken properly. Its side effects are usually outweighed by its benefits in psoriatic arthritis.

Other triggers

Although scientifically unproven, some people with psoriasis suspect that allergies, diet and weather trigger their psoriasis. Strep infection is known to trigger guttate psoriasis.

Types of Psoriasis

2009-09-12T23:10:00.002-07:00

Psoriasis appears in a variety of forms with distinct characteristics. Typically, an individual has only one type of psoriasis at a time. Generally, one type of psoriasis will clear and another form of psoriasis will appear in response to a trigger.
Plaque

Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) is the most prevalent form of the disease. About 80 percent of those who have psoriasis have this type. It is characterized by raised, inflamed, red lesions covered by a silvery white scale. It is typically found on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back.
Guttate

Guttate [GUH-tate] psoriasis is a form of psoriasis that often starts in childhood or young adulthood. The word guttate is from the Latin word meaning "drop." This form of psoriasis appears as small, red, individual spots on the skin. Guttate lesions usually appear on the trunk and limbs. These spots are not usually as thick as plaque lesions.

Guttate psoriasis often comes on quite suddenly. A variety of conditions can bring on an attack of guttate psoriasis, including upper respiratory infections, streptococcal throat infections (strep throat), tonsillitis, stress, injury to the skin and the administration of certain drugs including antimalarials and beta-blockers.
Inverse

Inverse psoriasis is found in the armpits, groin, under the breasts, and in other skin folds around the genitals and the buttocks. This type of psoriasis appears as bright-red lesions that are smooth and shiny. Inverse psoriasis is subject to irritation from rubbing and sweating because of its location in skin folds and tender areas. It can be more troublesome in overweight people and those with deep skin folds.
Pustular

Primarily seen in adults, pustular psoriasis is characterized by white blisters of noninfectious pus (consisting of white blood cells) surrounded by red skin. There are three types of pustular psoriasis.

Pustular psoriasis may be localized to certain areas of the body, such as the hands and feet, or covering most of the body. It begins with the reddening of the skin followed by formation of pustules and scaling.

Pustular psoriasis may be triggered by internal medications, irritating topical agents, overexposure to UV light, pregnancy, systemic steroids, infections, stress and sudden withdrawal of systemic medications or potent topical steroids.
Erythrodermic

Erythrodermic [eh-REETH-ro-der-mik] psoriasis is a particularly inflammatory form of psoriasis that affects most of the body surface. It may occur in association with von Zumbusch pustular psoriasis. It is characterized by periodic, widespread, fiery redness of the skin and the shedding of scales in sheets, rather than smaller flakes. The reddening and shedding of the skin are often accompanied by severe itching and pain, heart rate increase, and fluctuating body temperature.

People experiencing the symptoms of erythrodermic psoriasis flare should go see a doctor immediately. Erythrodermic psoriasis causes protein and fluid loss that can lead to severe illness. The condition may also bring on infection, pneumonia and congestive heart failure. People with severe cases of this condition often require hospitalization.

Known triggers of erythrodermic psoriasis include the abrupt withdrawal of a systemic psoriasis treatment including cortisone; allergic reaction to a drug resulting in the Koebner response; severe sunburns; infection; and medications such as lithium, anti-malarial drugs; and strong coal tar products.

What is Psoriasis?

2009-09-12T23:10:00.001-07:00

Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious.

There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scale. Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body and is associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression.

According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis.