Individuals with psoriasis experience symptoms such as itching, cracking, stinging, burning, or bleeding. Lack of sunlight and low indoor humidity in the winter months can cause the psoriasis symptoms to worsen.
The skin is most likely to crack at the joints where the body bends, or in areas where the individual scratches. Scratching should be strictly avoided, because it can cause bleeding and infection. Psoriasis has also been known to cause pits or dents to form in fingernails and toenails. There is also the possibility that the soft tissue inside the mouth and genitalia can be affected. In some cases, psoriasis will cause joint inflammation that produces arthritis symptoms. This condition is called psoriatic arthritis.
People with psoriasis may notice that there are times when their skin worsens, then improves. Conditions that may cause flare-ups include changes in climate, infections, stress, and dry skin. Also, certain medicines, most notably beta-blockers, which are used in the treatment of high blood pressure, and lithium or drugs used in the treatment of depression, may cause an outbreak or worsening of the disease.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Friday, November 19, 2004
The Historical Picture of Psoriasis
Psoriasis was mentioned in Greek mythology more than 2,500 years ago. It was considered a curse from the gods.
The Bible refers to psoriasis but mistakenly calls it leprosy. For hundreds of years, people with the disease were ostracized and forced to wander as homeless beggars. Some had to wear warning bells so others could avoid their paths. Some suffered the same fate as lepers, who were burned at the stake in the 14th century.
"Amazingly, psoriasis was a disease that had been misunderstood for more than 2,000 years before it was clearly defined (in the early 1800s) and named what we know it as today."
The Bible refers to psoriasis but mistakenly calls it leprosy. For hundreds of years, people with the disease were ostracized and forced to wander as homeless beggars. Some had to wear warning bells so others could avoid their paths. Some suffered the same fate as lepers, who were burned at the stake in the 14th century.
"Amazingly, psoriasis was a disease that had been misunderstood for more than 2,000 years before it was clearly defined (in the early 1800s) and named what we know it as today."
Friday, November 12, 2004
The Mineral Picture
The Dead Sea in Israel offers very effective treatment for psoriasis patients. Corticosteroid preparations are not prescribed and if they are being used by the patient prior to arrival, their application is usually stopped.
Occasionally antihistamines are prescribed to help relieve itching.
After the first week of gradual acclimatisation to the local conditions, patients can expose themselves more freely to the sun, avoiding only the midday periods and heat stress.
Results of treatment: - Clearing psoriasis is usually good, and more many sufferers exceeds the results achieved by conventional therapies. However, the healing process is usually slower and for many patients a stay of 6 rather than 4 weeks tends to be more effective. However, a study conducted involving 535 atopic dermatitis patients who stayed at the Dead sea for a period of 4-6 weeks revealed that symptoms cleared or definitely improved in 72.7% of the patients, and a further 24.3% experienced some improvement, and only 3% showed no improvement at all. However, of 177 patients who stayed for 1-4 weeks, the results were not as good; only 50% of them were symptom-free or showed good improvement.
Don't want to travel to Israel for treatment? Dead Sea salt preparations are available for purchase with the benefit of having treatments done at home.
Occasionally antihistamines are prescribed to help relieve itching.
After the first week of gradual acclimatisation to the local conditions, patients can expose themselves more freely to the sun, avoiding only the midday periods and heat stress.
Results of treatment: - Clearing psoriasis is usually good, and more many sufferers exceeds the results achieved by conventional therapies. However, the healing process is usually slower and for many patients a stay of 6 rather than 4 weeks tends to be more effective. However, a study conducted involving 535 atopic dermatitis patients who stayed at the Dead sea for a period of 4-6 weeks revealed that symptoms cleared or definitely improved in 72.7% of the patients, and a further 24.3% experienced some improvement, and only 3% showed no improvement at all. However, of 177 patients who stayed for 1-4 weeks, the results were not as good; only 50% of them were symptom-free or showed good improvement.
Don't want to travel to Israel for treatment? Dead Sea salt preparations are available for purchase with the benefit of having treatments done at home.
Friday, November 05, 2004
Steroids And Psoriasis
Topical steroid medications are one of the most common treatments for mild to moderate psoriasis.
Steroids are prescribed to reduce redness (inflammation) and itching and stop the rapid build-up of dead skin cells. Steroids come in varying strengths, from weak to highly potent. They are available as creams, gels, lotions, ointments, or solutions.
A steroid mousse is now available to treat scalp psoriasis.
Topical steroids can become less effective if used repeatedly for a long time. This is called steroid-resistance. The best outcome may be achieved when topical steroids are combined with other medications applied to the skin.
Steroids in the form of pills or injections are generally not used to treat psoriasis because they have too many serious side effects.
Psoriasis may reoccur when treatment stops. Long-term use of potent topical steroids on large areas of skin can produce side effects such as stretch marks, thinning and reddening of the skin, and the appearance of small blood vessels through the skin.
Steroids are not recommended for application on the face or on areas of the body where the skin folds, such as the armpits, groin, and webs of the toes.
Use of steroid ointments and creams requires good judgment and careful supervision.
Ask the doctor about potency and side effects of prescribed corticosteroid medicines.
Corticosteroid medicines are prescribed for atopic dermatitis to calm the inflamed skin. Avoid combination topical steroid/antifungal cream in the treatment of diaper rash.
Steroids are prescribed to reduce redness (inflammation) and itching and stop the rapid build-up of dead skin cells. Steroids come in varying strengths, from weak to highly potent. They are available as creams, gels, lotions, ointments, or solutions.
A steroid mousse is now available to treat scalp psoriasis.
Topical steroids can become less effective if used repeatedly for a long time. This is called steroid-resistance. The best outcome may be achieved when topical steroids are combined with other medications applied to the skin.
Steroids in the form of pills or injections are generally not used to treat psoriasis because they have too many serious side effects.
Psoriasis may reoccur when treatment stops. Long-term use of potent topical steroids on large areas of skin can produce side effects such as stretch marks, thinning and reddening of the skin, and the appearance of small blood vessels through the skin.
Steroids are not recommended for application on the face or on areas of the body where the skin folds, such as the armpits, groin, and webs of the toes.
Use of steroid ointments and creams requires good judgment and careful supervision.
Ask the doctor about potency and side effects of prescribed corticosteroid medicines.
Corticosteroid medicines are prescribed for atopic dermatitis to calm the inflamed skin. Avoid combination topical steroid/antifungal cream in the treatment of diaper rash.
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