People with psoriasis may notice that there are times when their skin worsens, then improves. Conditions that may cause flareups 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.
More information on psoriasis can be found at:
http://www.dermatitis-ltd.com/aboutpso.php3
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
The Picture of Psoriasis Control.
Currently there is no cure for psoriasis. However, many types of treatments are available, including products applied to the skin, phototherapy, oral medications, and lifestyle changes that can keep psoriasis under control. Most cases are mild and can be treated with skin products. In some cases, psoriasis can be hard to treat if it is severe and widespread. Most psoriasis returns, even mild forms.
The purpose of treatment is to slow the rapid growth of skin cells that causes psoriasis and to reduce inflammation. Treatment is based on the type of psoriasis you have, its location, its severity, and your age and overall health. It also depends on how much you are affected by the condition, either physically (because of factors such as joint pain) or emotionally (because of embarrassment or frustration from a skin rash that may cover a large or visible area of the body).
The purpose of treatment is to slow the rapid growth of skin cells that causes psoriasis and to reduce inflammation. Treatment is based on the type of psoriasis you have, its location, its severity, and your age and overall health. It also depends on how much you are affected by the condition, either physically (because of factors such as joint pain) or emotionally (because of embarrassment or frustration from a skin rash that may cover a large or visible area of the body).
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
The Winter Picture of Psoriasis
Psoriasis can be worse during winter
By Kristin Buehner, Of The Globe Gazette
One of the challenges of winter weather is the drying effect it has on the skin. For people with psoriasis — a chronic skin disorder characterized by inflamed skin lesions topped with silvery white scales — the threat can be even worse.
Cold winter weather and dry indoor heat can cause psoriasis symptoms to flare or worsen, the American Academy of Dermatology reports."Psoriasis is a fairly common condition," said Mason City dermatologist Dr. James Karkos. "
There is no cure for it, just ways to control it."Its name is taken from the Greek word for "itch."More than 6 million Americans have psoriasis. There is a hereditary component to the condition that might act as a trigger factor for it, Karkos said.
Environmental factors such as physical trauma to the skin, infections (such as strep throat) and stress can also trigger the onset of pso-riasis.It is not contagious. Psoriasis is caused by the unusually rapid growth of skin cells that can build up on the skin's surface, usually around the knees, elbows, scalp, hands, feet or lower back. Lesions can be pain-ful and itchy and can crack and bleed."Some patients are covered with it, but it doesn't itch and they just leave it," Karkos said. "For other people, even a small amount is a problem."
Treatments range from low-risk to high-risk methods and include:
--Topical medications to treat mild to moderate psoriasis, often prescribed by a dermatologist at the first signs of the condition. Topical medications include cortisone; calcipotriene, a synthetic Vitamin D; methotrexate; prescription vitamin A-related drugs called retinoids and coal tar formu-lations.-- Phototherapy, or ultraviolet light treatment, is reserved for moderate to severe cases of psoria-sis that do not respond to topical therapy. This method, which is available at Mercy Medical Cen-ter-North Iowa, has no internal side effects but can cause premature aging and sunburn, Karkos said.
-- Another option involves combining the ultraviolet light treatment with pills, such as psoralen, that are more effective in treating psoriasis but make the patient sensitive to light and can trigger skin cancer, Karkos said.
-- Systemic medications (taken orally or by injection) treat the entire body and are often reserved for patients whose psoriasis is not responsive to topical medications or phototherapy.
-- New biologic treatments that target the precise immune responses involved in the development of psoriasis are used to treat moderate to severe forms of psoriasis. They are more expensive and may increase the risk of lymphoma, Karkos said.
One of the best things a person can do in winter is to moisturize more and avoid things that will dry out your skin, Karkos said.
Reach Kristin Buehner at kristin.buehner@globegazette.com.
By Kristin Buehner, Of The Globe Gazette
One of the challenges of winter weather is the drying effect it has on the skin. For people with psoriasis — a chronic skin disorder characterized by inflamed skin lesions topped with silvery white scales — the threat can be even worse.
Cold winter weather and dry indoor heat can cause psoriasis symptoms to flare or worsen, the American Academy of Dermatology reports."Psoriasis is a fairly common condition," said Mason City dermatologist Dr. James Karkos. "
There is no cure for it, just ways to control it."Its name is taken from the Greek word for "itch."More than 6 million Americans have psoriasis. There is a hereditary component to the condition that might act as a trigger factor for it, Karkos said.
Environmental factors such as physical trauma to the skin, infections (such as strep throat) and stress can also trigger the onset of pso-riasis.It is not contagious. Psoriasis is caused by the unusually rapid growth of skin cells that can build up on the skin's surface, usually around the knees, elbows, scalp, hands, feet or lower back. Lesions can be pain-ful and itchy and can crack and bleed."Some patients are covered with it, but it doesn't itch and they just leave it," Karkos said. "For other people, even a small amount is a problem."
Treatments range from low-risk to high-risk methods and include:
--Topical medications to treat mild to moderate psoriasis, often prescribed by a dermatologist at the first signs of the condition. Topical medications include cortisone; calcipotriene, a synthetic Vitamin D; methotrexate; prescription vitamin A-related drugs called retinoids and coal tar formu-lations.-- Phototherapy, or ultraviolet light treatment, is reserved for moderate to severe cases of psoria-sis that do not respond to topical therapy. This method, which is available at Mercy Medical Cen-ter-North Iowa, has no internal side effects but can cause premature aging and sunburn, Karkos said.
-- Another option involves combining the ultraviolet light treatment with pills, such as psoralen, that are more effective in treating psoriasis but make the patient sensitive to light and can trigger skin cancer, Karkos said.
-- Systemic medications (taken orally or by injection) treat the entire body and are often reserved for patients whose psoriasis is not responsive to topical medications or phototherapy.
-- New biologic treatments that target the precise immune responses involved in the development of psoriasis are used to treat moderate to severe forms of psoriasis. They are more expensive and may increase the risk of lymphoma, Karkos said.
One of the best things a person can do in winter is to moisturize more and avoid things that will dry out your skin, Karkos said.
Reach Kristin Buehner at kristin.buehner@globegazette.com.
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