Your Psoriasis Questions Answered

What is Psoriasis? Notice patches of raised red skin with a white flaky buildup? Read more about what psoriasis looks like, the different types and what causes it. Types, Triggers, Newly Diagnosed

Psoriasis Relief See your doctor for a diagnosis and learn more about the treatment options that are best for you.Biologics, Topicals, Systemics

Managing Psoriasis There are many actions you can take to manage psoriasis. It's time to learn more and regain control!Outlook, FAQ, Additional Resources

Galderma's "New" Psoriasis Treatment Is An Old Drug

Galderma Laboratories announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the company approval to market its CLOBEX(R) (clobetasol propionate) Spray, 0.05% for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. CLOBEX(R) Spray is the only available super-high potency corticosteroid formulation that couples the clinically proven strength of clobetasol in an advanced, highly-convenient, non-aerosol spray formulation.

CLOBEX(R) Spray was demonstrated to be safe and effective in two multi- center, randomized, double-blind studies involving 209 patients with moderate- to-severe psoriasis. In the first clinical trial, 82% of patients became clear or almost clear after four weeks of treatment, with 47% of these subjects becoming clear or almost clear in as early as two weeks. In a second study, 78% of patients were clear or almost clear after four weeks."CLOBEX(R) Spray will be a welcome option for the millions of psoriasis patients who struggle with their treatment regimen," said Albert Draaijer, President, Galderma Laboratories, L.P. "The product's vehicle has been specifically designed to efficiently deliver clobetasol propionate to the skin. Above and beyond its unsurpassed efficacy, the easy application of this advanced vehicle will allow even the most active psoriasis patients to remain compliant with their therapy."

In controlled clinical trials, the following adverse reactions have been reported: burning, pruritus, dryness, pain, hyperpigmentation around resolving plaque, irritation and atrophy. CLOBEX(R) Spray is not recommended for use on anyone younger than 18 years of age. The total dosage should not exceed 50 g (59 mL or 2 fl oz) per week.

Patients should use CLOBEX(R) Spray, 0.05% only for the minimum period necessary to achieve desired results.CLOBEX(R) Spray reflects the proven and well-known clinical profiles of CLOBEX(R) Lotion and Shampoo.

Available by prescription since September 2003 and June 2004 respectively, CLOBEX(R) Lotion and Shampoo are clinically proven to reduce and/or eliminate the signs and symptoms of moderate-to-severe psoriasis.Understanding the needs of psoriasis patients -- and providing products to address their special needs -- is a longstanding priority for Galderma. To better understand the impact of psoriasis on the lives of young adults, Galderma is partnering with the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) on a first-of-its-kind survey campaign directed to college-age individuals."College-age individuals seem to be affected by their psoriasis in ways that are perhaps different from than other patients," said Gail Zimmerman, Executive Director, NPF. "This new research will allow us to better understand this very unique patient population and introduce potential strategies to minimize their social and emotional impact." Results of the survey are expected for release in January.

The Factual Picture of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition affecting approximately 4.5 million people in the United States.

New skin cells grow too rapidly, resulting in inflamed, swollen, scaly patches of skin in areas where the old skin has not shed quickly enough.

Psoriasis can be limited to a few spots or can involve more extensive areas of the body, appearing most commonly on the scalp, knees, elbows and trunk.

Psoriasis is not a contagious disease. The cause of psoriasis is unknown, and there currently is no cure.

Psoriasis can strike people at any age, but the average age of onset is approximately 28 years. Likewise, it affects both men and women, with a slightly higher prevalence in women than in men.

Approximately 30 percent of people with psoriasis are estimated to have moderate-to-severe forms of the disease.

Psoriasis can be a physically and emotionally painful condition. It often results in physical limitations, disfiguration and a significant burden in managing the daily care of the disease.

Psoriasis sufferers may feel embarrassed, angry, frustrated, fearful, depressed and, in some cases, even suicidal.

The Pustular Psoriasis Picture

This type of psoriasis usually appears as a large red area covered with yellow-green pustules. They tend to be one to two millimeters in diameter and are quite tender. The yellow color is caused by masses of white blood cells (polymorph leucocytes), which flood into any part of the skin that is damaged or infected, in order to fight infection and aid recovery.After seven to 10 days, the pustules become dispersed and a brown scale appears. This scale will start to shed as new pustules develop in other areas, often in a continuous cycle. The most common type of pustular psoriasis affects the palms and soles. It isn't normally itchy however it can be sore or uncomfortable to use either your hands or feet, for example if you are writing or walking.

THE PICTURE OF GUTTATE PSORIASIS

Guttate psoriasis is characterized by small red dots (or drops) of psoriasis. Guttate is derived from the Latin word gutta meaning "drop." It often appears on the trunk, arms and legs. The lesions may have some scale. Guttate psoriasis frequently appears suddenly following a streptococcal infection or viral upper respiratory infections. There are also other events that can precipitate an attack of guttate psoriasis: tonsillitis, a cold, chicken pox, immunizations, physical trauma, psychological stress, illness, and the administration of anti-malarial drugs. Guttate psoriasis is many small patches of psoriasis, all over the body, and often happens after a throat infection. Guttate Psoriasis most often affects children and young adults. It appears as small, red bumps-the size of drops of water-on the skin. It usually appears suddenly, often several weeks after an infection such as strep throat.

Causes of Psoriasis

Researchers believe the immune system sends faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle in skin cells. Certain people carry genes that make them more likely to develop psoriasis, but not everyone with these genes develops psoriasis. Instead, a "trigger" makes the psoriasis appear in those who have these genes. Also, some triggers may work together to cause an outbreak of psoriasis; this makes it difficult to identify individual factors.Possible psoriasis triggers include: emotional stress; injury to the skin; some types of infection; reaction to certain drugs. Once the disease is triggered, the skin cells pile up on the surface of the body faster than normal. In people without psoriasis, skin cells mature and are shed about every 28 days. In psoriatic skin, the skin cells move rapidly up to the surface of the skin over three to six days. The body can't shed the skin cells fast enough and this process results in patches also called "lesions" forming on the skin's surface.

The Psoriatic Arthritis Picture

Psoriatic arthritis occurs in less than 10% of people with psoriasis. Its treatment often requires consultation with a rheumatologist in addition to treatment of the skin lesions by a dermatologist. It occurs most frequently in psoriasis patients whose disease is active, especially in persons with the pustular type of psoriasis. Occasionally it appears in a person who has no dermatologic signs or symptoms of psoriasis, in which case it must be diagnosed by its unique laboratory test results. Psoriasis of the fingernails and toenails is associated with a higher incidence of psoriatic arthritis. Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis resemble those of rheumatoid arthritis, although the diseases are otherwise quite different. Arthritis changes cause deterioration and pain in small joints of the hands and feet, large joints of the legs and spine, and tendons. Nonspecific foot pain or "tennis elbow" may be an early symptom to appear and may be overlooked if not associated with psoriatic skin or nail lesions.

The Picture of Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis occurs in at least half of all people with psoriasis. It can range from very mild with fine scaling to very severe with thick, crusted plaques. Scalp psoriasis may appear as lesions that extend from the hairline onto the forehead and the nape of the neck. It is common for the psoriasis to appear behind the ears. Scalp psoriasis usually accompanies plaques in other areas of the body. Scalp psoriasis scales appear powdery with a silvery sheen. Possible causes of scalp psoriasis include: scalp treatments and severe psoriasis can both cause temporary hair loss; itching, picking and scratching lesions can worsen the psoriasis by causing a Koebner phenomenon (psoriasis appearing on the site of skin injuries).

The Historical Picture of Psoriasis

Psoriasis has been around since the days of 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."

Understanding Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common immune-mediated chronic skin disease that comes in different forms and varying levels of severity. Most researchers now conclude that it is related to the immune system (psoriasis is often called an "immune-mediated" disorder).It is not contagious. In general, it is a condition that is frequently found on the knees, elbows, scalp, hands, feet or lower back. Many treatments are available to help manage its symptoms. More than 4.5 million adults in the United States have it. Between 10 percent and 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop a related form of arthritis, called psoriatic arthritis.

The Symptomatic Picture of Psoriasis

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.

A Factual Picture of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition affecting approximately 4.5 million people in the United States.
New skin cells grow too rapidly, resulting in inflamed, swollen, scaly patches of skin in areas where the old skin has not shed quickly enough.
Psoriasis can be limited to a few spots or can involve more extensive areas of the body, appearing most commonly on the scalp, knees, elbows and trunk.
Psoriasis is not a contagious disease. The cause of psoriasis is unknown, and there currently is no cure.
Psoriasis can strike people at any age, but the average age of onset is approximately 28 years. Likewise, it affects both men and women, with a slightly higher prevalence in women than in men.
Approximately 30 percent of people with psoriasis are estimated to have moderate-to-severe forms of the disease.Psoriasis can be a physically and emotionally painful condition. It often results in physical limitations, disfiguration and a significant burden in managing the daily care of the disease.
Psoriasis sufferers may feel embarrassed, angry, frustrated, fearful, depressed and, in some cases, even suicidal.