Psoriasis News

Posts Tagged ‘meds’

Treatment alternatives for Psoriasis- There are many ways to treat Psoriasis. Since diagnosis is difficult, most doctors initiate treatment with mild doses of drugs. Only if the condition worsens, stronger drug doses are administered.

Topical medications- Several topical ointments and creams maybe used to treat Psoriasis successfully. Some ointments contain combinations of essential oils and various surfactants, which help to restore the pH levels of the skin. By restoring the pH balance, irritation and itching can be curtailed. There are ointments, which can be obtained at any drugstore without any prescription, while for others a prescription maybe needed. Various topical medications such as corticosteroids maybe used to treat Psoriasis. At times, substances like coat tar is applied directly over the Psoriasis affected region. This substance is approved by the FDA and hence is safe for usage on the skin. Using the substance to coat the Psoriasis infected region can curtail the spread of the infection. However, coal tar has a very strong, pungent odor so regular change of dressing is necessitated. In addition, clothing and bed sheets should be changed regularly to avoid staining of the clothes.

Phototherapy- This is also called light therapy and has been found very effective in treating Psoriasis. In this case, artificial or natural lights are used to focus on the Psoriasis infected region of the skin. Most doctors, using such a treatment alternative recommend that patients face the sunlight for specified periods. This helps to destroy the infectious cells and reduce inflammation. Photochemotherapy involves usage of artificial light in combination with Psoralen. This is a medication, which makes the skin more sensitive to light. This medication is brought subsequently into contact with UVA light rays. Through this technique, the UVA rays can penetrate to the deeper layers. By doing this, the UVA rays destroy the plaque causing Psoriasis in the deeper skin tissues. Frequency of treatments through Photochemotherapy can range from three or even more times every week. However, excessive frequency of treatment can induce cancer because of the excessive penetration of UVA light rays.

Oral medication- This is a holistic combination of injected drugs as well as orally administered drugs. Certain Retinoids have been useful in curing Psoriasis. This is a special kind of drug known to curtail skin cell production. Thus, it is predominantly used in patients who have severe Psoriasis. However, intake of Retinoids for treatment of Psoriasis has a drawback. It can result in congenital or birth defects in a child. This is the reason why women who have Psoriasis and are under Retinoid treatment should not become pregnant for at least 3 years. Once the treatment stops, then after a period of 3 years the female patient can get pregnant.

Home remedies- In addition to the above three treatment alternatives for treating Psoriasis, one can also alleviate the itching and pain through home remedies. Soaking in oatmeal based baths or warm water filled with Epsom salts or even bathing oil can help soothe the skin. Using mild soaps is recommended, especially those, which have a high moisturizing content in them. Usage of a heavy-duty moisturizer can help soften the skin and aid dead cell removal. Regular exposure of the Psoriasis infected skin to the sun can also help alleviate skin itchiness and irritation. Proper dressing of the Psoriasis skin after applying ointments can help soften and sooth this skin.

Yours Truly,

Joseph Marquardt
President, Q-Based Healthcare TM
The Makers of PsoriasilTM Treatment
Info@qbased.com
Toll Free 1.866.314.8917

General Information.

Psoriasis is not an infectious disease. It is caused primarily because of an individual’s genetic structure. A primary reason why Psoriasis occurs in individuals is a trigger factor.

Stress- If a person is stressed, it can trigger Psoriasis. Flare-ups are common and can be accompanied by itching sensation as well. Once Psoriasis occurs the person can feel excessively self-conscious and embarrassed, leading to more stress.  The treatment of Psoriasis can be time-consuming and expensive, thereby leading to even more stress in the patient.

Weather and climate- The combination of excessive cold outside and the presence of indoor heating agents inside can trigger Psoriasis. Both conditions in combination dry out the skin and can make existing Psoriasis conditions worse. Illness during winter can debilitate the immunity of a person, making them more prone to Psoriasis. Being in the sun can dramatically help improve the condition. However, usage of the air conditioner must be avoided as it dries the skin. Using moisturizers on a regular basis also helps to curtail Psoriasis.

Injuries on the skin- Skin injuries because of acupuncture, certain vaccinations, bruises, bites, chafing of skin, burns, scraping of skin, irritation from chemicals, shaving, excessive pressure over skin, tattoos, using adhesive tapes over the skin, cuts, sunburns, skin peeling treatments, scratching and rubbing of skin can all trigger Psoriasis. This condition is referred to as Koebner effect. As many as half of the total percentage of Psoriasis patients are affected by this condition. Various skin inflictions like Herpes blisters, boils, vitiligo, dermatitis, Lichen planus, scabies etc. can result in flare-ups.

Infections- Various infections can also be a trigger factor for development of Psoriasis. Infections include strep throat, which triggers Guttate type of Psoriasis. Then, infections in the upper respiratory tract, HIV, skin boils etc. can also trigger Psoriasis.

Medications and drugs- Patients already suffering from Psoriasis, tend to develop more flare-ups when they ingest Lithium. Medications intended to treat high blood pressure can also trigger Psoriasis. Medications such as Inderal worsen existing symptoms of Psoriasis in 25 or 30% of Psoriasis patients. Heart medications like Quinidine also trigger Psoriasis. If a person is taking medication like Indomethacin for an arthritic condition, then Psoriasis can also be triggered by its intake. However, if the patient is suffering from Psoriatic Arthritis then this medicine can curtail these symptoms. Medications to prevent malaria also cause Psoriasis flare-ups. Excessive usage of Corticosteroids or stopping the medication suddenly can also trigger Psoriasis.

Hormonal changes- Typically, once a person is beyond puberty, the overall hormonal concentrations reduce. Symptoms pertaining to Psoriasis show improvement during pregnancy when hormonal levels surge. However, once the child is born, hormonal levels reduce, again triggering Psoriasis.

Smoking- People who smoke regularly are more prone to developing Pustular Psoriasis. Chain smokers are susceptible to fatal conditions of Psoriasis as well as Plaque kind of Psoriasis. The best way to deal with this is by quitting smoking.

Alcohol- Drinking and consumption of alcohol is also a trigger factor for Psoriasis. In fact, the efficacy of treatments is hampered when alcohol is ingested.

In addition to the above, certain kinds of allergies can also trigger Psoriasis. Changing one’s diet to include healthy, balanced meals can help keep Psoriasis at bay.

Yours Truly,

Joseph Marquardt
President, Q-Based Healthcare TM
The Makers of PsoriasilTM Treatment
Info@qbased.com
Toll Free 1.866.314.8917

All about Psoriatic Arthritis Information on Psoriatic Arthritis

If a person already has Psoriasis, then he or she may contract Psoriatic Arthritis as well. Psoriatic Arthritis is thus an offshoot of Psoriasis in individuals. 10 or 30% of all Psoriasis patients are afflicted with Psoriatic Arthritis. Primary concentrations of this condition include connective tissue and the joints.

Types of Psoriatic Arthritis

There are five kinds of Psoriatic Arthritis. These are:

Symmetric
This has a striking resemblance to characteristics exhibited by Rheumatoid Arthritis. The condition of Symmetric Psoriatic Arthritis is milder but can cripple a person. Similar joints on either side of the individual’s body are affected.

Asymmetric
This kind of Psoriatic Arthritis is not found on similar joints on either side. The symptoms appear on few or several joints. Joints primarily affected include wrist, knee, ankle, hip etc. Enlargement of fingers is another common symptom associated with Asymmetric Psoriatic Arthritis. The joints are reddened and become swollen. Tenderness and pain of the joints in cyclic intervals is common. When the pain occurs, it can temporarily disable the patient.

Distal Interphalangeal Predominat
This condition is rare and its incidence has been noted in just 5% of patients inflicted with Psoriatic Arthritis. Typical concentrations of such a condition include joints of the furthest toe or finger. Most people confuse this condition to be Osteoarthritis. However, changes in nail color and structure will indicate it is Distal Interphalangeal Predominat.

Spondylitis
This condition of Psoriatic Arthritis is triggered by inflammation of the spinal column. Since this is a rare condition, just 5% of individuals are affected. Lower back stiffness and inflammation are common symptoms. The vertebrae and neck can also be inflamed. Thus, movement becomes painful and difficult. Primary areas where this condition occurs include hips, legs, hands, feet and arms.

Mutilans
This is a very severe kind of Psoriatic Arthritis, which is also a very rare condition. It occurs in just 5% of patients with Psoriatic Arthritis. Predominant areas of the condition are feet and hands. Accompanying symptoms include lower back and neck pain.

Yours Truly,

Joseph Marquardt
President, Q-Based Healthcare TM
The Makers of PsoriasilTM Treatment
Info@qbased.com
Toll Free 1.866.314.8917