Psoriasis Treatment

People encountering skin problems with psoriasis are definitely not the happiest individuals as this particular disorder is absolutely devastating for their appearance due to the reddish patches of inflammation which develop on evident parts of the body such as legs, arms or head. To deal with this unpleasant situation, various treating methods have been launched by medical experts, although not many have proven to be successful. A recent attempt for fighting this disorder has been cyclosporine for psoriasis. So, let’s find out what this option has to offer.

First of all, when cyclosporine for psoriasis is mentioned, this describes a modified form of the original formulation, called “Neoral”, which is the only type which has been approved by the FDA (in 1997) for this specific treating goal and it has been modified so as to facilitate the quick absorption by the patient’s body. This type is available either as a liquid or a pill, though it can be found in an injection form, too. Therefore, it’s up to you and your doctor to choose the most appropriate type for your needs.

How does cyclosporine work for psoriasis treatment

But how does cyclosporine for psoriasis work so as to reduce or even eliminate those nasty marks and sports off your body? Well, the concept of the therapy is to slow down the effectiveness of the immune system and thus to decelerate the growth of skin cells. As a result, the speed of cell turnover, that is the procedure during which the skin cells grow deep in the skin and rise to the surface, is drastically reduced and the signs of psoriasis start to back down.

The amount of cyclosporine that you will need depends mainly on the extent of the problem as well as on the sufferer’s body weight. Therefore, your pharmacist is the one who would make the call for the exact dosage; generally though, patients use cyclosporine twice a day. However, due to its harmful impact on the kidneys (you can read more on this below), most doctors advise their patients not to “interrupt” the intake of cyclosporine by interposing periods of “resting” or by combining its use with that of a less toxic medication.

Unfortunately, cyclosporine is not free of side effects. And how could it be otherwise since its function is based on the suppression of the immune system. Inevitably, people who use it should be prepared to encounter more infections while they run an increased risk of developing cancer. In addition, kidney problems and high blood pressure are also included in the list. Therefore, patients who are on cyclosporine for psoriasis should cease its use after a time period of maximum two years or take it in intervals so as to allow your kidneys to recover. Moreover, you are advised to undergo checks for the blood pressure and the kidney’s function regularly. Finally, cyclosporine should not be used by women who are pregnant or are about to be pregnant.

As you may have concluded by the above, due to the restrictions that it poses, cyclosporine for psoriasis hardly offers long-lasting results, therefore, patients are advised to be rather conservative as concerns their expectations. However, the most important aspect of this treating method is that it can give just the boost so as to help controlling serious situations or curing periodic flares of the illness. In addition, cyclosporine is not only effective in controlling psoriasis but it also can prevent relapsing, that is the period during which symptoms flare up after a period of limited activity.

In any case, consult your doctor or pharmacist so as to be as safe it gets. After all, it’s useless to put your general health into serious danger just to overcome psoriasis!

Psoriasis is a skin disorder that appears on the skin as a result of a malfunction in the immune system which emits faulty signals that results in the the creation of skin cells. The disease can affect many parts of the body (like the elbows, the knees and the scalp) and becomes evident by the reddish patches of inflammation. Apart from the aesthetic part, psoriasis can bring about skin discomfort, itching, burning or bleeding, and in more severe cases, it can make even everyday activities difficult to be accomplished. Therefore, treatment has been sought in order to help sufferers, and retinoids for psoriasis is a promising one.

Of course, in order to be accurate and not to create false impressions, there is yet no guaranteed treatment for psoriasis; most treating methods have limited effectiveness since they may work for some people and deliver poor results to other. So, scientific research is constant, and it is coming up with new treating options. The retinoids solution has some major advantages.

Advantages of Retinoids for Psoriasis

Although the concept of the method is not very clear, it has been stated that retinoids control skin cell production and swelling, thus impeding the growth of skin cells.

Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives which are already used so as to deal with several skin disorders. More specifically, retinoids for psoriasis can be divided into two major types, that is those which focus on topical treatments (such as gels, creams and ointments) and those which are taken orally (such as pills and capsules). The former are usually used for the majority of the psoriasis cases while the latter aim at encountering more severe cases.

One point which needs to be clarified is that the retinoids usually are not used alone but with conjunction with supplementary methods and medications in order to deliver maximum results. So, prior to proceeding to this treating solution, you should discuss the subject thoroughly with your doctor. In most cases, retinoids are combined with treatments like psoralen and ultraviolet A light therapy (PUVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) light exposure or steroid creams and ointments.

Useful Retinoids for psoriasis

Some of the most common retinoids aiming at treating psoriasis include tazarotene, acitretin and isotretinoin.

Tazarotene is a topical retinoid which can aid in reducing skin reddening and limit the extent of the affected area. Being available as gel or cream, it is easy to spread it on the trouble spots even on a daily basis and can have decent results.

Acitretin is an oral retinoid which can reduce proliferation and stimulate differentiation and promote normal growth and development of skin, thus reducing the impact of psoriasis. Isotretinoin is only partially effective in psoriasis but it’s worth trying it if there is no health risk.

However, as almost every treating method for psoriasis, there are some possible side effects to consider before finally deciding to make use of retinoids. These vary from person to person and also are related to other medications which you are possibly on. Possible adverse reactions include skin irritation skin, skin itching, burning or stinging, dryness and generally a sense of discomfort on the treated skin, while acne may be developed for some period of time. In addition, those who would opt for tazarotene should avoid exposure to sunlight after treatment and avoid using it during pregnancy. On the other hand, acitretin may bring about, apart from dryness and itching, also headaches, nausea or muscle pain and must also be not used in case of pregnancy. Neurological and skeletal deformities may also be on the list, so medical advice is essential before using retinoids for psoriasis!

Phototherapy psoriasis treatment utilizes the ability of ultraviolet light to slow down the abnormal rate of skin cell growth experienced by people suffering from this autoimmune disease. Phototherapy psoriasis treatment can be conducted with either ultraviolet type B or type A light (UVA/UVB).

UVB phototherapy psoriasis treatment

UVB is omnipresent in sunlight; therefore if a person suffering from psoriasis is lucky enough to live in a corner of the earth where sunlight is abundant, they can undergo “natural” phototherapy by simply exposing the affected areas of the skin to direct sunlight.

It is recommended that the patient follows a pattern of multiple but short exposures to direct sunlight. This should start with roughly minutes of exposure at noon, and should be gradually increased if the skin can withstand it. It is important that the affected areas are naked, but unaffected areas should be covered with a cloth or that, at the very least, sunscreen is applied on them.

This process has to be followed for several weeks before actual improvement is noticed. Care should be taken to avoid excessive exposure and possible sunburns. It should also be noted that risk of sunburn may be higher if the patient has been using some medications for psoriasis such as elidel (pimecrolimus) or coal tar. If this is the case, a doctor should be consulted prior to the patient’s exposure to the sun.

If getting enough sun is an issue due to location, season or time constraints, patients can resort to artificial phototherapy psoriasis treatment. This can be done in a clinic or at home, if an artificial UVB light source can be found. Phototherapy equipment needs to be prescribed, but thankfully some insurance companies can cover the cost of purchase.
Undergoing home phototherapy can be quite cost-effective, but still requires that a strict treatment program be followed. For this reason a patient should always consult their doctor in order to determine the required duration of exposure in each session, and the number of total sessions needed. Also, it is recommended that the patient’s condition is evaluated regularly throughout the duration of phototherapy psoriasis treatment.

UVA phototherapy psoriasis treatment

On its own, the UVA band is not as effective as UVB. Therefore, a light-sensitizing substance called psoralen is applied locally or given orally to the patient, in order to maximize the efficiency of UVA treatment. This method of treatment is called PUVA and can achieve similar results.

Unless otherwise directed, by your doctor, artificial and natural phototherapy psoriasis treatment should never be combined, because too much ultraviolet radiation can cause damage to the skin.

When a person first develops psoriasis, and, more generally, in cases where psoriasis is only affecting a relatively small area of the patient’s body, topical psoriasis treatment is usually recommended. Topical medications are available in many different forms and can utilize different mechanisms that decelerate abnormal skin growth and reduce inflammation induced by psoriasis. Many of these products are available over the counter, but some are only available by prescription.

Corticosteroids

The most commonly used substances fall into the category of corticosteroids (or simply “steroids”). They are also referred to as anti-inflammatories due to their ability to reduce swelling and redness of the skin.

Corticosteroids are classified according to their strength or potency, and range from class 1 (very strong/superpotent) to class 7 (very weak/least potent). The stronger a corticosteroid is, the more effectively it can clear psoriasis from a patient’s skin. The greater the strength of the steroid though, the higher risk of side effects.

Topical steroids cannot be used alone in order to adequately treat moderate or severe cases of psoriasis. If this is the case, they will have to be combined with other topical psoriasis treatment methods.

Continuous use of higher-strength steroids, or improper use of steroids (for instance, application of a steroid ointment in the wrong areas) can cause various side effects, which usually come in some form of skin damage. These can go away once a person stops taking steroids, but in some cases damage may be permanent.

Tips for all forms of topical psoriasis treatment

Topical psoriasis treatment medications come in various forms, such as creams, ointments, lotions, gels, and so on, and their form determines the rate at which the substance is absorbed by the skin. Typically, they are applied a couple times per day, however this may vary and you should always ask your doctor to determine proper dosage. It is also important that they are applied only to psoriasis lesions, so as to avoid the irritation of neighboring healthy skin tissue.

Furthermore, these medications should also not be applied to sensitive areas (such as the genitals or eyes) unless specifically directed by your doctor. Also, if you have been prescribed multiple topicals, it is important to remember that not only that you should not be applying them at the same time, but also that they may need to be applied in a particular order. Again, ask your doctor for details.

Lastly, it is crucial that all topical psoriasis treatment medications are applied consistently throughout the prescribed period. It is only then that they can be truly effective.

Usually, it is only in moderate to severe cases of psoriasis, that you may need to use injected and oral pills/capsules for psoriasis treatment. These medications can be highly effective but carry a much higher risk of side effects. Some of these substances used for psoriasis treatment can come in either form (injected and oral pills/capsules), however some others can only be administered with an injection. Injected and oral pills/capsules for psoriasis treatment are never sold over the counter; they are strong drugs that need to be prescribed.

Methotrexate

Methotrexate is a substance that can come in either form and can be used for the treatment of pustular psoriasis, plaque psoriasis as well as psoriatic erythroderma. However, it can also cause nausea and irregularities in the production of blood cells, while prolonged use may cause permanent damage to the liver. For this reason, methotrexate should not be used by any patient with liver disease and should also not be combined with alcohol. Lastly, it can cause harm to a fetus, so it is important that pregnant women do not use methotrexate and that men and woman alike use contraceptive measures during methotrexate therapy and for at least three months after it stops.

Acitretin

Acitretin comes only in the form of pills and can be used to treat severe cases of psoriasis by effectively halting the reproduction of skin cells. It is a strong retinoid that can cause extreme skin dryness and should only be used if other treatments fail. Therapeutic effects usually begin to show two to four weeks after treatment, but longer periods of time may be required. Because acitretin interferes with gene transcription, it is crucial that patients who undergo acitretin treatment refrain from donating blood for at least 3 years to avoid the risk of birth defects.

Etanercept

Etanercept is another drug used in the treatment of severe plaque psoriasis cases. Initially, it was available as lyophilized powder in small vials, which the patient would typically reconstitute at home with a diluent before proceeding to inject them subcutaneously.

Etanercept is an immunosuppressant, and this means that its use will generally deteriorate the immune defenses of the patient, exposing him/her to a greater risk of other health problems. For this reason, patients undergoing etanercept treatment should exercise extreme caution and be regularly screened by their physician.

There are just a few basic examples of the various injected and oral pills/capsules used for psoriasis treatment. As evidenced, it is important to understand what the main function of each drug (immunosuppressant/corticosteroid/retinoid etc) is and understand the side effects associated with all injected and oral pills/capsules for effective psoriasis treatment.

Symptoms of psoriasis can be treated with various products, and lots of them come in the form of a psoriasis shampoo or psoriasis cream. Many are available over the counter, while others have to be prescribed by a doctor, and some of them come in a ready-to-use form, while in other cases your doctor will prescribe specific instructions so that your pharmacist can produce them by mixing the appropriate substances together.

Tar shampoos

Tar shampoos are probably the most commonly used psoriasis shampoos. Tar can be derived from wood or coal, but coal tar is preferred for psoriasis treatment. Owing to its chemical composition, a psoriasis shampoo with tar can decelerate the abnormally rapid skin cell growth rate associated with psoriasis and assist in the restoration of the skin’s normal appearance. Furthermore, tar can also halt the expansion of symptoms, and is therefore a good means to keep the affected area in check. Tar psoriasis shampoos can also reduce skin inflammation, redness and itching caused by psoriasis.

When a tar shampoo is used, it needs to be left on the affected area for five to ten minutes before it is rinsed. Please note that tar remains active for hours after it has been washed off, and makes your skin a lot more sensitive to sunlight. Therefore, you should not to expose the treated area to the sun without sufficient protection.

Psoriasis creams

Apart from shampoos, a psoriasis treatment product may come in the form of a psoriasis cream. These creams can be based on various substances, such as corticosteroids, coal tar, salicylic acid, vitamins A and D, and so on. The main advantage of a psoriasis cream is that, since it is a relatively greasy product, it can essentially entrap water into the skin and act as a heavy-duty moisturizer. The resulting improvement in skin lubrication can have a positive effect on the alleviation of psoriasis symptoms.

Argan oil in psoriasis shampoos and creams

Psoriasis shampoos and creams that contain argan oil as an active ingredient can be extremely effective. Argan oil is derived from the kernels of the argan tree and is extremely valued for its medicinal properties. It is an excellent moisturizing agent and can make a world of difference to psoriatic patients, as it can greatly reduce itching and redness and assist in skin healing. Seeing is believing, so if in doubt about the efficiency of argan oil as an ingredient of a psoriasis shampoo or psoriasis cream, we recommend reading this true story of an Irish person who found the solution to his psoriasis problems thanks to argan oil.

Can your diet affect your psoriasis? The question is the subject of much study and debate, but it stands to reason that diet alone can affect your health and psoriasis being a health condition your diet should by extension have an impact. It is always amazing to discover new ways in which the foods we eat can directly affect the way we look and feel. The saying, you are what you eat, has more truth to it than many of us want to admit.

Gluten Free Psoriasis Diet

The current trend of research toward a psoriasis diet is in those studying the impact of a gluten free dietary regimen. Gluten itself is found in wheat and other farmed grasses. Gluten is a cause of celiac disease and celiac disease is known for its affect on the skin. When a person that must avoid gluten due to celiac has a severe reaction to ingested gluten, this reaction manifests itself in a pustular rash on the skin. These same types of pustules are also seen in more severe cases of psoriasis and as a result some have made the connection that a gluten free diet can serve as the foundation for a psoriasis diet.

The research on the affect of this gluten free approach to a psoriasis diet has not been subjected to the rigors of a clinical trial and peer review, but some basic clinical studies have found that there is a high correlation between a strict gluten free diet and a reduction in symptoms of psoriasis.

History of Psoriasis Diet

The history of the search for a psoriasis diet has been marked with disappointing results. There was a time when it was thought that a diet rich in fish oil would reduce symptoms of psoriasis. This study followed the logic that Greenland Eskimos, who have a low occurrence of psoriasis within their population while in their native environment and eating a diet heavy in fish, saw a normalization of psoriasis levels across their population as they left their native land and migrated to urban areas where their diet was significantly changed. In other words, once they left their omega-3 rich diet, their rate of psoriasis within their population increased. The problem with using non-isolated variables to determine cause and effect is that just because there is a correlation between two things does not mean there is a causation connection. In the case of fish oil, there has not been any other evidence to substantiate a claim of a reduction in the symptoms of psoriasis by eating a diet that is rich in omega-3′s.

With this said, those studying the gluten free diet correlation are adhering to a more scientific approach and even though preliminary findings are showing a positive direct correlation, those studying the issue have yet to make any major claims. One thing is for certain, a diet that is gluten free cannot hurt your condition and if it even has the potential to make a positive difference it would be worth the effort of giving the gluten free psoriasis diet a try. Worst case scenario, you will experience the other proven benefits of the diet and your psoriasis will remain untreated. For other options on Psoriasis treatment click the link.

Psoriasis Diet Video

There are also some different opinions on Psoriasis diet, as you can see in the following video: