Patients suffering from psoriasis may find it difficult to the daily chores of dealing with the physical symptoms of this condition after a recent study disclosed that there is an association between psoriasis and two potentially serious medical conditions, atherosclerosis and diabetes.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that is characterized by thick, scaly, and red plaques and resulting in itching and bleeding & leading to considerable discomfort and emotional stress for patients.

From Sciencedaily.com:

Specifically, the researchers noted that the association between diabetes and psoriasis was more prominent in women compared to men and in patients between the ages of 35 and 55. Similarly, the association between atherosclerosis and psoriasis was highest among women as compared with men and in patients between the ages of 35 and 55, and 65 and 75.

In addition, in patients with psoriasis, data analysis showed an association between diabetes and the overuse of extremely potent topical steroids or certain systemic medications for psoriasis. The researchers suggested that these observations could indicate that the prevalence of diabetes among psoriasis patients increases with the severity of psoriasis.

An association also was observed between the prevalence of atherosclerosis and the use of phototherapy, the medical light treatment administered by dermatologists for psoriasis. The researchers noted that it is possible that phototherapy is a marker for psoriasis severity rather than being the cause of atherosclerosis. Another possible explanation they offered is that phototherapy may be chosen as the treatment of choice for severe psoriasis patients who suffer from atherosclerosis rather than treating these patients with systemic medications.

A higher occurrence of diabetes and atherosclerosis in psoriasis patients compared to patients without psoriasis was noticed by dermatologist Michael David, MD, Dermatology Department at Rabin Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, and his colleagues.

Tags: atherosclerosis, diabetes, phototherapy, psoriasis, steroids, topical steroids

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Patients receiving panitumumab for treating metastatic colorectal cancer can avoid some of the skin-associated toxicities with a preemptive and prophylactic skin regimen, as per data presented at the 2009 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in San Francisco.

Edith Mitchell, M.D., a clinical professor in the Department of Medical Oncology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, presented data from the study that was the first prospective study for comparing preemptive and reactive skin treatment for skin toxicities related to panitumumab.

From News-Medical.Net:

The researchers studied 95 patients receiving panitumumab in combination with irinotecan-based chemotherapy. The patients were randomized to receive pre-emptive skin toxicity treatment initiated 24 hours prior to the first dose of panitumumab, then given daily through week six, or reactive skin treatment after the skin toxicity developed. The skin treatment included moisturizers, sunscreen, topical steroids and oral doxycycline.

The primary endpoint was the incidence of specific grade 2 or higher skin toxicities during the six week skin treatment period. The incidence of these toxicities was reduced more than 50% in the group that received pre-emptive treatment.

Quality of life was also assessed, using the Dermatology Life Quality Index. Patients who received the pre-emptive, prophylactic skin treatment regimen reported an improved quality of life, even around week three, which was the median time to first grade 2 or higher skin toxicity in the reactive skin treatment group.

The study was co-led by Dr. Mitchell and Mario Lacouture, M.D., an assistant professor of Dermatology at Northwestern University‘s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

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The most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, which is a skin inflammation resulting in swollen and itchy skin because of direct contact with an allergen, were revealed by the Mayo Clinic.

The study presented at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting in San Francisco disclosed that some of the common causes are nickel, gold, Balsam of Peru, Thimoseral, Fragrance mix, Formaldehyde, Cobalt chloride, Bacitracin, and Quaternium 15.

From News-Medical.Net:

Results of two other Mayo Clinic studies on contact dermatitis will be presented at the American Contact Dermatitis Society meeting, which immediately precedes the American Academy of Dermatology meeting. In the first study, researchers mailed a written survey to 1,458 recently tested contact dermatitis patients. The survey found that, overall, patients were satisfied with the contact dermatitis patch testing process and with subsequent improvement of their skin conditions. More than 75 percent of respondents said they were at least “somewhat satisfied” with the overall testing and treatment process, and over one-half reported they were “very satisfied.” Nearly 60 percent indicated improvement in their skin conditions since the patch testing.

In the second study to be presented at the American Contact Dermatitis Society meeting, researchers included a write-in question with the aforementioned survey mailing. The survey found patients could recall only 50.6 percent of the allergens for which they tested positive an average of 13.4 months after patch testing. The researchers indicate these findings point to the ongoing need for education to remind patients of their allergens and reinforce the importance of avoiding them.

According to Mark Davis, M.D., Mayo Clinic dermatologist and lead study researcher, contact dermatitis is common among all age groups and can result in minor annoyance to more severe handicaps. Davis also remarked that 3 percent of patients with contact dermatitis are allergic to the topical steroids that can alleviate the symptoms.

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A compound called benzodiazepine-423 (Bz-423) – a chemical cousin of the anti-anxiety drugs Valiumâ and Xanaxâ – is effective for suppressing cell growth in a model of psoriasis, as per scientists from the University of Michigan.

The finding was disclosed in a study published online in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

From News-Medical.Net:

“Currently, the best treatments for skin lesions associated with psoriasis are topical steroids, but the problem with those drugs is that they’re not selective for the disease-causing cells. They affect normal cells as well, and repeated use over time can lead to tissue destruction,” said Gary Glick, who is the Werner E. Bachmann Collegiate Professor of Chemistry and a professor of biological chemistry in the U-M Medical School. “There are also protein drugs approved for use in treating psoriasis, but those drugs are injected instead of applied topically, which makes them more costly, less convenient and more likely to cause side effects since they are delivered throughout the body.”

“What makes our compound particularly exciting is that it has the potential to be applied topically, and it shows very good selectivity for models of the disease-causing cells versus normal cells,” Glick said. “So we believe the problems associated with repeated topical steroid use could possibly be alleviated with compounds like this.”

Psoriasis is a severe complication in which cells multiply unchecked and therefore cell growth inhibition can help in controlling the disease.

Tags: psoriasis, steroid, steroid use, steroids, topical steroids

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Scientists from the University of Michigan have reported that a compound called benzodiazepine-423 (Bz-423) suppresses growth of cells in a model of psoriasis.

This study available online in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics suggested that Bz-423, which is known to minimize harmful side effects of the autoimmune disease lupus, can also be effective in treating psoriasis.

From News-Medical.Net:

“Currently, the best treatments for skin lesions associated with psoriasis are topical steroids, but the problem with those drugs is that they’re not selective for the disease-causing cells. They affect normal cells as well, and repeated use over time can lead to tissue destruction,” said Gary Glick, who is the Werner E. Bachmann Collegiate Professor of Chemistry and a professor of biological chemistry in the U-M Medical School. “There are also protein drugs approved for use in treating psoriasis, but those drugs are injected instead of applied topically, which makes them more costly, less convenient and more likely to cause side effects since they are delivered throughout the body.”

“What makes our compound particularly exciting is that it has the potential to be applied topically, and it shows very good selectivity for models of the disease-causing cells versus normal cells,” Glick said. “So we believe the problems associated with repeated topical steroid use could possibly be alleviated with compounds like this.”

This study was led by Gary Glick, who is the Werner E. Bachmann Collegiate Professor of Chemistry and a professor of biological chemistry in the U-M Medical School. Glick’s coauthors on the paper were James Varani, professor of pathology; Narasimharao Bhagavathula, a research investigator in the pathology department; Hilary Scherzer and Kevin Fay, research associates in pathology; Kent Johnson, professor of pathology; Sewon Kang, professor of dermatology; and Anthony Opipari, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology.

Tags: lupus, psoriasis, steroids, topical steroids

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Offices of pediatricians are now full of people complaining about skin irritations caused by toilet seats, as per a research led by Johns Hopkins Children’s Center investigator Bernard Cohen, M.D.

Cohen, director of pediatric dermatology at Hopkins Children’s, said that toilet seat dermatitis is one of those legendary conditions described in medical textbooks but young pediatricians do not see any related issues in their daily practice.

From Sciencedaily.com:

Cohen says children can develop irritation after several uses of a wooden seat or repeated exposure to residue from harsh cleaning chemicals. He urges pediatricians to inquire about toilet seats and cleaners used both at home and at school any time they see a toddler or a young child with skin irritation around the buttocks or upper thighs.

The researchers say most cases are fairly benign and easy to treat with topical steroids, but because many pediatricians don’t suspect the cause and don’t treat it properly, the inflammation can persist and spread further, causing painful and itchy skin eruptions and unnecessary misery for both children and parents. Persistently irritated skin is vulnerable to bacteria and may lead to more serious infections requiring oral antibiotics. Indeed, missed and delayed diagnoses were a hallmark of every single case described in the review.

Dermatologist Paramoo Sugathan, M.D., of Baby Memorial Hospital, Calicut, Kerala, India, was co-investigator in the study.

Tags: antibiotics, dermatitis, steroids, topical steroids

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Dermatologist Michael David, MD, Dermatology Department at Rabin Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, and his colleagues, have found an increased occurrence of diabetes and atherosclerosis in psoriasis patients compared to patients without psoriasis. This finding was published in an issue of Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that is characterized by thick, red, scaly plaques that itch and featured by bleeding at times to result in discomfort and emotional stress for patients.

This finding is believed to give relief to 2-4 percent of the worldwide population affected by psoriasis, including approximately 5.8 to 7.5 million Americans affected by the condition.

From News-Medical.Net:

“When we compared the age-adjusted proportion of diabetes and atherosclerosis between patients with psoriasis and those patients in the control group, we found that the proportion of both medical conditions was significantly higher in psoriasis patients vs. the control group,” said Dr. David. “Examining the data among the psoriasis patients by age and gender, we also found several interesting associations.”

Specifically, the researchers noted that the association between diabetes and psoriasis was more prominent in women compared to men and in patients between the ages of 35 and 55. Similarly, the association between atherosclerosis and psoriasis was highest among women as compared with men and in patients between the ages of 35 and 55, and 65 and 75.

In addition, in patients with psoriasis, data analysis showed an association between diabetes and the overuse of extremely potent topical steroids or certain systemic medications for psoriasis. The researchers suggested that these observations could indicate that the prevalence of diabetes among psoriasis patients increases with the severity of psoriasis.

Dr. David remarked that though the study suggested an association between psoriasis, diabetes and atherosclerosis, the cause of this association is not known by now besides why there is an increased risk of both conditions in women and certain age groups.

Tags: atherosclerosis, diabetes, psoriasis, steroids, topical steroids

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Researchers at the Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine have reported that the drug etanercept, which has already been approved by the FDA for adults but not tested in children suffering with psoriasis, is safe and very effective for minimizing psoriasis flare-ups in pediatric patients.

According to Amy Paller, M.D., a professor of dermatology and of pediatrics, and the chair of dermatology at the Feinberg School, this drug has been pivotal in changing life of kids for the better.

From News-Medical.Net:

Etanercept is a type of protein that blocks the action of a substance produced by the immune system called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). People with immune diseases such as plaque psoriasis have too much TNF in their bodies.

The new drug option is significant because existing treatments for children and adolescents are limited, inconvenient and carry risks. They also do not work effectively for all children.

Some treatments include greasy topical steroids or ultraviolet light therapy, which carries the risk of skin cancer. Another option is chemotherapy drugs, which suppress the immune system and can potentially damage the liver and the kidneys, or cause hypertension.

“From what we can see so far, etanercept is a much safer alternative,” Paller said. She hopes the study results will spur the drug’s approval by the FDA for pediatric use.

“Psoriasis can be extremely alienating for children,” Paller noted. “I’ve had patients, especially during teenage years, who have been quite depressed by their disease. If they’re being teased or excluded by other kids, or have to exclude themselves from sports because it’s uncomfortable, that has profound implications on their ego development.”

It is considered that etanercept can prove its real worth to redefine social image and outer presence of people who have long been suffering from psoriasis, which is a disease that results in abnormal growth of skin cells at an accelerated rate.

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A non-profit advocacy group, Psoriasis Cure Now, initiated a joint hearing with US Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committees to approve two topical steroids used in psoriasis as over-the-counter drugs. The group believes that psoriasis patients are already adept when it comes to treating their condition with topical steroids. Most of these patients already have the disease and will continue to have it for an additional 50 years or more.

Although the group believed that more steroids should be available over-the-counter for psoriasis patients, FDA should also find ways to better educate the patients regarding topical steroids, their potential side effects and the product labels in general.

Topical steroids play a major role in the treatment of psoriasis. It comes in different variations according to strength and size. The most common steroid used for psoriasis is hydrocortisone 1%. There are different classification systems used for steroids. One is by measuring steroid potencies from mild to ultra high.

Furthermore, psoriasis patients could greatly benefit from the OTC status because of lower costs and convenience.

Psoriasis is a non-contagious autoimmune disease that usually affects the skin and joints. The cause is unknown but genetics is believed to play an important role.

According to Medical News Today:

Psoriasis Cure Now, a nonprofit patient advocacy group, today urged a joint hearing of two Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committees to approve for over-the-counter use some topical steroids that currently require a prescription. Topical corticosteroids play a role in psoriasis treatment for the vast majority of the 6.5 million Americans with psoriasis, and these patients would benefit from the convenience and lower cost that OTC status would bring.

Tags: psoriasis, topical steroids

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Topical steroids, a form of steroid used to treat various skin conditions from itchiness to inflammation are effective, however, prolonged use may cause new problems. This medication used to treat skin irritations ironically, causes skin thinning. Nonetheless, this side effect is only temporary and will stop as soon as you discontinue its usage. Thankfully, this side effect can also be treated by certain methods.

First is by applying Vitamin C to the skin. It tends to plump the skin and with regular use, collagen production is enhanced. Vitamin C can be found in a variety of lotions, creams and serums. Second is by the use of Retin-A which encourages skin production. It is available in ointment, cream or serum forms and may need a doctor’s prescription. Third, massage you skin daily. Using firm pressure to massage the area will help increase blood circulation and nutrients readily reach the area to better nourish the skin. Massage the area twice daily for at least 90 seconds. Lastly, Vitamin E helps promote a thicker and healthier skin. Puncture a Vitamin E capsule and just squeeze out the contents onto you skin. Spread evenly to ensure full coverage to the affected area.

From eHow:

Steroids are used in various medications to treat itchy or irritated skin. While steroids are effective at treating certain issues, they can cause new problems. When applied topically, steroids can sometimes cause skin irritation, oftentimes making skin thinner. Thankfully, this side effect is generally temporary and will only continue for as long as you use the cream. You can then correct the issue quite simply through a variety of treatment methods.

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