What is Psoriasis?
It is unfortunate but true that many people, including some doctors, believe that skin diseases are not essential, or even trivial. While it is true that many skin diseases are not life-threatening, the emotional and social impact can be comparable to that of clinical depression and should not be taken lightly. Psoriasis is a skin disorder that causes scaling of the skin, and it can often be itchy or even painful. It can be localized, areas affecting specific points of the body, such as the nails, arms, or the backside, or it can be widespread.

Recommended Psoriasis Articles
Psoriasis is a condition of the skin that affects approximately 2% of people, and can cause significant social and psychological effects in addition to the discomforts of itchy or painful skin. Some people will psoriasis will develop a serious condition called psoriatic arthritis, causing joint inflammation and pain.

Treating Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects about 2% of the population, causing itchy and sometime painful scaling of the skin. A certain percentage of people with psoriasis will develop a serious condition called psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis can affect people of all ages, and usually starts with scaly patches of skin appearing on the scalp, elbow, or knees. A doctor can diagnose this condition.

Sunlight Can Help Your Psoriasis
UVB light from exposure to sunlight can help your psoriasis condition. This light causes the skin to burn, and it’s this effect that has the side benefit of healing psoriasis.

Exploring Treatment Options for Psoriasis Vulgaris
Psoriasis vulgaris is the most common form of psoriasis, and has a hereditary component. A third of those with psoriasis have a relative with psoriasis, and 85% have a link with the HLA-Cw6 gene. It is a disease that affects the immune system, which trigger faster skin generation, causing the skin to thicken and scale. Psoriasis can have a devastating emotional and social impact as well, causing depression in some.

Suggestions to help manage psoriasis
Psoriasis is chronic non-contagious skin disease that is caused by an overactive immune system, which produces inflammatory lesions and flaking of skin (scales). Psoriasis tends to run in families, but other causes include skin injury and infection, such as strep throat.

The link between smoking and psoriasis
People who smoke have 2-3 times higher risk of developing psoriasis, a chronic skin condition. In severe cases, psoriasis can be disabling and greatly diminish the quality of life of affected individuals.

Does your psoriasis seem to worsen during the winter?
Environmental factors, such as cold winter weather, wind and dry indoor heat promote moisture loss from the skin, which can cause psoriasis symptoms to flare or worsen.

What causes psoriasis? ...
Psoriasis results from a glitch in your bodys immune system. The usual time that it takes for your body to replace skin cells is 28 days, however, in those with psoriasis, the repair, reproduction and replacement process of skin cells goes into overtime - taking only 3 to 6 days to complete the task.

What can make your psoriasis worse? ...
Getting your psoriasis under control may be an ongoing challenge, but there are some things that you can do to help. It might be more difficult during the winter months, but try to get some sun - it is a well known fact that some sun exposure improves this condition, but be careful not to get burned.

Dealing with scalp psoriasis?
There are many products available to help you manage the bothersome flaking associated with scalp psoriasis. Although there are numerous medical treatment options available that are formulated in a wide variety of ointments, solutions, gels, creams and foams, you can make lifestyle modifications that can improve your condition.

Not sure if you have rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that is sometimes misdiagnosed as acne. Rosacea is characterized by inflammation of the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead and eyelids. It may appear as redness, spider-like blood vessels (called telangiectasia), swelling, or acne-like skin eruptions. Although the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, certain factors predispose you to developing symptoms, such as if you have fair skin, are female (however, it is more severe when it does appear in males), and between the age of 30-50. Rosacea can also result in enlargement of the blood vessels just under the skin and eye disorders. Common symptoms include facial redness, flushing or blushing easily, burning or stinging sensation and irritated eyes. In advanced cases, a red, bulbous nose develops. Usually, a diagnosis can be confirmed by assessing a person’s medical history in combination with a physical exam. Treatment starts with avoiding potential triggers, which differ between individuals, to reduce flare-ups. Try to keep a daily log to help identify specific triggers (e.g., foods, hot beverages, warm environments, weather, certain medications, medical conditions, emotional influences, physical exertion and sensitivity to skin care products/ingredients). See your doctor for an accurate assessment and to discuss available treatments.

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Psoriasis Vulgaris
Psoriasis vulgaris is an autoimmune disease in which activated T-cells express TH1 cytokines. It is manifested by cellular hyperproliferation, lack of differentiation and inflammation. Approximately 1/3 of patients have a relative with psoriasis, and 85%

Psoriasis of the Scalp
Psoriasis is a chronic, unpredictable, T cell mediated, inflammatory, papulosquamous condition that affects approximately 2%-3% of any population.

New Systemic Treatments for Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease, affecting more than 1 million adults in Canada with more than 250,000 new cases diagnosed each year in North America.

Topical Antipsoriatic Treatments in 2007
The number of patients with psoriasis is increasing, while the number of medical dermatologists is shrinking. There are more than 1 million psoriasis patients in Canada, with 620,000 visits to a health care professional in 2006 for treatment of this condition. Approximately 35% of these visits were with dermatologists; the remainder was handled primarily by family practitioners.

Topical Treatment Adherence for Psoriasis
For many years, clinicians have expressed ongoing concerns about treatment adherence by patients, especially pertaining to those with chronic skin disorders.

Update on Topical Approaches for Managing Scalp Psoriasis
Patients suffering from scalp psoriasis frequently seek medical care because of the persistent discomfort and social embarrassment caused by the visible flakes that are shed onto clothing.

Topical Therapy of Psoriasis Vulgaris
Psoriasis vulgaris is an autoimmune disease with genetic linkages (e.g., HLA-Cw6). Approximately 1/3 of patients have a relative with psoriasis. Activation of T-cells and TH1 cytokines result in epidermal hyperproliferation, reduction of epidermal differentiation, and inflammation.

A Review of Corticosteroids for the Treatment of Psoriasis
One of the most influential developments in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases occurred in the 1950s with the introduction of topical hydrocortisone.

Etanercept, a TNF Antagonist for Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis and Psoriasis
Etanercept (Enbrel®, Amgen and Wyeth), a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist, was approved in January 2002, for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The anti-inflammatory effects of etanercept are due to its ability to bind to the pro-inflammat

Efficacy of Acitretin in Severe Psoriasis
Acitretin (SORIATANE®, Roche Pharmaceuticals) is an aromatic retinoid, effective in the treatment of severe psoriasis. This study highlights data from two existing clinical trials to capture PASI 50 and PASI 75 responder rates which represent a common me

The Use of Alefacept in the Treatment of Psoriasis
Alefacept (AMEVIVE™ or LFA3TIP, Biogen) is the newest effective systemic therapy for chronic plaque psoriasis and was approved by the US FDA in January 2003. Clinical studies have shown that alefacept, given via weekly IM or IV injections for 12 weeks,

Once Daily Application of a Combination of Calcipotriol and Betamethasone Dipropionate (Dovobet*, Daivobet®) for the Treatment of Psoriasis
This new compound product containing 50µg/gm calcipotriol and 0.5mg/gm betamethasone dipropionate was recently introduced in Canada for the treatment of psoriasis. Clinical trials demonstrated that this compound was more active than either agent used alo

Etanercept (Enbrel®) – An Update
Etanercept is a tumor necrosis factor antagonist with anti-inflammatory effects. It is currently approved in the US for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatments for Scalp Psoriasis with Emphasis on Calcipotriol Plus Betamethasone Dipropionate Gel (Xamiol®)
Scalp psoriasis occurs in 50%-75% of patients with plaque psoriasis. It may be the only area of the body affected, or it may be associated with disease elsewhere, including psoriatic arthritis. Most cases are treated topically, usually with steroids and/or calcipotriol.

IL-12/IL-23 Inhibitors: The Advantages and Disadvantages of this Novel Approach for the Treatment of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that is mediated, in part by the body’ss T-cell inflammatory response mechanisms. Further insight into the pathogenesis of the disease and the role of various cytokines, particularly interleukin(IL)-12 and IL-23, has led to advances in the treatment of this disease.

Systemic and Light Therapies for the Management of Childhood Psoriasis: Part II
The choice of treatment for psoriasis in children, as in adults, is determined by disease acuity, morphology, distribution, severity, and the presence of comorbidities, such as psoriatic arthropathy.

Topical Therapy for the Management of Childhood Psoriasis: Part I
Psoriasis represents a potentially life-altering disease that can profoundly impact physical, emotional and social functioning, and overall quality of life. The majority of cases are mild and managed adequately with topical medications.

Psoriasis as the Marker of Underlying Systemic Disease
Psoriasis is associated with comorbidities that include metabolic syndrome and increased cardiovascular risk. These conditions share etiologic features and health consequences that directly correlate with the severity of psoriatic disease

A Review of Biologic Treatments for Psoriasis with Emphasis on Infliximab
Moderate-to-severe psoriasis is known to affect millions of people around the globe. This chronic disease substantially impacts patients by impairing their quality of life, causing psychosocial distress, and creating an ongoing financial burden.

Calcipotriol and Betamethasone Dipropionate for the Treatment of Psoriasis: A 52-Week Study
Psoriasis is a common skin disease affecting 1%-3% of the world’ss population with significant impacts on quality of life. There is a great need for therapies that are efficacious and safe, not only for the short-term, but also for long-term management.

TNF-a Inhibitors in Dermatology
To date, the US FDA has approved three tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a inhibitors for use in dermatology. Etanercept (Enbrel®, Amgen-Wyeth), a fully human fusion protein of TNF receptor II bound to the Fc component of human IgG1, is approved for use in psoriasis (2004) and psoriatic arthritis (2002). Infliximab (Remicade®, Centocor) is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that is approved for use in psoriasis (2006) and psoriatic arthritis (2005), and adalimumab (Humira®, Abbott Laboratories), a fully human monoclonal antibody, is approved for use in psoriatic arthritis (2005).

Treatment of Hand and Foot Psoriasis with Emphasis on Efalizumab
Hand and foot psoriasis is a chronic and debilitating disease that manifests as plaque-type or pustular-type lesions. Although the palms and soles represent only 2% of the total body surface area, psoriasis of these regions may lead to physical dysfunctions that can greatly impair dexterity, mobility, and the quality of life of affected individuals.

Etanercept for the Treatment of Psoriasis
Etanercept has recently been approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis at a dose of 50mg twice per week for 12 weeks followed by a maintenance dose of 50mg once weekly thereafter. Clinical studies have shown excellent efficacy and a good safety profile in patients with psoriasis. Extensiv

Mycophenolate Mofetil: A Dermatologic Perspective
Introduced in the 1970s as a treatment for psoriasis, mycophenolic acid has since been reformulated as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). With an improved side-effect profile and enhanced bioavailability, MMF is a promising drug for immune-mediated skin disease.

New Developments in Topical Sequential Therapy for Psoriasis
Topical agents for the treatment of psoriasis are indicated for patients whose affected area is < 10% of their skin. However, for long-term use, their effectiveness can be limited. Topical sequential therapy involves the application of a class I corticosteroid and calcipotriene in three different phases: the clearance phase, the transition phase and the maintenance phase.