The cost of treating psoriasis is rising faster than inflation, says a U.S. study, which also found that newer, biologically-derived treatments cost more than traditional systemic therapies.

People with severe forms of the inflammatory skin disease psoriasis are more likely to die of heart-related causes and stroke than those without the condition, new research shows. In fact, for people with the severe form of psoriasis, the condition is a bigger risk factor for heart- and stroke-related death than high blood pressure, Dr. Joel M. Gelfand of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, one of the researchers on the study, told Reuters Health.

Effects of psoriasis are not just limited to the skin - the disease is also linked to arthritis and cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.

Psoriasis is a chronic disease that causes red, raised patches of skin.

The new study provides an overview of this sometimes embarrassing condition, what's known about it and how it's treated.

Dry winter air can be brutal on a woman’s skin. Think of it as a multi-layer cake covered by a single sheet of food wrap to keep it fresh. When something threatens that protective covering, your skin, like a cake, can become dry and stale.

Chronically itchy skin can take not only a physical toll but a psychological one as well, a new study suggests.

Research has linked various skin conditions, such as severe acne, psoriasis and eczema, to higher risks of depression, anxiety and stress in some individuals. But it has not been clear whether chronic itchiness -- a common symptom of skin disorders -- can cause its own distress.

Calgary has a really harsh winter environment for skin. Temperatures drop, the wind picks up and the air dries out -- along with your face, hands, legs and body.

Even people with hardier skin types can experience dryness and irritation in areas where clothing rubs. People with sensitive skin often find that dry, itchy, flaky areas lead to the uncomfortable onset of eczema.

It’s sometimes said that dermatologists do one of two things (though it’s not dermatologists who say it): Faced with a skin disease that’s too dry, they try to wet it; if the disease is too wet, they try to dry it. There’s some wisdom in this general approach, says James G. Krueger, head of the Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology at Rockefeller University. But it also suggests the lack of sophisticated treatments for many skin conditions. “A hairdryer or a sponge doesn’t make a very good therapeutic. We need to do better. We need to be more specific.”

Researchers used the placebo effect to successfully treat psoriasis patients with one quarter to one half of their usual dose of a widely used steroid medication, according to an early study published online today in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine. Early results in human patients suggest that the new technique could improve treatment for several chronic diseases that involve mental state or the immune system, including asthma, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain.

Veteran airline captain Jack L. had lived through it all, from engine fires and locked landing gear to busted hydraulics and deadly wind shear. No matter how grave the danger, he never lost his cool, never produced a bead of sweat. Oddly, though, the forehead of this man of steel broke out in herpes blisters whenever he flew over a particular canyon. What was going on?

Perhaps you’re itching to go somewhere warm. Or maybe you’re just itching. The crisp, cold air can do that to you and your skin.

And this is the time of year when winter itch and other common skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema, begin to flare.

“Itching can drive people mad,” said Dr. Vic Khanna, a board-certified dermatologist with Mercy Woodstock Medical Center and Mercy Barrington Medical Center.

Known as the premier website for reviewing personal care and beauty products, TruthInAging is run by a no-nonsense staff of reviewers who put every product through rigid real world tests. After weeks of testing the world’s first skin spray to use a combination of caffeine and capsaicin to increase blood flow and promote fast topical healing, TruthInAging has given the new Greensations brand ThermaSkin product a solid thumbs up.

From simple dry, cracked skin to eczema, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis, the cold, wind, and low humidity of winter can worsen just about every kind of skin condition.

"A vicious cycle develops," says Ella L. Toombs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of Aesthetic Dermatology of Dupont Circle, in Washington, D.C.

The dry air of winter pulls moisture from the skin, which then tends to peel, crack, and shed excessively, Toombs says. This increased loss of skin cells results in increased oil and water loss. This leads to more dry skin. Also, the forced hot air of indoor heating systems contributes substantially.

Winter brings dry air, colder temperatures, and reduced exposure to sunlight – all of which can worsen the symptoms of psoriasis. What can the 7.5 million Americans who suffer from psoriasis due to prevent a flare-up of symptoms? Are there winter tips for psoriasis treatment?

Yes, and good self-care for your psoriasis in winter isn't difficult once you know what to do.

The winter chill doesn't mean having to say goodbye to skin's warm summer glow. But with the brisk, cold air, low humidity and dry wind, skin can start to feel dry, ashy and itchy. “Your skin has to be oily to be healthy,” said Ben Willems of Asheville Healing Arts integrative health and herbal clinic. “It needs to be pliable. If it's not, then infections can get in.”

When Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary, admitted last week that he was going to have to "re-prioritise" £60 million of the Government's medical research budget, diverting it to help pay for social care for the elderly and disabled, it seemed a blatant example of robbing Peter to pay Paul. It is self-evident, after all, that today's research will reap dividends in the future, whether through new treatments, or novel ways of thinking about and preventing disease.

Dr. Glenn Gold can tell if you had a high fever four months ago, just by looking at you. "People say, 'How did you know that?' " he said. The answer?

"Nails tell a story," said Gold, a podiatrist at Tanner Clinic in Layton. He can read the story because it's written on the toenails. "The presence of any disease process which would cause high fever over a period of seven to 10 days will leave a permanent line across all the nails, until the nail grows out," Gold explained.

Fingernails also tell tales.

If you ever thought the stress of seeing your extended family over the holidays was slowly killing you—bad news: a new research report in the December 2009 print issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology (http://www.jleukbio.org) shows that you might be right. Here's the good news: results from the same study might lead to entirely new treatments that help keep autoimmune diseases like lupus, arthritis, and eczema under control. That's because researchers from the University of Connecticut Health Center have found that the same part of our nervous system that is responsible for the fight-or-flight response (called the sympathetic nervous system) also controls regulatory T cells, which are used by the body to end an immune response once a foreign invader has been removed or destroyed.

Welcome to the beginning of the Skin Deep blog.  Our turf will be using psychological techniques to help with a wide range of medical conditions that have not responded to conventional medical approaches.  

In my practice here in Boston, I work most often with medical and behavioral problems of skin and hair, but the same techniques can be dramatically helpful with a wide range of problems including gastro-intestinal, gynecologic, cardiac, and others.  I'll be sharing my experience of some problems that are very common like skin picking, eczema, and psoriasis, and others that are more obscure.

Right from the health of your immune system to prevention of heart disease and even vulnerability to influenza, vitamin D is now seen as one of the most critical nutrients for overall health.

But it is also one of those most likely to be deficient – especially during winter when production of the "sunshine vitamin" almost grinds to a halt for people.

A large analysis of the genes of 8,200 ethnic Chinese has revealed subtle genetic differences between inhabitants in northern China and southern China, and even between different Chinese dialect groups.

Published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, the study is important as scientists are trying to identify if certain gene variants may render some people more vulnerable to some diseases -- so that targeted preventive measures can be taken and therapies may one day be found.

Head to downtown Keene any day of the week and you’ll likely see a familiar face — the bronzed visage of the indoor tanning enthusiast.

Evident everywhere from the skin of Keene State College students to the brows of local politicians, indoor tanning is an industry that’s very much alive in the Elm City, where people can get their ultraviolet-light fix from several salons within just a few blocks.

Many women keep them covered in polish, or pay little attention to them at all, but fingernails are a window into overall health.

Depending on their texture, shape, color and strength, the condition of your nails provides important clues about illness.

A new type of immune cell that can be out of control in certain chronic inflammatory diseases, worsening the symptoms of conditions like psoriasis and asthma, is described for the first time this week in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Although psoriasis - the skin disease that causes itchy red and scaly skin patches in some 200,000 Israelis - is not infectious, a third of the population don't want to work with a sufferer of the condition, according to a new survey conducted for Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. It also found that half of all Israelis would refuse to be treated by a doctor who has psoriasis and 58% would avoid going on a date with someone who has the disorder.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has awarded University of Rochester Medical Center researchers $2.5 million to investigate the impact of psychological interventions on attacks of psoriasis and the intensity of the disease.

It's estimated that more than seven million Americans have the skin condition psoriasis.

If you're one of them, Healthwatch reporter Kellye Lynn says a new advance in treatment could be a good option.

Steroids - corticosteroids, that is, synthetic versions of the natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands — are indeed miracle drugs, capable of restoring the health and saving the lives of countless people with a wide spectrum of serious ailments. Prednisone may be the best known, but there are scores of others, some tailor-made to counter specific ailments.

Eighteen years ago, Mutia Wisnu’s dermatologist told her she had psoriasis. Devastated by the diagnosis, she decided to get to know the disease better.

“I read books and searched the Internet. I am lucky that my dermatologist specializes in psoriasis so he knew at once and I got the right medicines from the beginning. Many people have to go through misdiagnoses and wrong treatment that makes matters worse for them,” said Mutia, now 35 and a mother two.

On Friday, Oct 30th medical students from universities throughout the United States visited Congress at four locations around the country fully costumed in their white coats, gave out “treats” to Congressional representatives and urged them not to “trick” the nation’s patients with a bad ‘biologic’ medicines proposal.

As many as 14 percent of people with psoriasis may also have psoriatic arthritis, research shows. Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that combines symptoms of psoriasis, such as dry, scaly skin, with arthritis symptoms such as joint pain and inflammation.

"People with psoriasis who complain of pain in their joints or back may have an important and treatable arthritis," Dr. Philip S. Helliwell from University of Leeds, UK told Reuters Health.

Curcumin, an ingredient commonly found in yellow curry, is being viewed as a promising disease-fighter. Scientists are working on developing nano-sized capsules containing the curry ingredient in an effort to improve its absorption and effectiveness in the body.

The Alliance Québécoise du Psoriasis (Quebec psoriasis alliance) would like to give its members and other psoriasis sufferers information concerning the massive H1N1 vaccination campaign.

A fast-growing category of prescription drugs that are among the most expensive on the market could, for the first time, face competition from generic competitors under the health-care bills moving through Congress.

When you're mentally worn out from a tough week at work, a fight with a friend or just a long day, there are probably some steps you'll take to relax. You might have a bubble bath, talk to a friend or take a day off from your job. But what if your skin is trying to tell you that it needs a break? A pesky breakout or itchy rash may be a sign that your skin is also fed up with whatever is stressing you out. Irritated skin usually sends people running to the drug store for quick relief, but a rising trend has some heading to dermatologists who specialize in psychodermatology -- therapists for your skin.

A specific genetic region that has been increasingly identified as the strongest genetic link to psoriasis has an even more significant role in the chronic skin disease than has been suspected, University of Utah medical researchers show in a new study.

Psoriasis is a real disability that affects approximately one million Canadians.

A recent Canadian survey found that the causes and effects of this chronic, recurrent skin disorder are often misunderstood - and the result of these misperceptions can leave a lasting negative impact on those who suffer from this debilitating immune system disease.

Scalp psoriasis is a hereditary skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide.

This skin condition affects people of all races, sex and age equally.
When you have psoriasis of the scalp you can experience itchy red patches that flake off easily. This type of psoriasis can become so severe that it can cover the entire scalp.

A unique new Web site
created by dermatologists lets kids learn how to practice good skin care
virtually, or risk the consequences of pimples, greasy hair, a poison ivy rash
and sunburn. The interactive game, "It's a Skin Cell's Life," is just one of
the many features on the American Academy of Dermatology's (Academy) new Web
site www.KidsSkinHealth.org, which provides information about caring for skin,
hair and nails to kids ages 8-12 and their parents.

A first-of-its-kind symposium has convened today that brings together U.S. and
Latin American dermatologists in an effort to elevate the global understanding
of psoriasis and its treatment. Presented by the International Psoriasis Council
(IPC), the symposium will be held at the Baylor University Medical Center in
Dallas this week and will include sessions led by leading dermatologists and
nurses involved in psoriasis management and research. 

As part of its strategy to
discover and develop more biotechnology medicines, Eli Lilly and Company today
officially opened a new state-of-the-art biotechnology center on the West
Coast. The facility, known as the "Lilly Biotechnology Center - San Diego," is
opening three months after Lilly announced it is moving its ImClone research
headquarters  (which specializes in developing cancer biologics) into a new
biopharmaceutical research cluster in New York, and just one year after Lilly
completed construction of its biotechnology research and development complex
at company headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana.

New research shows that psoriasis has a dramatic and lasting impact on people’s lives, potentially affecting their ability to pursue careers, educational opportunities and relationships.
The new research shows that more than 80% of people in Ireland who have psoriasis are embarrassed by their condition and almost 90% feel psoriasis has impacted on their confidence and self-esteem.

Today is World Psoriasis
Day and the National Psoriasis Foundation is asking 
all Americans affected by
psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis to raise awareness about these diseases by
going to www.psoriasis.org/wpd and taking action.

Findings from a national survey Psoriasis Uncovered, show that for those with the most severe form of the condition, psoriasis has an irreversible effect on one in two patients' lives.

World Psoriasis Day will be held on Thursday October 29. In order to raise public awareness about this serious disease, Paul-François Bourgault, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance Québécoise du Psoriasis, will use this occasion to demystify the biased assumptions and perceptions surrounding this skin disease that affects nearly 200,000 Quebecers.

October 29 is World Psoriasis Day. Conceived by patients for patients, World
Psoriasis Day is a truly global event focusing on the burden of living with
psoriasis. There are more than 125 million people with psoriasis/psoriatic
arthritis in the world. Psoriasis is a severe chronic inflammatory disease that
effects all ages, genders, races and ethnicities. 

Decision Resources, one of the world's
leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues,
finds that the continued uptake of marketed and emerging TNF-alpha inhibitors
and interleukin inhibitors will drive the psoriasis drug market to increase
from $3 billion in 2008 to $5.2 billion in 2018 in the United States, France,
Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Japan.

John DelleCave knows how difficult it can be to live with psoriasis. That’s because he does it every day. He’s had the disease, which causes scaly patches on his skin and scalp, for years. DelleCave has developed Psoriaway, an aloe-based product to treat psoriasis. His own suffering has led him to create the website www.fastpsoriasisrelief.com to help control the disease.

Back in the dim days of black-and-white television, one over-the-counter product that was frequently advertised claimed to help “the heartbreak of psoriasis.” The phrase is no longer heard in commercials, but the heartbreak is still there.

Better access to specialists, more relevant training for health professionals and the introduction of reliable data to manage services effectively — these are the recommendations of a major review carried out by experts at The University of Nottingham into health care for patients with skin disease.

For centuries, Burdock root has been considered one of the most important 'blood-purifying' herbs to help the liver and kidneys detoxify the body.  In general, use of Burdock will move the body to a state of health.  Part of the action of this herb is through the bitter stimulation of the digestive juices and especially of bile secretion.

Based on an extensive
review of the highest quality scientific literature on psoriasis and the
opinion of recognized psoriasis experts, the American Academy of Dermatology
(Academy) has released new guidelines of care for the management and treatment
of psoriasis with ultraviolet (UV) light therapy, also known as phototherapy.
Recommendations for the use of the most common forms of UV light therapy, as
stand-alone treatments or in conjunction with other therapies, were outlined,
including patient considerations.

Stephanie Wilcox has had eczema ever since she was a little girl. The bright-red rash came and went, but her skin condition really became a problem when she left Vancouver to go to university in France in her early 20s.

“I was really stressed out, and it came back,” Wilcox says in a phone interview. “It was super annoying. I had these terrible rashes all along my arms and around my eyes. People would think I was having the worst allergic reaction ever.”

Cod liver oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to help relieve or prevent everything from pain to inflammation to infection. It is already one of the most popular nutritional supplements

Phase 3 data reported for the first time show that once every four week subcutaneous injections of SIMPONI(TM) (golimumab) resulted in significantly greater inhibition of structural damage compared with placebo plus methotrexate in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Radiographic analyses showed that treatment with SIMPONI resulted in a statistically significant reduction in change from baseline in structural damage as measured using the van der Heijde-Sharp (vdH-S) scoring method, an X-ray measure of changes in joint destruction, including joint erosion and joint space narrowing. These one-year data were presented at the 2009 American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting.

Stress is a proven trigger in some people. It can cause psoriasis to flare for the first time or aggravate existing psoriasis.

Relaxation and stress reduction may help people with psoriasis. For example, not only does relaxation help lower stress levels, but also it gives people a feeling of control. These techniques, however, seem to work best with traditional medical treatments, instead of using the techniques alone.

Treatment with a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor significantly improved scalp and nail psoriasis as well as skin lesions, according to a retrospective analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

Horsham, Pa. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the biologic Stelara (ustekinumab, Centocor Ortho Biotech) for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy, according to a Centocor press release.

Data from a comprehensive survey of nearly 5,000 people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis reveal that African Americans, Asians and Latinos are more likely than Caucasians to suffer psychological effects from the diseases. The study also found very severe disease to be more common among members of these groups.

Psoriasis is the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the country, affecting as many as 7.5 million Americans. Appearing on the skin most often as red scaly patches that itch and bleed, psoriasis is chronic, painful, disfiguring and disabling. Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, a related joint disease. There is no cure for psoriasis.

In modern society, our health is becoming the focus of our attention and the use of natural, rather than chemical skin care products and treatments is becoming increasingly relevant as our awareness of the harm we can cause to our bodies through the use of chemicals and hormones increases.

With this in mind, results of a recent 12 month clinical experiment into the therapeutic effects of natural Dead Sea water, mud, sunlight and air on sufferers from psoriasis is especially interesting.

While all chronic health conditions are difficult to live with, the skin condition known as psoriasis not only has a negative effect on a person’s well-being, but it can also be fatal.

Psoriasis is often unpleasant and debilitating for the 7.5 million Americans living with the disease, which presents as an unsightly build-up of dead skin cells on the skin, and in the nails and joints.

People with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis who are taking biologic or non-biologic immunosuppressive medications should receive the inactive forms of both seasonal influenza and H1N1 (swine flu) vaccines as soon as possible, according to a recommendation from the National Psoriasis Foundation.

A small cohort study reported in a poster presentation at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found that more than half of patients with psoriasis met diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome.

Dr. Anna Ravella of Hospital Dos de Maig in Barcelona, Spain studied 91 patients with psoriasis. Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose tests, and lipid profiles were obtained from each patient. Of the 91 participants, 54% met criteria for metabolic syndrome.

Two-thirds of women with psoriasis say the disease negatively affects their overall emotional well-being

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Women with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are markedly more likely than men to suffer from the emotional and psychological effects of the diseases, according to survey data released by the National Psoriasis Foundation today.

Psoriasis is the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the country, affecting as many as 7.5 million Americans. Appearing on the skin most often as red scaly patches that itch and bleed, psoriasis is chronic, painful, disfiguring and disabling. Additionally, up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, a related joint disease. There is no cure for psoriasis.

A patient came in the other day with a swollen tip of her second toe. She also had a funny looking, thick toenail and really thought that was the cause of her pain and swelling. She related that she had been experiencing throbbing pain, redness and swelling for several months in just the tip of
the toe. It had never spread or gotten much worse. She had never experienced drainage or infection symptoms around the toenail. She was unable to wear a closed in shoe and was to the point that she wanted her toe amputated. She had been treated with topical anti-fungals and antibiotics without much result.

If you suffer from Psoriasis, you are not alone. Approximately 2-3% of the United States population suffers from this common skin ailment. That is almost 8 million people! Whether you are newly diagnosed with the condition, or have been suffering for a few years, there is relief out there. The key is to research all of your options and find a knowledgeable doctor that can help you explore your options.

Psoriasis is a disease which shows up as dry red inflamed scaly patches on the skin. Psoriasis flare-ups not only get aggravating they also make people suffering from the condition very much conscious about their own appearance that they become reluctant to visit the grocery store without proper covering. One of the most disturbing aspects is that there is as such no treatment which can take care of this problem forever.

Psoriasis has no predictable pattern of spreading and may manifest in any form. There is no certain technique for preventing psoriasis from appearing. Stress, certain medications or even the weather can trigger particular types of psoriasis. Researchers have learnt about the nature of psoriasis and the involvement with certain cells and continue to find a cure.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition involving the accumulation of large patches of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. The most common complaints associated with psoriasis are pain, discomfort, unsightly skin patches and, in severe cases, movement difficulties.

People with psoriasis are the latest group to suffer as a consequence of Ireland’s economic woes, a new survey has indicated.
 
The research – which was released to mark the launch of National Psoriasis Awareness Week (Sept. 14th – 20th) – indicates financial uncertainty is significantly aggravating this skin condition.

(NaturalNews) Ultraviolet (UV) treatment of psoriasis is just as safe when carried out at home as when performed in a clinic, according to a study conducted by researchers from Utrecht University Medical Center in the Netherlands, and published in the British Medical Journal.

Aug. 27, 2009 -- Psoriasis can lead to physical scars, but the emotional scars from the skin disease can run deeper.

The thick, red, scaly skin lesions that characterize the condition often influence how people with psoriasis feel about themselves and how others see them.

Now new early research suggests that the brains of some patients may actually adapt to cope with the body image and self-esteem issues that can accompany the skin disorder.

OTTAWA

-- Stronger warnings will be added to labelling of certain drugs used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory diseases because of an increased risk of cancer in children and young adults, Health Canada said Thursday.

As a teenager, you to want to look your best, so trying to hide the red scaly patches of psoriasis is only natural. If, however, you appear afraid of being asked about your skin condition, your classmates will sense your fear too.

School friends can often be too blunt, insensitive and bullying -- and if you stress about this, the psoriasis outbreaks could get worse. Here are some quick tips to rise above it - and prevail:

Stars may appear to have flawless faces, but even the famous suffer from skin disorders such as psoriasis and acne, says a celebrity makeup artist.

Paul Venoit, a Toronto-based stylist on the celebrity makeover show Look-A-Like, recalls working with a supermodel in Britain. He was “taken aback by her appearance because she had acne.”

Patients suffering psoriasis could get relief from an unexpected source: a type of algae farm-grown in British Columbia.

B.C. company Canadian Pacific Algae are involved in clinical trials through the University of Manitoba to see if two different blends of golden-brown algae can help ease the red, scaly patches caused by the skin ailment psoriasis.

U.S. federal regulators yesterday added stronger warnings to a group of bestselling drugs used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, saying they can increase the risk of cancer in children and adolescents.

Tanning salon owners say they feel burned over a declaration by international cancer experts that has put tanning beds on the same level as some of the worst known carcinogens.

The cancer arm of the World Health Organization has pegged the ultraviolet radiation given off by the beds as a cause of skin and eye cancer, based on research done on tanners under 30, says the Associated Press, putting the popular practice up there with tobacco, hepatitis B and chimney sweeping.

A drug similar to one used in clinical trials for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis has been found to rescue memory in mice exhibiting Alzheimer's symptoms.

A Windsor dermatologist has received national recognition for efforts to improve the way doctors assess skin conditions.

Dr. Jerry Tan was awarded the Canadian Dermatology Foundation Lecturer Award in Vancouver for his research aimed at improving how dermatologists measure the severity of skin diseases and their impact on patients.

They have learned from the mistake.

Pat Coish-Snow, chief operating office at Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital, says as the result of an incident where wrong medications were given to a patient, the hospital has changed some of its protocols.

Rev. Nancy Mojica-Fisher went to the hospital on Thursday, April 30, for an infusion of Remicade, a drug used to treat psoriasis.

Instead, she was given a chemotherapy drug.

TORONTO - Health Canada is advising consumers that the company that distributes the psoriasis drug Raptiva is pulling the product from the market due to safety concerns.

An eastern Newfoundland woman who was mistakenly given a powerful cancer-fighting drug says she is not satisfied with a written apology she has received.

Psoriasis Support Canada Promotes Shed your Threads Campaign TORONTO (CNW) - On June 21st, 2009 - the first day of summer - Psoriasis Support Canada invites Canadians to Shed their Threads. The organization asks Canadians to wear a yellow t-shirt to support the more than one million Canadians suffering from psoriasis - a life-altering skin disease.

A recent study from Archives of Dermatology found that the skin condition psoriasis is associated with atherosclerosis – a narrowing of the arteries that makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood to the body – which can cause heart attacks and strokes.

I've treated hundreds of people who've suffered from the flaky skin condition psoriasis, so I'm keen to hear about new findings that help us understand it better.

The more we discover about this distressing disorder, the better we can give support to those suffering from the red, scaly skin patches.

We once thought it was just a skin problem, then we found that the immune system is involved. Now it's come to light that women who suffer from the condition could be at increased risk of other problems.

People with psoriasis can be treated at home safely and effectively with phototherapy, Dutch researchers say.

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin condition that causes red, scaly patches. If affects about one million Canadians, according to Psoriasis Support Canada.

Treatment often involves going to the hospital three times a week for eight to 10 weeks for ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy that helps dampen down the immune overreaction in the skin.

Genentech announced on Wednesday a phased voluntary withdrawal of the psoriasis drug Raptiva from the United States because of a link to a brain infection.  Raptiva has been associated with an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a rare and usually fatal disease of the central nervous system.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Women with psoriasis run a higher risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, perhaps because of the underlying inflammation that causes the skin condition, researchers said on Monday.

FRIDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and several other factors are predictors of sleep interference, according to a study published in the April issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

TORONTO

-- The distributor of a psoriasis drug that is the subject of safety concerns has agreed to suspend sales of the medication in Canada. Health Canada recommended that EMD Serono Canada Inc. stop the marketing of Raptiva, the brand name for the drug efalizumab. Raptiva was authorized in October 2005 for treatment of moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis in patients 18 years of age and older. But use of the drug has been linked to cases of a condition called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy or PML, a severe and sometimes fatal neurological disease.

Online support communities appear to offer both a valuable educational resource and a source of psychological and social support for individuals with psoriasis, according to a new report.

The UK arm of the international Psoriasis Uncovered survey, which aims to reveal the true impact of psoriasis on patients' lives, is being launched today by Abbott, with the support of The Psoriasis Association.

The survey is being launched to coincide with one of the coldest months of the year(1), when a lack of sunshine and the dry winter air means that patients can find their psoriasis more difficult to cope with than at other times of the year(2). It is expected that of the 2 per cent*of the UK population with psoriasis(3), many will complete the survey, which can be accessed online at http://www.psoriasisuncovered.co.uk for the next six weeks. The results will give an insight into how psoriasis affects those diagnosed beyond their physical symptoms.

Johnson & Johnson has been boosted by the news that regulators in Europe have given the firm’s Janssen-Cilag unit the green light to market its new biologic Stelara for the treatment of psoriasis.

Stelara (ustekinumab), the first in a new class of biologics which targets the cytokines interleukin-12 and -23, has been approved by the European Commission specifically for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who failed to respond to other systemic therapies including ciclosporin, methotrexate and PUVA (psoralen plus ultraviolet A light).

Kohala Coast, HI — In weighing the safety of biological therapies for psoriasis, one of the most fundamental concepts to consider is that psoriasis itself is unsafe, said Kim A. Papp, M.D., Ph.D., at the Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference.

"That has ramifications for helping guide our treatment decisions and our patients who are deciding what treatments they will accept," said Dr. Papp, assistant professor of dermatology, University of Western Ontario, Canada.

The manufacturer of a drug that treats psoriasis has issued new safety information for doctors and patients.

EMD Serono Canada says Raptiva has been associated with a risk of serious infections, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a rare and sometimes fatal brain disorder.

Armed with research concluding that psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular conditions, Joel M. Gelfand, MD, MSCE, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and colleagues released an editorial consensus in the American Journal of Cardiology today, calling for psoriasis patients to be educated about and screened for cardiovascular risk factors.

Ustekinumab (Stelara) has been approved in Canada for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Ustekinumab, which is self-injected every 12 weeks following 2 starter doses at weeks 0 and 4, has demonstrated significant efficacy in studies involving more than 3,000 patients.

Fat Hormone Linked to Psoriasis

Dec. 15, 2008 - People with psoriasis may face a higher risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other heart disease risk factors thanks to high levels of the so-called fat hormone leptin.

A new study suggests that people with the common skin disease have higher levels of the hormone leptin, which regulates food intake, body weight, and fat stores and is also thought to play a role in immune and inflammatory processes. Those elevated leptin levels may in turn make them more likely to become obese or develop high blood pressure, diabetes, and other heart disease risk factors...

ScienceDaily (Dec. 15, 2008) — Patients with the skin disease psoriasis appear more likely to have higher levels of leptin (a hormone produced by fat cells that may contribute to obesity and other metabolic abnormalities) than persons without psoriasis, according to a new report...

Among the newest agents for psoriasis that has not responded to other treatments are the “biologics,” medicines that act against naturally occurring cells or chemical messengers thought to promote psoriasis. They have substantial advantages over previously used systemic therapies in that they do not cause kidney or liver damage and have fewer risks and side effects than traditional therapies. Examples include alefacept (Amevive), etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade) and efalizumab (Rap-tiva).

Biologic treatments tend to be expensive and require injections, but they appear to have a high degree of safety.

After a 40-year battle between me and my body, I've come to an understanding: My psoriasis is here to stay

Dr. Rod Kunynetz and Psoriasis Connections have teamed up to present free psoriasis education and assessment sessions on Nov. 15.

Oct. 16, 2008 -- The psoriasis drug Raptiva is getting a "black box" warning, the FDA's sternest warning, about the risk of life-threatening infections including a rare brain infection and meningitis.

Rheumatologists, dermatologists, and patient advocates have come together to publish the first-ever international guidelines for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis, a disease that mainly affects people who have psoriasis but also some people without it.

A new, once-daily treatment gel is available on prescription today for the itching, flaking and soreness caused by the common condition scalp psoriasis. Xamiol(R) gel (pronounced "zamiol"), containing calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate, combines the effects of a Vitamin D-like ingredient to help normalise the speed at which skin cells are produced and a steroid to reduce inflammation.

http://www.itnews.it/news/2008/1110010401187/unique-new-gel-combination-provides-relief-for-distressing-scalp-condition.html

Stress has been found to activate the immune system in the skin of mice, causing them to itch.

The same likely holds true for humans, researchers say.

Itching remains somewhat mysterious. It is similar to pain in how it develops and plays out in our bodies.

Because the skin is on the front lines against infection, it is a place where white blood cells attack invading bacteria and viruses.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - About a quarter of biological medicines approved in the United States and Europe since 1995 have triggered safety warnings in the years after entering the market, Dutch researchers said on Tuesday.

These biologic drugs offer hope for severe cases of psoriasis, though there are already many available today. In today's Health tips, Dr. Neil Korman of University Hospitals Case Medical Center discusses biologics, how they treat psoriasis and what can be expected in the future.

On Wednesday, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation issued a statement announcing that the fish pedicure would not be permitted in Texas under TDLR's health and safety rules.

Little did we know we were living dangerously when we recently road-tested the procedure at the first – and now, apparently, last – Texas spa to offer it. Here's our account:

MedWire News: Nicotinic acid should be investigated as a potential psoriasis treatment, say researchers after finding fumaric acid esters used to treat psoriasis may act at least partly by blocking the high-affinity nicotinic acid receptor.

Jeff Reagan and colleagues from Amgen in San Francisco, California, USA, aimed to identify agonists of the high-affinity nicotinic acid receptor that could be possible alternatives to niacin (or nicotinic acid). Niacin is widely used for the treatment of dyslipidemia, but has drawbacks including skin flushing.

Singer LeAnn Rimes is speaking out about a devastating illness she hid for most of her life: psoriasis.

The country star, 26, was diagnosed with the chronic autoimmune disease at age 2. By age 6 she was covered in red, scaly patches that would crack and bleed. "Not only does that take a physical toll on your body, but it takes an emotional toll," Rimes tells PEOPLE. "I was very self-conscious."

A Portland nonprofit group that educates about the skin disease psoriasis has linked with one of the biggest starts of the 2008 Olympics, 41-year-old swimmer Dara Torres.

Torres, who has won 12 medals over 5 Olympics, recorded a 30-second ad that publicly reveals she has psoriasis.

She notes that the condition is not contagious, and tells people with psoriasis to go to The National Psoriasis Foundation's Web site (www.psoriasis.org) for inform

Patches of thick, inflamed skin covered with silvery scales form here and there on the patient's body, often on the elbows, knees, other parts of the legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet. They usually itch or feel sore, and the more of the patches there are, generally, the worse the person suffers.

And because psoriasis is a genetic condition that causes inflammation by striking at the immune system, it can have other health effects. An estimated 10 percent to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.

"Tropic Thunder" only sounds like a Thai porno. It's actually American porn set in the jungles of Vietnam. The non-jungle parts of this crude showbiz circus usually have something to do with a character called Les Grossman, a sleazy Hollywood movie executive with giant forearms, thinning gray hair, psoriasis on his fingertips, and an imbecilic, over-budget Vietnam-era blockbuster called "Tropic Thunder" on his hands.

Dermatologists are as rare as hen's teeth and rocking horse poop.

A friend who last week had to cancel his upcoming October annual "mole-check" appointment due to a travel engagement was told the next earliest available appointment would be March of 2009 -- eight months from today, five months from the previously scheduled appointment.

Ready for the latest in spa pampering? Prepare to dunk your tootsies in a tank of water and let tiny carp nibble away.

Fish pedicures are creating something of a splash in the D.C. area, where a northern Virginia spa has been offering them for the past four months.

John Ho, who runs Yvonne Hair, Nails & Tanning Salon with his wife, Yvonne, said 5,000 people have taken the plunge so far.

"This is a good treatment for everyone who likes to have nice feet," Mr. Ho said.

He wanted to come up with something unique while finding a replacement for pedicures that use razors to scrape off dead skin, he said. Razors have fallen out of favour with state regulators because of concerns about whether they're sanitary.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Results of a study published in the June issue of Arthritis and Rheumatism suggest that treatment with efalizumab for moderate to severe psoriasis may trigger psoriatic arthritis.

"Efalizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that reacts with the CD11a subunit of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1, has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of skin lesions in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis," Dr. Herve Bachelez of Hopital Saint-Louis, Paris, and colleagues write.

Abby Friedman's life has been tough since she was diagnosed with psoriasis at the age of nine. No drug seemed to banish the flaky red plaques that cover 90% of her body during a serious flare-up. The 26-year-old Winnipegger she was the kid who "got pointed out by adults to other adults" because of her apperance.

FRIDAY, May 30 (HealthDay News) -- The use of biologics is the focus of new guidelines for the management of mild to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis released by the American Academy of Dermatology (ADA).

According to a study from Israel, " Previous reports have shown an association between psoriasis and the metabolic syndrome, but there are only a few studies on the association between psoriasis and diabetes. Objectives To study the association between psoriasis and diabetes."

WASHINGTON, May 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday that Amgen Inc (AMGN.O: Quote, Profile, Research) and Wyeth's (WYE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) Enbrel arthritis drug will carry a warning about the risk of serious infections that can lead to hospitalization or death.

FRIDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) -- A new drug for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis appears to be safe and effective, a Canadian trial shows. The results indicate higher doses of ISA247, which is a calcineurin inhibitor, significantly improve symptoms of psoriasis. Calcineurin is a protein that helps regulate inflammation.

Information and support resources are not meeting the needs of people with psoriasis, say Canadians who suffer from this chronic and life-altering condition. Psoriasis Support Canada - a national and bilingual online support community (www.psoriasissupport.ca) - announced breakthrough results from a national Quality of Life Assessment of Canadians with Psoriasis. The online research study reveals long-overdue insights into the impact of psoriasis on those living with the condition every day. The study generated over 1,300 responses and was developed in collaboration with two Canadian dermatologists, Dr. Norman Wasel and Dr. Yves Poulin.