__

Hello, George! The type O diet is the place to start. Modify it as follows for one month: eat no refined sugars, no grains, no fried foods and no nightshade vegetables (tomatoes or peppers of any kind). We want to eliminate anything that might be worsening the psoriasis, so if you notice any food that seems to make things worse, give it the boot. Every day, grind up (in a clean coffee-grinder or with a mortar & pestle) a tablespoon of brown or gold flaxseed. Cover with a little water for 20 minutes, and slurp it down. Follow it with a teaspoon of good, fresh fish oil. Eat as many raw and lightly-steamed beneficial vegetables as you can stuff into yourself. Have your organic meat and one serving of fish every day. Get an (organic) egg or two per day. Drink near three quarts of pure water every day (NOT distilled, but spring or filtered water), and a quart of high-solids mineral water such as Gerolsteiner. Take the PolyFlora-O and ARA6 supps from this site if possible ~ they will speed your healing.

Check EVERY SINGLE INGREDIENT of every product that goes in your mouth. Its a lot safer to make your own salad dressing in a blender, using oil, lemon juice, salt, and anything else you like to add, than to risk any storebought brand which may contain bad oils or corn sweeteners. Same goes for ketchup & mayonnaise although there are some decent ketchup brands such as Muir Glen. I plan to post basic recipes for common condiments here soon. They are simple to make, take about 5 minutes, keep just as long as the commercial stuff, and are much tastier when you make them at home.

If you are now taking any drugs, or have been on courses of antibiotics and/or corticosteroids, I cannot tell you to stop taking them ~ but these drugs do slow the course of your healing. They impair your immune functions, which reside primarily in the health and activity of beneficial flora and fauna in your digestive system. Psoriasis is a symptom of autoimmune dysfunction. These drugs are given because conventional medicine doesnt know how to treat the causes of your condition theyre doing the best they can to limit your symptoms, but such treatments are counterproductive in the case of most health troubles, including yours. As your condition improves, consult with your doctor about very gradually lowering the dosages of the psoriasis medications, if any, that youre on.

The last thing youre enthusiastic about right now is exercise, right? 😉 I want to strongly encourage you to begin an exercise plan. Its benefits are far above and beyond the effort it takes to get started and stick with it. Every aspect of your life will thank you for pursuing a solid type O exercise regime ~ including, most swiftly and notably, your largest organ: your skin. And consider a deep stress-relief practice such as Transcendental Meditation or Medical Meditation ~ the book Meditation as Medicine is available at most general bookstores and from online sellers like amazon.com and is a treasure in a package. Lower your stored stresses, and allow your bodys natural healing to take over from the fight-or-flight mode which lies at the root of autoimmune disorders.

Folks, if you have psoriasis, just follow these instructions based on your own ABO diet and activity plan. And please, give me your feedback on your experiences with psoriasis. This is a disabling disease that strikes children, adults of childbearing age, the elderly... let's work together to make it as rare as hens' teeth! My ears are wide open over here! 🙂

This entry was posted on May 13th, 2000 at 07:51:00 am and is filed under On The Diet.

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PSORIASIS - D'Adamo

People with psoriasis who havent seen improvement with standard treatments now have a new option. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the injectable drug Siliq (broadalumab) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults.

Because of an association with suicidal thoughts and behaviors, Siliq will be sold with a "black box" warning and should be considered only for patients whose psoriasis has not respondedor has stopped respondingto phototherapy or to other systemic medicines taken orally or via injection.

Plaque psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes cells to build up on the surface of the skin, forming thick red patches and flaky silver-white scales. Current treatment options for psoriasis include topical treatments (like corticosteroids) phototherapy (using an ultraviolet light box or a laser) and systemic drugsdelivered via a pill, an injection or an IV infusionthat work throughout the body.

Siliq is unique because it binds to the receptor of a protein called interleukin-17, a known contributor to inflammation. By blocking the receptor from being activated, it keeps the body from receiving signals that can fuel inflammatory responses and psoriasis progression. Two other psoriasis drugs currently on the market work similarly, but instead bind to the protein itself.

This small difference is significant, says Dr. Richard Fried, a member of the National Psoriasis Foundation medical board, since responses to drug treatments can vary dramatically from person to person. "Having another agent in our armamentarium that works by a different mechanism is a welcome addition and may prove beneficial to many psoriasis suffers," he says in an email. (Fried says he has no involvement with the drug or the drug company.)

In the three clinical trials considered for drug approval, more than 50% of patients who used Siliq achieved total skin clearancethe ultimate goal of psoriasis treatmentswithin a year. The most common side effects of the drug were joint and muscle pain, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, throat pain, nausea, flu, low white blood cell count, fungal infections and reactions at the injection site.

The drug also comes with a more serious warning, as well. In a total of six clinical trials totaling about 6,200 participants, six suicides were reported by people receiving Siliq. People with a history of suicide attempts or depression had an increased risk of suicidal ideation and behavior.

Because of these events, the labeling for Siliq will include a Boxed Warning, and the drug will only be available through a restricted REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program. In order to prescribe it, doctors must be certified with the program and must counsel patients about this risk. Patients must also agree to seek medical attention should they experience new or worsening mood changes, anxiety or suicidal thoughts.

A causal association between Siliq and increased risk of suicidal ideation and behavior has not been established. Fried, a dermatologist and clinical psychologist, points out that psoriasis itself can be associated with mental health problems .

"E ffective treatment has consistently shown reduction in the incidence and severity of depression and reduced likelihood of suicide," says Fried. He adds that the data on Siliq suggests that it is not only effective in treating psoriasis, but that many patients experience improvement in anxiety and depression, as well.

Siliq, like other psoriasis medications, also affects the immune system. It can raise patients risk of infections and shouldnt be used by people with certain chronic conditions, such as Crohns disease or active tuberculosis infections. People should also avoid immunizations with live vaccines while being treated with Siliq.

"Patients and their health care providers should discuss the benefits and risks of Siliq before considering treatment," said Dr. Julie Beitz, director of the Office of Drug Evaluation III in the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in an agency press release .

The drug's recommended dosage schedule is an injection once a week for the first three weeks, followed by an injection every other week. Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Siliq's manufacturer, says that pricing information is not available at this time, and expects to begin sales and marketing in the second half of 2017.

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How a New Psoriasis Drug Is Different From Others - TIME

THURSDAY, Feb. 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- The injected drug Siliq (brodalumab) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults.

Siliq is approved for patients who've already failed to respond to other systemic therapies, the agency noted.

The autoimmune disease -- so-called because the immune system produces antibodies that attack the body's own tissues -- causes thick, scaly patches of red skin. The drug is designed to inhibit the body's inflammatory response that plays a role in the development of plaque psoriasis, the FDA said in a news release.

The disease occurs most often in people with a family history, usually between ages 15 and 35.

Saliq was evaluated in clinical studies involving more than 4,300 people with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The most common side effects included joint pain, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, throat pain, nausea, muscle pain and injection-site reactions.

More-serious potential side effects are suicidal thoughts and behavior, especially among people with a history of suicidal behavior or depression, the FDA said. But "a causal association between treatment with Siliq and increased risk of suicidal ideation and behavior has not been established," the agency added.

The drug's label will include a boxed warning of possible suicidal thoughts and behavior, the FDA said. The agency also warned against the drug's use by people with the gastrointestinal disorder Crohn's disease or active tuberculosis.

Siliq is marketed by Valeant Pharmaceuticals, based in Bridgewater, N.J.

The FDA has more about this approval.

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Siliq Approved for Plaque Psoriasis - Montana Standard

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Feb. 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- A new drug to treat tough cases of the skin condition psoriasis has won approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals' injectable drug Siliq (brodalumab) was approved for adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis that isn't responding to other recommended treatments. However, the drug carries a warning about increased risk for suicidal behavior.

Psoriasis is characterized by raised patches of red skin and flaking. The condition usually begins between ages 15 and 35 and is thought to be an autoimmune disorder, meaning the body mistakenly attacks healthy cells.

"Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis can cause significant skin irritation and discomfort for patients, and today's approval provides patients with another treatment option for their psoriasis," said the FDA's Dr. Julie Beitz.

Beitz is director of the Office of Drug Evaluation III in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

The drug is intended for patients who are candidates for systemic therapy -- treatment with pills or injectable drugs that travel through the bloodstream -- or phototherapy (ultraviolet light treatment), and have failed to respond or stopped responding to past therapies, the FDA said.

The drug works by inhibiting the inflammatory response that contributes to development of plaque psoriasis, the most common form of the skin disease, the FDA said.

Siliq's approval was based on three clinical trials that included more than 4,300 patients. Compared to those who took a placebo, more of those participants who took the drug had skin that was clear or almost clear, the agency said.

However, the drug carries a "boxed warning" about the risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts and it's only available through a suicide risk evaluation program, the FDA said.

Among patients who took Siliq, those with a history of suicide attempts or depression had greater risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts compared to others, according to trial results. However, a direct cause-and-effect relationship wasn't established.

"Patients and their health care providers should discuss the benefits and risks of Siliq before considering treatment," Beitz said in an agency news release.

Because Siliq affects the immune system, patients also may have a greater risk of getting an infection, or an allergic or autoimmune condition, the FDA said.

The most common side effects reported in the trials included joint and muscle pain, headache, fatigue, nausea or diarrhea, low white blood cell count and fungal infections.

WebMD News from HealthDay

SOURCE: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, news release, Feb. 15, 2017

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FDA OKs Injectable Psoriasis Drug for Tough Cases - WebMD

eMaxHealth

Natural Treatment For Psoriasis Unlinks The Condition To Type 2 Diabetes With Unlimited Healing eMaxHealth Psoriasis is a skin issue that some might say has nothing to do with diabetes, but let's look at the liver again. To break it down, one known cause of psoriasis is an overload of copper in the body, according to a 2013 study done in Iranian patients ...

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Natural Treatment For Psoriasis Unlinks The Condition To Type 2 Diabetes With Unlimited Healing - eMaxHealth

Marion Morrissey from Co Limerick was diagnosed with psoriasis at 15.

Living with a chronic skin condition can be very difficult as although it may not be life threatening, treatment can be all-consuming and the anxiety caused by such a visible disorder can take its toll.

Up to 140,000 people in Ireland suffer from psoriasis, an auto-immune disorder which causes the skin to reproduce at a rapid pace resulting in itchy, painful scales all over the body, including the scalp and nails.

And if this discomfort wasnt enough, 40,000 will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis which affects the back and joints causing severe pain and immobility.

This month, Arthritis Ireland has launched a campaign entitled More than Skin Deep, which provides expert information on the condition and advice for sufferers.

There is a lot of research going on in Ireland into psoriatic arthritis and its causes, says consultant rheumatologist Prof David Kane.

These are mainly looking at the genes that cause the condition in families and using ultrasound imaging and synovial tissue biopsy of the joints to study patients who have the disease in order to find new targets for treatments.

For immediate pain relief there are a range of painkillers but these do not deal with the underlying inflammation which will ultimately lead to permanent joint damage.

But fortunately there are now a lot of specific treatment options for psoriatic arthritis that will reverse the joint inflammation, reduce pain and prevent joint damage.

Marion Morrissey from Co Limerick knows only too well what it is like to have the condition as she has suffered with it since she was a teenager.

I was diagnosed with psoriasis at 15 so have lived with the condition for more years than I have lived without it and it has affected absolutely everything in my life, says the 39 year old.

My initial diagnosis was of a very dry flaky scalp at the hairdressers. I then went to my GP who diagnosed psoriasis. But that GP (and many others since), didnt have much time or empathy as psoriasis wasnt perceived to be serious as its not usually life threatening.

But my condition got progressively worse until I had almost 75 per cent body coverage. Then when I was 24 I got nail psoriasis which looks like a fungal infection there was no treatment for this but luckily, being female, I could paint my nails. Over the years I have tried every treatment available from conventional to alternative creams, lotions, ointments, sprays, moisturisers, shampoos and PUVA light treatment anything that offered even a glimmer of hope, but none really worked.

Morrissey, who is married with three children and runs her own healthcare training company, http://www.safeaid.ie, was dealt a further blow when the skin condition transferred to her joints.

I developed psoriatic arthritis aged 32 and became really worried about my quality of life, she admits. The pain and stiffness started in my fingers and toes it was really severe especially in the mornings, really affecting my ability to carry out normal daily activities.

My fingers and toes would be hot and throbbing and had a sausage-like appearance so this along with the stiffness and pain made many tasks difficult. Driving was affected as getting a grasp on the steering wheel and pressing on the pedals was hard due to the pain in my toes. Even brushing my daughters hair was a problem as I couldnt hold the brush and this really took its toll emotionally.

The pain and stiffness spread to her knees, ankles, elbows and neck until eventually Morrissey sought help. She was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and put on medication and while it took several different drugs to discover which would work best for her condition, her current medication is keeping the pain under control and for the first time in years, she is living life to the full.

I got my official diagnosis from a rheumatologist who gave me steroid injections in my fingers and toes, says Morrissey. But this only worked for a month or so before the symptoms came back. Then I was put on many different types of anti-inflammatory drugs which also just kept things at bay for a while before I got significantly worse.

The pain was so bad at one point that I had to set my alarm for 4am in order to take a cocktail of medication so I could function and get downstairs by 7am. With a new baby and two older children, this was incredibly difficult, particularly as I was also trying to keep my business going.

But 4 years ago I was started on a different drug and I havent looked back since. I have been given my life back and cannot even begin to compare it now to what it was before.

I am totally symptom-free and to date, havent experienced any side effects. I live a very full and busy life both at home and in work and I am very thankful.

My advice for anyone who has just been diagnosed with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis is to be assertive and keep going until you find the right treatment as the results can be life changing.

Kane says lifestyle changes can also help ease the often crippling symptoms of this condition.

Medication is the cornerstone of treatment for psoriatic arthritis, he says. But patients can also help manage their condition by having a healthy diet, managing their weight to reduce the strain on their lower limb joints, exercising to keep joints and muscles healthy, managing stress levels and seeking help for anxiety and depression.

Anyone who is concerned they may have the condition should raise this with their GP or dermatologist both should be able to spot early signs of psoriatic arthritis.

For more information visit http://www.arthritisireland.ie

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Psoriasis has affected absolutely everything in my life - The Irish Times - Irish Times

More than a decade ago, developments in biologics transformed the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis by providing new ways for better skin clearance rates, low toxicity, and improved quality-of-life for patients. Nonetheless, the study led by Marcus Schmitt-Egenolf shows that despite having an ongoing systemic treatment, 18 percent of patients still had extensive psoriasis lesions and/or suffered impairment of their skin-related quality-of-life.

The study was based on PsoReg, which is the Swedish quality register for systemic treatment of psoriasis.2,646 psoriasis patients who had been receiving systemic treatment for at least three months were included in the study, which analyzed their most recent visit registered in PsoReg. Disease severity was measured either by the physicians clinical assessment and/or by the patients own assessment of their skin-related quality of life.

Compared to the larger patient group, the subgroup of patients with suboptimal therapy-response were younger and had higher BMI. They were also more often suffering from psoriasis arthritis and were more often smokers. The subgroup with higher persisting psoriasis severity also reported worse overall quality-of-life, measured with the standard evaluation method EQ-5D questionnaire.

That almost one in five patients had highly active disease activity, despite ongoing systemic treatment, is concerning, says Marcus Schmitt-Egenolf.

Based on the results, the authors make several suggestions:

Link to article in Journal of Dermatological Treatment

Journal of Dermatological Treatment, article: Real-world outcomes in 2,646 psoriasis patients: One in five has PASI 10 and/or DLQI 10 under ongoing systemic therapy. Authors: J.M. Norlin, P.S. Calara, U. Persson, and M. Schmitt-Egenolf. DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2017.1289147.

Marcus Schmitt-Egenolf, Department of Public Health & Clinical Medicine, Ume University Phone: +46 (0)90 785 2875 Email: marcus.schmitt-egenolf@umu.se

Photo by Mattias Pettersson

Editor: Daniel Harju

Link to news: http://www.umu.se/english/news/.cid279166

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Treatment has no sufficient effect in 1 of 5 psoriasis patients - HealthCanal.com (press release) (blog)

Ai-Ai delas Alas

There is a new liveliness to comedienne Ai-Ai delas Alas gait these days.

She has obviously lost weight and is now often seen wearing outfits that bare more skin, specifically her arms and shoulders.

Ai-Ai disclosed she has been suffering from psoriasisa skin conditionsince she was 15 years old, but that she had learned to cope with the disease.

Ive kept it a secret for a long time, but now that it has become manageable Ive decided to talk about it publicly so I can share what I did to more people, the 52-year-old actress said.

She said she had always worn long-sleeved shirts to hide the red scaly patches on her arms, even during the peak of summertime. This proved to be a big problem when she became an actress.

If work required me to expose my skin, I had to cover everything with makeup, she shared with the Inquirer.

Ai-Ai said she had a major skin flare-up in the middle of 2016, and so she took her usual shots from her doctor. But the medicine did not seem to suit me anymore, so I did some research on the illness through the internet and saw a cookbook for psoriasis. I learned that Ive been eating a lot of the food that psoriasis patients are not allowed to eat, she explained.

These days, her diet consists of less salt and sugar, no meat, no dairy products and all organic vegetables. On some days, I allow myself to have eggs and chicken breast meat. I still eat ice cream but it has to be soya-based. I dont take soft drinks anymore and avoid anything with preservatives.

When time permits, she would also hit the gym and do circuit training for an hour and a half. I run for 30 minutes on the treadmill, too, and do toning exercises with dumbbells weighing 10 pounds, she related.

Ai-Ai said the key was to try to learn as much as you can about the illness youre afflicted with. Psoriasis manifests if ones immune system is compromised, the actress explained, adding that psoriasis awareness is now her advocacy.

A friend who was helping me in the renovation of my house also has psoriasis. I told him to quit or minimize smoking and eat organic food. He followed my advice and now I noticed that hes not wearing long-sleeved shirts anymore. Thats when I realized that I could help others by sharing my experiences with them, Ai-Ai said.

She also influenced her children into eating only organic food, especially when theyre feeling sick. Often, their stomachache would go away. I used to have asthma and suffered from vertigo. I have not experienced any attacks lately.

The actress has lost 27 pounds (12.25 kilograms) since she had a change in lifestyle.

My goal was to shed off only 20 pounds (9.07 kg), but Im still losing weight now. As a result, I feel good about myself. I get to wear all the clothes I want, Ai-Ai declared, recalling to mind a photo recently uploaded on Instagram with her looking slim in a black swimsuit. I feel healthy and beautiful, and thats a good start.

Continued here:

Ai-Ai reveals she's been battling psoriasis since age 15 | Inquirer ... - Inquirer.net

Maintaining a healthy diet including leafy green vegetables may be of help to those with psoriasis.

Dear Doctor: I've had psoriasis for close to seven years, and lately it has been flaring up more often. Is there anything I can do with my diet to control this, or even prevent it from happening?

Dear Reader: That's a good question. Thanks to the growing body of research detailing the link between inflammation and chronic disease, there are some equally intriguing answers.

To explore it further, let's start with what psoriasis is.

When you have psoriasis, your immune system has gone a bit haywire. It's sending faulty danger signals that cause skin cells to grow at 10 times their normal rate. That's much faster than your body can process and shed them, and the result is raised and itchy patches of red skin, often covered with silvery scales. Typically, these appear on the knees, elbows and scalp, but may also be present on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and along the torso.

Although there is a complex genetic component to psoriasis, environmental factors are also at play. Stress, infection, certain medications, smoking and alcohol use have all been shown to be potential triggers for flare-ups. The results of that research we mentioned make it increasingly clear that inflammation is a factor in many chronic and degenerative diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and many cancers. Since inflammation plays a significant role in psoriasis, a lot of attention is now being paid to your question of whether diet may affect the disease.

Because of the way psoriasis behaves, drawing conclusions can be difficult. Flare-ups are followed by periods of dormancy, which give way again to subsequent flare-ups. Since the nature of the disease is to fluctuate, connecting the dots between a specific dietary or behavioral change, and the absence or presence of flare-ups, is a challenge.

Still, scientists are beginning to find answers. In studies of psoriasis patients whose diets included fish oil supplements to add omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, a measurable number of participants reported fewer and less severe flare-ups. When they stopped following the diet, the benefits also waned.

Gluten sensitivity may also play a role. In a study of individuals with antibodies to gliadin, one of the proteins that are present in wheat, following a gluten-free diet lessened psoriasis symptoms. When gluten was reintroduced to the diet, flare-ups became more frequent.

If you're interested in modifying your own diet, the National Psoriasis Foundation offers some guidelines. Foods to add to your diet include leafy green vegetables and colorful fruits such as spinach, kale, broccoli, squash and blueberries. Foods that are a natural source of omega-3 fatty oils are also on the list. They include cold-water fish, olive oil, walnuts and pumpkin seeds.

The foundation recommends that people with psoriasis avoid processed foods, refined sugar and fatty red meat. Research shows that maintaining a healthy weight is important, as well.

The idea is that when you have an inflammatory disease, steering clear of foods with inflammatory effects can help. Whatever the outcome, the result is a more healthful diet.

Dr. Eve Glazier is an internist and assistant professor of medicine at UCLA Health. Dr. Elizabeth Ko is an internist and primary care physician at UCLA Health. Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o Media Relations, UCLA Health, 924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA, 90095.

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Maintain a healthy diet to restrict psoriasis flare-ups - NewsOK.com

Survey results showing that dermatologists agree on sunscreen recommendations and safety was among the most-read articles of the past week on Healio.com/Dermatology.

Other widely read articles included findings that patients with psoriasis who were treated with biologics had an increased incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and an FDA warning that rare but serious allergic reactions have been reported with skin antiseptic products containing chlorhexidine gluconate:

Survey shows dermatologists agree on sunscreen recommendations, safety

A majority of dermatologists agree that FDA-approved sunscreens protect against skin cancer and photoaging, recommend the use of sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and often use sunscreens with an SPF of at least 50, according to survey results published inJAMA Dermatology.

A survey was provided to U.S. dermatologists attending a national educational conference on April 9, 2016. Read more

Biologics for psoriasis may increase risk of squamous cell carcinoma

Patients with psoriasis who were treated with biologics had an increased incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, according to study results published in theJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Researchers used the Kaiser Permanent Northern California health plan to identify 5,889 adult members with psoriasis diagnosed between 1998 and 2011 who were treated with at least one systemic antipsoriatic agent. Read more

Stelara had higher retention rates than other biologics in patients with psoriasis

Stelara had better retention rates when compared with other biologics in the treatment of patients with severe psoriasis, according to study results published in theJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Researchers used the database of Clalit Health Services, the largest public HMO in Israel, to perform survival analysis on 907 patients (40% female; mean age, 46.3 years) with severe psoriasis who received treatment of Humira (adalimumab, AbbVie), Remicade (infliximab, Janssen), Enbrel (etanercept, Amgen) and Stelara (ustekinumab, Janssen). Read more

FDA warns of rare, serious allergic reactions with skin antiseptic chlorhexidine gluconate

The FDA recently issued a warning to patients and health care professionals that rare but serious allergic reactions have been reported with skin antiseptic products containing chlorhexidine gluconate.

The agency reported in a safety announcement that while rare, the number of reports of serious allergic reactions to the products have increased over the past several years. Read more

Fingernail changes correlate with severe systemic sclerosis

There was a high frequency of fingernail changes in patients with systemic sclerosis, and the changes were correlated with more severe forms of systemic sclerosis, according to study results published in theJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Researchers in France conducted a case-control study of 129 patients (104 women; median age, 54 years) with systemic sclerosis and 80 healthy, age-matched control subjects (65 men; median age, 55 years). Read more

The rest is here:

Sunscreen, psoriasis, FDA news top dermatology reads for week - Healio

What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder where rapid skin cell reproduction results in raised, red and scaly patches of skin. It is not contagious. It most commonly affects the skin on the elbows, knees, and scalp, though it can appear anywhere on the body.

Anyone can have psoriasis. About 7.5 million people in the U.S. are affected, and it occurs equally in men and women. Psoriasis can occur at any age but is most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 to 25. It is more frequent in Caucasians.

Psoriasis is a non-curable, chronic skin condition and there will be periods where the condition will improve, and other times it will worsen. The symptoms can range from mild, small, faint dry skin patches where a person may not suspect they have a skin condition to severe psoriasis where a person's entire body may be nearly covered with thick, red, scaly skin plaques.

The cause of psoriasis is unknown but a number of risk factors are suspected. There seems to be a genetic predisposition to inheriting the illness, as psoriasis is often found in family members. Environmental factors may play a part in conjunction with the immune system. The triggers for psoriasis what causes certain people to develop it remain unknown.

Psoriasis usually appears as red or pink plaques of raised, thick, scaly skin. However it can also appear as small flat bumps, or large thick plaques, ,. It most commonly affects the skin on the elbows, knees, and scalp, though it can appear anywhere on the body. The following slides will review some of the different types of psoriasis.

The most common form of psoriasis that affects about 80% of all sufferers is psoriasis vulgaris ("vulgaris" means common). It is also referred to as plaque psoriasis because of the well-defined areas of raised red skin that characterize this form. These raised red plaques have a flaky, silver-white buildup on top called scale, made up of dead skin cells. The scale loosens and sheds frequently.

Psoriasis that has small, salmon-pink colored drops on the skin is guttate psoriasis, affecting about 10% of people with psoriasis. There is usually a fine silver-white buildup (scale) on the drop-like lesion that is finer than the scale in plaque psoriasis. This type of psoriasis if commonly triggered by a streptococcal (bacterial) infection. About two to three weeks following a bout of strep throat, a person's lesions may erupt. This outbreak can go away and may never recur.

Inverse psoriasis (also called intertriginous psoriasis) appears as very red lesions in body skin folds, most commonly under the breasts, in the armpits, near the genitals, under the buttocks, or in abdominal folds. Sweat and skin rubbing together irritate these inflamed areas.

Pustular psoriasis consists of well-defined, white pustules on the skin. These are filled with pus that is non-infectious. The skin around the bumps is reddish and large portions of the skin may redden as well. It can follow a cycle of redness of the skin, followed by pustules and scaling.

Erythrodermic psoriasis is a rare type of psoriasis that is extremely inflammatory and can affect most of the body's surface causing the skin to become bright red. It appears as a red, peeling rash that often itches or burns.

Psoriasis commonly occurs on the scalp, which may cause fine, scaly skin or heavily crusted plaque areas. This plaque may flake or peel off in clumps. Scalp psoriasis may resemble seborrheic dermatitis, but in that condition the scales are greasy.

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis (inflammation of the joints) accompanied by inflammation of the skin (psoriasis). Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disorder where the body's defenses attack the joints of the body causing inflammation and pain. Psoriatic arthritis usually develops about 5 to 12 years after psoriasis begins and about 5-10% of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis.

In some cases, psoriasis may involve only the fingernails and toenails, though more commonly nail symptoms will accompany psoriasis and arthritis symptoms. The appearance of the nails may be altered and affected nails may have small pinpoint pits or large yellow-colored separations on the nail plate called "oil spots." Nail psoriasis can be hard to treat but may respond to medications taken for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Treatments include topical steroids applied to the cuticle, steroid injections at the cuticle, or oral medications.

Right now there is no cure for psoriasis. The disease can go into remission where there are no symptoms or signs present. Current research is underway for better treatments and a possible cure.

Psoriasis is not contagious even with skin-to-skin contact. You cannot catch it from touching someone who has it, nor can you pass it on to anyone else if you have it.

Psoriasis can be passed on from parents to children, as there is a genetic component to the disease. Psoriasis tends to run in families and often this family history is helpful in making a diagnosis.

There are several types of doctors who may treat psoriasis. Dermatologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis. Rheumatologists specialize in the treatment of joint disorders, including psoriatic arthritis. Family physicians, internal medicine physicians, rheumatologists, dermatologists, and other medical doctors may all be involved in the care and treatment of patients with psoriasis.

There are some home remedies that may help minimize outbreaks or reduce symptoms of psoriasis:

The first line of treatment for psoriasis includes topical medications applied to the skin. The main topical treatments are corticosteroids (cortisone creams, gels, liquids, sprays, or ointments), vitamin D-3 derivatives, coal tar, anthralin, or retinoids. These drugs may lose potency over time so often they are rotated or combined. Ask you doctor before combining medications, as some drugs should not be combined.

Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun slows the production of skin cells and reduces inflammation and can help reduce psoriasis symptoms in some people and artificial light therapy may be used for other people. Sunlamps and tanning booths are not proper substitutes for medical light sources. There are two main forms of light therapy:

If topical treatment and phototherapy have been tried and have failed, medical treatment for psoriasis includes systemic drugs taken either orally or by injection. Drugs including methotrexate, adalimumab (Humira), ustekinumab (Stelara), secukinumab (Cosentyx), ixekizumab (Taltz), and infliximab (Remicade) block inflammation to help slow skin cell growth. Systemic drugs may be recommended for people with psoriasis that is disabling in any physical, psychological, social, or economic way.

The prognosis for patients with psoriasis is good. Though the condition is chronic and is not curable, it can be controlled effectively in many cases. Studies for future treatments look promising and research to find ways to battle psoriasis is ongoing.

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

REFERENCES:

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Types of Psoriasis: Medical Pictures and Treatments

Treatment has no sufficient effect in one of five psoriasis patients Science Daily A substantial part of people, one in five, undergoing systemic treatment for psoriasis (i.e. pills taken orally, injections or infusions) still have considerable problems with their disease. This is according to a study with 2,646 Swedish psoriasis ...

Here is the original post:

Treatment has no sufficient effect in one of five psoriasis patients - Science Daily

Sophia Ridlington, 22, was diagnosed with the skin condition psoriasis in her late teens

A BRAVE young woman has revealed the scaly skin that she has hidden underneath her perfect make-up.

Sophia Ridlington, 22, from Lincolnshire, was diagnosed with psoriasis a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales in her late teens.

Caters News Agency

The skin condition affects her entire face and body causing a scaly texture.

The psoriasis can make her skin crack and cause excruciating pain, along with the anxiety of others commenting on her looks.

Sophia has only recently learned to embrace her skin, and has set up her own beauty business to share her passion for make-up products with others.

In one photograph she has shared on her Instagram page, Sophia can be seen with half of her face bare and the other covered in make-up.

Sophia, a bartender, said: Looking at my face covered in red itchy sores was horrendous.

It affects me from head to toe but Ive only really cared about my face as thats what everyone sees.

My skin often cracks and bleeds which causes me so much pain but now Ive learnt how to cover my face properly, I love doing my make-up and it gives me something to focus on.

Caters News Agency

I decided to cover half my face in make-up and leave the other half bare as I want people to see how different I look.

When I have all my make-up on its hard to tell theres anything wrong.

I decided to start sharing my pictures online over summer last year and now Ive started it as a business.

Im hoping make-up brands will start allowing me to experiment with their products so I can share new tips online.

Sophia isnt the only member of her family to be diagnosed with psoriasis so she always had an understanding of the condition.

She added: Everyone on my dads side of the family has psoriasis too so they were able to help when I received my diagnosis.

My skin gets incredibly scaly and I have been prescribed steroid cream which clears my skin but its only temporary, unfortunately the psoriasis is permanent and can come back at any time.

Sophias passion for makeup and special effects has now grown into beauty business.

The condition causes red and crusty patches with silvery scales to flare-up on the skin.

They normally appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, but can crop up anywhere on the body.

The patches can sometimes be itchy or sore.

Roughly 2% of the population are affected by psoriasis and and the number is roughly split equally between men and women.

Its severity varies from person to person and for some people it is merely a small irritation.

In more serious cases it can have a crushing impact on a sufferers life.

She said: Its difficult wearing make-up all of the time because it irritates my skin but Ive spent so much time doing it that its become a huge hobby.

I have worked as a make-up artist doing special effects before and I love doing make up because Ive always spent so much time on it.

I studied make up and special effects in Grimsby which encouraged me to set up my business.

Sophia has now learned to embrace her skin, even though a lot of her family are ashamed of having the condition.

She said: My family are embarrassed of having psoriasis but I have learnt to embrace it.

A lot of people ask why I wear a lot of make-up but I have shared photos before on social media to show the difference in my face.

I beg any girls who have psoriasis and cover it up with make-up to moisturise your face properly before you transform yourself.

I hope to encourage people in a similar positon to be comfortable with their psoriasis.

Ive already received so much support on social media and people in a similar position always ask me how I cope through it.

It is widely considered that psoriasis has no cure, although in 2016 ateenager who lived in agony with severe psoriasis was cured thanks to cancer drugs.

Go here to read the rest:

Brave psoriasis sufferer shares powerful photograph revealing the ... - The Sun

(BPT) - Whitney was only 19 years old, home from college freshman year, when her mother noticed spots on her arms and elbows. As any parent would be, Whitneys mother was concerned and suggested her daughter see a dermatologist. That visit revealed her diagnosis of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Little did Whitney know, this would be a lifelong battle that would impact all aspects of her life.

Plaque psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells, causing patches of thick red skin and silvery scales affecting approximately 6 million Americans.1

When I was younger and my psoriasis was flaring, it was very embarrassing and shameful, Whitney said. People didnt understand that I was not contagious. I can remember being turned away by hair stylists who didnt want to cut my hair and being refused a pedicure. My friends and boyfriends didnt understand what was going on with me and I could feel them pulling away at times.

After talking with her doctor about her symptoms, she prescribed a biologic treatment called STELARA (ustekinumab).

I went through some very challenging times with my psoriasis symptoms. Starting treatment with STELARA helped me to take control of my disease and start to create new memories with my family and friends, said Whitney. With clearer skin, I was able to walk down the aisle in a strapless wedding dress, and it was amazing!

Eventually, Whitney would also be diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory arthritis causing joint pain, stiffness and swelling that affects approximately 30 percent of people with psoriasis.2 STELARA (ustekinumab) also is approved to treat psoriatic arthritis and, over time, Whitneys joint pain and swelling have diminished significantly.

Visit http://www.STELARAINFO.com to learn more about STELARA

WHAT IS STELARA?

STELARA is a prescription medicine approved to treat adults 18 years and older with moderate or severe plaque psoriasis that involves large areas or many areas of their body, who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills).

STELARA is a prescription medicine approved to treat adults 18 years and older with active psoriatic arthritis, either alone or with methotrexate.

STELARA (ustekinumab) works by targeting an underlying cause of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis an overactive immune system. It blocks two proteins called IL-12 and IL-23 that may play a role in plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

STELARA (ustekinumab) is a prescription medicine that affects your immune system. STELARA can increase your chance of having serious side effects including:

Serious Infections

STELARA may lower your ability to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. While taking STELARA, some people have serious infections, which may require hospitalization, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses.

Your doctor should check you for TB before starting STELARA and watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with STELARA.

If your doctor feels that you are at risk for TB, you may be treated for TB before and during treatment with STELARA.

You should not start taking STELARA if you have any kind of infection unless your doctor says it is okay.

Before starting STELARA, tell your doctor if you:

think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection such as:

After starting STELARA, call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of an infection (see above).

STELARA can make you more likely to get infections or make an infection that you have worse. People who have a genetic problem where the body does not make any of the proteins interleukin 12 (IL-12) and interleukin 23 (IL-23) are at a higher risk for certain serious infections that can spread throughout the body and cause death. People who take STELARA may also be more likely to get these infections.

Cancers

STELARA may decrease the activity of your immune system and increase your risk for certain types of cancer. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any type of cancer. Some people who had risk factors for skin cancer developed certain types of skin cancers while receiving STELARA. Tell your doctor if you have any new skin growths.

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS)

RPLS is a rare condition that affects the brain and can cause death. The cause of RPLS is not known. If RPLS is found early and treated, most people recover. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening medical problems including: headache, seizures, confusion, and vision problems.

Serious Allergic Reactions

Serious allergic reactions can occur. Stop using STELARA and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms such as: feeling faint, swelling of your face, eyelids, tongue, or throat, chest tightness, or skin rash.

Before receiving STELARA, tell your doctor if you:

have any of the conditions or symptoms listed above for serious infections, cancers, or RPLS.

ever had an allergic reaction to STELARA or any of its ingredients. Ask your doctor if you are not sure.

are allergic to latex. The needle cover on the prefilled syringe contains latex.

have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). People who take STELARA should not receive live vaccines. Tell your doctor if anyone in your house needs a vaccine. The viruses used in some types of vaccines can spread to people with a weakened immune system, and can cause serious problems. You should not receive the BCG vaccine during the one year before taking STELARA or one year after you stop taking STELARA.

have any new or changing lesions within psoriasis areas or on normal skin.

are receiving or have received allergy shots, especially for serious allergic reactions.

receive or have received phototherapy for your psoriasis.

have any other medical conditions.

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if STELARA will harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor should decide if you will take STELARA.

are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is thought that STELARA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take STELARA.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

When prescribed STELARA:

Use STELARA exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

If your doctor decides that you or a caregiver may give your injections of STELARA at home, you should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject STELARA. Do not try to inject STELARA yourself until you or your caregiver has been shown how to inject STELARA by your doctor or nurse.

Common side effects of STELARA include: upper respiratory infections, headache, and tiredness in psoriasis patients; joint pain and nausea in psoriatic arthritis patients; and upper respiratory infections, redness at the injection site, vaginal yeast infections, itching, urinary tract infections, and vomiting in Crohns disease patients. These are not all of the possible side effects with STELARA. Tell your doctor about any side effect that you experience. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Please read the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for STELARA and discuss any questions you have with your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.

Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

061408-161010

References

1. About the National Psoriasis Foundation. (n.d.) https://www.psoriasis.org/about-us. Accessed July 24, 2016.

2. National Psoriasis Foundation. About Psoriatic Arthritis. https://www.psoriasis.org/psoriatic-arthritis. Accessed November 3, 2016.

(c) Janssen Biotech, Inc. 2016 11/16 057315-160728

Read more:

My Life with Plaque Psoriasis and How I'm taking Control - The Killeen Daily Herald

This makeup artist, who suffers from sever psoriasis, completely transforms her flaky red skin. See the insanebefore-and-after. [Daily Mail]

A Beauty and the Beast makeup collection is coming! [Allure]

Melania Trump refiled her lawsuit against the Daily Mail for that time they published allegations from a Slovenian magazine that basically said she was an escort. [The Cut]

In her first post-election press hit, Hillary Clinton declares the future is female because hell yea it is. [Elle]

Kanye West got kicked out of fashion week for bad behavior. [Mic]

Speaking of Fashion Week, heres why everyone will be wearing this pin all week long. [Refinery29]

Christie Brinkley is staging a comebackwith her daughters? See the Sports Illustrated cover here. [People]

Oh thank goodness: That viral video of the dog being abused on the set of A Dogs Purpose was fake. [Teen Vogue]

NastyGal confirms that its been acquired by Boohoo. [Yahoo Style]

See the article here:

How This Makeup Artist Transforms Her Psoriasis-Riddled Skin Is Insane - StyleCaster

Biologics for psoriasis may increase risk of squamous cell carcinoma Healio Patients with psoriasis who were treated with biologics had an increased incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, according to study results recently published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

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Biologics for psoriasis may increase risk of squamous cell carcinoma - Healio

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LeAnn Rimes is a country music superstar who's been making hit records since she was only 13 years old. The powerhouse vocalist reflects on growing up in the spotlight and how she's been able to embrace her insecurities and own them with confidence!

One of my biggest insecurities is my skin. I've had psoriasis since I was 2 and was 80 percent covered by the time I was 6, so I was constantly in a state of covering up everything as a kid and feeling really uncomfortable.

RELATED: LeAnn Rimes shares adorable throwback photo from her first cassette tape

I didn't realize how much it had impacted my self-confidence and just really kind of feeling like a woman.

LeAnn Rimes isn't afraid to bare her skin after managing her psoriasis.

So there's been a ton of bikini photos of me in the past several years; it's because I would go naked if I could because I'm clear and it's all good!

I think music really was what gave me confidence.

RELATED: Ashley Graham: What I tell myself in the mirror to feel confident

I think I was very disconnected from my body so that was the one way I could really connect. So I think music has been a very, very healing thing for me.

"Music ... was a place for me to be able to escape in a way but also kind of come out of my shell."

I never thought I could get to the place where I could really be grateful for every single thing that's happened in my life ... but I am now and it feels really good.

RELATED: 'Forever Country' brings singers from past and present together for epic video

As I get older, I've learned how to accept the things that bother me about myself and really start to love those things. They're what make me, me.

My advice to others is to own it. Own who you are, because it feels really good when you do.

As told to TODAY's Jordan Muto.

View original post here:

LeAnn Rimes: Psoriasis is 'one of my biggest insecurities' - Today.com

Dear Doctor: I've had psoriasis for close to seven years, and lately it has been flaring up more often. Is there anything I can do with my diet to control this, or even prevent it from happening?

Dear Reader: That's a good question. Thanks to the growing body of research detailing the link between inflammation and chronic disease, there are some equally intriguing answers. To explore it further, let's start with what psoriasis is.

When you have psoriasis, your immune system has gone a bit haywire. It's sending faulty danger signals that cause skin cells to grow at 10 times their normal rate. That's much faster than your body can process and shed them, and the result is raised and itchy patches of red skin, often covered with silvery scales. Typically, these appear on the knees, elbows and scalp, but they may also be present on the palms of the hands, on the soles of the feet and along the torso.

Although there is a complex genetic component to psoriasis, environmental factors are also at play. Stress, infection, certain medications, smoking and alcohol use have all been shown to be potential triggers for flare-ups.

The results of that research make it increasingly clear that inflammation is a factor in many chronic and degenerative diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and many cancers. Since inflammation plays a significant role in psoriasis, a lot of attention is now being paid to your question of whether diet may affect the disease.

Because of the way psoriasis behaves, drawing conclusions can be difficult. Flare-ups are followed by periods of dormancy, which give way again to subsequent flare-ups. Since the nature of the disease is to fluctuate, connecting the dots between a specific dietary or behavioral change, and the absence or presence of flare-ups, is a challenge.

Still, scientists are beginning to find answers. In studies of psoriasis patients whose diets included fish oil supplements to add omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, a measurable number of participants reported fewer and less severe flare-ups. When they stopped following that diet, those benefits waned.

Gluten sensitivity may also play a role. In a study of individuals with antibodies to gliadin, one of the proteins that are present in wheat, following a gluten-free diet lessened psoriasis symptoms. When gluten was reintroduced to the diet, flare-ups became more frequent.

If you're interested in modifying your own diet, the National Psoriasis Foundation offers some guidelines. Foods to add to your diet include leafy green vegetables and colorful fruits such as spinach, kale, broccoli, squash and blueberries. Foods that are a natural source of omega-3 fatty oils are also on the list. They include cold-water fish, olive oil, walnuts and pumpkin seeds.

The foundation recommends that people with psoriasis avoid processed foods, refined sugar and fatty red meat. Research shows that maintaining a healthy weight is important as well.

The idea is that when you have an inflammatory disease, steering clear of foods with inflammatory effects can help. Whatever the outcome, the result is a more healthful diet.

Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o Media Relations, UCLA Health, 924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA, 90095.

Link:

Maintain a healthy diet to restrict psoriasis - Bismarck Tribune

(BPT) - Whitney was only 19 years old, home from college freshman year, when her mother noticed spots on her arms and elbows. As any parent would be, Whitneys mother was concerned and suggested her daughter see a dermatologist. That visit revealed her diagnosis of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Little did Whitney know, this would be a lifelong battle that would impact all aspects of her life.

Plaque psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells, causing patches of thick red skin and silvery scales affecting approximately 6 million Americans.1

When I was younger and my psoriasis was flaring, it was very embarrassing and shameful, Whitney said. People didnt understand that I was not contagious. I can remember being turned away by hair stylists who didnt want to cut my hair and being refused a pedicure. My friends and boyfriends didnt understand what was going on with me and I could feel them pulling away at times.

After talking with her doctor about her symptoms, she prescribed a biologic treatment called STELARA (ustekinumab).

I went through some very challenging times with my psoriasis symptoms. Starting treatment with STELARA helped me to take control of my disease and start to create new memories with my family and friends, said Whitney. With clearer skin, I was able to walk down the aisle in a strapless wedding dress, and it was amazing!

Eventually, Whitney would also be diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory arthritis causing joint pain, stiffness and swelling that affects approximately 30 percent of people with psoriasis.2 STELARA (ustekinumab) also is approved to treat psoriatic arthritis and, over time, Whitneys joint pain and swelling have diminished significantly.

Visit http://www.STELARAINFO.com to learn more about STELARA

WHAT IS STELARA?

STELARA is a prescription medicine approved to treat adults 18 years and older with moderate or severe plaque psoriasis that involves large areas or many areas of their body, who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills).

STELARA is a prescription medicine approved to treat adults 18 years and older with active psoriatic arthritis, either alone or with methotrexate.

STELARA (ustekinumab) works by targeting an underlying cause of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis an overactive immune system. It blocks two proteins called IL-12 and IL-23 that may play a role in plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

STELARA (ustekinumab) is a prescription medicine that affects your immune system. STELARA can increase your chance of having serious side effects including:

Serious Infections

STELARA may lower your ability to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. While taking STELARA, some people have serious infections, which may require hospitalization, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses.

Your doctor should check you for TB before starting STELARA and watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with STELARA.

If your doctor feels that you are at risk for TB, you may be treated for TB before and during treatment with STELARA.

You should not start taking STELARA if you have any kind of infection unless your doctor says it is okay.

Before starting STELARA, tell your doctor if you:

think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection such as:

After starting STELARA, call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of an infection (see above).

STELARA can make you more likely to get infections or make an infection that you have worse. People who have a genetic problem where the body does not make any of the proteins interleukin 12 (IL-12) and interleukin 23 (IL-23) are at a higher risk for certain serious infections that can spread throughout the body and cause death. People who take STELARA may also be more likely to get these infections.

Cancers

STELARA may decrease the activity of your immune system and increase your risk for certain types of cancer. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any type of cancer. Some people who had risk factors for skin cancer developed certain types of skin cancers while receiving STELARA. Tell your doctor if you have any new skin growths.

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS)

RPLS is a rare condition that affects the brain and can cause death. The cause of RPLS is not known. If RPLS is found early and treated, most people recover. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening medical problems including: headache, seizures, confusion, and vision problems.

Serious Allergic Reactions

Serious allergic reactions can occur. Stop using STELARA and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms such as: feeling faint, swelling of your face, eyelids, tongue, or throat, chest tightness, or skin rash.

Before receiving STELARA, tell your doctor if you:

have any of the conditions or symptoms listed above for serious infections, cancers, or RPLS.

ever had an allergic reaction to STELARA or any of its ingredients. Ask your doctor if you are not sure.

are allergic to latex. The needle cover on the prefilled syringe contains latex.

have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). People who take STELARA should not receive live vaccines. Tell your doctor if anyone in your house needs a vaccine. The viruses used in some types of vaccines can spread to people with a weakened immune system, and can cause serious problems. You should not receive the BCG vaccine during the one year before taking STELARA or one year after you stop taking STELARA.

have any new or changing lesions within psoriasis areas or on normal skin.

are receiving or have received allergy shots, especially for serious allergic reactions.

receive or have received phototherapy for your psoriasis.

have any other medical conditions.

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if STELARA will harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor should decide if you will take STELARA.

are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is thought that STELARA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take STELARA.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

When prescribed STELARA:

Use STELARA exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

If your doctor decides that you or a caregiver may give your injections of STELARA at home, you should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject STELARA. Do not try to inject STELARA yourself until you or your caregiver has been shown how to inject STELARA by your doctor or nurse.

Common side effects of STELARA include: upper respiratory infections, headache, and tiredness in psoriasis patients; joint pain and nausea in psoriatic arthritis patients; and upper respiratory infections, redness at the injection site, vaginal yeast infections, itching, urinary tract infections, and vomiting in Crohns disease patients. These are not all of the possible side effects with STELARA. Tell your doctor about any side effect that you experience. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Please read the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for STELARA and discuss any questions you have with your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.

Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

061408-161010

References

1. About the National Psoriasis Foundation. (n.d.) https://www.psoriasis.org/about-us. Accessed July 24, 2016.

2. National Psoriasis Foundation. About Psoriatic Arthritis. https://www.psoriasis.org/psoriatic-arthritis. Accessed November 3, 2016.

(c) Janssen Biotech, Inc. 2016 11/16 057315-160728

Read more here:

My Life with Plaque Psoriasis and How I'm taking Control - Bloomer Advance (subscription)

Back to Browse Journals Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy Volume 7

Ilja L Kruglikov,1 Uwe Wollina2

1Scientific Department, Wellcomet GmbH, Karlsruhe, 2Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt Academic Teaching Hospital of the Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany

Abstract: The structure and physiological state of the local white adipose tissue (WAT) located underneath the lesional psoriatic skin and inside of the joints affected by psoriatic arthritis play an important role in the pathophysiology of these diseases. WAT pads associated with inflammatory sites in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are, correspondingly, dermal WAT and articular adipose tissue; these pads demonstrate inflammatory phenotypes in both diseases. Such local WAT inflammation could be the primary effect in the pathophysiology of psoriasis leading to the modification of the local expression of adipokines, a change in the structure of the basement membrane and the release of keratinocytes with consequent epidermal hyperproliferation during psoriasis. Similar articular adipose tissue inflammation can lead to the induction of structural modifications and synovial inflammation in the joints of patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Keywords: psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, pathophysiology, adipose tissue, dermal adipocytes, articular adipose tissue

This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.

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Local effects of adipose tissue in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis - Dove Medical Press