Category Archives: Psoriasis

(WYTV) Your dentist has no doubt told you to keep your gums healthy. Now were learning the bacteria in your mouth could contribute to a common skin condition psoriasis.

More than 8 million Americans suffer from psoriasis. The cause remains largely a mystery but a key to improving your skin may begin with your mouth.

Doctors at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center asked patients about their oral hygiene and found a link between poor gum health and more severe psoriasis.

We know that patients who have poor gum health, periodontitis, have a higher prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in the first place, said Dr. Benjamin Kaffenberger, a dermatologist.

Want to deal with your psoriasis? Brush and floss, maintain a healthy weight, avoid alcohol and smoking, and get plenty of fruit in your diet.

Ohio State is collecting data on this, trying to reach psoriasis patients around the country to ask them about their dental health, diets and lifestyles.

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Researchers find connection between dental health and psoriasis - WYTV

Corresponding author George Kuo, PhD, of the Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, in Taiwan, and colleagues, explained that it has previously been shown that patients with psoriasis face a higher risk of HZ infection.

However, the association between HZ risk and different systemic therapies, especially biologic agents, remains controversial, they wrote.

Biologic agents can be highly effective at treating psoriasis, but they also result in suppression of cell-mediated immunity, raising the risk that they increase risk of bacterial and viral infections.

Kuo and colleagues sought to understand the risk on a therapy-by-therapy basis. To do so, they identified 92,374 patients in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database who were newly diagnosed with psoriasis between 2001 and 2013. The investigators tracked these patients for a median of 6.8 years, noting the use of anti-psoriasis therapies and looking for diagnoses of HZ infection.

In all, 4834 patients (5.2%) were diagnosed with HZ. The authors found that older age, female sex, hypertension, dyslipidemia, psoriatic arthritis, and a relatively high Charleston comorbidity index score were all associated with increased risk of HZ infection. Concurrent exposure to steroids and statins was also linked with an increased risk. However, the 3 therapies identified as increasing HZ risk each more than quadrupled the risk of infection: etanercept (HR, 4.78; 95% CI, 1.5115.17); adalimumab (HR, 5.52; 95% CI, 1.7217.71); and methotrexate plus azathioprine (HR, 4.17; 95% CI, 1.789.82).

Kuo and colleagues said this is the first report to link etanercept and adalimumab to HZ infection. In addition to finding that methotrexate plus azathioprine significantly increased the risk, they also found that methotrexate combined with any biologic agent increased risk, though not to a statistically significant level.

Another biologic, ustekinumab (Stelara) was also studied, and none of those patients became infected with HZ. However, Kuo and colleagues said that could be due to the fact that it was not approved in Taiwan until 2011, and therefore there was a limited amount of follow-up time for those patients in the study.

Conversely, 2 psoriasis treatmentsphototherapy and acitretin (Soriatane)were associated with a lower risk of psoriasis. Phototherapy had a HR of 0.76 (95% CI, 0.600.96) and acitretin had a HR of 0.39 (95% CI, 0.240.64). Kuo and colleagues said the lower risk associated with acitretin may be due to the lower level of immunosuppression associated with acitretin monotherapy. In the case of phototherapy, which uses UV light, they suggested that the benefit is linked with the increased level of vitamin D associated with UV exposure. Earlier reporting has suggested that vitamin D therapy can lower the risk of HZ.

The authors noted limitations including the unavailability of several other biologics at the time of the study, and a lack of data related to psoriasis severity, which limited their ability to adjust their findings based on severity or laboratory results. However, they noted that in previous studies, the use of systemic therapies or a psoriatic arthritis diagnosis have been used as proxies for labeling cases moderate to severe, suggesting that the patients in this study could be assumed to be in the same category.

Reference

Ting SW, Ting SY, Lin YS, Lin MS, Kuo G. Risk of herpes zoster in psoriasis patients receiving systemic therapies: a nationwide population-based cohort study. Sci Rep. Published online June 3, 2021. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-91356-3

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Systemic Therapies Linked With Herpes Zoster Risk in Patients With Psoriasis - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network

The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the Psoriasis Market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. Psoriasis with 100+ market data Tables, Pie Chat, Graphs & Figures spread through Pages and easy to understand detailed analysis. Psoriasis market future, competitive analysis by Psoriasis Market Players, Deployment Models, Opportunities, Future Roadmap, Value Chain, Major Player Profiles.

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Psoriasis Market competition by top manufacturers/players, with sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), Revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players including:

Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Merck & Co., Inc, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Abbvie Inc., Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc, AstraZeneca and others. .

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Psoriasis Market Analysis, Size, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts to 2027 The Manomet Current - The Manomet Current

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Mechelen, Belgium; 22 June 2021, 22.01 CET; regulated information Galapagos NV (Euronext & NASDAQ: GLPG) announces the departure of Dr. Piet Wigerinck later this year.

Dr. Piet Wigerinck joined Galapagos as Senior Vice President Development in 2008 and became Chief Scientific Officer in 2012, overseeing the discovery of novel drug targets through to clinical Proof-of-Concept studies. He led his teams through the very first clinical research done in healthy volunteers at Galapagos and was responsible for the Phase 2 FITZROY and DARWIN programs for filgotinib, which later became Galapagos first commercial product Jyseleca. Under his leadership, Galapagos achieved a significant portfolio of over 100 patent families.

Effective immediately, all early-stage development activities will be added to late-stage clinical development under the responsibility of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Walid Abi-Saab. Piet will remain with the company the coming five months to steer progression of early research while a new leader is sought.

We are grateful to Piet for his strong scientific leadership over the years. Piets vision to identify novel druggable targets has resulted in a large, data-rich pipeline of promising molecules in multiple disease areas which ultimately was partnered with Gilead in a landmark deal. The results with TYK2 inhibitor GLPG3667 and the patient studies with Toledo molecule GLPG3970 expected this summer form part of his considerable legacy, said Onno van de Stolpe, CEO of Galapagos.

Galapagos retains all guidance for full year 2021 newsflow, including the report of topline results this summer from a Phase 1b trial with TYK2 inhibitor GLPG3667 in psoriasis, and three patient studies with lead Toledo candidate SIK2/3 inhibitor GLPG3970 in psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

About Galapagos

Galapagos NV discovers and develops small molecule medicines with novel modes of action, several of which show promising patient results and are currently in development in multiple diseases. Our pipeline comprises discovery through Phase 3 programs in inflammation, fibrosis and other indications. Our ambition is to become a leading global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative medicines. More information at http://www.glpg.com.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on market abuse (market abuse regulation).

Except for filgotinibs approval for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by the European Commission and Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, our drug candidates are investigational; their efficacy and safety have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.

Jyseleca is a trademark of Galapagos NV and Gilead Sciences, Inc. or its related companies.

Contact

Investors:Elizabeth GoodwinVP Investor Relations +1 781 460 1784

Sofie Van GijselSenior Director Investor Relations+32 485 19 14 15ir@glpg.com

Media:Carmen VroonenGlobal Head of Communications & Public Affairs+32 473 824 874

Evelyn FoxDirector Executive Communications+31 6 53 59 19 99communications@glpg.com

Forward-looking statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to dier materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements and, therefore, the reader should not place undue reliance on them. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation, the inherent risks associated with clinical trial and product development activities, competitive developments, and regulatory approval requirements, including the risk that data from the ongoing and planned clinical research programs in rheumatoid arthritis, Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, osteoarthritis, and other inflammatory indications may not support registration or further development due to safety, efficacy or other reasons, the timing or likelihood of regulatory authorities approval of marketing authorization for filgotinib for RA, UC or any other indication, such regulatory authorities requiring additional studies, changes in our management board and key personnel, our ability to effectively transfer knowledge during this period of transition, the search and recruitment of a suitable successor to lead our research organization, Galapagos strategic R&D ambitions, including progress on our fibrosis portfolio, and potential changes of such ambitions, Galapagos reliance on collaborations with third parties, including the collaboration with Gilead for filgotinib, the uncertainty regarding estimates of the commercial potential of filgotinib, the timing of and the risks related to implementing the amendment of our arrangement with Gilead for the commercialization and development of Jyseleca (filgotinib), the uncertainties relating to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and our strategy, business plans and focus, as well as those risks and uncertainties identified in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2020 and our subsequent filings with the SEC. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on managements current expectations and beliefs and speak only as of the date hereof, and Galapagos makes no commitment to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements in order to reflect new information or subsequent events, circumstances or changes in expectations.

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Galapagos announces departure of CSO Piet Wigerinck later this year - StreetInsider.com

Psoriasis scales are a characteristic sign of psoriasis. They typically appear as patches of rough, red skin and silvery-white scales that may itch, cause discomfort, and flake away. There are a few methods people can try to manage their skin and remove psoriasis scales.

A person who wants to safely remove psoriasis scales may need to try different methods to see what works best for them without damaging the skin or causing further irritation. While over-the-counter medications and home remedies can help reduce psoriasis scales, in severe cases people should see a doctor who can prescribe stronger treatments. People should also avoid personal triggers that could exacerbate any symptoms.

In this article, learn more about why psoriasis scales form, how to safely remove them, and what to avoid.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes skin cells to multiply very quickly. This overgrowth can result in thick, scaly plaques that itch and cause discomfort.

There are many different types of psoriasis, with each type differing in appearance and the areas they affect. Research suggests that more than 8 million people in the United States have psoriasis and roughly 8090% have plaque psoriasis, which is the type that presents with psoriasis scales.

Psoriasis patches form as a result of an overactive immune system response. The raised plaques on the skin are actually a buildup of skin cells.

Normally, it takes roughly a month for new skin cells to grow and old ones to flake off. In a person with psoriasis, this process happens much faster. The National Psoriasis Foundation notes that the skin cells of a person with psoriasis may shed in just 3-4 days, which is many times faster than usual.

The skin cannot shed away these extra cells fast enough, and they build up on top of each other. The buildup of these skin cells results in the characteristic plaques of psoriasis. As the skin cells build up, the old skin cells stay on top of the skin and begin to shed away in larger flakes, called scales.

Removing the silvery scales from plaques may improve the look and feel of the plaques and may reduce some symptoms or make them more tolerable. Removing dead skin may also make medications more effective, as they can absorb into active skin cells rather than old or dead skin cells. Some options may include:

Some chemical exfoliators may be very helpful for psoriasis scales. OTC chemical exfoliators may be helpful in removing scale in mild to moderate cases. Doctors may prescribe stronger versions of these topical medications in some cases.

Common chemical exfoliators such as salicylic acid are widely available and may be effective for many people.

Salicylic acid is a keratolytic, meaning it helps break away the outermost layers of skin. A 2017 article notes that salicylic acid can help reduce the pH of the skin, which in turn increases the amount of moisture in the skin and softens the cells.

However, salicylic acid may cause side effects such as stinging, burning, or irritation. Other exfoliators may be similar to salicylic acid, but gentler on the skin. This includes alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid or lactic acid.

Regular moisturizers are important for healthy skin. This may be more apparent in people with psoriasis. Applying moisturizers regularly may help reduce the visibility of scales on psoriasis patches. It may also help reduce some symptoms, such as itching caused by very dry skin.

Dermatologists may recommend using heavier creams to help lock in moisture and provide an additional barrier to the skin.

Coal tar is an anti-inflammatory that may help reduce redness and itching. A 2017 article notes that most chronic plaques treated with coal tar improve after 1 month of treatment and remain in remission longer than with other topical treatments.

Some OTC coal tar products such as soaps or creams contain less coal tar than prescription-strength treatments, and may be more suited for daily upkeep. However, coal tar products may cause side effects such as:

A dermatologist may suggest using topical corticosteroids at varying strengths for treating all grades of psoriasis. OTC steroid creams are milder versions of prescription steroids and may help control mild symptoms of psoriasis.

Corticosteroids reduce inflammation in the plaques, slow down the growth of skin cells, and slightly suppress the immune system response behind these issues.

However, corticosteroids may cause side effects such as:

Soaking in the bath may help soften and slough away dead skin cells from psoriasis plaques.

The temperature of the bath should be lukewarm to warm. Avoid using hot water, as this may irritate the skin even more. Adding ingredients such as oils, Epsom salt, Dead Sea salts, or oatmeal to a bath may help remove psoriasis scales and soothe itching.

People should try to avoid harsh soaps or fragrances, which may irritate the skin. Soaking in a tub for about 15 minutes before using other methods may help soften and prepare the skin.

Medicated shampoos containing salicylic acid, coal tar, or other acids may help control plaques on the scalp and surrounding skin. While other topical formulas may also work, these shampoos contain a special formulation to get the medicine through the hair and into the scalp.

In addition to the approaches above, a person may want to do the following:

While caring for mild psoriasis with OTC ingredients can help remove scales, it is also important to care for psoriasis in other ways, such as by avoiding personal triggers. Psoriasis triggers may make symptoms worse and make efforts to control or remove scales harder.

While each persons triggers may vary, the National Psoriasis Foundation lists some common triggers to try to avoid, such as:

Avoid picking at scales as a way to remove them. It is easy to pull too much of a scale off, leading to broken skin underneath. This could cause further irritation or bleeding that makes symptoms worse. Picking may also put the skin at an increased risk for infection.

If picking is a nervous habit, try finding something else to keep the hands occupied, such as holding a trinket or clicking a pen.

OTC ingredients and medications to remove psoriasis scales may help with cases of mild psoriasis. If these home remedies do not help control symptoms, a person should consult with a doctor.

Doctors can prescribe stronger medications that may be more effective in controlling plaques or eliminating scales in cases of moderate or severe psoriasis

Psoriasis may cause scales to form on the skin that can be uncomfortable and itchy. This is because psoriasis causes skin cells to multiply quickly. People can use various methods at home such as chemical exfoliators, moisturizers, and baths to help remove psoriasis scales and reduce symptoms.

It is also important to take other steps to help control psoriasis symptoms, such as avoiding personal triggers. Anyone having difficulty controlling their psoriasis symptoms or removing scales safely should see their doctor.

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How to safely remove psoriasis patches on the skin - Medical News Today

Joel M. Gelfand MD, MSCE, is a professor of dermatology and epidemiology (with tenure) at the University of Pennsylvanias Perelman School of Medicine. He is also vice chair of clinical research, medical director of the Dermatology Clinical Studies Unit, and director of the Psoriasis and Phototherapy Treatment Center. He is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in psoriasis, clinical epidemiology, drug safety, and clinical trials.

Dr Gelfand is the author of over 260 scientific publications, editorials, reviews, and text book chapters (cited >18,000 times, H index 60), which appear in journals such as Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), British Medical Journal (BMJ), European Heart Journal (EHJ), Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (ARD), JAMA Dermatology, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD), and the Journal Investigative Dermatology (JID). He is a past associate editor of Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, past editorial board member of JAAD, and is currently the deputy editor of JID.

Dr Gelfand is the recipient of the American Skin Associations Psoriasis Achievement Award, Penns New Investigator Marjorie Bowman Award, Lady Barbara Colytons Award for Autoimmune Research, Penns Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiologys epidemiology teaching award, National Psoriasis Foundations (NPF) inaugural award for scientific achievement, and is an elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation. He co-chairs the NPFs COVID-19 task force and is a member of the board of directors for the International Psoriasis Council.

Dr Gelfand is a co-author of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)-NPF joint guidelines of care for psoriasis. He has given more than 10 named lectureships and keynote addresses, including the Society for Investigative Dermatologys Eugene M. Farber lecture and the AADs Marion B. Sulzberger lecture. He has received grant support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), the Dermatology Foundation, the American Skin Association, the NPF, and numerous pharmaceutical companies to support his independent research program.

The overarching goal of Dr Gelfands research and clinical practice is to improve psoriasis patient outcomes in the skin and joints, while lowering the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality.

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Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: Providing Bidirectional Care - Rheumatology Advisor

People with dry skin conditions, such as psoriasis, generally have low amounts of a natural skin moisturizer called urea. Topical, over-the-counter (OTC) products called keratolytics may contain urea and can be useful in treating dry skin conditions.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune disorder that may cause dry skin, inflammation, and a rash. The rash may be painful and itchy, have silvery scales, and cause the skin to darken or redden. The disorder is lifelong and incurable, but there are various treatments, including those containing urea.

Urea is an organic compound that is naturally present in healthy skin. It is one of three natural moisturizing factors in the horny outer layer of the skin, along with amino acids and lactic acids. People with dry skin conditions such as psoriasis have markedly reduced amounts of urea.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition. It is caused by malfunctioning white blood cells, which attack the skin cells and cause them to grow far more rapidly than normal. Instead of shedding normally, the skin cells build up on each other, causing itchy, painful plaques to form.

Psoriasis can cause irritation anywhere on the skin, but scales and rashes most commonly occur on the knees, elbows and scalp. The rashes appear red on white skin, and gray, violet or darker brown on skin of color.

Psoriasis is associated with certain other conditions. People who have psoriasis are more likely to also have:

Products that contain keratolytics may help ease psoriasis symptoms by softening psoriasis patches, reducing itching, and speeding healing time. Urea is an OTC keratolytic product, along with salicylic acid and phenol.

Urea preparations are emollients, which means they reduce water loss from the upper layer of skin, called the epidermis, making skin more supple and moisturized. People can get some urea products as OTC medications. They may need a prescription for products with certain ingredients, such as strong corticosteroids.

Urea can help ease psoriasis in several ways, including:

A doctor or dermatologist may prescribe other topical skin treatments, such as a retinoid, which may reduce swelling and redness, or synthetic vitamin D to slow the growth of overproducing skin cells.

There are various other treatments for psoriasis, including prescribed and OTC topical medications, biologics, and therapies. A person may also consider lifestyles changes, including diet.

A doctor or dermatologist can advise on the best options, depending on where rashes are on the body and the severity of the condition.

Non-prescription, OTC medicines can be beneficial to people with mild psoriasis. They include:

A doctor or dermatologist may prescribe certain medicines for psoriasis. These may include:

Biologics target the specific part of the immune system that is overactive in people with psoriasis. A doctor can give biologics intravenously through a drip, or via injection.

This process involves a doctor or dermatologist placing a certain type of UV light on the affected areas of a persons skin. It can help slow the growth of skin cells, suppress the overactive immune system, and reduce itching and inflammation.

A diet of anti-inflammatory foods may help reduce the symptoms of psoriasis. These foods include beans, oily fish, fruits and vegetables, and nuts and seeds.

There are different types of psoriasis, including the most common ones such as plaque and inverse psoriasis, and rare types such as guttate, pustular, and erythrodermic. A person can develop more than one type of psoriasis.

This is the most common type of psoriasis and affects up to 80% of people who have the condition.

Plaque psoriasis causes silvery, scaly plaques to develop on the skin. They can appear anywhere on the skin, and are accompanied by a red, brown, gray or violet rash, depending on a persons skin color. The plaques are often painful or itchy.

Inverse psoriasis is also fairly common, and affects about 25% of people with psoriasis. It typically causes deep reddening of the skin in areas where the skin folds, such as under the breast and arms and in the genital area. It does not cause scaly plaques, but is usually painful and itchy.

Guttate psoriasis affects about 8% of people with the condition. It appears as small, round, red spots.

Pustular psoriasis is rare, and affects around 3% of people with psoriasis. It presents as pus-filled, white bumps on reddened, inflamed skin. It may occur across the entire body, or in certain areas such as the feet or hands.

Erythrodermic psoriasis is rare, affecting around 2% of people who have psoriasis.

The condition can be life-threatening and includes symptoms such as shedding skin in sheets, dehydration, severe pain and itching, and intense redness.

Inflammation is the basic cause of psoriasis symptoms, which may flare, subside, or disappear at different times. Symptoms may be different from one person to another, and may include:

Experts do not completely understand what causes psoriasis. However, possible causes may include an immune system malfunction, a family history of the condition, and certain triggers.

A malfunctioning immune system can cause psoriasis. While blood cells attack bacteria and viruses in the body when they are functioning normally, they can attack skin cells when they malfunction.

This malfunction can cause the body to rapidly produce new skin cells, which pile on top of each other on the skins surface. This causes the change in skin color and the rashes and scales associated with psoriasis.

If a person has a close family member such as a sibling, parent, or grandparent with psoriasis, they are at a higher risk of developing the condition.

Certain things may trigger psoriasis, either as a flare-up in someone who has experienced it before, or for the first time. Common triggers include:

A dermatologist or doctor can diagnose psoriasis by physically examining the skin, scalp, and nails for signs of the condition. They may also take a skin biopsy in order to closely examine the skin.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition. A doctor or dermatologist can treat it using urea products such as those in a topical preparation, other topical medicines, prescription medicines, biologics, or phototherapy. Products containing urea can be effective for people with psoriasis.

The different types of psoriasis include plaque, inverse, guttate, pustular, and erythrodermic, with symptoms including inflamed, dry skin with red, dark brown, violet or gray patches, and silvery scales.

Psoriasis may be caused by a malfunction in the immune system, and a family history of the condition makes a person more likely to develop it themselves. Certain triggers may bring it on for the first time or cause it to flare. A doctor or dermatologist will diagnose psoriasis by examining the skin and possibly performing a biopsy on the skin.

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Psoriasis and urea: What to know - Medical News Today

Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition that causes itchy patches to form on the skin. Hepatitis C is a liver disease that occurs due to the hepatitis C virus. Research is still ongoing, but evidence suggests the two conditions may interact and exacerbate each others symptoms.

Research to date has found no definitive link between the two conditions. However, there is some evidence that in people predisposed to psoriasis, a hepatitis C infection may trigger symptoms of psoriasis. Other research has found that if a person has both conditions, treatments for one may cause the other to flare. Because of this, it is common practice to screen for hepatitis before starting psoriasis treatment.

In this article, we will discuss psoriasis, hepatitis C, and the possible connections between both conditions.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder that causes the skin cells to multiply much faster than they normally would, and faster than the body can shed away. This leads to a buildup of these cells, which appears as irregular red patches of skin with white scaling.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition. Each person may have their own set of triggers that may lead to the forming of psoriasis scales, such as stress, temperature, and infection.

Hepatitis refers to inflammation in the liver, typically in response to injury or infection. Hepatitis C is an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The virus attacks the liver, leading to inflammation. A person can acquire the infection through contact with contaminated blood.

In some cases, hepatitis C may be a short-term illness, but for others it becomes a long-term, chronic infection. Many people may not realize they have a HCV infection as it typically does not present with symptoms. However, a chronic HCV infection can result in the development of other conditions.

There is no direct connection between hepatitis C and psoriasis, meaning that one does not cause the other and having one does not indicate that the person will have the other.

However, medical research suggests they may have a less direct connection. A 2017 study notes a higher rate of HCV infections in adults who have psoriasis compared to those who do not. Additionally, those with moderate to severe psoriasis who had hepatitis C were more likely to experience a worsening of their liver.

The two conditions share some links that could explain the connection. While HCV affects the liver, it can also affect the skin, and trigger conditions such as psoriasis. In some people, a HCV infection may lead to dysregulation of the immune system. Psoriasis is a skin condition that stems from a dysregulated immune system.

Additionally, the course of hepatitic C and its treatment may play a role. The amount of stress the body goes through during a HCV infection may trigger symptoms of psoriasis. Additionally, psoriasis may develop as a side effect of some medications that treat chronic hepatitis C.

Psoriasis can increase the risk of infections. This risk increases further if a person with psoriasis receives immunosuppressant treatment that modulates their immune system. This does not mean psoriasis will result in a HCV infection, but that a person is at a higher risk of infections including a HCV infection.

Conversely, there may also be a link between treatment for hepatitic C and psoriasis symptoms going away. A 2018 case study reports on a person with both conditions receiving antiviral treatment for the HCV infection, which also improved symptoms of psoriasis. This suggests that reducing immune dysregulation may be key for treating both conditions. However, further research is necessary.

Symptoms of psoriasis may vary slightly from person to person, but the characteristic symptoms are patches of red skin with white scaling. These scales may itch and sting. They can occur anywhere, but some common sites include the scalp, elbows, and knees.

Doctors typically diagnose psoriasis based on a physical examination. They may ask questions about the joints or other areas of the body to determine the extent of the psoriasis. They might also carry out a skin biopsy to rule out other conditions, such as eczema.

Typically, people with a HCV infection do not present any symptoms. This makes regular screening for hepatitis C important, especially for people with psoriasis taking immunosuppressive drugs. Some people with an acute hepatitis C infection may have symptoms 1-3 months after viral exposure, which can include:

Doctors will diagnose hepatitis C by asking about medical history and doing a physical exam to check on the persons symptoms. If they suspect hepatitis C, a blood test can help confirm their diagnosis.

Treatment of people who have both hepatitis C and psoriasis together may vary. A person will have to work closely with a hepatologist, which is a doctor specializing in the liver.

A doctor may suggest using interferon drugs to treat a HCV infection. However, these drugs may exacerbate symptoms in some people with psoriasis. Alternatively, a doctor may suggest direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA), as they may be more effective and less likely to cause adverse effects.

Treatment for hepatitis C may last for 824 weeks. While psoriasis symptoms may get worse during this time, they will likely get better after finishing treatment.

Treatment for psoriasis involves controlling the symptoms as best as possible. This may include a number of injected or topical solutions. In some cases, doctors may also prescribe biologics or immunosuppressants. While it is not ideal to use immunosuppressive drugs during treatment for HCV, research suggests using DAAs alongside immunosuppressants may be relatively safe.

People with these two conditions together may face possible complications from treatment, and should consult their doctor about them. For example, if a person with psoriasis has a HCV infection, a doctor may suggest stopping any immunosuppressants while treating the infection. This is in order to help keep the immune system healthy while fighting off the infection.

A 2020 study notes possible connections between drugs such as biologics used to treat psoriasis and a reactivation of HCV infection. However, the research indicates that the rates of hepatitis C were low among all psoriasis treatment types.

Without proper treatment, possible complications for hepatitis C include cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Psoriasis can also result in a wide range of complications and comorbidities.

Because people with psoriasis are at higher risk for severe infection, it is important for them to take steps to avoid HCV infection. HCV can spread through blood or, rarely, other bodily fluids. Steps to prevent infection include:

Even if a person has had hepatitis C in the past, they can still get the infection again. A person with hepatitis C who starts to notice signs of psoriasis should talk to their doctor so they can begin treatment as soon as possible.

Hepatitis C and psoriasis do not share a direct connection, but research suggests that the conditions may relate to each other. Hepatitis C does not cause psoriasis, but may trigger the condition in people with a predisposition to it. People with psoriasis are at a higher risk for contracting infections such as hepatitis C.

Treatments for both conditions may interact, exacerbate symptoms, and potentially result in other complications. Therefore, it is important that a person with both conditions work closely with a doctor and follow their advice on which treatments to use.

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Hepatitis C and psoriasis: What is the connection? - Medical News Today

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Real-world data suggest current and past cigarette use, a history of treatment with multiple biologic agents, and a history of diabetes mellitus are key characteristics associated with nonresponse to interleukin 17 (IL-17) inhibitors in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Findings from this study were published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

The real-world data were obtained from the North American Corrona Psoriasis Registry. In total, the investigators included in their analysis 533 patients with psoriasis who had 6 months worth of follow-up after starting treatment with IL-17 inhibitors. The investigators examined response to these inhibitors, defined as disease transition to mild severity (body surface area of less than 3% or 75% improvement) at the 6-month follow-up period.

A total of 308 patients were categorized as responders to IL-17 inhibitors, and 225 patients were classified as nonresponders. The nonresponder group was significantly more likely to have history of diabetes mellitus (24% vs 14%) and be current (19% vs 12%) or former smokers (40% vs 34%) compared with responders (P <.05 for all). In addition, patients classified as nonresponders more likely received either 2 (25% vs 20%) or more than 3 (33% vs 18%) prior biologic agents (P <.001).

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Limitations of the study included its observational nature as well as the relatively small sample size.

In spite of these limitations, the investigators wrote that their findings may be useful in helping clinicians determine baseline characteristics that can be used to guide clinical decision making and improve patient treatment efficiency.

Disclosure: Several study authors declared affiliations with the pharmaceutical industry. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors disclosures.

Wu JJ, Kearns DG, Lin TC, et al. Characterization of non-responders to interleukin-17 inhibitors in moderate to severe psoriasis patients enrolled in the Corrona Psoriasis Registry. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Published online April 8, 2021. doi:10.1111/jdv.17270

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Predictors of IL-17 Inhibitor Nonresponse in Patients With Psoriasis - Dermatology Advisor

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There's a slim chance you've made it all the way to 2021 without hearing someone extol the benefits of cannabidiolCBD.

Fans claim it can do everything from relieve stress and anxiety to improve chronic pain, lessen depression, ease arthritis, and improve epilepsy.

Psoriasis relief may make the list of potential health benefits.

But can CBD oils or other products really provide much-needed itch and pain relief? Can it help clear up psoriasis plaques?

The short, and somewhat unsatisfying answer is maybe.

But more research is needed before any recommendations can be made, says Adam Friedman, MD, professor and chair of dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C.

Affecting as many as eight million people in the United States, psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that occurs when your immune system cranks up the production of skin cells.

Instead of shedding, these cells build up on top of your skin, forming raised, reddened plaques covered with silvery scales. These plaques may itch or sting.

Psoriasis can show up anywhere on your body, but it is most commonly seen on the lower back, elbows, knees, legs, soles of the feet or palms, and scalp.

And it's more than just a skin condition and a nuisance.

About 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop joint pain, inflammation, and limited mobility that are associated with psoriatic arthritis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. Your likelihood of developing psoriatic arthritis is even higher if you have scalp psoriasis.

What's more, the underlying inflammation of psoriasis is linked to a higher risk for heart disease and diabetes.

Psoriasis can also damage self-esteem and take a heavy toll on your quality of life if left untreated.

CBD comes from the Cannabis sativa plant.

Both marijuana and its cousin, hemp, are cannabis plants, and both contain CBD. But there's a big difference between the two.

Marijuana has a higher concentration of THC, or delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the ingredient that gets you high.

Some CBD products can also get you high, they don't always. That depends on whether the product comes from hemp or marijuana and whether it contains enough THC. Check out more about CBD vs. THC.

CBD comes in a variety of forms, and products containing it seem to grow by the day. Generally speaking, you'll find CBD as the following products:

THC and CBD interact with endocannabinoid receptors throughout your body in specific tissues or the nervous system.

This interaction may result in reduced inflammation, itching, pain relief, better sleep, and decreased anxiety, explains Jason E. Hawkes, MD, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at UC Davis Health in Rocklin, California.

There aren't many high-quality studies looking at CBD in people with psoriasis or other skin conditions. The studies we do have were conducted in lab cells or animals. Those may be encouraging, but they're just a start.

As such, experts can't say with any degree of certainty that it can help.

There is reason for optimism, says Dr. Friedman.

"There's a lot of hype that is sadly built around limited evidence, but from a purely biological standpoint, it does make sense that CBD oil can improve psoriasis symptoms," he says.

Studies in skin cells have shown that endocannabinoids like CBD can inhibit the inflammation that initiates and precipitates a psoriasis flare, he says.

"Preclinical studies in cells or animals suggest that CBD can affect key immune pathways, such as T helper-17, which seems to be central to the inflammation of psoriasis," says Dr. Friedman.

One study of 20 people, including five who had psoriasis, found that applying a CBD-enriched ointment to the affected skin twice daily for three months significantly improved psoriasis symptoms.

What's more, there were no irritant or allergic reactions seen during the treatment period. The study appears in a 2019 issue of Clinical Therapeutics.

The big question is whether the CBD made any difference at all. It's possible the improvement came from the use of the ointment.

"Simply moisturizing your skin can soften the really thick layer of skin in psoriasis, and that alone can have some benefit," Dr. Friedman says.

CBD is often combined with other ingredients that target pain, irritation, or itching, like camphor. And it may have salicylic acid, which breaks down thick, scaly skin and could enhance the effects of a moisturizing agent.

"There is a decent amount of preclinical evidence that if we get CBD where it needs to be, it will work," Dr. Friedman says.

But that's easier said than done. One way to accomplish it is to shrink the CBD particles down to the nano level so they can more easily pass through the skin. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.

There are many other factors that would need to be studied, too. After all, researchers don't yet know whether a cream applied to the skin might help psoriasis more than a swallowed capsuleor if the CBD in gummies will have any effect at all.

Scientists need to study disease severity, strain-specific compounds, concentration and dosing, method of delivery, and treatment duration, says Dr. Hawkes.

"We need studies looking at dosage and CBD concentration as well as drug interaction and allergy or irritation concerns in ingredients," says Mark Moyad, MD, MPH, the Jenkins/Pokempner Director of Preventive & Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.

Topical steroids are a common treatment for psoriasis.

"Steroids tell your immune cells to self-destruct, but cannabinoids like CBD aren't so focused on blocking or killing these cells," Dr. Friedman says.

Instead, CBD aims to resolve inflammation.

"In theory, CBD binds to receptors on immune cells and instructs these cells to stop secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines and start rebuilding," he explains.

While there are a number of highly effective and safe topical and systemic treatments for psoriasis, many people still live with chronic itching, pain, and the stigma and psychosocial consequences of having a highly visible skin condition, says Dr. Hawkes.

"It is, therefore, not surprising that patients affected with psoriatic disease have sought relief from their disease via a variety of adjunctive treatment options, including cannabis-based products like CBD," he says.

That said, he stresses that CBD should never be used in place of other psoriasis treatments recommended by your doctor. If you do use it, it's simply an add on to the rest of your therapy.

The CBD industry may be here to stay, but it wasn't always so booming. In the past few years, demand grew, and supply ballooned.

Credit goes to the 2018 Farm Bill, which removed hemp and its derivatives with low THC from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which is where THC currently remains.

That means farmers can legally cultivate hemp and companies can legally produce hemp productsincluding those with CBDas long as they contain no more than 0.3 percent THC.

It's always a good idea to see what's legal in your state. (The National Conference of State Legislatures keeps a running tally of where medical marijuana is legal.) Some states restrict buying hemp-based CBD products.

There's no shortage of places to buy CBD products, both online and in person.

But Dr. Friedman cautions that there's minimal oversight. And that means it's buyer beware.

"There is no way to tell for sure what you are getting," he says.

CBD products vary widely in their concentrations, with nearly half having lower concentrations of CBD than stated on the labels, according to research in a 2017 issue of JAMA.

And some over-the-counter CBD products have impurities that can cause allergic dermatitis, found a 2020 study in Clinical Toxicology.

If you're set on trying CBD, shop around before purchasing. There are steps you can take to make sure you get the safest and most accurate CBD product possible.

Your best bet is to go directly to a company website and ask for the certificate of analysis (COA). This document provides results of any and all testing of the supplements.

In states where marijuana is legal for medicinal or recreational purposes, the state health department may keep a list of reputable vendors.

State-licensed dispensaries may have higher-quality products than random over-the-counter brands because there is some oversight coming from the state's Department of Health, Dr. Friedman says.

"Look for transparent ingredient lists and a good brand reputation, and have open conversations with health care providers [to] best navigate this rapidly evolving cannabis landscape," Dr. Hawkes advises.

Some patient advocate associations for psoriasis may have helpful resources for you.

"For psoriasis patients specifically, I also recommend that they seek out additional resources from established medical organizations and patient advocacy groups that may help them make informed decisions, such as the National Psoriasis Foundation, which is currently working to put out psoriasis guidelines related to cannabis use in the setting of psoriatic disease," he adds.

The potential risks of CBD and other cannabis-derived products in people with psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases hasn't been carefully studied, Dr. Hawkes stresses.

"The small number of clinical studies that have been conducted for non-psoriasis conditions are informative and suggest that potential risks should be considered, especially in patients with psoriatic disease," he says.

For example, people with psoriasis are at increased risk for joint inflammation, heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety.

"In several studies, systemic CBD and other cannabis-derived products were associated with worsening cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes, fatty liver disease, or higher likelihood of surgery for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease," Dr. Hawkes says.

People with psoriasis need to be aware of the potential worsening of those underlying conditions with systemic cannabis products.

"Potential adverse events are also more likely with systemic or high-dose administration compared to other delivery methods, such as limited or topical applications of CBD oil," he says.

Considering the lack of evidence, is CBD worth a try if you have psoriasis?

"For psoriasis patients with specific complaints, such as pain, itching, or trouble sleeping, cannabis-derived products could help reduce the negative impact these symptoms have on their life," Dr. Hawkes says.

But if you're going to use CBD, choose a reputable brand and let your doctor know about anything that you are using to help with your psoriasis symptoms. And remember: never replace your tried-and-true psoriasis treatments with CBD.

Not ready to jump on the CBD bandwagon just yet? It's OK to wait it out. The medical community is taking notice of CBD, conducting more studies that aim to get to the bottom of its uses.

"As a medical community, we are going to have to think creatively about ways to evaluate and determine the safety and effectiveness of CBD products for specific medical conditions," Dr. Hawkes says.

And the clock is ticking. "We all have to advance our understanding of CBD and other cannabinoid derivates because the cannabis product industry is here to stay," he adds.

The post Does CBD Help Psoriasis? Heres What Experts Say appeared first on The Healthy.

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