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New Potential Advances In Treating Psoriasis

Given the seriousness of this condition as well as its widespread prevalence, significant research and efforts have gone into finding sustainable treatments. There are entire labs, fellowships, clinical platforms, and organizations dedicated to helping individuals with psoriasis. Notably, the past decade has seen significant improvements in various treatment modalities, ranging from topical treatments, to injections and oral medications. There are many different mechanisms of action and physiological targets for psoriasis treatments; a few examples include reducing inflammation, slowing skin growth, or altering the immune system.

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Featured

  Psoriasis? Yeah, That's the Ticket!

Former Saturday Night Live cast member Jon Lovitz is talking candidly for the first time about his struggles with psoriasis in a series of lighthearted PSA’s called “Are You Serious?”

 A deeper look at psoriasis

There are ways to shorten flare-ups and, in some people, prevent them from recurring.

 Skyrizi (Risankizumab-rzaa) a New Treatment Option Approved by the FDA for Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis

IL-23 is a naturally occurring cytokine that plays a role in the inflammatory and immune responses that are implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Risankizumab, a humanized immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody, selectively binds to the p19 subunit of human IL-23 cytokine and blocks its interaction with the IL-23 receptor, thereby inhibiting the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines.

Articles of Interest

Patient Voices: Psoriasis

The scaly, itchy skin of psoriasis can be embarrassing and even painful. What is it like to live with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis? Have newer treatments made psoriasis more manageable? Five men, women and children speak about living with this disorder.

Everything You Need to Know About Psoriasis, Including Signs, Causes & Treatment

While there are a number of treatment options available for psoriasis, the scaly patches that can develop all over your body can be a bit scary. We get it, which is why we spoke with a slew of skin experts on all things psoriasis, including what you should (and definitely should not) do if you suspect you might have it.

Explainer: what is psoriasis?

The biblical description of “lepra” is now thought to actually be psoriasis rather than leprosy. At that time, affected individuals were stigmatised and cast out from their communities. Some would argue this remains unchanged today as many affected people feel like lepers.

For Many Millions, Psoriasis Means Misery

Psoriasis can also result in embarrassment, employment problems, reduced income, social discrimination and diminished quality of life. Although the disease is not contagious and has nothing to do with cleanliness, people may avoid contact with affected individuals when the lesions or their consequences are obvious.

How The Skin Disease Psoriasis Costs Us Billions

Skin disorders rarely make it on the list of big-time diseases, so when we saw a study saying that psoriasis costs the nation $52 to $63 billion a year, it was hard not to think, "Really?" And that's just for the direct costs of health care for people with psoriasis, according to the study, published Wednesday in JAMA Dermatology.

How To Take Control of Your Psoriasis and Regain Confidence

I've worked with many people who are suffering from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and I've seen firsthand that it's not just a condition that affects one's skin - it can make its victims feel self-conscious, unattractive, embarrassed, worried, and misunderstood.

I Didn't Let My Psoriasis Stop Me From Doing What I Loved

People living with psoriasis need to know that they don't have to live with the embarrassment, the depression, and sometimes the physical pain. You can't let it stop you from doing the things you love to do. You need to take control and live the life you want live.

Many psoriasis patients are paying higher prices than ever at the pharmacy counter

Over the past decade, wholesale prices for self-administered psoriasis medicines rose substantially, underscoring the ongoing financial burden for many patients, according to a new analysis.

Many Psoriasis Patients Are Undertreated, Study Suggests

An overwhelming number of patients with psoriasis are dissatisfied with their treatment plans, and undertreatment may be the culprit,

Models With Psoriasis Strut To Raise Awareness

The music blares. And one by one, models strut the catwalk as Project Runway television host Tim Gunn introduces them. But these are not your typical models — they are winners of a nationwide contest for psoriasis patients.

Psoriasis: Under the Skin

"Psoriasis: Under the Skin" is a new, mini-documentary film created LEO Pharma. The film features Dr. Stuart Wolfman as well as several other psoriasis patients and people impacted by psoriasis as they share their experiences of living with disease. The film focuses on the effect of disease-related itch and the psychological impact psoriasis can have on patients.

Skyrizi: A Breakthrough Biologic for Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Crohn’s Disease

Skyrizi is a biologic therapy that targets a specific protein in the immune system called interleukin-23 (IL-23). IL-23 plays a key role in inflammatory pathways. By selectively blocking this protein, Skyrizi helps reduce inflammation at the source—without broadly suppressing the entire immune system.

The Itch to Beat Psoriasis

Encouragement on the journey to hope and healing.

Totally Exhausted? It Might Be Your Psoriasis

When you first think about it, your skin and sleep seem pretty disconnected. But if you have psoriasis, they are way more closely linked than you’d think. Research has found that about 17% of people with the skin condition experience severe fatigue. And a big reason for that is sleep issues.

What It’s Like to Be Covered in Scales

Psoriasis is a disease that causes cells to rapidly build up on the surface of one’s skin, leading to the formation of thick, silvery scales and itchy, dry, painful red patches that can colonize a sufferer’s entire body — from scalp to elbows, knees, and genitals. While there are a range of treatments that can help clear breakouts or manage the maddening itch, it’s rare, if ever, that a sufferer goes into complete remission.

Why Doctors Think a Kim Kardashian Selfie Is Important

Kardashian has been occasionally candid about dealing with the chronic skin condition psoriasis in the past, mentioning it on her various reality shows and even posting on Instagram about the trendy detox routines she was trying in order to calm the incurable inflammatory illness.

Resources

Otezla

A moderate to severe plaque psoriasis medication. Otezla is a pill that can help you achieve clearer skin.

Cimzia

CIMZIA may still help you achieve clearer skin—even if you've been on another biologic.

Enbrel

ENBREL is a prescription medicine that can be self-injected. It is used to treat five long-term inflammatory diseases: moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), adult chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in patients who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, psoriatic arthritis, moderate to severe juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Stelara

STELARA® (ustekinumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.

XTRAC

Since receiving FDA clearance in 2000, the XTRAC Excimer Laser has come to be recognized by dermatologists worldwide as the market leader in the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo. XTRAC Lasers produce a highly effective, safe, and painless therapy by delivering a targeted, super-narrow UVB band to affected areas, resulting in effective and rapid improvement without the worry of harmful side effects of invasive, systemic agents.

Let's Face it: Psoriasis

Our goal is to help those with Psoriasis by connecting them to the resources and information they need.

My Psoriasis Team

Join the free Psoriasis social network

Overcoming Psoriasis

How Psoriasis changed my life…

Psoriasis Exposed by Rena

Hi, I’m Rena and I wear my warrior scars with pride. I was first diagnosed with psoriasis at 13 years old and without a doubt it has been a roller-coaster of a ride, and I’m still on it! It is a journey that test’s physical, mental and emotional strength which can really change you as a person.

Psoriasis Rx

When it comes to an effective psoriasis treatment, knowledge is power. PsoriasisRx.com was created with the express mission to help psoriasis patients, their friends & families, health care professionals, and the general public to get accurate psoriasis-related information. For the vast majority of people with psoriasis, effective treatment can minimize expense and embarrassment while beautifying the skin.

Psoriasis Society

The Society is managed by dedicated volunteers who work long hours to provide information on psoriasis across Canada.

Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients

The Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients was formed to better serve the needs of psoriasis patients across the country. We are a subsidiary of the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance and strive to improve the quality of life for all Canadian Psoriasis Patients.

Canadian Psoriasis Network

The Canadian Psoriasis Network (CPN) is a national not-for-profit organization whose focus is on research, education and support for Canadians living with psoriatic disease.

International Federation of Psoriasis Associations

The International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA) is a non-profit organization made up of psoriasis associations from around the world. IFPA unites psoriasis associations so that their global campaign for improved medical care, greater public understanding and increased research will improve the lives of people who live with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and explore the challenges psoriasis presents to the international psoriasis community.

International Psoriasis Council

the International Psoriasis Council is a global non-profit organization dedicated to advancing psoriasis research and treatment by providing a forum for education, collaboration, and innovation among physicians, researchers, and other professionals working on the physical, economic, and social aspects of psoriatic skin and joint disease.

National Psoriasis Foundation

Working to find a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and to eliminate their devastating effects through research, advocacy and education.

Just a Girl with Spots

My hope for this blog is to spread awareness of what psoriasis is and that it is not “just a skin condition.” It’s not only about vanity; there are mental and physical challenges that we must overcome daily associated with our disease. I want to share my trials and triumphs, tips and tricks of my experiences living with psoriasis.

My Skin and I

Helping explain psorisis, releasing my feelings.

CDC

Psoriasis causes patches of thick red skin and silvery scales. Patches are typically found on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of feet, but can affect other places (fingernails, toenails, and mouth). The most common type of psoriasis is called plaque psoriasis.

Derm Web

At this time psoriasis cannot be cured but can be helped and improved with treatment. You may have had psoriasis for a long time and know a great deal about it, or you may have just found out that you have this condition. It is important that you know all you can about psoriasis so that you can better understand the treatments and how to get the best possible results.

DermNet NZ

Psoriasis affects 2–4% of males and females. It can start at any age including childhood, with peaks of onset at 15–25 years and 50–60 years. It tends to persist lifelong, fluctuating in extent and severity. It is particularly common in Caucasians, but may affect people of any race. About one third of patients with psoriasis have family members with psoriasis.

Live Science

With psoriasis, an overactive immune system leads to skin cells that grow too quickly: New skin cells form in days rather than weeks, which causes them to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin, forming the characteristic thick patches and scales of psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.

MayoClinic

Psoriasis is a persistent, long-lasting disease. You may have periods when your psoriasis symptoms improve or go into remission alternating with times your psoriasis becomes worse.

MedicineNet

Psoriasis is considered an incurable, long-term (chronic) skin condition. It has a variable course, periodically improving and worsening. It is not unusual for psoriasis to spontaneously clear for years and stay in remission.

MedlinePlus

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales. You usually get them on your elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms and feet, but they can show up on other parts of your body.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Psoriasis occurs when skin cells quickly rise from their origin below the surface of the skin and pile up on the surface before they have a chance to mature. Usually this movement (also called turnover) takes about a month, but in psoriasis it may occur in only a few days.

NHS

Many people's psoriasis symptoms start or become worse because of a certain event, known as a "trigger". Possible triggers of psoriasis include an injury to your skin, throat infections and using certain medicines.

Patient

About 1 in 50 people develop psoriasis at some stage of their life. Psoriasis is more common in white people. It can first develop at any age but it most commonly starts between the ages of 15 and 30 years.