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Psoriasis Creams – Finding Topical Treatments that Really Work

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Severe cases of psoriasis will require a more holistic approach to reduce the effects of symptoms, but many people are only affected in smaller, limited areas of their body. For such cases there are a variety of psoriasis creams designed for topical application. As with most other areas of the drug industry, there are widely varying options on the market, each with its unique pros and cons. To find out which cream may be the most effective in your case you should take time to learn about all of these different options and their corresponding properties. For our purposes, let’s break down all psoriasis creams into two groups: those containing steroids and those that do not.

Many people have found steroid creams to be effective for suppressing psoriasis. Hydrocortisone is the gentlest steroid cream available and can be used for other skin irritations such as eczema. For those with more severe cases, stronger (prescription only) options are available, but should be used in controlled circumstances, because they come with considerable side effects. Using steroid creams for prolonged periods can cause a thinning of the skin and the appearance of stretch marks, especially in areas of the body such as the groin or armpits.

For other psoriasis creams (those that do not contain steroids), active ingredients can be natural herbal supplements, vitamins or other not-so-natural chemicals/drugs. Such topical treatments can combine a mixture of different therapeutic ingredients, thus targeting psoriasis on different levels at the same time. While these other psoriasis creams don’t carry the same side effects as those with steroids, they oftentimes require more time to bring about the desired results.

Topical psoriasis treatments also include gels, oils and foams, all of which are useful for targeting specific areas of the skin. Note: finding the right cream is more than just picking the ingredient. Because psoriasis is such an unpredictable condition, any combination of therapies or prescription strengths might prove to be most effective for your particular case.

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Eczema vs. Psoriasis – How to Tell the Difference

Friday, December 11th, 2009

For the casual observer, the difference between eczema and psoriasis can be something that’s difficult or impossible to determine. Both are skin disorders that lead to a red, scaly rash, oftentimes on the body’s extremities. The best way to determine eczema vs. psoriasis is to visit a qualified health care professional, but there are a few pointers to keep in mind that can help a person make some sort of educated guess as to which disease is afflicting him or her. Both psoriasis and eczema tend to affect the neck, hands, or feet. They create red lesions but psoriasis tends to be larger and drier.

Eczema, on the other hand, can create a moister, oozing environment as part of the rash. This is one way to tell eczema vs. psoriasis in most cases. If there is any sort of pus or oozing occurring, chances are it’s eczema. Another thing to look for is the placement of the sores. While this won’t always be the case, in general psoriasis has a tendency to afflict more external parts of the body, such as the outside of the elbows and front of the knees. Eczema, by contrast, likes the warmer inner areas, including the inside of the elbows and back of the legs.

Unfortunately for those trying to determine whether their break-out is eczema vs. psoriasis, if the rash is on the hands and feet, it can be almost impossible to tell them apart. Many times there is a fungal infection that accompanies with these two diseases, and in fact, a person could be experiencing all three of them at the same time, making diagnosis extremely difficult. Even qualified doctors can sometimes have a difficult time at first glance, which is why a biopsy is usually needed to make any sort of definitive diagnosis.

Why care about the differences between Psoriasis and Eczema?

It’s important to make this distinction between eczema vs. psoriasis for treatment purposes. It’s best to find out what is causing the rash, in order to treat it and give some sort of relief to the itching or burning that occurs as a result of either one of these afflictions. However, in a pinch, there are some treatments that do work for both, including topical steroid creams. If you really cannot tell the difference and need relief as quickly as possible, this is a safe bet that will reduce the symptoms of both psoriasis and eczema.

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How and When to Use Exfoliants to Treat Psoriasis

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Exfoliants are used to remove dead skin cells on the outermost surface of the skin. This removal reveals newer, healthier skin just below. This removal can unclog pores, helps reduce acne outbreaks and keeps the skin clear.

There are two types of exfoliation, mechanical or chemical. When using a mechanical exfoliation method, there is scrubbing of the skin, usually with facial scrubs or micro-fiber cloths. These scrubs and cloths contain a variety of ingredients from sugar, and salt crystals to almond shells and apricot kernels. Commonly used abrasive materials include loofahs and sponges. The coarseness of the material dictates how it will be used.

Users with dry or sensitive skin should avoid exfoliants containing pumice or crushed volcano rock. These ingredients are in products developed for use on the skin of the feet. Chemical exfoliation uses salicylic acid, citric acid or fruit enzymes. They can be purchased over the counter, or applied in higher concentrations by a dermatologist. These products contain enzymes that loosen the substance that holds skin cells together, allowing them to be removed. The mechanical products are generally recommended to improve skin texture, reduce fine lines and to treat dry skin. The chemical products are effective when treating blemishes, dandruff, dermatitis and psoriasis.

Psoriasis sufferers can reduce the visible build up of excess skin by using exfoliants. They must select products that are friendly to sensitive skin, or they risk increasing the inflammation. Scrubs that use shells, seeds or exfoliating beads are not recommended. They are too harsh and may get lodged underneath the scales. This will make the skin more vulnerable to cuts and bruising.

One of the potential results of exfoliating is that skin can grow back thicker than before. Depending on the type of psoriasis, this may cause skin cell build up to occur even faster.

Scalp psoriasis is painful, itchy and can cause hair loss. Exfoliating gels that contain salicylic acid are particularly effective when treating scalp psoriasis, eczema and seborrheic dermatitis. These exfoliants help stop the itching that accompanies dry skin. Many contain tea tree oil, eucalyptus or mint. These ingredients help the skin remain smooth and clean after the dry outer layer of skin has been sloughed off and contain antiseptic properties that help kill bacteria. The essential oils soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. “Pre-shampoo” products are designed to exfoliate the scales and remove the flakes of dead skin in the hair before shampoo is applied.

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How is Psoriasis Diagnosed?

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Most of the time a dermatologist can determine whether a person has psoriasis by asking questions and making basic observations. A skin biopsy can be requested if there is any doubt.

Psoriasis might be confused with seborrheic dermatitis and other forms of dermatitis or eczema (general name for skin irritations), which are similar both in appearance and cause.

Psoriasis indicators:

Well defined skin lesions.
Affected areas showing primarily on the elbows, scalp, knees and torso.
A family history of psoriasis.
Pitted finger and toenails.
Swelled, arthritic joints (this would be psoriatic arthritis).
Silver colored, small scales.
Dryness.
Itchiness.
Swollen, irritated skin.

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