Psoriasis Guru

...Itching for a Cure

Steroids

...now browsing by tag

 
Alcohol Aloe Vera Biologics Carcinogens Coal Tar Dead Sea Dermatology Diet Eczema Enbrel Health Humira Immunosuppressants Itchiness Menthol Methotrexate Moisturizers Natural Remedies Neutrogena Observations Plaque Psoriasis Product Reviews Psoriasis News Psoriatic Arthritis Psychology PUVA Salicylic Acid Seborrheic Dermatitis Selenium Selsun Blue Shampoo Steroids Stress Sunlight Symptoms T-Gel T-Sal Tips n' Tricks Treatments Types of Psoriasis UV Light Videos Vitamin A Vitamin D Zinc
 

Hair Loss Caused by Psoriasis

Friday, December 18th, 2009

One of the most unsettling effects of psoriasis, aside from chronic physical discomfort, is the hair loss that can occur for those who have problems with their scalp. The scalp is one of the most commonly affected areas for people with psoriasis.  For those who are thus affected, hair loss can be a major concern for the simple reason that scratching the scalp damages the hair follicles, causing hair to fall out at an abnormally fast rate. This can mean that, not only does a patient have to cope with an irritated and itchy scalp, but also experience the cosmetic issue of hair loss.

In general, treating the underlying issue will bring hair loss under control.  There are, of course, different treatments for preventing and/or restoring hair loss, but for our purposes, the first step is to identifying the main problem, which is psoriasis. Note: if you are experiencing suspicious new scalp problems you probably should visit a doctor who can positively diagnose if this is psoriasis or another scalp condition.

For people suffering from psoriasis, treating the problem can be as simple as finding a moisturizer for a dry scalp, in which case heavy conditioners or hair oil treatments can be massaged in to bring almost instant relief.

Medicated shampoos designed to combat psoriasis on the scalp can be the best good way to stop itching and, by extension, hair loss.  I have had a lot of success using two medicated shampoos by Neutrogena – T/Sal (which contains salicylic acid) and T/Gel – Stubborn Itch Control (which contains coal tar and menthol).

The skin under your hair is more difficult to reach for obvious reasons, and thus topical treatments can be difficult to apply.  In any case, for those who are determined enough (or possibly for those who are willing to shave their head), steroids can be effectively applied to the scalp for relief from itching, irritation and swelling.

Unfortunately, hair loss is a common issue among people suffering from psoriasis on the scalp.  This symptom, which results from damaged hair follicles, can have a major impact on a person’s self esteem and social life. If you need more information about finding relief, don’t hesitate to visit your dermatologist with a list of questions in hand.  Researchers are constantly on the lookout for a cure for psoriasis, so there is a good chance that there will be new options at your disposal all the time.

Posted in Psoriasis | 1 Response »

Psoriasis – A Major Issue within the World of Dermatology

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Many turn to dermatologists to help get them through particularly troublesome psoriasis outbreaks, which can include any combination of itching and burning skin. Psoriasis treatments can include a heavy emphasis on moisturizers, which help replenish lost fluids and elasticity within the skin, leaving a person feeling refreshed and with a sense of relief.  Following up on home treatments with a proper dermatologist is extremely important for those who have chronic psoriasis in particular, to make sure that the outbreak is really taken care of and that life can go on as normal.

There are over the counter psoriasis treatments, including topical steroid creams and other more natural alternatives, that can be very beneficial and are often recommended by dermatologists to treat psoriasis. These offer wide range of potency, which in turn have varying results for the purposes of treating psoriasis. For steroid based medication, a patient just beginning treatment should most likely start off on the lighter side, though a dermatologist can certainly prescribe something stronger for more severe cases.  On the other hand, soothing botanicals and other natural remedies will oftentimes improve patients’ psoriasis symptoms as much if not more than steroid based medications. Some examples of natural supplements include vitamin C, grape seed oil and any other emollients that can rejuvenate tired and irritated skin.

If topical treatments fail to ameliorate a severe case of psoriasis, there are stronger options that are available at a prescription level. These that can be obtained as per your dermatologist’s guidance and can include oral medications as well as injections that go directly to the source underneath the skin. Because this is a genetic, immune system related disease, the most direct route seems to address the immune problem. Some of these newer, more experimental medications do just that, helping put a stop to the constant regeneration of skin cells that lead to the scaling effect we associate with this disease.

Anyone interested in curing their psoriasis would do well to avoid common outbreak triggers, which tend to include smoking to alcohol consumption. Certain foods or allergies can also lead to outbreaks, and stress is usually a big factor as well. Ultimately, all of these factors will depend on each individual. When experiencing a particularly nasty outbreak, it’s helpful to make a note of what transpired right before it. Was there a stressful incident? Or was it something unusual that you ate? Keeping a diary of sorts will go a long way in helping pinpoint these triggers, in order to avoid them in the future.

Posted in Psoriasis | No Responses »

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.

Posted in Psoriasis | 1 Response »

Humira – A Prescription for Relief from Severe Cases of Psoriasis

Friday, December 11th, 2009

There is no need to suffer from the red, flaking, burning skin that is associated with plaque psoriasis, or at least so claim the makers of a new medication known as Humira. This product has been placed on the market to help the millions who suffer from this condition find relief in a quick and efficient manner. This medication is designed more for individuals with moderate to severe psoriasis, rather than mild cases that are better treated with moisturizers or other topical cream options. Clinical trials thus far have been promising, with 7 out of 10 in one trial experiencing a significant reduction in affected parts of the body.

Humira works within the body by blocking a certain protein known as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), the proliferation of which can lead to the excess cells being created in the skin and the corresponding symptoms that we classify as psoriasis. By blocking this process, it promises to stop the excess production of flaky skin scales. Carefully formulated by scientists, Humira has long since been causing a “buzz” in the psoriasis world, especially as it gains endorsements from respected medical professionals and other researchers.

One deterrent for some patients is the fact that Humira psoriasis medication needs to be injected under the skin. This can be done in the comfort of one’s home, but still the thought of using needles and administering injections to oneself can seem like an extremely daunting task to some, and may prevent those who would prefer oral or topical medication options instead.

Another factor is the risk of side effects, some of which can be very severe. The use of Humira has been linked to tuberculosis, a potentially fatal disease in some people. While this is far from common, it is worth taking into consideration.

As with all prescription medications or other injected materials, it is best to follow all guidance given by your doctor (Humira is available by prescription only in any case).  A dermatologist will be able to tell you whether Humira would be a good option for your particular case of psoriasis.

Again, for more mild cases, it may be better to avoid the risk of the sometimes serious side effects and use a simple steroid cream instead, or soothing botanicals such as aloe vera. Many times, the combination of all of these possibilities, in conjunction with an improved diet and moisturizing regimen, can work wonders.

Posted in Psoriasis | 1 Response »

« Older Entries