Q: Reality TV star, Kim Kardashian, and comedian, Jon Lovitz, recently revealed that they suffer from psoriasis. How common is this skin disorder?A: About 8 million Americans suffer from psoriasis. There are 150,000 new diagnoses annually. It's the leading autoimmune disorder in the country, so it's fairly common. Psoriasis is characterized by red, scaly patches on the skin - mostly on the elbows, knees, and scalp. For some, the patches can become extremely itchy. It's not infectious and many experts believe there is a genetic factor involved.Q: What causes psoriasis?A: While the exact cause is not known, many experts say it's caused by an abnormality in the immune system. It can first occur at any age, but most commonly strikes young adults. Sufferers typically experience a series of flare-ups and remissions.Q: What can trigger a flare-up?A: Triggers can vary from one person to the next. Alcohol and cigarettes should be avoided. Stress, infection, certain medications such as lithium, beta-blockers, and some painkillers have been known to aggravate the disease.Q: You mentioned stress as a possible cause, yet people who have the condition say that psoriasis itself is extremely stressful.A: It can become a vicious cycle. When people have an outbreak or flare-up they may become frustrated and angry, which makes the condition worse.Research shows that as many as one-third of people with psoriasis experience depression, which is almost five times as much as the general population. It's important to understand that while the disorder isn't curable, it is manageable. The National Psoriasis Foundation has online support and 40 support groups throughout the country to offer information and assistance. Exercise can be an important tool to relieve the stress of psoriasis.Q: What are the most effective treatments?A: Don't use banana peels on the lesions, as folks once did! For mild cases, hydrocortisone creams can provide relief. Apply them after showering for maximum benefit. Some doctors still use older treatments such as ultraviolet light therapy and coal tar preparations successfully. Newer treatments include medication to tame the body's T-cells that cause the hyperactivity of the skin cells that lead to the disease. These drugs, called biologics, are used to treat moderate to severe psoriasis and are given by injection or intravenous infusion. A biologic is a protein-based drug derived from living cells. Instead of just treating symptoms, these drugs get to the root of the issue. The newest biologic drug is called Stelara, which was approved by the FDA in 2009. The main advantage with Stelara is that it doesn't have to be used as often as other biologics. It's given twice in the first month of a flare-up followed by just four more treatments a year.Q: What are some coping strategies for dealing with flare-ups?A: Women should avoid makeup that is heavily scented and look for products formulated for sensitive skin. Wash your face with nonabrasive cleansers. Use moisturizers that contain ceramides and lipids. The National Psoriasis Foundation has an online product guide at www.psoriasis.org.Original post blogged on b2evolution.
