AAD Media Backgrounder: Psoriasis

• Psoriasis is a chronic and often painful skin disease in which skin cells reproduce much faster than normal.

• This non-contagious disease caused round, reddish skin patches with silvery scales to develop on the scalp, knees, elbows, hands and feet.

• Psoriasis affects more than 7 million people in the United States, with approximately 200,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

• Treatment options include:

• Topical medications containing cortisone-like compounds, synthetic vitamin D (calcipotriene), tar or anthralin;

• Oral medications, such as methotrexate, retinoids or cyclosporine;

• New biologic agents, which work by blocking the activation of T-cells, a type of white blood cell know as the key immune system trigger in the development of psoriasis;

• The first biologic to be approved by the FDA for the treatment of psoriasis is alefacept; a second biologic that is FDA-approved for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and is currently in phase III trials for the treatment of psoriasis is etanercept.

• New laser and light-based technologies, which have been shown effective in treating psoriatic lesions without damaging the surrounding skin;

• Tazarotene, a retinoid make from vitamin A that has been available in a gel formulation, was recently introduced in a cream formulation that is better tolerated by many patents; and

• Light therapy, in combination with topical or oral medications, and PUVA light treatments (when psoriasis has not responded to other treatments or is widespread).

See your dermatologist for successful diagnosis and treatment of rashes.

Serving: Andover, Anoka, Apple Valley, Belle Plaine, Big Lake, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Buffalo, Cannon falls, Chanhassen, Champlin, Chaska, Circle Pines, Coon Rapids, Cottage Grove, Delano, Dennison, Dundas, Eagan, Edina, Eden Prarie, Elko, Elk River, Excelsior, Faribault, Farmington, Forest Lake, Fridley, Goodhue, Golden Valley, Ham Lake, Hastings, Heidelberg, Highland Park, Hopkins, Hugo, Inver Grove Heights Jordan, Kilkenny, Le Center, Lake Minnetonka, Lakeville, Lake Waconia, Lino Lakes, Little Canada, Lonsdale, Mahtomedi, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Mendota Heights, Miesville, Minnetonka, Minneapolis, Montgomery, Monticello, Mound, New Market, New Prague, Nerstrand, Northfield, Oakdale, Oak Grove, Osseo, Otsego, Plymouth, Prior Lake, Randolph, Ramsey, Red Wing, Richfield Rockford, Rosemount, Roseville, Savage, Shakopee, Shoreview, Spring Lake, Stillwater, St. Louis Park, St. Paul, Vermillion, Waconia, Wanamingo, Wayzata, Webster, White Bear Lake, Woodbury, Wyoming, Zumbrota, and Minnesota Twin Cities Area

Wisconsin: Bay City Hager City, Hudson, Prescott, Lake St. Croix, River Falls, Roberts Somerset

Web Design: Resurrection Media