If you are one of the more than 4.5 million adults in the United States with psoriasis, you know what it means to battle constant skin irritation and discomfort. You or your child might be one of the many suffering the itching and burning caused by eczema. The incidence of both psoriasis and eczema are on the rise as new medications are rolled out to treat both.
Background
Skin, the largest organ in the body, has some essential functions. Skin helps control body temperature and protects from infection. In conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, skin often is broken, which leaves sufferers at risk for increased bouts with infection.
Medical experts view psoriasis as a fairly common, chronic, immune mediated skin disease that can begin anytime in life. Eczema, seen frequently in children, often is caused by allergic response often to an unknown trigger.
Recent hypothesis in the medical community suggest that eczema might also be an abnormal function of the immune system.The cost of treatment for both diseases worldwide has increased as more people than ever before are diagnosed with these troublesome skin conditions.
Types
There are five different types of chronic psoriasis, the most common being "plaque psoriasis." People suffering with this type of psoriasis present with well-defined patches of red, raised skin. Plaques can be seen on any body surface but joints, scalp, trunk and fingernails seem to be most common. The four less common types can be mixed or seen alone and treatment varies based on type.
Eczema has seven types with atropic dermatitis as the most common form. This type of eczema is believed to be caused by allergic responses to environmental factors such as mold, mildew and pollen as well as products, food allergies and perfumes.
Another well-known type of eczema is called contact dermatitis, which is a local reaction of the skin when it has come into contact with an allergen trigger.
Treating Eczema
Over-the-counter treatments can help manage the symptoms of eczema. Creams, ointments, shampoos and moisturizers are available to lubricate the skin, calm redness and reduce itching. Because eczema might be an allergic reaction to triggers, it is important to experiment with over-the-counter products to find those that work best for you.
Prescription medications are available to treat eczema; a recent FDA-approved drug classification known as Topical Immunomodulators or TIMS, which are non-steroidal topical medications that reduce the symptoms of eczema including itch, rash and redness while helping to reduce flareups.
The two drugs approved by the FDA are tacrolimus and pimecrolimus. In addition, there are many prescription gels, lotions, creams and solutions to treat symptoms. The medications are available in pill form as well. Talk with your doctor to determine what is best for your symptoms.
Treating Psoriasis
Psoriasis treatment is based on severity of the disease and how much of the skin surface is affected--mild psoriasis, less than 2 percent of the body; moderate, 3 to 10 percent; and severe, more than 10 percent. For most individuals, topical medications are used, either over-the-counter or prescription. Phototherapy is used in conjunction with topical gels, lotions and ointments in moderate to severe cases.
Prescription medications used as systemic treatments include Acitretin also known as Soriatane, Cyclosporine and Methotrexate. "Off-label" medications including Hydrea, Isotretinoin, Mycophenolate mofetil, Sulfazalone and 6-thioguanine are used but have not, as yet, won FDA approval for the treatment of psoriasis.
Although most systemic medications are either in pill or liquid form, Biologics, a relatively new type of treatment is provided via injection or intravenous infusion. Biologics target specific area of the immune system and act by blocking action of T cells, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, or interleukin 12 and 23. Medications in the category include Amevive, Raptiva, Enbrel and Stelara. As is the case with eczema, it is important to work with your health-care provider to determine the products that provide the best results for you,
Complementary Treatments
In 2007, 38.3 percent of adults were using some type of complementary or alternative form of therapy for acute or chronic conditions.
Because eczema is responsive to allergen triggers, many alternative or complementary medications do not work well with this skin condition because of their often plant-based ingredients. Talk with your health-care provider to determine what should be avoided.
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition that has been shown to possibly respond to ingestion of fish oil supplements because they may alter immune reactivity. It has been shown to possibly result in mild to moderate symptom improvement.
Some psoriasis suffers believe their symptoms are triggered by certain foods. Removing the trigger food type from your diet might result in improved symptoms. However, before making any changes in diet or supplementation it is essential that you discuss them with your health-care provider.
