Psoriasis can be a very upsetting diagnosis, but you should know that you are not alone. Around 7 million people (2-3%) Americans are affected by psoriasis. People with psoriasis have thickened, red, and often scaly patches on their skin. Psoriasis is very likely to run in families, but it can also be triggered by certain situations, such as emotional stress, injury to the skin, infection, as well as taking certain medications. The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it seems to be caused by errors in how the immune system functions.
Recently, many celebrities have announced that they are afflicted by psoriasis. From Kim Kardashian to CariDee English (winner of America’s Next Top Model in 2006), women famous for their beauty have all of the same treatment options available to them as anyone else.
Finding the treatment that works best for you is key. You should visit a dermatologist to discuss all your options. Most often doctors will prescribe topical steroid creams or ointments that are applied directly to the body or scalp. For more extensive cases of psoriasis ultraviolet (UV) treatments may be considered. Oral medications may also be prescribed or a treatment known as biologics.
Biologics are proteins that treat psoriasis by blocking certain actions of the immune system. These medications include etanercept (Enbrel®), alefacept (Amevive®), and infliximab (Remicade®). These are very costly and may have serious side effects, including infection, immunosuppression, and cancer.
For more information about Psoriasis: Skinsight: Psoriasis • Health.com – CariDeeEnglish Before and After Pictures • Health.com – Kim Kardashian Psoriasis
Last modified on December 6th, 2018 at 6:48 pm