Improved Treatments for the 7.5 Million Americans with Psoriasis

According to an August 28^th U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Consumer Update report, technological and medicinal advancements have improved treatment options for many of the estimated 7.5 million Americans with Psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an immune system disorder that causes a skin condition characterized by inflammation and a rapid overproduction of skin cells, which often leads to scaling, pain, swelling, heat, and redness. While there still isn’t a cure for psoriasis, therapeutic and medicinal advances have made controlling the symptoms of psoriasis much more manageable for many patients. Dr. Melinda McCord, who is an FDA dermatologist, explained in an agency news release that “as we better understand the disease, researchers know more about what specific factors to target in order to develop effective treatments. […] As we learn more about the immune pathways that lead to the development of psoriasis, we can target specific molecules for treatment and make more therapeutic options available to patients.”

Experts like McCord highly recommend that those who think they might have psoriasis consult with their healthcare provider or a dermatologist as soon as possible. Seeking an early diagnosis and working with your medical provider to develop a treatment plan that works for you and your lifestyle significantly increases one’s chances of finding effective treatment options. Finding an effective treatment option makes the disease much more manageable and helps reduce the emotional impact that having psoriasis tends to have on many patients.

Common Treatment Options:

-- Topical Creams and Ointments

-- Light Therapy (Phototherapy)

-- Oral Medications / Injections

-- Lifestyle Changes

Instead of using the more traditional step-by-step approach to finding an effective psoriasis treatment, doctors are now able to optimize their “route” of treatment for each patient based on their individual needs, the stage/severity of their condition, their lifestyle, risk-factors, and their responses to the various treatments.

Over the years clinical studies have shown that using topical creams, ointments, and moisturizers can help relieve and control psoriasis symptoms by relieving skin irritation, minimizing flare-ups, and helping to reduce the frequency of flare-ups. Here at Mountainside Medical Equipment we offer a variety of topical creams, ointments, and lotions that are specially formulated to help relieve psoriasis symptoms and make the condition more manageable. Like McCord says, “psoriasis has a great emotional impact on some patients. But it doesn’t have to, given the right care and treatment.” Browse through our selection of skin care products today and see what might help make your condition more manageable.

Sources:

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm411921.htm

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=180524