Biologic Advancements for Psoraisis

Biologic agents over the past 15 years have offered new freedom to people living with psoriasis. These protein molecules administered under the skin decrease the inflammatory response that is created in the skin and cause psoriasis.

Written by Dr. Jerry Bagel

Two treatments in particular Humira and Stelara can improve an individual's psoriasis by75%, 75% of the time.  Furthermore it can improve psoriasis 90%.  Half of the time Humira is administered every other week at home by the patient, whereas Stelara is administered every 12 weeks in the office. 

The most common risk associated with the administration of biologic agents is a 1-2 % increase in infections requiring antibiotic therapy.  Although there has been fear that biologic agents increase the frequency of cancer, both short and long term safety data do not reveal an increase in cancer when biologic agents are used.  

If you are interested in learning more about biologic agents, how they work and what type might be best for you call our office at 609-443-4500.

October is Eczema Awareness Month—How to Avoid Flare-Ups

By Dr. Jerry Bagel

I am often asked by clients who suffer from seasonal outbreaks of eczema why their skin “flares-up” the minute the weather turns from warm to cool—and what they can do to proactively prevent this from happening. Fortunately, thanks to our growing knowledge base about this sometimes severe skin condition, we have many tools at our disposal to lessen, or in some cases, stop eczema breakouts in its tracks.

 

First, to treat eczema we have to understand what it is and what environmental factors contribute to its severity. Eczema is typically referred to as a family of skin conditions that leave the skin inflamed, irritated and itchy.

While eczema itself isn’t contagious, it does cause severe itching. Scratching could result in an open wound that may become infected. Some infections, like staph infections, are contagious and can develop if an eczema wound is left untreated.

So, what causes eczema to flare-up?

A primary cause for eczema flare-ups is what we call thermoregulation.  This means the body has been subjected to sudden climate changes indoors as well as outside. The cool weather reduces the humidity from the air, drying out the skin, causing eczema to flare. Household heaters in the winter drop humidity levels, which also create a perfect environment for eczema flare-ups.

So what can eczema sufferers do to prevent environmental changes from wreaking havoc on their skin? One way to control thermoregulation is by layering your clothing so that your skin isn’t subjected to significant temperature changes when going indoors or outside.

Stress is also linked to eczema flare-ups. When stressed, your body is reacting to a physical “threat” and it’s trying to protect the skin via the immune system, causing a flare-up. The immune system sends a concentration of white blood cells to the affected area causing the skin to become swollen, irritated and itchy. Obviously, stress is a part of mostly everyone’s life, but most patients find that there are many ways (meditation and yoga) that can keep their stress levels from going into the red zone.  Small changes in your routine, such as getting more exercise, building better sleep habits and finding ways to incorporate relaxation into your day, can have a very impactful effect on the severity of future outbreaks.

If you experience an eczema flare-up, we often suggest taking an antihistamine such as Benadryl to relieve the itch. It’s important to use moisturizing creams and mild soaps, like Dove, to help prevent the skin from drying out.  Also, when you dry off after a shower or bath, gently pat dry instead of forcefully rubbing the towel over the affected areas.

For more severe or persistent cases, we typically treat eczema with a prescription for a medicine such as a mild topical Cortisone ointment.

If you suspect you may be developing eczema, or think you are having a flare-up, it’s important to see a dermatologist as soon as possible. If left untreated, eczema can cause permanent changes in skin pigmentation. Also, the longer you’ve had eczema, the more challenging it is to treat.

Eczema is a disruptive and serious skin condition that can strike almost anyone at any time, but luckily, proactive behavior takes advantage of all we have learned about this condition, and enables the patient to control and manage it.

For more information about eczema or to make an appointment with a dermatologist, visit www.WindsorDermatology.com or call 609-443-4500.

Does Using a Tanning Bed Help Treat Psoriasis?

Dr. Jerry Bagel

Have you ever wondered how light therapy can help psoriasis patients? Phototherapy involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet light on a regular basis. It is one of the most effective and safest treatments for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

Essentially, the skin, or epidermis, of a psoriasis patient grows too quickly. A normal epidermis takes 28 days to grow. For those with psoriasis, it takes only four days. 

Narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) rays at 311 nanometers is the wave length of a UVB ray that maximizes the benefit and reduces the risk of skin cancer in the treatment of psoriasis. Narrowband UVB decreases the growth rate of the epidermis allowing the skin to become normal. Also, narrowband UVB rays decrease the proliferation of T cells (immune cells) in the dermis, which is elevated in psoriatic skin and is one of the causes of the increased growth rate of the epidermis.

While light is beneficial for psoriasis, don’t assume that the lamps of a tanning bed and the phototherapy provided at a medical dermatologist’s office are the same thing.

Tanning beds utilize ultraviolet A (UVA) light. UVA wave lengths do not decrease the growth rate of the epidermis. UVA rays promote tanning, but has very little therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of psoriasis.

The National Psoriasis Foundation does not support the use of tanning beds as a treatment option for psoriasis. The American Academy of Dermatology, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all discourage the use of tanning beds and sun lamps. The ultraviolet radiation from these devices can damage the skin, cause premature aging and increase the risk of skin cancer.

While phototherapy is an effective therapy and can keep people clear for six months or more, it only works 70% of the time. In other instances it may be more beneficial to speak with your dermatologist about biologic therapy.

Windsor Dermatology is the home of the Psoriasis Treatment Center of Central New Jersey, the state’s first complete facility for advanced psoriasis clinical research. Call us at (609) 443-4500 to schedule an appointment to find out more about treatment options to reduce your psoriasis symptoms.

November is Healthy Skin Awareness Month!

Everyone knows eating healthy food is good for you, but if you have psoriasis, it’s even more crucial that you nourish your skin with certain nutritional foods and avoid others to reduce flare-ups. 

Psoriasis is More Than Skin Deep

Psoriasis is associated with comorbidity, meaning it is associated with one or more disorders (or diseases) in addition to the primary disease of psoriasis. By following a healthier lifestyle, the less likelihood conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and Crohn’s disease can affect your life. 

Foods to Avoid

A lot of the foods that psoriatics should avoid are also foods identified by nutritionists as those that contribute to a host of other health problems. Avoid these foods to reduce psoriasis flare-ups:

• Processed foods

• Sugary foods (white flour, white rice)

• Omega-6 fatty acids (red meat, cow’s milk, vegetable shortening)

• Alcohol

• Gluten

 Gluten and Psoriasis

In recent years, much has come to the forefront about gluten sensitivity. About 25% of psoriatics are also sensitive to gluten products. Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye foods and is included in a variety of everyday staples—bread, pasta, cheese, dressings, soy sauce, etc. 

Foods that Help

Foods that help psoriatics reduce the amount of inflammation include:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (walnuts, fish such as salmon, anchovies, sardines and mackerel)

• Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, flax)

• Monosaturated fatty acids (avocados, olive oil)

• Leafy green vegetables (kale, spinach, collard greens, swiss chard)

• Colorful vegetables (red cabbage, red, orange and yellow peppers)

• Fresh fruit

 Remember, what we eat is who we are. Following a healthy diet not only helps to reduce psoriasis symptoms, but can set you up for a longer, more active lifestyle.