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New research has found that aloe vera provided greater reduction in disease activity for people with plaque psoriasis than did topical steroids. This is potentially good news for the millions of sufferers of psoriasis who typically rely on a variety of topical treatments including prescription strength steroids that can have a variety of both local and systemic side effects and are sometimes expensive to obtain. The research was presented at the International Congress of Dermatology, which met last week in Prague.
The study involved 80 patients half of whom were randomized to receive 70 percent aloe vera cream and the other half to receive 0.1 percent triamcinolone acetonide cream (a topical steroid). After eight weeks of treatment, patients in the aloe vera group had a greater reduction in their Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) than did patients in the steroid group. PASI is a widely used measurement of psoriasis activity […]

Original post by admin and weightlossopinions.com

Many of our readers either already have or will in the future encounter the possibility of being treated with a biologic medication. This is because biologics have revolutionized the treatment of such chronic illnesses as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, and are widely used in treating a variety of cancers. To name just a few, these products include Enbrel, Humira, Remicade (infliximab), Avonex (inteferon beta-1a), Betaseron (interferon beta-1b), Tysabri, Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), Herceptin (trastuzumab), Rituxan (rituximab), Neupogen (filgrastim), Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) and Leukine (sargramostim). So just what are biologics, how do they differ from more traditional drugs, and why are they so expensive?Although some biologics have been around for a long time, I’m not talking about these first-generation products, which include things like vaccines, blood and blood components. Instead, I’m focusing on the newer, second-generation biologics that have come to market only […]

Original post by natalieb and weightlossopinions.com

Each August the National Psoriasis Foundation sponsors Psoriasis Awareness Month and this year’s theme is “Pools are for recreation, not for discrimination,” because surveys have found that one in five people with psoriasis have reported being denied service at a public pool in the prior 12 months. In fact, however, psoriasis is not contagious and cannot be spread by any form of contact. Unfortunately, many of the approximately 7.5 million Americans with psoriasis suffer from discrimination in any number of public places including pools, hair salons, gyms and health clubs.
To address these issues, Psoriasis Awareness Month 2008 focuses on dispelling the myth that psoriasis is contagious. Rather, it is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin that just happens, in some cases, to look like it might be infectious. But it isn’t. It’s not caused by an infection and doesn’t have any infectious or […]

Original post by natalieb and weightlossopinions.com

I can’t really call tanning salons that use ultraviolet lights or lamps scams because they don’t make fraudulent claims or swindle you out of your money. In fact, you get more for your money than just a tan. Unfortunately, what you get is probably not what you want. That’s because the use of tanning booths increases your risk of skin cancer, and can cause premature aging of the skin, sunburn, eye damage, sensitivity reactions to some medications and immune system dysfunction - a bit more than you bargained for, I’m sure. But don’t take my word for it; see what others have to say.
The World Health Organization “does not recommend the use of UV tanning devices for cosmetic purposes.” The Food and Drug Administration “discourages the use of tanning beds and sunlamps.” The American Academy of Dermatology states that “Tanning beds and sunlamps are just as dangerous [as lying in the […]

Original post by admin and weightlossopinions.com