The Medical Advisor

More than a superficial skin condition, psoriasis is a chronic condition of your immune system that triggers cells to build up on the surface of your skin. This leads to thick, scaly and red patches that itch and are sometimes painful. Approximately 7.5 million Americans suffer with psoriasis, which also has a surprising economic impact. (1) The combined annual cost of psoriasis reached nearly $112 billion in 2013 (2). Although it commonly affects the skin, it also affects your joints (psoriatic arthritis), and has been associated with diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease and depression. (3) Psoriasis also has significant emotional and mental impact on patients, with the prevalence of depression measured as high as 50%. (4) While psoriasis is an inflammatory response, it can lead to an infection if you frequently scratch the affected areas. However, psoriasis is not contagious, and you may be able to prevent outbreaks by using some of the strategies outlined below. Not All Psoriasi...

Topical ivermectin is indicated for treating inflammatory lesions of rosacea and head lice infestations. It is also sometimes used off-label for other inflammatory skin conditions, such as perioral dermatitis and scabies. Rosacea Indication:  Topical ivermectin 1% cream, sold under brand names like Soolantra, is FDA-approved for treating inflammatory lesions (pimples and bumps) associated with papulopustular rosacea. Mechanism:  Ivermectin cream is thought to work through its anti-inflammatory effects and by reducing  Demodex  mites on the skin. A high number of these mites may contribute to the inflammation seen in rosacea. Head lice Indication:  Topical ivermectin 0.5% lotion, sold under brand names like Sklice, is indicated for treating head lice in patients six months and older. Mechanism:  Ivermectin paralyzes and kills lice by binding to their nerve and muscle cells. A single 10-minute application is typically sufficient and does not require nit combi...

More than a superficial skin condition, psoriasis is a chronic condition of your immune system that triggers cells to build up on the surface of your skin. This leads to thick, scaly and red patches that itch and are sometimes painful. Psoriasis is a prevalent chronic autoimmune dermatosis affecting approximately 2-3% of the global population, characterized by erythematous, scaly plaques resulting from dysregulated keratinocyte proliferation and T-cell-mediated inflammation. While psoriasis is an inflammatory response, it can lead to an infection if you frequently scratch the affected areas.  In the United States alone, it impacts over 7.5 million individuals (1), imposing substantial economic burdens estimated at $112 billion annually, while increasing risks for comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression (with depression rates up to 50% in affected patients). Current therapies, including topical corticosteroids, phototherapy, and bi...

Taking daily vitamin D supplements — or a combination of vitamin D and omega-3 fish oil — appears to carry a lower risk of developing autoimmune disease, with a more pronounced effect after two years, finds a trial of older US adults published by   The BMJ  today (January 26, 2022). The researchers say the clinical importance of these findings is high, “given that these are well-tolerated, non-toxic supplements, and that there are no other known effective therapies to reduce rates of autoimmune diseases.” Autoimmune disease happens when the body’s natural defense system mistakenly attacks normal cells. Common conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and thyroid diseases, which increase with age, particularly among women. Both vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids derived from seafood are known to have a beneficial effect on inflammation and immunity, but no large randomized trials have tested whether these supplements can lower the risk of autoimmune disease. So researc...

Your skin is the largest organ in your body. Aside from providing you with the sense of touch, it also protects your body from pathogens, harmful ultraviolet damage and environmental dangers. It also facilitates important functions that keep your body alive, such as temperature regulation. (1) Due to the various functions your skin performs, it's also susceptible to various diseases, with eczema and psoriasis being the most common examples. According to the University of California, San Francisco, eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) affects 31 million Americans (2). Meanwhile, psoriasis affects more than 8 million Americans. (3) Distinguishing the Difference Between Eczema and Psoriasis One of the main symptoms of psoriasis is a rash, however its appearance varies widely from person to person. People with darker skin tones have rashes in shades of purple with gray scales, while those with lighter skin tones usually have pink or red rashes with silver scaling. Itching, burning,...