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. 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...

Beneath the surface of your largest organ — your skin — lies a complex web of connections to your diet, your stress levels and even your deepest emotions. Dr. Keira Barr, a pioneering functional dermatologist and author of the book "The Skin Whisperer," has made it her life's work to unravel these intricate relationships. In our interview (below), we dive into Barr's remarkable journey from melanoma survivor to holistic skin health revolutionary. Our discussion highlighted the hidden factors influencing your skin's health, challenging conventional wisdom and offering a fresh perspective on achieving radiant health from the inside out. Barr's journey into functional dermatology began with a shocking personal diagnosis. As she shared, "About 12 years ago, my own health started falling apart ... As a dermatologist, it was very humbling. The focus of my career at that time was skin cancer, melanoma. My own skin started changing, and I had to diagnose myself w...

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,...