Tag Archives: Skin disease

Psoriasis

Psoriasis Treatment

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Psoriasis is a scaly and red skin disease characterized by patches of red, itchy skin most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp. There is no cure for this long-term (chronic) disease. The condition goes through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding or remitting for a while. You can manage symptoms with treatments. In addition, lifestyle habits and coping strategies can help you cope with psoriasis better.

There are several types of psoriasis including:

  • Plaque psoriasis
  • Nail psoriasis
  • Guttate psoriasis
  • Inverse psoriasis
  • Pustular psoriasis
  • Erythrodermic psoriasis
  • Psoriatic arthritis
Skin rashes

Symptoms of Psoriasis

The symptoms of Psoriasis can vary from person to person. Common symptoms may include:

  • Thickened, pitted, or ridged nails
  • Swollen and stiff joints
  • Dry, cracked skin that may bleed or itch
  • Itching, burning, or soreness
  • Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales
  • Small scaling spots (commonly seen in children)

Causes of Psoriasis

Research has a general idea of two key factors that cause Psoriasis:

  • Genetics: The condition may run in families. Having one parent with psoriasis increases your risk of getting the disease, and having two parents with psoriasis increases your risk even more.
  • Immune system: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body attacks itself. Psoriasis is caused by white blood cells known as T cells attacking your skin cells. Usually, white blood cells are deployed in the body to attack and destroy invading bacteria and mount a defense against infections. Skin cell production goes into overdrive due to this mistaken autoimmune attack. New skin cells are developed too quickly as a result of accelerated skin cell production. The cells are pushed to the skin’s surface, where they collect.

Diagnosis for Psoriasis

Two tests or examinations may be needed to diagnose psoriasis. 

  • You will be asked about your health and your skin, scalp, and nails will be examined. 
  • A biopsy of a small piece of skin may be taken by your doctor. This helps determine the type of psoriasis and rules out other disorders.  

Treatment and Medication for Psoriasis

Psoriasis treatments aim to reduce the rate at which skin cells grow and remove scales. Treatment depends on the severity of psoriasis and how responsive it has been to previous treatments. You might need to try different drugs or a combination of treatments before you find an approach that works for you. Usually, however, the disease returns.

1. Topical therapy

therapy at clinic

2. Light therapy

  • Sunlight
  • UVB broadband
  • UVB narrowband
  • Psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA)
  • Excimer laser

3. Oral or injected medications

Medications usually recommended used for the treatment of Psoriasis:

If you are considering dietary supplements or other alternative therapy to ease the symptoms of psoriasis, consult your doctor. Your doctor can help you weigh the pros and cons of specific alternative therapies. 

Eczema

Eczema

Disease, , ,

Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become red and itchy. People of all ages can suffer from it. Eczema tends to flare periodically and is long-lasting. Hay fever and asthma are often associated with it.

Eczema has no known cure. Itching can be relieved and new outbreaks can be prevented by self-care measures and treatment. Avoiding harsh soaps, moisturizing your skin regularly, and applying medicated creams and ointments can help. 

Causes of Eczema

Eczema is caused by a combination of immune system activation, genetics, environmental triggers, and stress. 

  • Stress levels can cause or worsen eczema. 
  • Your environment can also cause or worsen eczema. There is a lot in your environment that can irritate your skin. 
  • You are more likely to have eczema if there is a history of dermatitis in your family. 
  • If you have eczema, your immune system overreacts to small irritants. The overreaction can inflame your skin. 

Risk Factors of Eczema

Risk factors that increase your chance of developing eczema include the following:

  • Dry skin – having dry skin can be susceptible to inflammation. When you have less of that moisture barrier, your skin can become easily injured that resulting in inflammation and eczema.
  • Sweating – your body’s sweat contains chemicals that are not as gentle as your skin’s natural moisture barrier. Excessive sweat that remains on your skin can become trapped moisture. This moisture can lead to skin irritation. 
  • Stress – Your hormones and immune system are affected by stress. Anywhere on your body, including on the surface of your skin, these effects can trigger an inflammatory response.
  • Heat or cold – Excess cold or heat can be irritating to the surface of your skin.

Symptoms of Eczema

Eczema signs and symptoms differ from person to person. These signs and symptoms may include:

  • Itching, which may be severe, especially at night
  • Dry skin 
  • Thickened, cracked, scaly skin
  • Sensitive and swollen skin from scratching

Diagnosis of Eczema

Your doctor will likely make a diagnosis by examining your skin and reviewing your medical history. They may also use patch testing or other tests to rule out other skin diseases or detect conditions that accompany your eczema.

Treatment and Medication for Eczema

Eczema can be persistent. You may need to try various treatments to control it. Even if treatment is successful, signs and symptoms may return. 

Treatment should begin as soon as you recognize the condition. Your doctor may suggest one or more of these treatments if regular moisturizing and other self-care steps don’t help:

  • Tacrolimus (Protopic) and Pimecrolimus (Elidel) – are creams that control itching and help repair the skin 
  • Antibiotic cream – to fight infection 
  • Prednisone – to control inflammation 
  • Dupilumab (Dupixent) – used to treat people with severe diseases who do not respond well to other treatment options  
Acyclovir Topical (Zovirax) - An antiviral drug

Acyclovir Topical (Zovirax) – An antiviral drug

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Acyclovir topical is an antiviral drug used in the treatment of skin disease. This disease is caused by herpes simplex virus. It does not cure the disease or prevents it but it helps in slow down the growth and spread of the disease or lessens the symptoms. Once the action is slow down, the body can fight against the infection. Herpes can cause cold sores (red, fluid filled blisters) and genital herpes. Cold sores can be seen mostly near mouth or on other areas of face. It can also be rarely seen on other parts of the body like fingers, nose or inside the mouth. both are contagious. It can be transmitted from one person to another and can last for 15 days or longer.

It stays in nerve tissues. It does not produce any symptoms when it is “asleep” it can affect skin surface, lip and other area by causing blister when it is “awake”.

Types of Herpes

There are two types as follows:

  1. Herpes simplex type 1 virus – this cause cold sores – oral herpes.
  2. Herpes simplex 2 virus – mainly cause genital herpes.

Stages of herpes infection

  1. The tingle stage (Prodrome stage – day 1 & 2) – these are 1st indications. One can face burning, stinging, itching, soreness, tautness or swelling in the affected area.
  2. The blister stage (day 2 & 3) – One can see formation of multiple fluid filled blisters
  3. The weeping stage (Ulcer stage – day 4) – The blister ruptures and fluid with herpes virions are released and sore transforms into ulcer.
  4. The crusting stage (day 5 to 8) – the scabbing takes place where the infected skin is not moist.
  5. The final healing stage (day 9 to 12) – One can see the sore starts healing as the time passes on.

Acyclovir Cream

It is used in the treatment of cold sores. Cream should be applied 4 to 6 times per day for at least 4 days or as directed by physicians as soon as the symptom occurs or when the lesion appear. Each gram of zovirax 5% cream contain 5 mg of acyclovir. It is an antiviral medication which reduces the pain and severity of herpes lesion or sores.

Acyclovir Tablet (Orally)

These tablets are used in the treatment of cold sores, shingles caused by herpes zoster and chicken pox. It is also seen useful for treating genital herpes. It is taken orally as per the doctors’ prescription, mostly 2 to 5 times per day with lot of water or any fluid ( drinking ) . It is available both in capsules or suspension.

Limitation of Zovirax (Generic Name Acyclovir)

There are some limitation with the use of zovirax ,but only in very rare cases.

  1. The most important is, it cannot cure the herpes but it only helps in reducing its symptoms i.e it reduces its ability to multiply in your body. It can still be alive in body and can come back after the present blisters and other symptoms are cured.
  2. Use of acyclovir can cause nausea, vomiting, Diarrhea, headache, weakness etc in some patients.
  3. It may decrease red blood cells count in the body.
  4. It can show skin reactions.
  5. It can even cause threatening for vision.
  6. Some people can also suffer from allergic reaction like difficulty in breathing, rashes, swelling in throat and on tongue etc.
  7. Long term use of acyclovir suppressive regimens can develop acyclovir resistant HSV in infants.
  8. It does not guarantee the recurrence of the blisters after giving a long term treatment also.

Acyclovir is mostly a safe and effective medicine  and the above mentioned reactions  are very rare side effects rarely seen . A patient can be given treatment of suppressive acyclovir therapy for nearly 5 to 10 years. It may be used in pregnancy too. Acyclovir cost much lower as compared to the brand product of Zovirax. As Acyclovir cream show clear and nearly same effects as compare to brand Zovirax.

Treating Health Problems Such Allergies, Skin Disease, Lupus, Cancer Etc.

Treating Health Problems Such Allergies, Skin Disease, Lupus, Cancer Etc.

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Prednisolone is a type of medicine known as steroid. It is used to treat a wide variety of health problems such allergies, skin disease, blood disorder, lupus and even cancer.

If you think you may be suffering from one of these health problems don’t suffer in silence. Prednisolone can be your good choice. Talk to your doctor now. You can buy this drug only with your doctor’s prescription. It is available in the following forms:

  1. Oral tablets
  2. Oral suspension
  3. Syrup
  4. Disintegrating tablet
  5. Oral delayed-release tablet

What are the uses of Prednisolone?

Prednisolone can treat:

How does Prednisolone works?

Prednisolone works by decreasing the inflammation in your body. It blocks the release of substance in your body that causes inflammation.

What is the dosage for Prednisolone?

Your dose depends on:

  • Strength of medicine
  • Time allowed between each doses
  • Number of doses you take each day
  • Medical problems

The recommended dose:

  • Adult- The usual initial dose is 5 mg to 60 mg a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
  • Children- Their dose is based on their body weight. The usual dose is .14 to 2 mg per kg. Take the dose 3 or 4 times a day.

How to take Prednisolone?

  • Take this medication as prescribed by your doctor.
  • Take the medication by mouth with a glass of water.
  • Do not take Prednisolone longer than the recommended time and dose.
  • It is best to take this drug as a single dose after breakfast.
  • Take the medicine with food to prevent stomach upset.
  • For liquid medications, measure the liquid using syringe or dosage cup.
  • If you missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
  • Do not stop taking the medication without telling your doctor.
  • Take the lowest possible effective dose.

What are the precautions in taking Prednisolone?

  • Before taking this medication tell your doctor if you have:
  • Allergic reactions to this medicine with symptoms such as:
  1. Wheezing
  2. Chest tightness
  3. Skin rashes
  4. Trouble breathing
  5. Swelling of lips, mouth and tongue
  • Health conditions such as:
  1. Glaucoma
  2. Herpes simplex
  3. Heart disease
  4. Diabetes
  5. Stomach problems
  6. Liver disease
  7. Mood disorders
  8. Seizures
  • You’re taking any medications.
  • This drug can cause withdrawal symptoms. Do not stop taking this drug all of a sudden.
  • It can weaken your immune system. Stay away from people who are sick.
  • This drug can slow down the normal growth of children if used for a long time. Talk with your doctor.
  • Do not miss a dose to get the most benefits.
  • Do not take this drug if you are pregnant.

Costs of Generic Prednisolone vs Pravachol

The generic brand Prednisolone is cheaper than the brand name Pravachol. Prednisolone 20 mg costs $0.83 per unit price or $25.00 for 30 tabs. While the branded Pravachol 20 mg costs $4.11 per unit price or $123.44 for 30 tabs.