Psoriasis treatments
Psoriasis treatment with UVB phototherapy was first used in 1925 by Dr Goeckerman, and Coal Tar treatment has existed for more than 100 years. NO other psoriasis treatment has been tested and proven for so long. Often the side effects of drugs are not found for many 20-30 years of use. The two treatments have been combined since the early 1960 s with amazing success in most cases, between 90-95%. We are pleased to offer UV phototherapy light treatment suitable for home use and the treatment of psoriasis and other skin conditions such as Acne, Dermatitis and Vitiligo etc. UV phototherapy light can be harmful if misused. We recommend speaking with a doctor to ensure UV light treatment is suitable for your condition. Possible side effects of UVB include sun burn and skin cancer. However, if used properly these risks are considered extremely small and the benefits out way the possible adverse issues. We also suggest that you consider these possible side effects, but also the guaranteed side effects of nearly every other commercial drug available.
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psoriasis before UVB phototherapy
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psoriasis after UVB phototherapy |
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plaque psoriasis before
UVB treatment
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plaque psoriasis after
5 weeks UV |
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UV phototherapy psoriasis treatment is expensive and often time consuming. With our revolutionary home products you can now treat yourself when and where convenient in the privacy of your own home, at an affordable price. Furthermore, you can apply your own treatment when you psoriasis reoccurs and as needed without the need to see a specialist.
The pictures below show the effectiveness of narrow ban UVB treatment over the older style wide band UVB treatment. The pictures at the top left shows the original untreated condition (a.) The picture at the right shows the results of 5 weeks of wide band UVB treatment on the left section and after 5 weeks of narrow band UVB treatment on the right section (b.) pictures (c) and (d) are close up pictures of the two treatment areas. This trail provides evidence of the superior ability of narrow band UVB phototherapy treatment to clear psoriasis.
what about psoriasis drugs?
Almost every drug used to treat psoriasis has side effects, some very dangerous. Don't take our word for it, see the links to drug manufacturers below. All drugs today only treat the symptoms, and are therefore NOT a cure. You will be very surprised. In most cases we have found dermatologists and doctors NEVER even hint to possible problems and side effects of using these drugs. In most cases we have found doctors do not even bother to warn their patients! I wonder if they get commission for prescribing them? Your body also builds up an immunity to most of these drugs, meaning you have to keep increasing the dosage, which is also ironic since they become more dangerous in higher doses.
Raptiva or Efalizumab - Check back soon for updates, but there is a wealth of information on the internet about Raptiva and the KNOWN side effects;
Here is an extract from Raptiva's manufacturer information;
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Patient Information
RAPTIVA (Rap-TEE-vah)
(efalizumab)
for injection, subcutaneous
Read the Patient Information that comes with RAPTIVA ? (efalizumab) before you start using it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. It is important to remain under a healthcare provider's care while using RAPTIVA. Do not change or stop treatment without first talking with your healthcare provider. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions about RAPTIVA.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RAPTIVA?
RAPTIVA can decrease the activity of your immune system. Therefore, people using RAPTIVA may have an increased chance of getting:
Serious infections. Some infections could become serious and in rare cases may lead to death. If you have an infection, tell your healthcare provider before you start using RAPTIVA. If you get an infection that does not go away while taking RAPTIVA, tell your healthcare provider right away.
Cancers. Many drugs that decrease the activity of the immune system can increase the risk of cancer. If you have had cancer you should tell your healthcare provider before you start taking RAPTIVA. The role of RAPTIVA in the development of cancer is not known.
Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia). Platelets help your blood clot. Low platelets give you a higher chance for bleeding. Call your doctor right away if you have increased bruising or bleeding. Your healthcare provider may do regular blood tests to check your platelets while you are taking RAPTIVA.
Low blood counts (anemia). RAPTIVA may increase the breakdown of your red blood cells and cause very low blood counts. Call your doctor right away if you feel weak and lightheaded, your skin and eyes turn yellow in
colour or your urine turns red or dark.
Worsening of psoriasis. Some patients have had severe worsening or new forms of psoriasis while taking RAPTIVA or after stopping RAPTIVA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if your psoriasis gets worse or if you see any new rashes during or after treatment with RAPTIVA.
Arthritis. Some patients have had worsening or new arthritis while taking RAPTIVA or after stopping RAPTIVA. Tell your health care provider if you have severe redness, pain, swelling, or stiffness of joints such as hands, knees, ankles, etc.
You should not receive vaccines while using RAPTIVA. RAPTIVA may prevent a vaccine from working. Talk to your healthcare provider if you need to receive a vaccine while using RAPTIVA.
We receive so many questions about Raptiva, we have a dedicated Raptiva or Efalizumab page.
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Enbrel or Etanercept Enbrel has caused deaths! An FDA warning exists regarding this drug, it can be viewed here. We have had many people ask about the Enbrel drug recently so we have done some research. Enbrel is a drug designed to treat Arthritis and not psoriasis. Some of the test patients in-fact died as a result of the drug. The FDA has released a warning about this drug back in 1999 that can be found at the FDA's web page here. However it can be summarised as; FDA is advising physicians about new safety concerns regarding the use of Etanercept (Enbrel), a product recently approved to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). New post marketing reports indicate that certain patients receiving Enbrel have developed serious infections, including sepsis, and that several of these patients have died from their infections. Since the drug's approval, 30 of the estimated 25,000 patients treated with Enbrel are reported to have developed serious infections, including sepsis. Six of these patients died within two to sixteen weeks after starting treatment. A number of these RA patients had a history of chronic or recurrent infections, pre-existing infections, diabetes, or other conditions that predisposed them to infections. Anthralin - Can cause irritation and temporary staining of the skin and has caused tumours in laboratory test. Cortisone - Steroids such as Diprosone, thinning of the skin, dilated blood vessels, bruising, skin colour changes and hair loss. psoriasis often flares up much worse after discontinuing steroids. Long term use of Hydrocortisone can cause liver and kidney disease and worsen psoriasis. Large amounts of Hydrocortisone are found in the Skin Cap and Blue Cap and other "zinc" sprays. Synthetic Vitamin D & A - Hair loss & liver failure, miscarriage & birth defects in women (up to 3 years after use,) dryness of the skin, lips and eyes, elevation of fat levels in the blood, and formation of tiny bone spurs. Methotrexate - Although used to treat cancer, it is also an anti-inflammatory. Known side effects include liver disease, upset stomachs, high blood pressure, nausea and dizziness. PUVA - Skin aging, freckling, and skin cancer, requires drugs that effect your eyes and liver. Neotigason - Active ingredient is Acitretin. Headache, malaise, drowsiness, sweating, decrease in night vision as well as muscle, joint and bone pain have been reported. Increased hair loss, hair thinning, frank alopecia, nail fragility and paronychia are frequently observed. Rarely, patients may experience photosensitivity reactions. Hyperostosis including vertebral hyperostosis and bridging of vertebral bodies; exostoses; extra skeletal calcifications including soft tissue calcifications; calcification of the anterior spinal ligament and calcification of tendons and ligaments especially ankles, knees and pelvis; periosteal thickening; disk narrowing; cortical bone resorption; osteoporosis; thinning of bones; fractures; premature epiphyseal closure and painless muscle stiffness. Severe skin reactions, including erythema multiforme and toxic epidermal necrolysis may occur rarely. Patients may experience photosensitivity reactions rarely. Soriatane (Acitretin) - Wow and this is one of the newer "wonder drugs." Usually the skin condition returns and you may need to begin taking Acitretin again. Acitretin must not be used to treat women who are able to bear children. Acitretin must not be taken during pregnancy because it causes birth defects in humans. Men and women should not drink alcohol during treatment and for 2 months after discontinuing the medicine. Men and women should not donate blood during treatment and for 2 or 3 years after discontinuing the medicine. Women should use two methods of very effective birth control methods. In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. Acitretin is shown to cause serious birth defects and other problems in humans. children may be more sensitive to some of the medicine's effect on bones, which may prevent normal bone growth. Acitretin can worsen high cholesterol and inflammation of the pancreas. plus the usual synthetic vitamin type side effect of thinning of the hair. Aside from birth defects, less frequent but potentially serious adverse events that have been reported include liver toxicity, pancreatitis and increased intracranial pressure, as well as bone spurs, alteration in lipid levels and possible cardiovascular effects, and eye problems. In addition, the revised label includes precautions about depression, noting, "Depression and/or other psychiatric symptoms such as aggressive feelings or thoughts of self-harm have been reported." See here for the FDA's comments on the Soriatane warning label.
? Tarzoral by Allergan - Allergan Inc suffered a set back when the FDA (USA) rejected their drug Tarzoral, for psoriasis (July 2004.) The panel said that the risks outweighed the benefits. Risks included birth defects and weakened bones. Tarzoral is a drug designed to treat the scaly bumps and flaky skin of moderate to severe psoriasis. It is the capsule version of tazarotene, a retinoid (retinoids are known to cause birth defects). In two of the main studies only one fifth of the patients experienced any improvement while one tenth experienced bone density loss.
To look up other drugs, see the American National Library of Medicine here;
Has your doctor properly informed you of the side effects of each drug?
tell me about Skin-Caps
Don't risk with dangerous products. Since 1997 it is illegal for US pharmacies to promote the compounding of any particular drug, class or type of drug. They may only advertise their compounding capability. Any pharmacy that dispenses compounded medications for third party resale is operating outside of their pharmacy associations' code of ethics.
Since 1999, there have been various telemarketing campaigns of newspaper and radio ads for topical zinc pyrithione products such as SkinZinc, Acadia Skin Care, Skin-plaque and others. In 1990, the FDA specifically banned the promotion of zinc pyrithione products for psoriasis treatment. Recent clinical trials of such products have found them generally ineffective for psoriasis. There are a few public reports of people having success with a topical zinc pyrithione shampoo (such as Head & Shoulders) on the skin, but that's not a typical response. Generic dandruff shampoos have about ten times the concentration of active ingredient compared to the over hyped "Zinc" sprays. Skin-Cap is a product from Spain that contains a very potent and highly dangerous steroid that is illegal in most countries, it also DOES NOT list the steroid in the ingredients and claims to have FDA approval, when the FDA have given no such approval. Some users of Skin-Cap have required hospitalisation. In fact, currently in the USA there are in excess of 50 law suits pending against the US distributor of this product alone. Here is a link to the National psoriasis Foundation of America and their findings on Skin-Cap and Blue-Cap and similar "silver" steroid based products.
This product is so dangerous and widely mis-represented that we have a dedicated page regarding Skin-Cap here.
research the facts about UVB yourself
We will NOT show you any misleading testimonials, or any amazing "before & after" pictures of glamorous models (well one or two.) psoriasis is a cruel disease, and our UVB treatment is technically proven to reduce the severity of the disease is most cases. You will find many leading dermatologists recognise the benefits of UVB treatment, but it is only recently available for home and personal application. UVB light globes are only manufactured by a limited number of companies, and traditionally have been very
expensive. Hence the UVB light products are also expensive, and often too expensive to purchase for home use. Unfortunately, the very nature of UVB light treatment requires application about 3-5 times per week (ideally everyday.) Meaning that treatment is very time consuming and expensive. We now give you the ability to manage your own UVB treatment at home. UVB is the only recognised treatment that does not require accompanying drugs and is essentially side effect free. See what the National psoriasis Foundation of America has to say about UVB treatment.
There is NO absolute no psoriasis cure. Only effective psoriasis treatments. Anyone claiming to have a cure is deliberately misleading you (and probably after your money!) We do NOT claim to have a cure, but a very effective proven psoriasis treatment that works for the largest majority of sufferers, well over 90-95% in fact. Many dermatologists recommend UVB phototherapy treatment which is expensive and normally only available at specialist hospitals. We are pleased to offer a unique UVB medical quality solution that is available for convenient, cost effect, personal use in the privacy of your own home (when you need it most !!) UVB light treatment is also extremely successful in helping to clear Acne and other skin related problems.
products for the treatment of psoriasis
We offer a variety of products for treatment of psoriasis. Please click here to see all products or here for the
Dermaray UV treatment comb. |
