Although the cause of psoriasis is not fully known — most experts consider it a disorder of the growth and reproduction of skin cells or an immune-mediated disorder — a new study in Journal Watch Dermatology (also mentioned in the February 2007 Allure) found that women who had gained 35 pounds or more since 18 had an 88 percent greater risk of psoriasis than for those whose weight was stable. The study followed 78626 women for 14 years. According to Arahti R. Setty, a researcher and doctor at Harvard Medical School, fat deposits can cause chronic, low-grade inflammation that may trigger the disease. The finding was also verified in a 2007 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
For overweight women with psoriasis, this means that patients may be able to reduce their symptoms by losing weight, adds Setty. In fact, according to Setty, some women have even reported complete remission of psoriasis following weight-loss surgery.
This is exciting news for anyone with psoriasis who has tried other treatment options in the past. Excellent weight loss options include speaking to your physician, following the diet in nutritionist Joy Bauer’s Food Cures, NutriSystem (for which meals are provided for you), and Weight Watchers (better for those who can’t always dine in. The equation: 50 calories or 12 fat grams = 1 point, and you can take off 0.8 points if the food has 4 grams of fiber or more, or find Point Lists online. Also, I am not sure of this, but I think, if you are less than 150 pounds, you eat 20 points a day with 35 “flex” points per week; 150-175 pounds, 22 points per day with 35 “flex” points per week; 175-200 pounds, 24 points per day with 35 “flex” points per week; and if you are over 200 pounds, eat 26 points a day with 35 “flex” points per week. Consult Weight Watchers for full support and meal plan information.) With any weight loss plan, always consult your physician, and remember that it may be unhealthy to lose more than 2 pounds per week after the first week.
Next up: Green Cream review!
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January 21st, 2008
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futurederm |
Psoriasis Treatments |
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Maybe it’s the winter months, According to Dr. Leslie Baumann’s Cosmetic Dermatology, dry skin is a condition that is characterized by the lack of less than 10% water content in the stratum corneum (uppermost layer of the skin).
What are some factors that can lead to dry skin?
According to Cosmetic Dermatology, agents that can lead to dry skin include hot water, detergents, friction from clothing, frequent air travel, pollution, certain chemicals, and air conditioning.
What can be done about dry skin on the body?
1. Limit the length and temperature of your showering and bathing
Although pleasant, hot water can rob your skin of much-needed moisture. Try to limit yourself to water that is warm at best for no longer than 10-15 minutes, according to the University of Iowa Health Center.
2. Use bath oils
Dr. Audrey Kunin, a Kansas City-based dermatologist suggests in The DermaDoctor Skinstruction Manual to use Balnetar Therapeutic Tar Bath ($23.00, Amazon.com) is commonly used by individuals with psoriasis. According to Kunin, “The tar helps alleviate the itching and flaking, while the oil base helps hydrate dry, cracking skin.” As with any bubble bath, watch out for the slippery tub afterwards! Avoid soap, which can be drying. An excellent choice for body wash for dry skin is California Baby Tea Tree Oil and Lavender Shampoo and Shower Gel ($9.95, Amazon.com), with hydrating oils, anti-bacterial tea tree oil, and soothing lavender.
For hands, in the winter months, keep a gentle all-purpose cleanser like Cetaphil instead of soap by the sink, and carry a hydrating hand cream with you. One of my favorites is the facial cream Olay Regenerist UV — it’s small enough to fit into most purses, and with niacinamide and vitamin C to treat signs of aging, as well as additional antioxidants and sunscreen to prevent aging, it works great as a great hand cream year-round!
3. Towel dry and moisturize immediately after bathing
Kunin recommends the Aquis bath towel ($16.99, Amazon.com) which “looks like a towel, but works like a sponge” to quickly remove water fro the skin before evaporation has an opportunity to dehydrate it.
4. Switch between two different kinds of body moisturizers
After you towel dry, increase the moisture content in your skin by applying the right moisturizers immediately.
For the body, Kunin recommends switching between creams. Use “passive protectants” during dry periods to hydrate and enhance the skin barrier, like Eucerin Cream ($15.70, Amazon.com) or Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Care Cream ($5.95, Amazon.com). Then, when skin is more calm, switch to an “active moisturizer” to exfoliate and soften the skin, like AmLactin 12% Moisturizing Cream (pictured above; $14.99, Amazon.com) or DERMAdoctor KP Duty ($36.00, Amazon.com).
In addition, according to the University of Iowa, particularly red patches should be treated with a cortisone gel for 5-15 days. One particularly helpful piece of advice featured in this article said that, if it makes your skin redder and itchier than it was before, you should stop use and talk to your doctor.
5. Evaluate your environment
Humidifiers can help to infuse dry fall and winter air with much-needed moisture.
As A Result…
Don’t let the environment strip your body’s skin of much-needed moisture in the winter. Limit the time and temperature of your showers and baths, use bath oils and hydrating shower gels, towel dry and moisturize immediately after, switch between moisturizers, and try to get a humidifier. These five steps should help alleviate that dry skin! 
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January 8th, 2008
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futurederm |
Best Products, Dry Skin Treatments, How to Get Rid of..., Psoriasis Treatments |
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