Archive for the 'Psoriasis' Category
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013
In a recent post on the National Psoriasis Foundation discussion board, a patient stated that the dermatologist recommended “that I use a tanning bed as this is far more convenient and less costly than using light box therapy.”
This lead to divergent views on the role of tanning beds in psoriasis treatment.
Here’s what we know. (more…)
Psoriasis, Tanning | Comments Off on Tanning beds to treat psoriasis?
Monday, February 18th, 2013
Various topical emollients can affect the penetration of ultraviolet (UV) radiation during phototherapy of psoriasis.
Researchers at the University of Arizona, in Tucson, reviewed the evidence. (more…)
Light Therapy, Psoriasis | Comments Off on Using emollients to increase absorption of UV light in psoriasis
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
Applying the prescription drug tazarotene (Tazorac) to chronic plaque psoriasis is more effective than using a placebo. But how does it compare to the age-old remedy, coal tar?
Researchers from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi reported their findings during the International Congress of Dermatology. (more…)
Coal Tar, Psoriasis | Comments Off on Still useful: Coal tar for treating psoriasis
Friday, August 7th, 2009
Topical indigo naturalis is a traditional Chinese herbal therapy.
In this study by researchers from Taiwan studied its use in treatment-resistant psoriasis. (more…)
Chinese Medicine, Psoriasis | Comments Off on Indigo naturalis to treat plaque-type psoriasis
Thursday, August 6th, 2009
 Researchers from Charité University Medical Center, in Berlin, Germany report on patients taking homeopathic treatment over 2 years. (more…)
Homeopathy, Psoriasis | Comments Off on Homeopathic treatment of psoriasis
Friday, April 3rd, 2009
 There’s evidence that obesity (among other factors) increases the risk for developing psoriasis.
But do obese psoriasis patients who lose weight respond better to pharmacologic treatment? (more…)
Diet-Nutrition, Obesity, Psoriasis | Comments Off on Weight lose and the response to psoriasis treatment
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
Despite the fact that it’s widely believed that lycopene protects against prostate cancer, Dr. Ulrike Peters at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle says “studies of the potentially protective role of lycopene have been contradictory or inconclusive.”
Here are two studies that support her skepticism. (more…)
Cancer, Lycopene, Psoriasis | Comments Off on A contrarian’s view of lycopene and prostate cancer
Wednesday, August 13th, 2008
Curcuma longa (aka turmeric) shows a favorable effect on inflammatory processes such as psoriasis in experiments in mice.
Here’s a study about curcumin taken by mouth. And a reader expands the discussion to include topical therapy. (more…)
Psoriasis, Turmeric | Comments Off on Turmeric comes up short in psoriasis
Friday, March 7th, 2008
Fortifying food, such as wheat and corn flour, with folic acid reduces the risk of spina bifida in babies.
This public health practice was introduced 10 years ago in North America. Now, that practice is being debated in the UK and worldwide. “Are the benefits to the few outweighed by possible harm to some of the many exposed? (more…)
Alzheimer's Dementia, Anemia, Birth Defects, Cancer, Diet-Nutrition, Folic Acid, Heart Disease, Infants, Malaria, Pregnancy, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Diseases, Stroke, Vitamins | Comments Off on The pros and cons of folic acid fortification of foods
Wednesday, July 18th, 2007
“Patients with psoriasis who drink coffee frequently respond better to treatment with methotrexate and sulfasalazine.” This is the conclusion reported by Dr. Yolanda Helfrich during her presentation at the annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology in Philadelphia. (more…)
Coffee, Psoriasis | Comments Off on Coffee and psoriasis
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007
Let’s see, since June last year this blog has summarized 8 reports on the effects of coffee and caffeine and health.
What should we make of all this?
(more…)
Alcoholism/Drug Abuse, Alzheimer's Dementia, Caffeine, Cancer, Coffee, Diabetes Mellitus, Fiber, High Blood Pressure, Osteoporosis, Pain, Psoriasis | Comments Off on Coffee: Should you drink it or not?