Category: General Dermatology

Psoriasis is a disorder of the immune system which causes the skin to have red raised scaling patches and plaques. It most commonly occurs on the elbows, knees, trunk and scalp, although it may occur anywhere on the body. We may diagnose psoriasis by its clinical appearance or by performing a biopsy.

Many of our patients are very self-conscious of the appearance of it and seek psoriasis treatment that will reduce the appearance of it.  Some treatments are available for treating this condition, ranging from topical creams, shampoos, to oral or injectable medications. We have highlighted some alternative therapies below due to increased inquiry on these remedies.

Typically we choose topical therapy with steroids and medications called keratolytics, which help to reduce inflammation and the thickness of psoriasis plaques, respectively.

Psoriasis Treatment:

• Over the counter shampoos.
• Topical medications that can be used including Salicylic acid (a keratolytic).
• Coal tar (used to slow down the rapid growth of skin cells in psoriasis).

We recommend that patients perform test spots with any new topical medications as some may be irritating to the skin.

Many patients today with chronic conditions, including psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, have an interest in complementary and alternative therapies—these focus more on preventative care and pain management.

Surveys for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and National Center for Health Statistics (part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention) show more than a third of Americans (36 percent) use complementary and alternative therapies. These therapies include diet, herbs and supplements, mind/body therapies such as aromatherapy, yoga and meditation, physical therapies, exercise and the ancient arts of acupuncture and tai chi.

Much of the evidence supporting complementary and alternative therapies for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is anecdotal. Increasingly, researchers have studied complementary and alternative therapies particularly in looking at drug interactions, dietary outcomes and safety. Most complementary and alternative therapies are safe. However, some can interfere with your treatments prescribed by your doctor.

Always talk to your doctor or consult with a licensed health care professional before adding any complementary and alternative treatments to your treatment plan for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Resveratrol was recommended by Dr. Oz as one of the top 4 supplements for a longer life and protects the body from harmful effects of inflammation when taking orally. Now, SkinCeuticals just launched a new antioxidant night concentrate to help repair free radical damage called Resveratrol BE.

It is an antioxidant found in grapes, red wine, nutes and other plants and has the reputation of the longevity molecule. The concentrate night serum combines 1% pure Resveratrol, 0.5% Baicalin and 1% Alpha Tocoperol.

Innovation 1

SkinCeuticals Resveratrol B E is a breakthrough formulation containing a maximized concentration of pure, stable resveratrol to diminish signs of accumulated damage.

 Innovation 2

SkinCeuticals research has shown that when effectively formulated, certain combinations of antioxidants work synergistically, providing results superior to a single antioxidant product.

 A triple US patent pending formulation combining resveratrol with baicalin, and alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) provides more antioxidant protection than any one of these antioxidants alone.

In this video Dr. Mejia explains more about what Skinceuticals Resveratrol BE does for anti aging. Also, if you are in the Palm Beach area, make sure to join us Dr. Mejia and Dr. Oz will be at the Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens on March 29th health and wellness event. Dr. Mejia will be speaking about skin and hair health.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

Happy New Year to all. We wish you a very prosperous and healthy 2014. We are very excited to be an invited speaker at the Dr. Oz Health and Wellness event at Palm Beach gardens in March. I will be having lunch with Dr. Oz on Friday regarding the event. To get ready for the event, we would like to know what questions you have and submit it in the comment below.

WebMD (3/2, Mann) reports that, according to research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, vitamin A supplements may be linked to a reduced risk of melanoma. Investigators “analyzed melanoma risk among 69,635 people.” The investigators “found that those participants who took vitamin A via supplements were about 40% less likely to develop melanoma than those who did not.”

        HealthDay (3/2, Reinberg) reports, however, that “no relationship was seen between melanoma risk and vitamin A in the diet.”

HealthDay (3/4, Mozes) reported, “A mother’s exposure to tobacco smoke during the last three months of pregnancy may increase the risk that her child will develop the allergic skin condition eczema during infancy,” according to a study presented Saturday at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology’s annual meeting. After examining data on “1,400 infants between the ages of two…and 18 months,” researchers “found that eczema rates were significantly higher among children who had been exposed to smoke during their mother’s third trimester than among children who had no smoke exposure.”

HealthDay (3/3, Dotinga) reported that people who smoke are at increased risk of developing psoriasis, according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. After examining data on 2,410 individuals diagnosed with psoriasis, then adjusting for confounding factors, “researchers found that current smokers were about 1.9 times more likely to have psoriasis than nonsmokers. Past smokers were nearly 1.4 times more likely to have the condition.”

The Los Angeles Times (3/6, Healy) reports, “In a bid to make cancer immunotherapy more effective, researchers report they have succeeded in halting the progress of aggressive melanoma in its tracks — at least briefly — in seven patients treated with an army of cloned cancer-fighting immune cells.” Researchers found that, “in one of those patients, the treatment resulted in complete remission of his metastatic melanoma and evidence that his immune system stands ready to fight any return of the cancer after three years.” The research, “published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science, contributes to hopes that a tumor-fighting strategy called immunotherapy can slow, halt or even reverse the growth of a range of cancers — and do so with fewer dangerous side effects.” WebMD (3/6, DeNoon) also covers the story.

HealthDay (3/6, Mozes) reports, “Children with asthma have a higher risk for developing shingles — a painful skin rash — following infection with the herpes zoster virus,” according to a study presented yesterday at the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology annual meeting. After analyzing “277 medical records involving patients under the age of 18 who had experienced an episode of shingles between 1996 and 2001,” then comparing them against the medical records of 277 youngsters without any history of shingles, researchers “found that asthmatic patients were 2.2 times more likely to have a case of shingles compared to those who did not have asthma.”

Dr. Mejia made the top 10 list for the year in Skin & Allergy News based on his Hair Restoration article and video presented earlier in 2011.

Check it out at:
Skin and Allergy News