Psoriasis
Psoriasis means that you make too much skin because your immune
system is overactive. We do not know if an infection is the
trigger of the overactive immunity.
New skin cell is laid down at
its innermost part. Then another cell is laid down underneath
that. As each successive new cell is laid down
underneath it, the cell over it moves outward, until it is shed as
dander or dandruff 28 days later. Psoriasis means that the skin
turns over 7 times as fast as normal so cells are shed after only
four days, instead of the usual 28. This causes thick plaques to
form on top of the skin, particularly at the elbows and knees,
the face and scalp develop thick scales, and the nails thicken and
grow very fast. So, all treatments for psoriasis are aimed at
slowing skin turnover rate to normal.
The most common treatment includes cortisone-type ointments,
but continued use can cause irreversible thinning. Doctors
prescribe light treatments and drugs that sensitize the skin to
sunlight, but they can cause skin cancer, even the deadly
melanoma, many years later. For severe psoriasis, doctors use
drugs which must be carefully monitored, such as methotrexate, but sulfasalazine is far safer,
even though it is not as effective.
Dermal Therapy
smoothes and softens
through the combined moisturizing action of both urea and alpha-hydroxy
acid (lactic acid). This effective lotion helps moisturize skin that
has not been successfully treated by other products.
