Vitamin D For Psoriasis

Oral doses of vitamin D have been considered as a treatment for psoriasis. This was sparked by experiments with cholecalciferol or 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25 (OH)2D3), the active form of vitamin D made in the kidney, which showed promise in treating widespread psoriasis.

Using a one microgram daily dose of cholecalciferol, Japanese researchers in 1986 managed to treat 13 out of 17 psoriatic patents within three months. But there are risks involved with this therapy.

High doses of vitamin D often leads to hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels) which is characterized by nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and coma. This was observed in the Japanese study and can occur in those taking 1,000 lUs (international units) or more of vitamin D.

The topical use of cholecalciferol by the same researchers proved to be more beneficial and less toxic. Sixteen out of 19 patients were treated within three weeks with a dose of 0.5 microgram per gram compared to three months with oral doses. Still, the possibility of hypercalcemia remained since vitamin D is absorbed by the skin.

That was until researchers at Leo Pharmaceutical Products in Denmark tried to develop a new form of vitamin D which could clear up psoriatic plaques minus the risks encountered in both oral and topical applications of cholecalciferol. That led to the discovery of calcipotriol.

Calcipotriol is a vitamin D3 derivative which is just as effective as cholecalciferol in controlling rapid cell growth in psoriatic skin yet 100 - 200 times less likely to produce hypercalcemia. Unlike other creams and ointments, it is colorless and odorless and generally well-tolerated by patients.

This vitamin D3 analogue is recommended for the treatment of plaque-type psoriasis and can be used alone or in combination with UVB radiation (which was tackled earlier in this series). The exact mechanism of calcipotriol is unknown but numerous studies have established the efficacy of this drug.

Controlled clinical trials have shown that calcipotriol is just as effective as some steroids and more effective than anthranol (both of which were discussed in this series) in treating plaque-type psoriasis. Patients using the recommended dose of 50 micrograms per gram twice daily for six months have not developed hypercalcemia, making calcipotriol safer than other conven¬tional psoriasis regimens.

The long-term effects of calcipotriol, however, are unknown and its safety in children and pregnant women has not been established. Using more of the drug can also be dangerous. If you go beyond the recommended dose and use more than 100 grams a week, you may suffer from high blood calcium levels.

So far, the only side effect reported is a mild skin irritation that occurs in 10 to 20 percent of patients who use calcipotriol. But this can be controlled by means of careful application. Calcipotriol should not be used on the face and patients are advised to wash away traces of the ointment that accidentally get in other unaffected areas of the skin. If you experience skin irritation, stop treatment and consult a doctor immediately.

By Sharon A Bell

Learn How To Naturally Treat Dry Skin, Eczema And Psoriasis

Managing the problem of dry skin is a one billion dollar industry. Sufferers will go to great lengths to overcome the effects of dry skin and the symptoms brought on by eczema and psoriasis. The causes of dry skin are varied ranging from genetics, aging, exposure to heaters, fans, air conditioners to eczema and psoriasis.
Your occupation may require frequent hand washing which can leave your hands feeling dry, rough and cracked. This condition is often prevalent in nurses, waiters, hair dressers and moms to name just a few. It's important to learn how to naturally treat dry skin.
Eczema, called "the itch that rashes" because the itching begins before the rash appears, affects thirty million people in the United States, three million of whom are children. The most common form of this disease is called atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema affecting nearly 20% of the world's population. Incredibly 75% of children who suffer atopic dermatitis develop hay fever or asthma later on. 90% develop symptoms before they reach age 5. Learn how to naturally treat eczema.
Psoriasis, while not as prevalent as eczema, affects over seven million Americans with thousands of new cases diagnosed every year. Worldwide about 125 million people suffer from this disease. The most common form is called plaque psoriasis. While the exact cause of psoriasis is not known there is a theory. Skin cells on the surface of the skin are replaced every 27-28 days. With psoriasis, however, this replacement of cells happens much faster, every 3-4 days. This rapid replacement of cells before they mature wrecks havoc in the form of scaly white patches of skin that causes itchiness and often extreme irritation. It is best to avoid the triggers that can bring on psoriasis such as emotional stress, some prescription medications and skin injury to protect yourself against this disease and treat it naturally. Some might also have a genetic predisposition for psoriasis.
How does one find relief from itchy dry skin? Many products on the market seem to solve the problem part way. Petrolatum, though very greasy, has a long history of being a safe ingredient for drugs and cosmetics. It's more commonly known as its brand name Vaseline. It provides a protective barrier in the topmost layer of the skin retaining moisture which allows the skin to heal faster. Petrolatum, paired with glycerin in the right amounts, are probably the two most effective ingredients to battle itchy skin. For those who suffer psoriasis glycerin, with its ability to penetrate through layers of skin, will find much relief.
By Kay Nicholas

Do You Know The Symptoms Of Psoriasis?

Man, I'm so tired of reading everybody's stuff about Psoriasis, especially this topic, because obviously they never had Psoriasis. My Psoriasis began when I was 25 years old and I'm 59... and it is only as recent as two years ago that I really and seriously did something about improving it. So do you think I know something about the symptoms of psoriasis?

First, I'll tell you how it started and what I think could have triggered it based on my past research. Then, since I've had psoriasis from toe nails to scalp, I think I'm quite capable of describing the symptoms. What do you think?

Here we go. I was driving a Cutlass Supreme at the time and it was summer in Montreal. Sticking my arm out the window to wave to my wife, the chrome piece of molding along side the door panel was damaged and made a nice scratch on my left forearm. Thinking nothing of it... I went on my way. Little did I know then, that I had just been subjected to toxins, bacteria, and whatever, from that piece of molding. The beginning of mine which spread to my elbows first.

I hate it when people say that the symptoms of plaque psoriasis, as an example, is red... itchy skin...covered with silvery scales. Hello, this is not a symptom... it's a full blown psoriasis. Now do you see what I mean.

In all forms of psoriasis except maybe behind the ears, you will first experience very small or a tiny red pimple or pimples wherever it is starting. However, this pimple doesn't hurt like a regular pimple, it's itchy. It's when you go scratch at it that you'll feel relieved while at the same time removing a small piece of skin. That my friends, is a tiny silvery scale, your first symptom.

Thinking nothing of it, more of these little pimples will begin to show up, and as usual, you'll scratch and remove to relieve the itch. As new ones develop... the old ones are beginning to show sign of growing (getting bigger). Yo scratch and remove a bigger scale. Eventually, the start joining together. Those are the true symptoms of psoriasis... nothing else.

If you see your toe nails getting thicker or yellowish, this is a sign of bacteria, toxins, parasites etc., the root of psoriasis... another symptom of psoriasis. If you see your finger nails become pitted, this is another symptom of psoriasis.

If you see or feel flaking or cracking behind the ears... that's another symptom of psoriasis. Inflamed or swollen patches are also another sign.

So my advice to you is when you see any of those symptoms, don't run to your dermatologist so he can prescribe cream! Your wasting precious time. Your goal is to kill the toxins, or parasite thats giving you the psoriasis... and change your diet not to get reinfected.

Best of luck!

By Jonathan G. Michel