Here is a piece of news that may be the answer to finally differentiate between psoriasis and eczema, this could have a huge impact on early treatment for both patients.

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In many patients it is not easy to differentiate between the chronic inflammatory skin diseases psoriasis and eczema. Researchers at the Helmholtz Zentrum München and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now developed a procedure based on a skin analysis that enables an exact diagnosis to be made.

In some patients, the chronic inflammatory skin diseases psoriasis and eczema are similar in appearance. Up to now, dermatologists have therefore had to base their decision on which treatment should be selected on their own experience and an examination of tissue samples. A team of researchers at the Helmholtz Zentrum München and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now analyzed the molecular processes that occur in both diseases and discovered crucial differences. This has enabled them for the first time to gain a detailed understanding of the ways in which the respective disease process occurs. Building on this knowledge, the scientists, led by Dr. Stefanie Eyerich and Prof. Dr. Kilian Eyerich as well as Prof. Dr. Fabian Theis, have developed a diagnostic procedure which in practice enables psoriasis and eczema to be reliably differentiated from one another on the basis of only two genes.

“Both diseases have a highly complex appearance, which often varies widely from one patient to another,” says Dr. Stefanie Eyerich, who heads the Specific Immunology working group at the Institute of Allergy Research (IAF) at the Helmholtz Zentrum München. “This has led previous attempts to compare their molecular signature to fail.” In this study, the researchers identified 24 patients who were suffering simultaneously from psoriasis and eczema and in each analyzed at the molecular level the characteristic differences they demonstrated between psoriasis and eczema compared to clinically unremarkable skin.

“We were thus able to drastically reduce random genetic or environmental influences and gain a detailed picture of the development of these two diseases,” explains Prof. Fabian Theis of the Institute of Computational Biology (ICB) at the Helmholtz Zentrum München.

In recent years, many new specific treatments have been developed for psoriasis and eczema. However, in each case, these are only effective for one or other of the two diseases. And they are very expensive: one such treatment generally costs several tens of thousands of euros per year, per patient. The ability to make an exact diagnosis therefore has a considerable economic impact.

If it cannot be clearly determined on presentation which of the two diseases is involved, the newly developed diagnostic tool will help to differentiate them. It involves a test which compares samples of diseased and healthy skin and is concluded within one day. The researchers have now filed a patent application for it.

The procedure, moreover, marks the first step towards the introduction of personalized medicine also for chronic inflammatory skin diseases. “Whereas this is practiced increasingly in oncology, for example in the form of mutation analyses and the subsequent decision in favor of the best individual treatment option, it is not common in the case of inflammatory skin diseases,” says Kilian Eyerich of the Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology at the Technical University of Munich.

The researchers plan to purse this path with a view to characterizing even more precisely the molecular processes involved in inflammatory skin diseases and combining them with clinical information, such as the choice of certain treatments. In this way, their goal is to determine the best possible treatment option for each individual patient.

This is an early view before publication and it looks at the Clinical factors affecting quality of the response to Stelara (ustekinumab) for psoriasis.

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Ustekinumab has demonstrated efficacy for psoriasis. However, it is known that approximately 30% of patients have shown insufficient response.

The aim of the current study is to clarify the specific clinical factors that could be associated with response to ustekinumab treatment. We reviewed the medical records of all patients who were treated with ustekinumab. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score was calculated, and the efficacy was evaluated at week 0 and week 16. The relationship between clinical efficacy and the patients’ background was investigated. The patients, who showed a <74% reduction in the PASI score, were classified as insufficient-responders. A total of 74 patients (average 60.3 years old, male to female ratio 54:20) were examined retrospectively. Eighteen patients were identified as insufficient-responders.

Each of the factors, body weight (BW) over 80 kg, body mass index (BMI) over 25, or smoking habit over 20 cigarettes/day showed a higher proportion of insufficient-responders compared with responders, although the difference was not statistically significant. Patients with previous exposure to biologics showed a significantly lower response to the treatment. Furthermore, a statistical difference was identified between patients with none of these factors and patients with some of these factors.

Our data suggest that some factors, such as high BW, high BMI, a smoking habit over 20 cigarettes/day, or exposure previous treatment with biologics are likely to affect the quality of the response to ustekinumab. Therefore, these factors need to be taken into account when ustekinumab is administrated.

i've gpt moderate psoriasis on body, severe on scalp.i have been drinking way too much past several months and believe this is the trigger. started the clean gut cleanse, giving up all caffeine, sugar processed foods - following it strictly. a week into this find that I have a bad rash on my stomach and back. could this be due to the supplements dr. junger recommends? I'm taking all of them. or perhaps it is the hemp powder in the shakes? help. i don't know what to do. i don't want to go back on topical steroids.

will this rash go away? any suggestions on what to eliminate, if anything and still stay on clean gut?

hi my name is Andrea i have had psoriasis for 40 yrs.its really bad at the moment i am thinking of having stelare can anyone give me some help pls help

This article is an early view before publication in The The Journal of Dermatology.

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Abstract:
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with several comorbidities. Osteoporosis is defined as a reduction in bone mineral density with impaired bone microarchitecture.

Several mechanisms may be implicated as a possible cause for the association between psoriasis and osteoporosis, such as systemic inflammation, anti-psoriatic drug intake and joint dysfunction for psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

The aim of the present study was to assess bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with psoriasis, correlating the prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, mean duration of psoriatic disease, PsA and previous treatments for psoriasis. Forty-three consecutive patients with psoriasis, 19 of whom were affected by the arthropathic form, were enrolled. We evaluated the severity of psoriasis as measured by PASI score, the CASPAR criteria and ultrasounds of the joints to verify the diagnosis of PsA and the age of psoriasis onset to estimate mean disease duration.

Patients underwent a bone density scan of the lumbar spine and femoral neck by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure BMD. Patients with osteopenia/osteoporosis showed a statistically significant longer average duration of psoriatic disease (17 years), compared to patients affected by psoriasis with normal T-score (8.8 years) (P = 0.04). The linear logistic regression confirms a significant relation between mean psoriatic disease duration and BMD alterations (P = 0.04).

Our results suggest the necessity of an early diagnostic evaluation of bone metabolism in patients with psoriasis, especially if characterized by longer disease duration.

This expert group consensus article published in The Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology proposes a set of four items to screen psoriasis patients for psoriatic arthritis for routine clinical use by dermatologists.

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Background:
Up to 29% of patients with psoriasis seen by dermatologists have undiagnosed psoriatic arthritis (PsA). As early detection of PsA may be associated with improved joint and skin outcomes, it is essential for dermatologists to improve their ability to diagnose PsA. Skin and nail features of psoriasis associated with PsA are well known to dermatologists but they may feel less confortable assessing other symptoms and they rarely use PsA screening questionnaires.

Objective:
To develop a limited list of clinical signs and symptoms that a dermatologist should be looking for in a psoriasis patient in addition to specific skin features and nail involvement, to improve PsA detection.

Methods:
A systematic search was performed in pub med, Cochrane and Embase databases to identify clinical key symptoms associated with PsA. It yielded 27 studies in which we extracted a list of clinical signs and symptoms observed in PsA and submitted it to a panel of dermatology experts through a DELPHI selection process. The experts had to determine which minimal set of signs and symptoms dermatologists should look for in daily practice to improve detection of PsA in patients with psoriasis.

Results:
The four items that received a score higher than 90% in the DELPHI process were finally selected. Those items were as follows: peripheral inflammatory pain (100%), axial inflammatory pain (95.3%), dactylitis (93%), buttock and sciatic pain (90.7%). The remaining items: distal interphalangeal joints (DIPs) involvement (83.7%), Talalgia (79.1%), swollen Achille's tendon (41.9%), costo-chondral involvement (32.6%), uveitis (7%), mouth ulcerations (2.3%), were not retained.

Conclusion:
We propose a set of four items to screen psoriasis patients for psoriatic arthritis for routine clinical use by dermatologists.

This study looked into possible association between metabolic syndrome and psoriasis, (metabolic syndrome is a disorder of energy utilization and storage).

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Background:
Psoriasis (PS) has been suggested to be associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in numerous studies with conflicting results. The vast majority of previous data were based on PS subjects from hospitals, and when based on data from the general population the PS subjects were often identified in insurance health databases. Furthermore, many studies used a single method approach, e.g. self-reported diagnosis.

Objective:
We have therefore investigated a possible association between PS and MetS on PS subjects from the hospital as well as the general population using combined methods, i.e. self-reported diagnosis, physical examinations and blood samples.

Methods:
A population- and hospital-based cross-sectional study of the possible association between PS and MetS.

Results:
Thirty-six hospital PS subjects, 860 population PS subjects and 14 016 non-PS subjects were identified. The odds ratios (ORs) for hospital PS subjects and population PS subjects vs. population non-PS subjects, respectively, were 5.14 (2.47–10.69) and 1.29 (1.09–1.53) for MetS, 4.55 (1.91–10.85) and 1.16 (0.85–1.59) for diabetes, 1.92 (0.87–4.22) and 1.00 (0.86–1.17) for hypertension, 4.34 (1.86–10.10) and 1.15 (1.00–1.34) for hypertriglyceridaemia, 3.88 (1.96–7.69) and 1.19 (1.01–1.42) for hypoHDL, 5.77 (2.89–11.52) and 1.19 (1.00–1.41) for general obesity and 2.92 (1.45–5.88) and 1.34 (1.16–1.55) for abdominal obesity. Obesity acted as a possible confounder. A uniform pattern of higher ORs for hospital PS subjects when compared to population PS subjects was observed. The severity and duration of PS did not seem to affect the results. As this is a cross-sectional study we cannot demonstrate causality.

Conclusion:
The data suggested an association between PS and MetS as well as its individual parameters on a hospital-based level, with the exception of hypertension. On a population-based level the associations were only significant for MetS, hypoHDL and abdominal obesity.

Hi everyone. So glad to find a friendly place that has a strong anti cyber-bullying policy. I've had plaque psoriasis for about 30 yrs but just recently began to deal with it. I live in Chicago. I'm here to learn and share.

Here on behalf of my 10yr old daughter Alisha. She has had psoriasis for 3 years, misdiagnosed for the first 6 months. Did 18mths of prescription medication with no improvement until her torso and scalp were thick with scales. Called a halt when they wanted to put her on Methotrexate and went homeopathic and using creams and shampoos from Holland & Barrett. Considerable improvement, scalp virtually clear and scattering of scales over torso. she had some problems at school with nasty comments but we tackled it head on and literally held a show and talk session where the kids could look and ask her questions! Worked amazingly and they all defend her if anyone says anything negative. She gets a little down now and again but we openly talk about it. Interested to share experiences and tips from other families of young sufferers.

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Psoriasis is not uncommon in the reproductive years and therefore in pregnant patients. There are limited data about the impact of psoriasis on the course and prognosis of pregnancy and about the impact of pregnancy on the course of psoriasis. Usually the disease improves during pregnancy and patients experience worsening between 4 and 6 weeks after delivery.

A safe option for patients with limited disease is topical therapy, including moisturizers and topical steroids as well as UVB phototherapy. In the case of active psoriasis or even psoriasis worsening during pregnancy, there might be a need for continuation or even introduction of systemic therapy.

Methotrexate and acitretin are known teratogens and mutagens, and they must be avoided. Ciclosporin may be regarded as a possible rescue therapy for pregnant psoriasis patients in the case of severe disease.

Post-marketing experience regarding the safety of biologics is accumulating, with largely reassuring results. All four biologics approved for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis Enbrel (etanercept), Remicade (infliximab), Enbrel (etanercept), and Stelara (ustekinumab) are not currently recommended in pregnant psoriasis patients.

The existing evidence implies that the risk of biologics in pregnancy is relatively low and that the risk of fetal drug exposure may be outweighed by the benefits for the mother.

I've just been reading a case report about a woman being treated with Thalidomide for multiple myeloma who developed psoriasis and thought it could be worth sharing.

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Summary:

A 54-year-old woman developed psoriasis on the plantar surface of her feet after 2 weeks of thalidomide 100 mg daily for the treatment of multiple IgG myeloma. She did not have any previous history of psoriasis.

Thalidomide was immediately stopped and topical treatment with calcipotriol ointment and β-methasone valerate was started. Psoriasis disappeared completely after 2 weeks of topical therapy.

This is the first case of de novo psoriasis in a patient with multiple myeloma under treatment with thalidomide. Our observation provides further evidence of the potential paradoxical effect of thalidomide on tumour necrosis factor-α production.

Following on from this report in 2012 XenoPort gets patent for Fumarate Analog XenoPort announced it has started a phase 2 trial of XP23829 in patients with psoriasis, XP23829 is a fumaric acid ester compound that is a prodrug of monomethyl fumarate (MMF).

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XenoPort, Inc. announced today that it has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial of XP23829, its proprietary investigational next-generation fumaric acid product candidate. The trial is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to assess the efficacy and safety of XP23829 as a potential treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque-type psoriasis.

Richard Kim, M.D., XenoPort's chief medical officer, stated, "We are excited to take this next step in the advancement of the development of XP23829. From this Phase 2 trial, we hope to further our understanding of the efficacy, safety and tolerability of XP23829. In addition, the study is designed to generate information on the effect of dose and treatment duration on potential reduction in psoriatic lesions and modulation of sub-populations of blood immune cells. Based on historical enrollment rates of psoriasis studies conducted in the U.S., we expect top-line results of the trial in the third quarter of 2015."

XenoPort expects to enroll approximately 200 subjects in this trial, which is being conducted in the United States. The study will include a screening and washout phase of up to four weeks, a 12-week treatment phase and a four-week post-treatment phase. Eligible study subjects will be randomized to placebo or one of three treatment arms of XP23829: 400 mg or 800 mg once daily or 400 mg twice daily. The primary endpoint of the study will examine the percent change in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score from baseline at the end of week 12. Secondary endpoints will include the proportion of subjects who achieve a reduction of 75% or greater from baseline in PASI (PASI-75) score and subjects who achieve a Static Physicians Global Assessment (sPGA) score of "clear" or "almost clear."

Ronald W. Barrett, Ph.D., XenoPort's chief executive officer, further commented, "Fumaric acid ester drugs have been previously shown to be effective in psoriasis, although there are no products in the class that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this indication. We believe that this trial will begin to define the distinguishing attributes of XP23829 as a potential best-in-class drug. These attributes could potentially include convenient once-a-day dosing, reduced flushing and gastrointestinal side effects and possibly more rapid onset and increased magnitude of efficacy. We believe that the results from this trial, if positive, could allow advancement of XP23829 directly into Phase 3 studies as a potential treatment for psoriasis. In addition, based on the strong correlation of results in psoriasis and relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) observed for other fumaric acid based drugs, we believe that this study could also form a basis for moving XP23829 into Phase 3 studies as a potential treatment for relapsing forms of MS."

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In a 39-page decision, Pasay court Branch 114 Judge Edwin Ramizo said Rev. Magnolia Nova Mendoza was “put in a situation wherein she was being subjected to a rigid inspection through no fault of her, thus bringing so much embarrassment, humiliation and anxiety on her part…”

The court took this embarrassment to award her with P1 million. The judge also ordered CebuPac to pay P1 million in exemplary damages because it acted in “wanton, fraudulent, reckless, oppressive, or malevolent manner” when it breached its obligation with Mendoza.

Mendoza was also granted P100,000 in lawyer’s fees and P129,123 cost of suit.

Mendoza, a Psoriasis sufferer and a professor at the Siliman University Divinity School, was about to board a flight from Manila to Dumaguete on March 11, 2010 at 8:50 a.m. when the check-in personnel returned her ticket and asked about the rashes on her face. She was then asked to produce a medical certificate before she could be allowed to travel.

In the afternoon she was allowed to continue with her flight, but was asked to sign a Special Handling Form.

In awarding the money, the judge also noted that CebuPac has no rule about the presentation of medical certificate for Psoriasis sufferers on their own Basic Operations Manual (BOM).

Mendoza’s legal counsel Harry Roque described the decision as a proud moment the justice system.

CebuPac corporate communications manager Michelle Pestano-Fojas said the company has yet to receive the copy of the decision.

This study tried to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive methods to detect fibrosis compared with liver biopsy (reference standard) in people with psoriasis taking Methotrexate, and suggests that larger prospective studies are required in this population to validate newer non-invasive methods.

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People with psoriasis taking methotrexate may be at increased risk of developing liver fibrosis compared with the general population. Noninvasive methods of detecting fibrosis have been widely adopted but their clinical utility is uncertain.

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive methods to detect fibrosis compared with liver biopsy (reference standard) in people with psoriasis taking methotrexate.

A systematic search using Ovid/Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Library and Clinical Trials Register was performed. Diagnostic cohorts or case–control studies of adults taking or being considered for methotrexate therapy were considered.

Study quality was evaluated using the Quality Assessment tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2). Pooled data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1. Bayesian meta-analysis was conducted using Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation. Seventeen studies were included. Sensitivity and specificity were 38% and 83% for standard liver function tests (LFTs), 74% and 77% for procollagen-3 N-terminal peptide (P3NP), 60% and 80% for Fibroscan, and 55% and 49% for ultrasound.

Confidence in these results is limited owing to low-quality data; old, small studies displayed significant selection bias and significant variation in the prevalence of fibrosis. No studies were identified evaluating recently developed markers. The clinical utility of LFTs, P3NP and liver ultrasound is poor.

Therefore if these tests are used in isolation, a significant proportion of patients with liver fibrosis may remain unidentified. Larger prospective studies are required in this population to validate newer non-invasive methods.

Having received narrowband UVB treatment since the 1980s for chronic widespread psoriasis, I have now been told by the hospital that they cannot authorise any further UVB treatment as I have exceeded the safe limit. They say medically they cannot continue even although it works well for me and clears the condition and I have never shown any signs of skin cancer. They are now saying that I must consider Fumaerm or Biologics and I am understandably concerned re any potential side effects or long term effects they may have. At least with UVB I KNOW the risks as they have been tried and tested over the years also with such excellent developments on the treatment of skin cancer if caught early I really would like to continue but can't as my doctors are now refusing to give me that option. Has anyone else out there been in this position, any feedback would be very welcome.

hi everyone first i want to say thankyou for letting me become a member very much appreiciate it.
Im saz i am 39 years old im from Scotland and i live with my 3 teenagers 2 girls 15 n 17 and my son 18 i first developed phsorisis at 18 which has always been pretty bad but at age 30 i was diagnosed with phsoratic arthritis too i was having photo therapy until last week but i developed a horrendous sunburn like rash so treatment is on hold until skin biopsy n blood results come back which is a shame as it really was making a big improvement to my phsorisis.
Anyway im really glad i have found a place to talk to people who dont think im contagious and keep me at arms distance lol look forward to getting to know you all have a great day guys

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Kadmon Corporation, LLC, today announced the initiation of a Phase 2 program for KD025, the Company’s orally bioavailable, potent and highly selective inhibitor of ROCK 2, in the treatment of subjects with moderately severe psoriasis vulgaris who have failed first-line therapy.

The Phase 2 program will begin with a Phase 2a open label study designed to evaluate the activity, safety and tolerability of 200 mg of KD025 administered orally once daily (QD) for 4 weeks in up to eight subjects.  The Phase 2a study is expected to be followed, in the third quarter of 2014, by a larger, Phase 2 study which will test KD025 at higher doses.  In Phase 1 studies, KD025 was generally well tolerated in healthy volunteers at doses ranging up to 1,000 mg daily, with significant activity, as measured by inhibition of Th17 cell cytokine secretion, at doses as low as 120 mg daily.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that affects many parts of the body but is primarily manifested in the skin.  It is characterized by red, scaly plaques that range in coverage from localized areas to almost the entire body surface.  While the pathogenesis of psoriasis is not fully understood, it has been recognized that the recently discovered T helper 17 (Th17) cells, highly proinflammatory cells that enhance the clearance of extracellular pathogens but are also associated with multiple autoimmune diseases, may play a critical role.  Recent in vitro and in vivo studies with KD025 have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity mediated by the inhibition of IL-17 and IL-21, cytokines secreted by Th17 cells, as well as promotion of the regulatory function of the immune system’s Treg cells through upregulation of pSTAT5.

“Antibodies directed against IL-17 have demonstrated therapeutic benefit in treating psoriasis, but must be injected and can be associated with immunologic adverse events,” said John Ryan, Ph.D., M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Kadmon.  “KD025 inhibits a novel target in this disease, where an oral drug that acts against IL-17, and which can restore balance to the immune system without suppressing its function, would be a significant advancement.  We look forward to the results of this program, and to elucidating KD025’s potential as a treatment for psoriasis.”

“Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that affects millions of individuals and, beyond its social and psychological burdens, is often associated with cardiovascular disease, depressive illness, and psoriatic arthritis,” said Samuel D. Waksal, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Kadmon.  “KD025 has demonstrated the ability to induce immune homeostasis in a variety of disease models, an effect which, if translated to the clinic, holds transformative potential for psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders.  We look forward to the results of this program, and to initiating studies in other autoimmune disorders, including lupus nephritis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.”

Hello my name is Vanda and I don't use forums Facebook or Twiiter but after finding this website a year ago I wanted to come and let you know that this is the best psoriasis website I have found. Yesterday I contacted psoriasis club as I wanted to post my feedback and a nice man named Fred replied almost immediately explaining that only members could give feedback on the website. He gave me two options, I could reply to his email or follow the link and register to post my feedback. I thought how refreshingly honest of psoriasis club it was to let people post feedback without asking what it was about.

I have had psoriasis for 8 years and I had got to the stage of giving up on life as it had taken me over. My doctor tried with all sorts of creams but although it did help for a while, it would suddenly come back again mostly on my legs and my husband always said I had the most beautiful legs. He still tries to tell me that and he is so good to me putting up with my moods when I just don't have any confidence left any more to show my legs to anyone.

After researching the internet I found some websites and was amazed at the information available sometimes it was just to much to take in and I would just break down and sob, some of those websites looked to be wanting to sell me something and some looked like they are run by the makers of my creams. I kept on looking and with my husbands help narrowed my search down to three websites to read, there was lot's of useful information but not being the sort of person to use a website I just kept on reading.

Please forgive me I will finish now as I have taken up so much of your time, I just wanted to come and say thank you very very much psoriasis club for all of the information and hope that you have given me. I now no longer look at the other two websites any more as this one has the best information and encouraged me to get an appointment with a dermatologist which I have done and things are now going well for me again

Thank you psoriasis club for being here and not showing me product placement or asking me to donate, though if you would accept a donation from me I would like to know how I could do this.

With my deepest thanks Vanda.

Hello everyone,

I was just randomly reading about tips to help me with my psoriasis journey, and i am very glad to have come across this forum, so this is me introducing myself. Prepare yourself for it will be quite a long one!

I am 21 years old, living in the United Arab Emirates and recently graduated from uni, and I have had psoriasis for about 6 years, and psoriatic arthritis for around 5 years. It started with red itchy patches on my head, and then overtime i started noticing pains and swelling on both feet (around the ankles) and toes, and then the pain spread to my lower back up to the point of not being able to get out of bed without screaming in pain. It was at that point that my doctor decided to start me on steroidal meds (methotrexate), and thankfully over the years that took care of my back pains, and somewhat reduced my feet pains, although i do get the occasional swelling and throbbing pains whenever Mr. P decides to flare up.

Today, the main patches are on my scalp (around 50%), in the genital area, I have severe nail pitting, and my feet joints are pretty much always in pain.

Im currently using a cream called daivobet for the scalp, and protopic for the genital area, while still on a weekly dose of methotrexate for the PA.

I have been trying for years to figure out a pattern or the reason why sometimes psoriasis decides to hit harder than others, but to be honest i have not been trying hard enough. I apply the creams mentioned above whenever the flaring becomes really bad, but i dont feel too comfortable using them on a regular basis, because im afraid of side effects (especially in some areas more than others!).

I try to keep an active life (sports-wise) although it is sometimes difficult with the feet pain, but I found that swimming is pretty great and it helps with the joint pains.
I still want to and need to change my lifestyle and find ways to control and reduce the effects of psoriasis.

And this is why I'm really glad I found this forum, because not many people know about psoriasis around here.

Im sorry for such a lengthy intro; just thought I should share everything about my psoriasis situation in case someone can relate, and i would very much appreciate any advice any one has, and I hope I can benefit you guys aswell!

Yaseen