Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), also known as reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS), is a syndrome characterised by headache, confusion, seizures and visual loss. It may occur due to a number of causes, predominantly malignant hypertension, eclampsia and some medical treatments. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, areas of edema (swelling) are seen. The symptoms tend to resolve after a period of time, although visual changes sometimes remain. It was first described in 1996.

The first case of RPLS in a 65-year-old woman who underwent Stelara therapy for psoriasis. Approximately 21/2 years after the patient began Stelara therapy, she experienced an acute onset of confusion, headache, nausea, vomiting, and seizures. Computed tomographic scans and magnetic resonance images of her head revealed characteristic findings, including white matter abnormalities consistent with edema in the absence of infarction. There was no evidence of vasospasm, thrombosis, or infection. Cerebrospinal fluid tests were negative for the JC virus. The patient improved clinically and was discharged 6 days after she presented to the emergency department. She made a full neurologic recovery, with a reversal of the radiologic findings.

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome is an increasingly recognized neurologic disorder that has been reported with the use of systemic and biologic agents to treat moderate to severe psoriasis. Although the relationship between RPLS and Stelara therapy remains unclear, this case emphasizes the need for dermatologists to recognize the syndrome's signs and symptoms and to refer patients promptly for evaluation and appropriate treatment if the clinical features of RPLS are suspected.

Source: archderm.ama-assn.org

Following a number of enquiries to the HPA from local environmental health practitioners, a multi-agency working group was established to produce guidance for this spa treatment. The working group was led by the HPA and included experts from the HPA, Health Protection Scotland, the Health & Safety Laboratory and local authorities. The guidance has been endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland.

Fish tank water has been shown to contain a number of microorganisms. Therefore, in a fish spa setting there is the potential for transmission of a range of infections, either from fish to person (during the nibbling process), water to person (from the bacteria that can multiply in water), or person to person (via water, surrounding surfaces and fish). However, the overall risk of infection is likely to be very low, if appropriate standards of hygiene are adhered to.

The fish spa working group concluded that those with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions, including diabetes and psoriasis, are likely to be at increased risk of infection and so fish pedicures are not recommended for such individuals. The working group advised that operators of fish spas should not promote treatment to these groups.

It’s important for salons to ensure the client has no underlying health conditions that could put them at risk, and that a thorough foot examination is performed, to make sure there are no cuts, grazes or existing skin conditions that could spread infection.

Dr Paul Cosford, Director of Health Protection Services at the HPA, added: “As with any beauty salon, it’s really important that strict standards of cleanliness are followed, to ensure that the risk of infection is kept to a minimum. If a member of the public is concerned about the level of cleanliness of a salon they visit, they should report this to their local Environmental Health department.”

Source: hpa.org.uk

Background
Alopecia areata (AA) is considered an autoimmune disease with undetermined pathogenesis. Age at onset predicts distinct outcomes. A nationwide study of the relationship of AA with associated diseases stratified by onset age has rarely been reported.

Objective
We sought to clarify the role of atopic and autoimmune diseases in AA, thereby better understanding its pathogenesis.

Methods
A total of 4334 patients with AA were identified from the National Health Insurance Database in Taiwan from 1996 to 2008. A national representative cohort of 784,158 persons served as control subjects.

Results
Among patients with AA, there were significant associations with vitiligo, lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, autoimmune thyroid disease, and allergic rhinitis. Different ages at onset resulted in disparate comorbidities. Increased risk of atopic dermatitis (odds ratio [OR] 3.82, 95% confidence interval 2.67-5.45) and lupus erythematosus (OR 9.76, 95% confidence interval 3.05-31.21) were found in childhood AA younger than 10 years. Additional diseases including psoriasis (OR 2.43) and rheumatoid arthritis (OR 2.57) appeared at onset age 11 to 20 years. Most atopic and autoimmune diseases were observed at onset ages of 21 to 60 years. With onset age older than 60 years, thyroid disease (OR 2.52) was highly related to AA. Moreover, patients with AA had higher risk for more coexisting diseases than control subjects.

Conclusions
AA is related to various atopic and autoimmune diseases. Different associated diseases in each onset age group of AA can allow clinician to efficiently investigate specific comorbidities.

Moberg Derma AB (STO:MOB)(OMX: MOB) and Meda AB have entered into a license agreement covering rights for Nalox – Moberg Derma’s patented product for the treatment of discolored and damaged nails caused by nail fungus (onychomycosis) or nail psoriasis.
Under the agreement, Meda is granted exclusive rights to market and sell Nalox in a large number of countries in Europe. Moberg Derma assumes production and supply responsibility. Over the past year, Meda has made Nalox market leader in the Nordic region.

The agreement encompasses several major markets, including Germany, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium.

“This agreement is a key step in the global launch of Nalox”, said Peter Wolpert, CEO of Moberg Derma. “Meda has proven to be the perfect partner in the Nordic region by quickly making Nalox into the market leader and we look forward to repeating this success story in several other markets through Meda’s strong sales organization in Europe”, concludes Wolpert.

Source: eyugoslavia.com

Physically demanding occupational tasks (eg, lifting heavy loads) and infections that required antibiotics are associated with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in patients with psoriasis. There is an inverse association between cigarette smoking and PsA.

Eder and coworkers conducted a case-control study of patients with recent-onset PsA and patients with psoriasis but not arthritis (controls). They investigated a broad range of potential triggering factors and designed a questionnaire for assessing these exposures, which included physical trauma, infections, vaccinations to hepatitis A and B, emotional stress, female hormonal exposures, occupational exposures, smoking status, and alcohol consumption.

The proportion of smokers was lower in the PsA group than in the psoriasis group. Lifting cumulative loads of at least 100 lb/h was more common in the PsA group. A history of infectious diarrhea in the exposure time window under study was more common in the PsA group. After multivariate logistic regression, lifting cumulative loads of at least 100 lb/h, infections that required antibiotics, smoking, and injuries remained significantly associated with PsA. No association was found between PsA and alcohol consumption, vaccination, emotional stress, and female hormonal exposures.

Source: musculoskeletalnetwork.com

If you would like to add a link back to Psoriasis Club from your website using HTML here are some ready made links for you. just copy and paste your chosen code below.

If you would like something different please let me know.

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There is a sticky thread in this section "How did you find psoriasis club" but just as a matter of interest which search engine do you use ?

Google Yahoo Bing or another ?

A new survey of 3,000 Canadians living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) reveals that Canadians feel that their inflammatory arthritis interferes with their overall happiness, and prevents them from enjoying many of their favourite activities.

The survey was conducted by Abbott to reveal the extent to which inflammatory arthritis affects the daily lives of people who live with these diseases. Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions currently affect nearly 4.5 million Canadians, with arthritis being among the top three most common chronic diseases in Canada.*

The economic burden of arthritis in Canada is estimated at $4.4 billion annually**. Among the survey respondents, 34% said that they have been living with their chronic illness for 20 or more years. Respondents indicated that their illness has affected their productivity level at work and home, with 48% stating that it prevents them from working full-time hours.

The study revealed some interesting facts about living with inflammatory arthritis:

73% said their chronic illness affected their day to day activities at home or at work.
42% of participants thought their chronic illness interfered with their hobbies or recreational activities.
67% of participants said they haven't been able to enjoy all the activities they used to do prior to the occurrence of their symptoms.
Women had a more negative outlook on their overall health than men with 42% of women stating they thought they were in good health compared to 44% of men.
48% said their chronic illness prevents them from working full-time hours.

Source: newswire.ca

Hiya is there any1 on Fumaderm?? I started this drug in August and had the odd flush and tummy cramp/upset 2 or 3 times a week which i could handle and was advised it would ease off the longer i was on it............ I started the highest dose on Monday (6 blue per day) OMG The cramps in my stomach are worse than havin a baby, the flushes are soo bad im in a freezing cold shower 2 or 3 times a day and anything i eat is just running thru me Ive been on cyclo & mtx never had any side effects and my skin was clear within 7weeks only downside to them are the day u stop taking them it cums back with a vengence so this is why my Consultant recommended Fumaderm as its long term but im thinking of giving up as the side effects are so bad and my skin has only got better slightly. Please tell me if any1 is suffering the same symptoms.

South Korean skincare products manufacturer NeoPharm has tied up with the UAE-based Japan Emirates Trading (JET) to introduce a skincare technology in the Middle East for the treatment of dry skin and other skin disorders.

A US FDA-approved company, NeoPharm was awarded the prestigious KOTRA award from the South Korean government for setting a benchmark in dermatological science by researching the unique, patented Multi Lamellar Emulsion (MLE) technology that mimics the human skin structure.

MLE has been specifically researched for the treatment of dry, sensitive and sun-damaged skin, as well as skin disorders such as Atopic Eczema, an inflammation of the skin which tends to flare-up from time to time, usually from early childhood, and Psoriasis.

Initially, six of the Atopalm products will be made available at pharmacies across the UAE, by Japan Emirates Trading, the exclusive distributor of the Atopalm range in the Middle East. The six products are Atopalm intensive moisturizing cream, Atopalm moisturizing body lotion, Atopalm moisturizing skin revitalizing complex, Atopalm moisturizing eye repair serum, Atopalm moisturizing hand treatment and Atopalm moisturizing facial cleansing foam.

Source: emirates247.com

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Not actually a treatment but definitely worth a try for soft clothes and shampoo. If you haven't heard of or tried these you should check them out. Just do a Google search for Soap Nuts. Shop around I have found the best quality and price in our supermarket.

So What Are They ?
They are a berry from the Sapindus tree. the berry is dried in the sun then cracked open to get the shell. it's actually the shell that you use. They have been used for washing for thousands of years by native people in Asia and Native Americans.

What Can They Be Used For ?
Just about anything to do with cleaning including. Use as a detergent, a personal cleanser and shampoo, a general purpose cleaner, car wash, pet wash, vegetable wash, carpet and upholstery cleaner.

Recipes
Laundry: Place 3-4 whole cracked shells (or equivalent in pieces) into a cotton bag or odd cotton sock, tie up or knot the top and place into the tub with your laundry.
Remove the nuts after the cycle has finished and let dry (if there's time!) before your next load.
The number of nuts you use depends on the size of your load and how dirty the items are, as well as the hardness of your water and efficiency of your machine.
For example, use four nuts for a large, dirty load, in an old washing machine using hard town water, and two to three nuts for a small or normal load in a modern machine using rainwater.
The temperature of the water is also a factor, as hot water will make the nuts release their surfactants quicker so you'll have to replace the nuts more frequently but the cleaning power will be stronger.
Washing your laundry in cold water is perfectly fine depending on how dirty your laundry load is. We recommend experimenting to find the best quantity required for your personal need s.
One lot of soapnuts can be reused until they lose their sticky, soapy feel and look pale and squishy on the inside, and are brittle when dry (4-6 times). When they are spent, throw them in the garden or compost.

Make your own Liquid Concentrate:
Place 100g of soapnuts with 3 litres of water in a large saucepan or stock pot (this will make 2 litres of liquid - you can make smaller amounts by using 2 cups of water and 4-6 nuts).
Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer for an hour or so. Strain the liquid through cloth and compost the nuts. Let cool. has approximately a 2 week shelf life in the kitchen, or at least a month in the refrigerator.
The concentrate will have a watery consistency and small dense suds. It does not contain foaming agents and thickeners like chemical detergents do, but it still has the cleaning power! To thicken the concentrate, add a little cornflour or glycerine.

Using the Liquid Concentrate.
laundry liquid (1-2 tbs in the detergent drawer)
hand soap (use in a foamy pump pack)
shampoo (replaces shampoo and conditioner together, try a spray bottle!)
pet shampoo (leaves hair soft and silky, will also repel fleas, mites, ticks, mosquitoes etc)
general purpose cleaner for the kitchen and bathroom (use with a cloth from the jar or spray bottle)
carpet cleaner (spray or sponge onto stain and blot clean)
dishwasher soap (liquid in dispenser section with optional 1tbs vinegar as a rinse aid)
pest spray (use spray bottle to spray bugs on plants)
glass cleaner (1tbs soapnut liquid, 1 tbs vinegar and 1 cup water)

They do work for laundry although stubborn stains are more difficult. the shampoo does work although you don't get any lather. Give them a go they are cheaper and friendlier than detergents.

Winter is the worst time of the year for Psoriasis and this thread is designed to give you some ideas to help through the winter. If anyone has more suggestions please add them to this thread so we can keep them all together. I will make this a Sticky thread for the winter.

Showers & Baths: Don’t be tempted to have the water To Hot! Hot water can start the itch cycle when you get out. Keep baths & showers short and warm. Don’t rub your skin with the towel, Pat it dry to try and avoid friction. Treat yourself and get yourself a good quality Egyptian Cotton Towel. (You will love it)  After your bath / shower use plenty of Moisturiser as soon as you can, it doesn’t matter if you skin isn’t perfectly dry.

Hydrate your skin: Keep your skin hydrated by using lots of moisturiser at least twice a day and especially on parts exposed to the dry cold wind. Drink plenty of water. Get some Omega-3, Try the old trick of a Vase of water in your room.

Sunlight: We all know the benefits of the sunshine and although there is not so much in the winter, if you do spot the big yellow face in the sky pop out and say hello. It may be cold but even 15 minutes on your skin will help. The brave amongst you could go Naked Brrrrrrr

Winter Blues: As we lose daylight hours the winter blues can start to set in. this in turn can create a negative attitude which isn’t good for psoriasis.  I must admit I don’t have an answer for this one but try anything you can to keep yourself happy and positive. (Go on try a stupid grin Smile right now, hold it and count to 100) Did it work? Bet it did for anyone who was watching you.

Clothes: Obviously we all need to wrap up in the winter, and you should definitely protect your skin from the cold dry wind. But try to wear loose fitting cotton in layers. (I can recommend Bamboo Socks)

Hope this information helps please let others know your tips.

I think it only fitting at this point to mention that FRED has put so much work into this site, it is only fitting that we say a MASSIVE thank you for all that he has done.
Not only has he researched all of the info that we can access, but he has been an all round great guy (and comedien) who has helped all of us here, no matter who we are, and given us great advice.
We really do owe him a massive thank you from all over the world for providing us with a wealth of information about drugs, trials, etc., and above all introducing us to each other, to share out experiences about our shared condition.
Hip Hip hooray to Fred, our mentor, and a massive thankk you for what he has done for our Psoriasis community.

After trying all sorts of treatment, without success, I finally managed to convince my Consultant Dermatologist to do something a bit more extreme.
I had all of my bloods and tests done, and he prescribed me Methotrexate.
I was pre-warned about side effects and given lots of literature to read about how it can effect me, but I had already done my own research on the drug myself.
It was quite a lot to take in, but decided it was worth having a go.
I am generally fit and healthy for a 48yr old guy, and I started on this course a week and a half ago.
I have to take 7.5mg of Methotrexate every Wednesday, and every other day I take 5mg of Folic Acid.
I am now half way through my second week of the course, but as yet I have had no signs of any side effects.
I have also found the the scaling of the skin is not as severe as it would normally be, so this is a bonus.
Because I am so early in the course of treatment, I am having to have blood tests done weekly, and I then return to see my Consultant in 2 weeks.
I will keep you posted on my progress with the Methotrexate as the course of treatment progresses.
I have done research on the drug, so if anyone is not sure, just ask and I will endeavour to help.
Good Luck to all,
Regards Micky.

 Hey I didn't post much in the last forum, but I'm back. Since I was gone I've been in school took a health class and did a stand up essay on Psoriasis got an A+ booyah. But even after all the crazy knowledge I absorbed nothing new I didn't already know emerged.

I've been reading psoriasis.org and theres a lot of pretty good info there as well. I got lazy, and busy with school, and forgot to update my psoriasis blog I started a while back, but it has some interesting things on there if anyone feels like checking that out.

Maybe I'll start posting again?? Anyways I have returned to the forum because honestly the best psoriasis information is found on forums I've found.

Before I get started let me just point out, skin cancer is the very last thing I could give two shittake mushrooms and a fudgesicle about. I live in the Pacific Northwest of USA and it rains like crazy and we have probably 40-50 sunny days a year here. I noticed on not only my trip to Panama but also my trip to Honduras, that sunshine, and a crap ton of it is pretty much the only thing I can do to positively effect my psoriasis without any prescription. Everything I've tried behind counters does nothing for me.

Anyway, a gym just opened up literally a block from my house and part of the $20 membership is all the free tanning you could want, which is awesome since the only other time I ever tried tanning was 4 months ago and it was $36/month. Also all of their beds are brand new. Hooray! So basically I've been twice now and my forehead feels less tight which is a good indicator something could be happening but still too early to tell. I will continue once every other day untill visable improvement appears and will post pics if so.

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