Recently diagnosed with psoriasis of buttocks. had seen family physician for rash and he diagnosed it as a fungal infection. After treating it for two week with very expensive anti fungal cream with no results, made an appointment with dermatologist. He diagnosed it as psoriasis and prescribed a steroidal cream which I could only use for two weeks. it was better but not gone. he then prescribed an antibiotic pill which I took for 10 days. That also helped but it didn't go away. I had about two weeks of releif and it came back. Now I am trying saturating it with apple cider vinegar using cotton balls and taking one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with honey in a cup of hot water. Too soon to tell if this is going to work.

Hi very new to this. I have had psoriasis for 42 years and I'm having the worst flare up I've ever suffered all because of a viral sore throat and I'm 90% covered in guttate psoriasis feeling miserable to be fair

Been perscribed Dovobet by my dermatologist for my psoriasis. It has worked well on some patches but not so much on the biggest and most stubborn patch that I have on the side of my lower leg. Seems to have removed much of the background redness but there are like 4-5 small spots on a pinkish background. The spots are quite sensitive to touch like when you get a pimple.

I was perscribed the dovobet scalp application which my dermatologist and the leaflet says is fine to use on psoriasis elsewhere on the skin. Just wondering if it's worth getting it in ointment form or whether results will be exactly the same?

Finally, would it be worth looking in to trying Dovonex? I've seen the Dovonex V Dovobet comparison thread but was just wondering whether any one has had any experience with Dovobet not working too well but Dovonex improving their psoriasis?

Thank you.

Another newbie on the horizon for psoriatic arthritis. More study needed, but the future is looking towards these types of treatments.

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Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy of clazakizumab, a monoclonal antibody with high affinity and specificity for the interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine, in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods:
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study (ClinicalTrials. gov identifier: NCT01490450), patients with active PsA and an inadequate response to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs were randomized (1:1:1:1) to receive subcutaneous placebo or clazakizumab 25 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg every 4 weeks, with or without methotrexate. The primary end point was the response rate according to the American College of Rheumatology 20% criteria for improvement (ACR20) at week 16, with secondary efficacy end points at weeks 16 and 24.

Results:
A total of 165 patients were randomized. At week 16, the ACR20 response rate was significantly higher with clazakizumab 100 mg versus placebo (52.4% versus 29.3%; P = 0.039). ACR20 response rates at week 16 were 46.3% with clazakizumab 25 mg (P = 0.101 versus placebo) and 39.0% with clazakizumab 200 mg (P = 0.178 versus placebo). ACR50/ACR70 response rates were numerically higher with clazakizumab versus placebo at weeks 16 and 24. Compared with placebo, clazakizumab treatment significantly improved musculoskeletal manifestations (joint signs and symptoms, enthesitis, and dactylitis), with minimal improvements in skin disease, without clear evidence of a dose response. Clazakizumab was well tolerated.

Conclusion:
This is the first clinical trial of an IL-6–targeted therapy in PsA. Clazakizumab may be an effective treatment option for musculoskeletal aspects of PsA, but because of the lack of a dose response in this study, further studies are required to confirm the appropriate dose. The safety profile is consistent with the pharmacology of IL-6 blockade and prior clinical experience with this antibody in rheumatoid arthritis.

Had these strange red patches come up on my leg about 5 days ago which I initially thought were insect bites. They don't itch at all but they don't seem to be disappearing. Is it psoriasis? No history of it in the family as far as I'm aware.






Thank you.

Howdy interested in what people are using as a moisturizer in the past i having been using a cream which is basically  oils and herbs , i have been using it for about 12 years now and when things get ultra itchy it calms things down . Side effects are stained clothes and strong smell so i only use it at home and mostly at night , hoping that some one might have something for every day use 
Cheers Wobbly

Hi everyone, I am a newbie to this group but have had psoriasis for most of my 57 years. For the past 20 years I have been treated very successfully with methotrexate - tablets mostly but weekly injection for the past 5 years. My dermatologist has told me to stop now though due to recurring sinusitis which has been so bad I needed surgery for it last month. I am using dovobet for now but he has given me literature on acitretin and suggested I start this in a few months. I am very nervous about using dovobet and reading the side effects of acitretin scares me too! 
I know I am getting on a bit and maybe shouldn't be so vain, but one of the side effects was hair loss or thinning and as if psoriasis isn't bad enough already losing my hair would be devastating. Any thoughts??

This study suggests MicroRNAs gene expression regulators are altered in psoriasis.

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Background:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) gene expression regulators are altered in psoriasis suggesting their role in the pathogenesis.

Objective:
To study expression changes of inflammation and toll-like receptor (TLR)-related miRNAs, miRNA-155, let-7i, miRNA-21, miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and miRNA-21, miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 in plasma, from chronic plaque-type psoriasis patients who were treatment-naive or had undergone a washout period (n = 11). MiRNAs were evaluated at baseline and after 11 (9–12) months [median (25th–75th percentile range)] of methotrexate (MTX) or topical (betamethasone plus calcipotriene) treatment.

Methods:
MiRNA expression was analysed with quantitative real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Matched controls were studied.

Results:
Psoriasis patients presented, at baseline, increased expression of miRNA-155, let-7i, miRNA-146a, miRNA-21 and miRNA-223 in PBMCs, plus miRNA-21, miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 in plasma. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and area under the curve (AUC) showed that expression of these miRNAs have the potential to distinguish between psoriasis and controls. At baseline, miRNA-155 expression in PBMCs correlated with Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) [12 (8–14)] (Spearman r: 0.7140, P < 0.05) suggesting a role in psoriasis. After MTX or topical treatment, reduction in PASI was observed [87.5% (75–100)]; miRNA-155 expression in PBMCs decreased; plasma miRNA-21, miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 were down-regulated. ROC analysis showed that miRNA-155 expression in PBMCs from psoriasis patients have the potential to distinguish between patients' samples at baseline and after treatment (AUC: 0.942, sensitivity: 0.91; specificity: 0.91 values; maximum likelihood ratio =10). After treatment, miRNA-146a expression in PBMCs increased; miRNA-155/miRNA-146a ratio decreased, suggestive of a regulatory feedback; let-7i expression decreased; miRNA-21 and miRNA-223 remained elevated.

Conclusion:
In this exploratory study, psoriasis patients presented increased expression of miRNA-155 in PBMCs that correlated with PASI and decreased with disease remission. MiRNA-21, miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 in PBMCs and plasma were increased at baseline and differentially modulated, underscoring different roles of TLR-related miRNAs in psoriasis.

This study compared calcipotriol/betamethasone foam against the gel and suggests that the foam is better than the gel.

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Background:
Fixed combination calcipotriol 50 μg/g (Cal) plus betamethasone 0.5 mg/g (BD) foam has been developed as a new treatment option for patients with psoriasis.

Methods:
The randomized, parallel-group, investigator-blinded Phase III, 12-week PSO-ABLE study compared the efficacy and safety of Cal/BD foam with Cal/BD gel. Patients aged ≥18 years with mild-to-severe psoriasis were randomized 4:4:1:1 to once-daily Cal/BD foam, Cal/BD gel, foam vehicle or gel vehicle (NCT02132936). The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients who were clear/almost clear with a ≥ 2 grade improvement according to the physician's global assessment of disease severity (i.e. treatment success) at week 4 for Cal/BD foam vs. week 8 for Cal/BD gel. Secondary efficacy endpoints included: proportion of patients achieving at least a 75% reduction in modified psoriasis area and severity index (mPASI75), and time to treatment success (TTTS). Safety was monitored throughout.

Results:
A total of 463 patients were randomized: Cal/BD foam (n = 185), Cal/BD gel (n = 188), foam vehicle (n = 47), gel vehicle (n = 43); overall completion rate was 90%. Cal/BD foam achieved higher treatment success rates (38% vs. 22%; P < 0.001) and mPASI75 (52% vs. 35%; P < 0.001) by week 4 than Cal/BD gel by week 8. Median TTTS with Cal/BD foam was 6 weeks; this could not be determined for Cal/BD gel as 50% treatment success was not achieved (P < 0.001). Adverse drug reactions were reported in 14 (7.6%) Cal/BD aerosol foam patients and 7 (3.7%) Cal/BD gel patients; all were single events except for itch with Cal/BD aerosol foam (n = 5; 2.7%) and worsening psoriasis with Cal/BD gel (n = 3; 1.6%).

Conclusion:
Cal/BD aerosol foam showed significantly greater efficacy after 4 weeks, than 8 weeks of treatment with Cal/BD gel, with similar tolerability.

Sorry to be indelicate, but I think my P has spread to my lady bits. I can be incredibly itchy, which then makes it sore, and it just becomes a vicious circle of scratch, itch, etc. am I safe in using my prescribed steroids (Dovobet and Elocon) or can someone recommend a more natural remedy? I currently suffer from palmar-plantar P but I also have it on my scalp and the odd spot here and there on my body. Thank you.

would like to say a big thanks for the support I have received n new friends I have met  I don't feel so alone anymore

Hi 
I have been taking 25mg a day now for 2 weeks , so far no side affects  . Have had blood test done and all is well ,Doctor says  will need to test blood weekly for about a month and then fortnightly , good thing i don't mind needles .I will update as we go along this journey . Hope every body at PC is well Cheers

if I ask my consultant to lower my dose from 25mg to 10mg will this help my hair loss or will I start breaking out again. not been this clear for 20yrs

hello to each of u..... i M 30 YO......please help me  i m fighting with psoriasis since last 3 months which suddenly appeared on my whole body & on medicine Methotrexzate & topical cream bees wax  but last week i changed my doctor  he diagonsis dat I have " ERYTHODERMA Psoriasis"    ...   plz  any any one knows about this  type of psoriasis &  how it cure from it??????

hello ive been on acetretin 25mg since april 2016. my psoriasis was very severe. I'm now clear but I'm losing my hair every day my lips and nose are really dry and sore. being a lady I don't want to go bald but I don't want to be that sore again I get so down. what do I do?

Hello,

I'm new to the online psoriasis club but a senior member of the life psoriasis club! I was diagnosed when I was 15 years old and I am now 39 and I although feel fortunate not to suffer as badly as others do I still deal with patches in um..shall we say, delicate places.

My question for my fellow sufferers is do you deal with dry skin in general or just on the affected areas?

My skin is dry and sensitive all over but particularly on my face. I'm wondering that despite there not being many visible patches on my person, my entire epidermis is affected by psoriasis and should be treated as so.
I've had a look online and not been able to come up with much more extensive information than the usual psoriasis blurbs, so if anyone can send me in the right direction I would much appreciate it!

Many thanks
Hannah

This study looked at the Efficacy and safety of Humira (adalimumab) in Chinese patients with psoriasis.

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Background:
This phase 3 trial is the first to evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment with the systemic TNF-α inhibitor, adalimumab, for Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Methods:
In the 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled Period A, patients were randomized 4 : 1 to receive adalimumab 40 mg every-other-week (following a single 80 mg dose), or placebo every-other-week. In the subsequent 12-week, open-label, Period B, all patients received adalimumab 40 mg every-other-week starting at week 13, following a single, blinded dose at week 12 of adalimumab 80 mg or matching placebo (for patients receiving placebo or adalimumab in Period A respectively). In Period A, efficacy was analysed for all randomized patients and safety for all patients receiving ≥1 dose of the study drug.

Results:
For the 425 patients in this study (87 placebo; 338 adalimumab), a higher percentage randomized to adalimumab achieved the primary endpoint of ≥75% improvement from baseline in PASI score (PASI 75) at week 12: placebo 11.5% (10/87); adalimumab 77.8% (263/338; P < 0.001). Physician's Global Assessment of clear to minimal was achieved at week 12 by 14.9% placebo (13/87) and 80.5% adalimumab (272/338; P < 0.001). For patients who received adalimumab at any time during the study (All-adalimumab Population), treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were reported by 63.4%; the most common was upper respiratory infection (16.1%). Serious AEs were reported by 3.5% of the All-adalimumab Population, and serious infectious AEs by 1.2%, which include lung infection, pneumonia and tuberculosis [2 (0.5%) patients each]. There was one death (chronic heart failure).

Conclusion:
In these Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, a significantly greater percentage treated with adalimumab compared with placebo achieved efficacy endpoints at week 12 and efficacy was sustained to week 24. Safety results were consistent with the known adalimumab safety profile; no new safety signals were identified in the 24 weeks of treatment.

Here's an interesting study that looks at the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in Greek patients. It may be a cliché and I apologise to the Greek people if it is, but I thought they had a type of diet along with sun and sea which we are told is good for us, yet the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis is high.

Anyway on to the study.

Quote:

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Objectives:
To evaluate the prevalence and its clinical characteristics of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in a specialized psoriasis clinic of a University Hospital.

Methods:
In this retrospective study, 278 patients with psoriasis were evaluated between 2011 and 2013.

Results:
The study included 278 patients with psoriasis: 144 (52%) were male and 134 (48%) female. Their median age was 51.41 with median psoriasis presenting age of 34.52 years. Referring to the type of psoriasis, 86% presented with plaque psoriasis, 5% guttate, 2% palms and soles, 2% inverse, 1% pustular and 4% with psoriasis of more than one type. Nail disease appeared in 121 patients (43.5%) and scalp disease in 175 (63%). Of these patients, 85 (30%) had PsA, whereas 51% of patients with PsA had psoriatic nail disease. With reference to the PsA type, 43 (51%) patients presented with polyarthritis, 10 (12%) with oligoarthritis, 7 (8%) with axial arthritis, whereas the rest 25 of them (31%) had PsA of more than one type. The subgroup of patients with PsA had significantly higher rates of comorbidities including arterial hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolaemia compared to non-PsA patients with 41% vs. 17% (P = 0.001), 20% vs. 8% (P = 0.021) and 41% vs. 19% (P = 0.004), respectively.

Conclusion:
The prevalence of PsA among patients with psoriasis was relatively higher in Greece compared to other ethnic-based studies. Comorbidities related to life expectancy were more frequent. As there is a high percentage of undiagnosed cases with active arthritis among patients with psoriasis, dermatologists should be aware of PsA clinical signs in order to recognize it earlier and provide successful treatment.

Hi everyone 
Wonder if anyone can offer any advice ?
I started with methotrexate 2 weeks ago for psoriasis ( 5mg a week followed by 2 folic acid the day after , I have no idea why my derm started with such a low dose but hey Ho ) 
I'm getting a few side effects and just wonder if they are normal such as constant heartburn and the feeling my food isn't going down after eating . I used to get this quite a while ago but since starting methotrexate it is constant ! I also got quite bad upper stomach pain yesterday which did ease off but am just wondering if all this is normal ?
I'm feeling a little nausea , headaches , aching and just generally feeling worn out but have read these are normal ?
Thanks in advance ?

Hi my name is Bob , user name comes from my boss thats what she calls me so now every one at work is now calling me that .I am 57 years young and have had P since i was 22 years old . Same story as most have tried most treatments including methotrexate [ not sure on spelling ] about 15 years ago , Met made me sick but took pain out of hands was on it for about 4 months . last 15 years been on just herbal stuff mainly ,the last 2 years it has gotten worse , big on torso and arms and legs . I have worked all over Australia and it seems to me that climate does not affect it a hole lot ,Australia has a varied climate from Dry , Cold to Tropical . I have just Started Acitretin Actavis 25mg per day ,  whilst researching i found this sight . I have found after a quick look at some threads it has eased my mind in regards to this drug and i am hoping  to add some  input as i go through this process  

Cheers Bob