Next time look before you shake hands...
The incidence of psorias thoughout the general public is thought vary between 0.1%-3% of the population. It occurs equally in men and women and can affect any age group including newborn infants. However, the highest incidences are reported between 20-40 years of age. So far no known transmission methodology (familial, organic etc) has been found...it is believed that "environmental factors" play a major role in the disease's expression.
These are typical lesions caused by palmar psoriasis. In deciding the treatment modality
many factors must be examined including type of psoriasis, severity of the condition, age of the patient, general
health, concurrent illnesses, availability if in-home help and distance from treatment center or physician's office.
In severe cases hospitilization may be required.
Psioratic nails
Therapies to combat psoriasis are quite limited, and breaks down to two major types; topical and Ultraviolet B therapies. Topical therapy involves the liber use of emollients after hydration in a warm bath for 15-20 minutes. This will loosen scales and facilitate removal. Petroleum jelly is the most cost-affective emolients, and provides good results. Topical corticosteriods are used widely in localized psoriasis. Favorites in order of potency include clobetasol propionate 0.05%, betamethasone 0.1% and a new drug called Mometasone furoate, a nonfluorinated medium-potency topical steriod that is excellent for facial treatments as it offers minimal skin atrophy.
Ultraviolet B treatment is effective in treating wide body surface psoriasis. Administered
3 to 5 times a week, and combined with the application of either tar or anthralin, it makes
a powerful treatment.
Copyright 1995 Spyder Web Services