What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is defined as an auto-immune disease affecting both skin & joints. Three types of psoriasis treatable with phototherapy are Pustular, Guttate and Plaque.The condition is non-contagious, but is chronic. Psoriasis commonly causes reddened scaly patches on the skin. These scaly patches are identified as psoriatic plaques which are inflamed with excessive skin production. The skin in these areas can be whitish in color. Psoriasis can vary in severity from small and barely noticeable to severe full body coverage. It can affect the fingernails and toenails (called psoriatic nail dystrophy). Commonly, psoriasis affects the skin of the elbows and knees, but it can affect any area on the body.

In addition to the affects it has on the skin, psoriasis can also cause the joints to become inflamed. This is called psoriatic arthritis. Many people with psoriasis also end up with psoriatic arthritis.

Currently, the cause of psoriasis is unknown. Factors that may bring about psoriasis include alcohol consumption and smoking, stress and genetic factors.

What are the treatments of psoriasis? There are now many treatments available for psoriasis, including phototherapy. Psoriasis is chronic, but with treatments now available, the skin condition can be kept under control.

Psoriasis Treatment
At home treatment with phototherapy equipment gives you the relief you need.

Are you one of the 7 million people in the United States suffering from psoriasis? Are the symptoms of psoriasis causing you distress? There are many different psoriasis treatments available on the market today, but no treatment is as free of side effects and as convenient as narrowband UVB phototherapy – a and effective psoriasis treatment option that has helped many patients find relief from their skin condition.

What Causes Psoriasis?
"No one knows exactly what causes psoriasis, but it is believed to have a genetic component. Most researchers agree that the immune system is somehow mistakenly triggered, which speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells. A normal skin cell matures and falls off the body's surface in 28 to 30 days. But a psoriatic skin cell takes only three to four days to mature and move to the surface. Instead of falling off (shedding), the cells pile up and form the lesions."
Source: National Psoriasis Foundation

What Are Your Psoriasis Treatment Options?
Psoriasis treatments falls into 4 main categories: oral medications, biologic injections, topical medications and UV phototherapy treatment at your dermatologist’s office – or in the convenience of your own home. Systemic medications (biologicals, also called 'TNF inhibitors') like Enbrel®, Amevive® and Raptiva® are also used to treat psoriasis despite the severe side effects they commonly produce, including both cancer and death; this is not the case with phototherapy.

How Does Phototherapy Work?
Exposing affected skin cells to UV light through short, frequent sessions of exposure causes the skin cells to die, eliminating or improving symptoms, providing relief from psoriasis for many people. Although there is no cure for psoriasis, phototherapy treatments help significantly in upwards of 80% of the cases.

The UVBioTek™ home phototherapy system allows you to receive this highly effective treatment right in your own home – Safely, conveniently and privately.

Are There Different Types of Phototherapy Treatments?
Yes. Depending on your circumstances, your doctor may prescribe phototherapy using light in the Ultraviolet-A (UVA) or Ultraviolet-B (UVB) range for treating psoriasis.

When comparing the two, UVB has the added advantage of producing fewer adverse side effects, as the long-term use of the psoriasis medication psoralen is eliminated.

UVA
When using UVA light, doctors often combine UVA phototherapy with an oral or topical medicine called psoralen. The addition of psoralen (PUVA) makes the skin more sensitive to the UVA light, producing a greater effect than UVA light alone, but introducing the potential for side effects from using psoralen.

UVB
An improved understanding of UVB light allowed doctors to better refine phototherapy treatment by including a very precise range of UVB wavelengths, called narrowband UVB light (nbUVB). Evidence has given new hope to psoriasis sufferers and suggests that nbUVB phototherapy treatments offers even better treatment results than broadband UVB therapy for certain patients. Currently nbUVB is one of the main treatments for patients with mild to severe psoriasis. Broadband UVB lamps emit a broad range of light over the UVB spectrum.

How Frequent Are The Psoriasis Treatments?
Your doctor will prescribe phototherapy in short, non-burning sessions which are typically administered every other day. Once your psoriasis is under control, your doctor may also prescribe maintenance treatments to keep future outbreaks under control.

Most insurance companies cover the cost of psoriasis treatments – and will even pay for a good portion of the cost of a home phototherapy system that allows you to treat your skin condition Safely and effectively – from the convenience of your own home – on YOUR schedule.

As with any medical treatment, consult your physician about the advantages of phototherapy to see if a UVBioTek™ home phototherapy system is right for you.

Is there a Psoriasis Cure? Short answer, NO!
There isn't a psoriasis cure, unfortunately, but there are good psoriasis treatments available.

There are a lot of shady companies claiming to have found a cure for psoriasis, but their campaigns are all misleading - simply in business to take your money. Steroids or vitamin pills claiming to alter the immune system also do not cure psoriasis. Unfortunately, nothing that you do or ingest causes psoriasis and neither changing your diet or habits will result in a psoriasis cure.

In the future there might be a medical advancement that finds a cure, but for now, psoriasis treatment is the only solution. A psoriasis treatment can fall into 4 main categories: oral medications, biologic injections, topical medications and UV phototherapy, whether taken at your dermatologist’s office – or in the convenience of your own home.

Psoriasis Remedy
Psoriasis Home Remedies Do Not Work!
If you or a loved one has psoriasis, and you're looking online for a miracle psoriasis cure, you can stop looking now; there are none. Unfortunately there is no cure yet, and no home remedies effectively and consistently treat the condition.

There is a plethora of anecdotal evidence for any kind of treatment you can imagine, but that does not mean it's effective or that the treatment being touting was even responsible for the results. In many ways, psoriasis is a very stealthy condition. Since just about anything can cause psoriasis to flare in the wrong people, it stands to reason that just about anything could conceivably help to clear it in others. It also seems logical that what gets rid of it for one person could very well cause it to flare in another. Anecdotal evidence (i.e. "it worked for me, therefore I know that it works") is not the same as empirical evidence, which is derived from rigorously controlled medical testing following the proper scientific method; double-blind testing, use of control groups, etcetera.

The only treatment options that have proved to successfully treat psoriasis are those that fall into these categories: topical creams or ointments, oral medications, biologic injections, and UV phototherapy. The FDA does approve the use of phototherapy in treating a multitude of ailments. However, this is still a treatment and not a cure.

Conclusions from 'Strategy to manage the treatment
of severe psoriasis considerations of efficacy, Safety
and cost'
Steven R Feldman, Rachel Garton, William Averett, Rajesh Balkrishnan & Jeffrey Vallee: Departments of Dermatology, Pathology and Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1071, USA

Psoriasis is a common condition that has significant pharmacoeconomic implications. Treatment with toxic or expensive medications is often justified by the tremendous impact this disease has on patients’ quality of life. The development of new biological therapies adds considerably to the array of options available to treat patients. While wonderfully effective and relatively free of collateral organ toxicities, they are considerably more costly compared to other established treatments. These developments will bring pharmacoeconomic considerations of psoriasis treatment to the forefront.

Expert opinion: First-line treatment for severe psoriasis
The use of UVB phototherapy is one of the least costly treatments in terms of achieving treatment success and perhaps the safest way to manage psoriasis. Unfortunately, it is inconvenient. Given the cost and risks of alternative therapies, disincentives to the use of office UVB phototherapy are not logical. Fair reimbursement for the UVB procedure (at or above current Medicare reimbursement levels) and elimination of patient copays would encourage the use of this approach, improving patient Safe*ty and reducing insurers’ exposure to high cost biological therapies. Moreover, home UVB phototherapy should be promoted for appropriate patients who require long-term UVB as a maintenance therapy for their disease because this would eliminate most of the major inconveniences of phototherapy: frequent travel to the office for sessions, co-payments for each treatment and lost time from work.

With its safety and efficacy, Goeckerman day treatment programs should also be encouraged as a first-line treatment option for patients with severe psoriasis who would not be expected to respond to UVB phototherapy alone. Encouraging its use (i.e., providing appropriate reimbursement and eliminating copays at each visit) would reduce the need for riskier systemic therapies and for more costly biological treatments.

For patients who either do not respond or are not expected to respond to UVB alone, the combination of UVB plus an oral retinoid provides greater efficacy while maintaining an excellent long-term Safety profile. Phototherapy has not been shown to effectively treat psoriatic arthritis, so when significant arthritis is present, systemic therapy will likely be needed.

Second-line treatment for severe psoriasis
Beyond the use of UVB, choosing the next step in psoriasis management is complicated. Methotrexate offers a good efficacy: cost ratio; however, short-term risks (haematological toxicity) and long-term risks (hepatotoxicity) raise serious doubts concerning its place as the second-line treatment for psoriasis. PUVA is still a good consideration, with an excellent efficacy: cost ratio but long-term risk of cutaneous malignancy (including melanoma) makes its use as a standard second-line agent less attractive.

From the standpoint of Safety and efficacy, new biologicals appear to be an excellent choice for patients who fail or are not candidates for UVB phototherapy. The Safety of alefacept and the efficacy and good Safety profile of TNF inhibitors make these drugs promising as second-line agents from a risk:benefit ratio standpoint. The higher cost of these theraStrategy to manage the treatment of severe psoriasis: considerations of efficacy, Safety and cost 8 Expert Opin. Pharmacother. (2003) 4(9) pies, however, limits enthusiasm for a high position on the therapeutic ladder.

In short, PUVA, methotrexate, alefacept and etanercept (and probably infliximab and other TNF inhibitors) all appear to be appropriate second-line choices for psoriasis, each with advantages and disadvantages. Considerable patient and physician judgement is required in deciding which of these agents to prescribe in which order. Ideally, the cost-effectiveness of therapies would be an important component of this decision process. However, within a healthcare delivery system in which payment is made by a third-party, patients and physicians may have little or no incentive to consider the cost of therapy. Developing an acceptable approach to encouraging such consideration is problematic. The cost of biological therapy is so great that even a 10 – 20% copay for such a therapy might put the therapy out of reach of patients who need it for control of their disease.

Different structures of healthcare financing provide very different incentives for choice of therapies. Patients who have first dollar coverage for drug costs may be inclined to choose etanercept over other options, including phototherapy. Patients without prescription drug coverage have an incentive to choose physician-delivered treatments, such as alefacept, that would likely fall under their medical benefit.

Third-line treatment for severe psoriasis
The long-term risk of nephrotoxicity in cyclosporin therapy precludes recommending it for the long-term management of psoriasis above other, less toxic alternatives. Its higher cost compared to other, non-biological psoriasis therapies also limits enthusiasm for its use. However, it is still an appropriate therapy for short-term treatment of a disease flare, for reducing disease severity before transitioning to a Safe*r long-term treatment or for patients not adequately controlled with other treatments. Hydroxyurea because of its very narrow therapeutic window, is another third-line agent for the management of severe psoriasis.

The Emotional Effects of Psoriasis
Feeling Uncomfortable In Your Own Skin
Living with psoriasis is not only physically debilitating, it can also affect a person emotionally, and can be a major part of living with the skin disorder. Self-esteem, mood, interaction with others, sense of well-being and all-around quality of life can all impact the condition.

Let’s face it. The way someone looks tends to affect the way they feel about themselves. Because psoriasis affects the skin by causing lesions, scales, redness and irritation, it visibly affects a person’s appearance. Like acne, rosacea, vitiligo and other skin disorders, the skin irritation can make a person feel uncomfortable, unattractive or even ugly. Dealing with psoriasis as a child or teenager can be even worse as classmates can be more prone to tease someone for looking different, especially if they don’t understand what the skin condition is. Even as adults, people might see the psoriasis and think it is contagious and stay away from those with the condition. This can quickly lead to embarrassment anger, frustration or sadness which could in turn, affect personal and social relationships with others, participation in activities and even job performance, especially if your psoriasis causes pain, itchiness or other discomfort.

Positive Steps Toward Healthier Skin & A Healthier Life

Below are some positive tips to help psoriasis suffers cope with the emotional effects of the skin condition.

Educate yourself
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition, and although there is no psoriasis cure, there is hope. Speak with your doctor and familiarize yourself with the treatment options available, then develop a routine treatment schedule. Managing your symptoms and keeping the skin condition in remission can positively affect the way you look and feel! Depression and anxiety could potentially make your condition worse, making it even more important to have a regular routine that works for you to keep your psoriasis in check! One of the most effective ways to manage it is to get a home phototherapy system.

Educate others
Let others know about your condition. Explain to them that psoriasis is not contagious, not curable and is a chronic skin disorder. Ignorance often leads to insensitivity so sharing your knowledge of psoriasis can prevent others from feeling nervous or uncomfortable.

Realize you are not alone!
Millions of people in the United States suffer from psoriasis pain. Connect with others who have the condition by taking part in message boards or join a support group where you can share your feelings as well as tips and techniques for living with psoriasis.

Pediatric Psoriasis Treatments
Consider Narrowband UVB Phototherapy
Does your child suffer from pediatric psoriasis? Looking for a Safe method that works? UVBioTek™ offers Narrowband UVB phototherapy systems that provide an effective way to treat pediatric psoriasis with enhanced Safety features to keep your child Safe and comfortable!

UVBioTek™ Phototherapy Offers the Following Advantages for Pediatric Psoriasis Sufferers:
Practical Safety Features: Little Room for Error
Each UVBioTek™ Phototherapy System is equipped with a deluxe Acrylic Safety-Shield™ to provide a barrier between a child’s skin and the UV lamps. Unlike competitor models that offer an ‘open grid design’, our shield Safely keeps little fingers away from the hot lamps. Plus, the durable Acrylic Safety-Shield™ is very easy to keep clean! (Open grid models allow debris to collect inside and require tedious and regular cleanup to keep the unit sanitary.)

Our durable home UVB phototherapy units offer built-in Safety features, including the ability to enable your doctor to control the number of pediatric psoriasis treatments. Each treatment is timed to prevent a child from overexposure or misuse.

Not only is narrowband UVB (nbUVB) phototherapy a tried and true method for treating psoriasis, it is also a time-saving, non-invasive treatment option that can be administered in your own household. The home models are full-body units allowing a complete timed session. Adjustable wrap-around panels are easy to move and discreetly fold flat once the treatment is over. Home phototherapy can provide long-term treatment care for pediatric psoriasis, perfect for developing a routine with your child!

Physicians have been treating psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (eczema) and vitiligo with UV phototherapy for 80+ years. Talk to your doctor today about treating your child with comfortable, Safe and effective light therapy.