Category Archives: Transhuman News

When youre dealing with an itchy, flaky, and straight-up unhappy scalp, your mind probably jumps to dandruffnot something like scalp psoriasis. The condition, which can be much more difficult to diagnose and treat than your run-of-the-mill dandruff, can cause scaly skin patches or plaques to develop on the scalp, and you may not even know it because theyre hiding under your hair1. To better understand what you may be dealing with, SELF asked a leading expert to explain what scalp psoriasis looks like, plus the conditions most common triggers and treatments, so you can finally get the relief you deserve.

What is scalp psoriasis?

Scalp psoriasis is not officially recognized as a subtype of psoriasis, but the scalp is a commonly affected2 area for people who struggle with the autoimmune condition. For a person with psoriasis, the immune system goes a bit haywire and mistakenly tells skin cells to grow too quickly3. Because those extra skin cells arent needed by the body, it results in a pile up of skin, forming those telltale psoriasis plaques, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

When the condition affects your scalp, which happens in approximately 80% of people with psoriasis, according to a 2016 paper published in the journal Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy4, its commonly known as scalp psoriasis. Some people may have plaques only on their scalps, while others may have them on their scalps and other areas of their bodies, according to Tina Bhutani5, M.D., an associate professor of dermatology and the co-director of the Psoriasis and Skin Treatment Center at the University of California, San Francisco.

What are the most common scalp psoriasis symptoms?

Youre probably wondering, What does scalp psoriasis looks like? Generally, you might notice flaking or scaly patches of raised skin on your scalp first, Dr. Bhutani says. These patches can also be inflamed, thick, and swollen6, and sometimes extend to the forehead, the back of the neck, or behind the ears. On light skin tones, psoriasis plaques on the scalp typically appear pink or red with silvery scales. For people with dark skin, these lesions may range in color and appear salmon-y pink, silvery white, violet, or brown, depending on your specific skin tone7.

But the signs of scalp psoriasis go far beyond the physical effects. Scalp psoriasis, honestly, causes some of the largest impact on quality of life, Dr. Bhutani says. Thats because severe symptoms can interrupt sleep, create feelings of anxiety, and hurt a persons self-esteem, especially if the scalp psoriasis plaques are clearly visible.

In addition to plaques, other scalp psoriasis symptoms include6:

What causes scalp psoriasis?

While we know what causes psoriasis plaques to develop on the scalp (an overactive immune system causes the body to make too many skin cells), experts dont fully understand why someone develops the condition in the first place or what determines where those lesions will appear. Experts suspect there is a genetic component to psoriasis because people who have a family history of the condition are more likely to develop it, but the specific genes that could be linked to psoriasis are unknown8.

More here:
Scalp Psoriasis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Tips - SELF

Let's talk about psoriasis. (Illustration by Franziska Barczyk)

Imagine that the stress of a work-related deadline, the cocktails you drank over the weekend or a chilly fall evening could make you wake up the next day with red, scaly, itchy patches on your skin. This is the reality for an estimated 7.5 million Americans who suffer from psoriasis a chronic inflammatory skin condition.

Psoriasis can literally make you feel uncomfortable in your own skin. But it's more than cosmetic: Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and has been linked to depression, Dr. Orit Markowitz, a dermatologist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and founder of OptiSkin in New York City, tells Yahoo Life. In some cases, psoriasis patients can go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, which can cause irreversible joint damage.

Not surprisingly, the skin condition can affect a patient's daily life something Judy Schmidt knows well. The 44-year-old mom of two, who lives in Orlando, Fla., finds that during her psoriasis flare-ups, even moving her hands can be challenging. This makes it difficult for Schmidt to help her young children in the bath or manage their car seat buckles.

But it's the psychological toll of psoriasis that can be the hardest to cope with, affecting patients' self-esteem and body image and causing some to try to cover up the skin condition.

Rather than hiding, however, some women are speaking up about psoriasis on social media. They're sharing what led to their diagnosis and how they manage the skin condition, along with posting candid selfies when they have psoriasis flare-ups to break the stigma.

Nisha Shama wants people to know how "life-changing" a chronic skin condition like psoriasis can be. (Photo courtesy of Nisha Shama)

Not all doctors recognize the signs

At 12 years old, Nisha Shama, a student from Hertfordshire, U.K., developed scaly patches on both sides of her face. But no one, including her family doctor, knew what the patches were. While she was waiting for a biopsy, the condition spread across her body.

"I was being sent to specialist after specialist," Shama tells Yahoo Life. "At one point, a doctor said the phrase 'skin cancer,' which terrified me and my family." By the time Shama got her psoriasis diagnosis, several months had gone by. "I later learned that psoriasis could present differently on darker skin, which may have been why specialists struggled to diagnose my condition."

Story continues

In fact, it can take seeing as many as six dermatologists before a person of color is correctly diagnosed, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.

Shama, who is now 21, has found that sharing her psoriasis journey on Instagram has not only helped her but also helps to educate others. "My psoriasis was often viewed as just a skin problem, despite how severe it was," Shama says. "People need to be aware of how life-changing a chronic skin condition can be with someones identity and daily life. It can be debilitating to live with and is more than skin deep."

Shama adds: "Having a chronic skin condition needs to be normalized."

Victoria Voos shares that psoriasis is one of her insecurities but is also part of her self-love journey, which she shares on Instagram. (Photo courtesy of Victoria Voos)

'No matter what kind of treatment I tried, nothing worked'

Being diagnosed with a chronic condition like psoriasis can be overwhelming. Thats how Victoria Voos, a plus-size blogger from San Diego, Calif., felt when she was diagnosed with psoriasis in 2010, after noticing a dry, itchy patch on her scalp that never seemed to get better. "No matter what kind of treatment I tried, nothing worked," Voos tells Yahoo Life.

It took four years for Voos to find a dermatologist who created a treatment regimen that worked for her. "My skin is the clearest it's ever been," she says. But Voos also had to come to terms with the fact that living with a chronic illness made her feel helpless. Sharing what she was going through on social media helped. "My psoriasis is a big part of me and my self-love journey, as it is one of my biggest insecurities," Voos says, "and so I knew I wanted to share more about it."

Voos adds: "I have also found the more I show and talk about my insecurities, the more comfortable and accepting I am of them. It's a little bit of serving my audience and a little bit of healing myself."

Katie Moczygemba, a nurse with psoriasis, has been sharing her fitness journey on social media and decided not to hide her "scaly patches" in photos anymore. (Photo courtesy of Katie Moczygemba)

'When I got the diagnosis, I felt heard and validated'

Katie Moczygemba, a 28-year-old trauma nurse from San Antonio, Texas, had mixed feelings when the "patches" she'd had on her body since she was five years old were diagnosed as psoriasis in her mid-20s. "When I got the diagnosis, I felt heard and validated, but I felt sadness knowing my body was attacking itself," Moczygemba tells Yahoo Life. She also feared that psoriasis would spread to noticeable parts of her body.

But then, Moczygemba had a realization. She had been chronicling her fitness journey on Instagram, learning how to share her insecurities and triumphs along the way. Why couldnt she do the same for her skin? So Moczygemba, who has been able to manage her psoriasis by partnering with her doctor, started angling the camera so that her skin "patches" were more prominent and using more psoriasis-related hashtags on her posts.

"I had been sharing my fitness journey, and realized I was trying to cover up any scaly patches," Moczygemba says. "I enjoy sharing obstacles and insecurities and how I can overcome them."

It's something Schmidt can relate to. "I really believe speaking about this and sharing my journey shows support and community to those who watch, but don't necessarily feel comfortable doing so themselves," she says. "They are the people who need to know they are seen, even if not heard."

Judy Schmidt, pictured with her two children, hopes that sharing her psoriasis journey empowers and supports others with the skin condition. (Photo courtesy of Judy Schmidt)

Breaking the psoriasis stigma

To combat the stigma surrounding psoriasis, Shama shares candid posts of her flare-ups while sharing information and busting myths about the skin condition, which some mistakenly believe is caused by "bad hygiene, contagiousness or a choice," Shama says.

Since Shama's psoriasis first appeared, I used to think I was disgusting and 'ugly' and would compare myself to others," she shares. "I know that the issue wasn't myself, but cultural ideals and standards of beauty, which need to be challenged in every way."

Shama adds: "Of course, I still have my bad days, particularly when my psoriasis is painful or flares up, but compared to a year ago, I never would have thought I'd post a makeup-free selfie with my psoriasis patches uncovered. The fact that I have and continue to do so is a major sign that I'm on an emotional healing journey."

Here is the original post:
I never would have thought Id post a makeup-free selfie: Women on breaking the stigma of psoriasis - Yahoo Life

- CHMP positive opinion is based on data from two Phase 3 studies, KEEPsAKE-1 and KEEPsAKE-2[1],[2]

- If approved, this will mark the second indication for risankizumab in the EU[3]

- Psoriatic arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease that impacts the skin and joints, affecting approximately 30 percent of patients with psoriasis[4],[5],[6],[7]

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Oct. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommended the approval of risankizumab (SKYRIZI, 150 mg, subcutaneous injection at week 0, week 4 and every 12 weeks thereafter) alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX), for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in adults who have had an inadequate response or who have been intolerant to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The CHMP positive opinion is a scientific recommendation for marketing authorization to the European Commission, which authorizes marketing approval in the European Union.

This CHMP positive opinion was supported by data from two pivotal Phase 3 studies, KEEPsAKE-1 and KEEPsAKE-2, which evaluated risankizumab in adults with active psoriatic arthritis including those who had responded inadequately or were intolerant to biologic therapy and/or non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).1,2 Additionally, the efficacy and safety profile of risankizumab with up to 52 weeks of exposure was consistent with the profile observed up to 24 weeks.8

"Many patients with psoriatic arthritis experience uncontrolled skin and joint symptoms despite the availability of existing therapies. For this reason, it is important to have multiple treatment options available for physicians to effectively manage their patients' condition," said Thomas Hudson, senior vice president, research and development, AbbVie. "The CHMP's recommendation to approve risankizumab in psoriatic arthritis is an important step in bringing treatment to more patients in need."

Story continues

Across the Phase 3 KEEPsAKE-1 and KEEPsAKE-2 clinical studies, risankizumab met the primary endpoint of ACR20 response at week 24 versus placebo.1,2 In both studies, risankizumab also met ranked secondary endpoints including, but not limited to improvements in several clinical manifestations of psoriatic arthritis such as skin clearance (as measured by at least a 90 percent improvement in Psoriasis Area Severity Index [PASI 90]), physical function (as measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index [HAQ-DI]) and minimal disease activity (MDA) at week 24. In both KEEPsAKE-1 and KEEPsAKE-2, the most common adverse reactions associated with risankizumab were upper respiratory infections, headache, fatigue, injection site reactions and tinea infections.1,2

If the CHMP recommendation is accepted by the European Commission, this will mark the second indication for risankizumab in the European Union, which was approved in 2019 for the treatment of adult plaque psoriasis. The Marketing Authorization will be valid in all member states of the European Union, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Northern Ireland.

Risankizumab (SKYRIZI) is part of a collaboration between Boehringer Ingelheim and AbbVie, with AbbVie leading development and commercialization globally.

Use of risankizumab in psoriatic arthritis is not approved and its safety and efficacy are under evaluation by regulatory authorities.

About Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a heterogeneous, systemic inflammatory disease with hallmark manifestations across multiple domains including joints and skin.5,6 In psoriatic arthritis, the immune system creates inflammation that can lead to pain, fatigue, stiffness in the joints and cause a red, scaly rash.5,6

About KEEPsAKE-1 and KEEPsAKE-21,2,3,8

KEEPsAKE-1 and KEEPsAKE-2 are both Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of risankizumab in adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis. KEEPsAKE-1 evaluated risankizumab in patients who had an inadequate response or intolerance to at least one DMARD. KEEPsAKE-2 evaluated risankizumab in patients who had an inadequate response or intolerance to biologic therapy and/or DMARDs. Patients were randomized to risankizumab 150 mg or placebo followed by risankizumab 150 mg at week 24. Patients randomized to risankizumab received four maintenance doses a year, following two initiation doses.

The primary endpoint for both studies was the achievement of ACR20 response at week 24. Ranked secondary endpoints included, but were not limited to, change from baseline in HAQ-DI, as well as the achievement of PASI 90 and minimal disease activity (MDA) at week 24. The studies are ongoing, and the long-term extension remains blinded to evaluate the long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of risankizumab in patients who have completed the placebo-controlled period.

More information on these trials can be found at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (KEEPsAKE-1: NCT03675308; KEEPsAKE-2: NCT03671148).

About SKYRIZI (risankizumab)3

SKYRIZI is an interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitor that selectively blocks IL-23 by binding to its p19 subunit.3,9 IL-23, a cytokine involved in inflammatory processes, is thought to be linked to a number of chronic immune-mediated diseases, including psoriasis.9 The approved dose for SKYRIZI is 150 mg (two 75 mg injections), administered by subcutaneous injection at week 0 and 4, and every 12 weeks thereafter. Phase 3 trials of SKYRIZI in psoriasis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and psoriatic arthritis are ongoing.10,11,12,13

Important EU Indication and Safety Information about SKYRIZI (risankizumab)3

SKYRIZI is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy.

SKYRIZI is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. SKYRIZI may increase the risk of infection. In patients with a chronic infection, a history of recurrent infection, or known risk factors for infection, SKYRIZI should be used with caution. Treatment with SKYRIZI should not be initiated in patients with any clinically important active infection until the infection resolves or is adequately treated.

Prior to initiating treatment with SKYRIZI, patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis (TB) infection. Patients receiving SKYRIZI should be monitored for signs and symptoms of active TB. Anti-TB therapy should be considered prior to initiating SKYRIZI in patients with a past history of latent or active TB in whom an adequate course of treatment cannot be confirmed.

Prior to initiating therapy with SKYRIZI, completion of all appropriate immunizations should be considered according to current immunization guidelines. If a patient has received live vaccination (viral or bacterial), it is recommended to wait at least 4 weeks prior to starting treatment with SKYRIZI. Patients treated with SKYRIZI should not receive live vaccines during treatment and for at least 21 weeks after treatment.

The most frequently reported adverse reactions were upper respiratory infections, which occurred in 13 percent of patients. Commonly (greater than or equal to 1/100 to less than 1/10) reported adverse reactions included tinea infections, headache, pruritus, fatigue and injection site reactions.

This is not a complete summary of all safety information. See SKYRIZI full summary of product characteristics (SmPC) at http://www.ema.europa.eu.

Globally, prescribing information varies; refer to the individual country product label for complete information.

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at http://www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, failure to realize the expected benefits from AbbVie's acquisition of Allergan plc ("Allergan"), failure to promptly and effectively integrate Allergan's businesses, competition from other products, challenges to intellectual property, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry and the impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.

References1 Kristensen, L.E., et al. Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Patients With Active Psoriatic Arthritis After Inadequate Response or Intolerance to DMARDs: 24-Week Results From the Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind KEEPsAKE 1 Trial. 2 str, A., et al. Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab for Active Psoriatic Arthritis, Including Patients With Inadequate Response or Intolerance to Biologic Therapies: 24-Week Results From the Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, KEEPsAKE 2 Trial.3 SKYRIZI [Summary of Product Characteristics]. AbbVie Ltd. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/skyrizi-epar-product-information_en.pdf. Accessed on October 7, 2021.4 Galezowski, A., et al. Rhumatisme psoriasique en France, du nourrisson la personne ge?: donnes de deux tudes transversales multicentriques [Psoriatic arthritis in France, from infants to the elderly: Findings from two cross-sectional, multicenter studies].?Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2018;145(1):13-20. doi:10.1016/j.annder.2017.10.008.5 Duarte G.V., et al. Psoriatic arthritis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2012 Feb;26(1):147-56. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2012.01.003.6 Diseases & Conditions: Psoriatic Arthritis. 2019. American College of Rheumatology. Available at: https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Psoriatic-Arthritis. Accessed on October 7, 2021.7 Psoriatic Arthritis. 2019. Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354076. Accessed on October 7, 2021.8 Kristensen, L.E., et al. Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab for Active Psoriatic Arthritis: 52-Week Results From the KEEPsAKE 1 and KEEPsAKE 2 Trials. 2021 EADV Virtual Congress. D1T01.4A.9 Duvallet E., Sererano L., Assier E., et al. Interleukin-23: a key cytokine in inflammatory diseases. Ann Med. 2011. Nov 43(7):503-11.10 A Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Risankizumab for Maintenance in Moderate to Severe Plaque Type Psoriasis (LIMMITLESS). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03047395. Accessed on October 7, 2021. 11 A Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Participants With Crohn's Disease. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03105102. Accessed on October 7, 2021.12 A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Induction Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03398148. October 7, 2021.13 Pipeline Our Science | AbbVie. AbbVie. 2021. Available at: https://www.abbvie.com/our-science/pipeline.html. Accessed on October 7, 2021.

Cision

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abbvie-receives-chmp-positive-opinion-for-risankizumab-skyrizi-for-the-treatment-of-adults-with-active-psoriatic-arthritis-in-the-european-union-eu-301401208.html

SOURCE AbbVie

More here:
AbbVie Receives CHMP Positive Opinion for Risankizumab (SKYRIZI) for the Treatment of Adults with Active Psoriatic Arthritis in the European Union...

Although on the surface it seems that Kim has flawless skin, in actuality the star has a condition that causes scaly patches around her scalp, elbows and knees. The star inherited the condition known as psoriasis from "momager" Kris Jenner, and only discovered that she had the condition herself when it flared up at the age of 25.

Writing in Poosh magazine she said: When I was 25, I had my first psoriasis flare-up. I got a common cold, and since psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, this triggered it. It was all over my stomach and legs.

After consulting a dermatologist the star's condition cleared up. Thinking that she was cured, the star didnt experience another flare up until hitting her early thirties.

Unsure that the condition was actually psoriasis, she consulted her mum Kris, who recognised the distinctive patches of irritated skin from her own experience and broke the news to her daughter.

Kim said: This is when my real psoriasis journey began. For the past eight years, although the spots are unpredictable, I can always count on my main spot on my right lower leg, which consistently stays flared up. I have learned to live with this spot without using any creams or medicationI just deal.

DON'T MISS:Visceral fat: The warm drink that 'torches' the dangerous body fat during sleep

The NHS explains that psoriasis is a skin condition that only affects small patches of skin but these patches can become extremely sore and itchy.

The condition affects around two percent of people in the UK and can start at any age. Most typically psoriasis is a long-lasting (chronic) disease that usually involves periods when you have no symptoms or mild symptoms, followed by periods when symptoms are more severe.

Unusually for Kim, what she thought was just psoriasis turned out to be psoriatic arthritis. This is a type of arthritis that affects only people with the skin condition and can cause joints to become swollen, stiff and painful.

Kim recalled when she found out she had the condition: One night, I woke up to use the restroom and I physically couldnt pick up my phone. I thought it was strange but maybe I just slept on my hands weird and I was so tired.

READ MORE:

I woke up that morning and I still couldnt pick up my phone. I was freaking outI couldnt even pick up a toothbrush, my hands hurt so badly. I had worked out the day before and we did an arm day, so I thought maybe one of the exercises strained my hand. It didnt cross my mind that it could be anything serious. As the day went on, I got a bit more movement in my hands, but they really hurt from the insideI felt it in my bones.

After I flew home I went to the doctor. I had my blood tested for all possibilities, and it came back positive for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. I immediately started to cry and felt so lost.

I went back three days later, which felt like the longest three days of my life! It turns out those tests were a false positive and I did not have rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. I had psoriatic arthritis.

Its still painful and scary, but I was happy to have a diagnosis. No matter what autoimmune condition I had, I was going to get through it, and they are all manageable with proper care.

The severity of the condition can vary from person to person and similar to normal psoriasis, individuals can experience flare-ups when symptoms get worse and periods of remission when symptoms improve.

It tends to develop five to 10 years after psoriasis is diagnosed, although some people may have problems with their joints before they notice any skin-related symptoms.

Like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is thought to happen as a result of the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy tissue. However it is unclear why some people with psoriasis develop arthritis and some do not.

Now 40 years old Kim has been able to deal with her autoimmune conditions. She added: Ive become extremely comfortable with my psoriasis. No matter where it is on my body, sometimes I am fine with showing it off and other times I dont want it to be a distraction, so I cover it up with body makeup.

If you have psoriasis, you cant let it ruin your life or get the best of you. You have to do what you can to make sure you are comfortable but not let it take over.

Treatments for psoriatic arthritis aims to do the following:

To do this, treatments usually involve a number of different medicines, some of which also treat psoriasis.

The NHS recommends if possible that individuals should take one medicine to treat both your psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The main medicines used to treat the condition include the anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs that help to reduce pain and swelling.

Read more:
Kim Kardashian health: The icon's 'unpredictable' and irritable skin condition - symptoms - Daily Express