Category Archives: Transhuman News

Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition that can cause flushed skin lesions and silvery scales on various parts of the body. Although it does not commonly affect the lips, scientists are aware of some rare cases of lip psoriasis. Other causes of skin problems on the lips include seasonal changes or conditions such as eczema.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects a persons skin. As a 2021 review explains, the main symptom of psoriasis is the formation of plaques on the skin. Silvery scales sometimes cover these plaques.

Although facial psoriasis can affect 50% of people with the condition, it is rare for psoriasis to affect the lips. It is more likely that another condition is causing symptoms, including inflammation or dryness of the lips. People with psoriasis may notice lesions on other parts of their body as well as their lips.

This article will detail its symptoms before discussing some similar-seeming conditions. It will then look at the triggers, diagnosis, and treatment of lip psoriasis.

Psoriasis can cause symptoms on the lips, including skin peeling, plaques, and silvery scales. However, it is rare for the condition to affect the lips.

The most common parts of the skin that psoriasis can affect include the elbows, knees, and spine. The scalp is also a commonly affected area. By comparison, oral psoriasis is rare. Its most common manifestation is a fissured tongue, which affects between 6.520% of people whose psoriasis affects their skin.

In extremely rare cases, psoriasis can affect a persons lips. A 2018 scientific paper notes that only six cases of lip psoriasis were known to the medical community. Some of the affected individuals presented with the characteristic red plaques and silvery scales on their lips.

Psoriasis on the lips can also present with other symptoms, such as the following:

However, several other conditions can resemble psoriasis on the lips.

Learn what psoriasis can look like in other parts of the body here.

Psoriasis can affect any part of the body, but it rarely involves the lips. It may cause symptoms in other parts of the body at the same time as it affects the lips.

Researchers in one 2018 case study of a 21-year-old woman mentioned that the lesions appeared only on her lips and did not affect the inside of the mouth. Her face, body, and scalp were also unaffected.

In an older case study from 2009 involving a 38-year-old man, psoriatic plaques began on his lips but then developed on his fingers 3 years later.

Cheilitis is another condition that may resemble lip psoriasis. As a 2021 review explains, cheilitis refers to any type of inflammation of the lips. Its symptoms can vary greatly but can include:

Because lip psoriasis is so rare, there is a good chance that an individual with such symptoms has something other than lip psoriasis.

The following conditions can cause cheilitis:

Dry and cracked lips are common occurrences in cold winters and more arid summers and can cause cheilitis. A person may mistake psoriasis for dry lips because both conditions can cause patches of dead skin or peeling.

When people lick their lips to compensate for lip dryness, the problem can worsen, causing lip dermatitis.

Learn the 6 best ways to get rid of chapped lips here.

Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema that develops when something comes into contact with the skin that a person is allergic to. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the face is a common area for contact dermatitis to appear.

If a person applies cream or fragrance to their face and has an allergy to an ingredient in the product, they may develop contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis can appear as:

Perioral dermatitis is another type of eczema. It involves a facial rash that usually affects the skin around the mouth. It can spread up toward the nose and occasionally involve the skin around the eyes. However, it usually avoids the skin adjacent to the lips.

One of the most common causes of perioral dermatitis is excessive use of topical steroid creams and inhaled prescription steroid sprays. Some people experience perioral dermatitis after using heavy face creams and moisturizers.

A doctor will recommend a person stops applying steroid cream to help treat this rash.

Learn more about eczema on the lips here.

Some people may mistake the blisters that happen with cold sores for psoriasis. Cold sores are small blisters that mostly develop on the lip or around the mouth. Cold sores occur because of the herpes simplex virus.

Psoriasis does not usually cause blisters. Cold sores are contagious but can go away within 2 weeks in otherwise healthy people.

Learn how to get rid of a cold sore here.

The symptoms of psoriasis can sometimes improve on their own. However, many people with psoriasis also experience flare-ups, in which the symptoms worsen again. The flare-ups themselves can result from several triggering factors. A 2014 study lists the following common psoriasis flare-ups:

These triggers may vary in how they affect people with psoriasis. For instance, stress may cause psoriasis flare-ups in up to 70% of people with this condition. Hormonal changes due to puberty and menopause may cause flare-ups in 36% of females with psoriasis.

Doctors typically diagnose psoriasis by noting which area of skin is affected and examining the lesions on the skin. However, because lip psoriasis is so rare and can share symptoms with other conditions, doctors cannot always simply look at the skin lesions to make a diagnosis.

It can be difficult for doctors to diagnose lip psoriasis. For example, a 2009 case report of a person with lip psoriasis explains that several laboratory tests for other dermatological conditions were negative. The doctors then took a biopsy from the individuals hand, which was affected by similar skin lesions. This biopsy allowed the doctors to diagnose psoriasis.

Medical treatment for psoriasis can vary, depending on the severity of the condition. A 2019 study explains that a combination of topical glucocorticoids, vitamin D, and phototherapy may suffice in milder cases. In more severe cases, the condition requires long-term systemic treatments that can involve more specialized medication.

When it comes to the specifics of treating lip psoriasis, there are too few cases to determine an optimum treatment strategy. However, the 2009 case report notes that the once-daily application of an emollient cream and a 0.1% mometasone furoate ointment cleared the lip lesions in the person with psoriasis within 14 days.

An individual with psoriasis may have some control over their exposure to psoriasis risk factors. By reducing stress, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption, some individuals may be able to lower their risk of lip psoriasis flare-ups.

For example, a 2020 review lists some scientifically supported methods for stress management, including exercise and mindfulness-based activities, such as yoga or meditation. While there is no guarantee that these methods would prevent a flare-up, they nonetheless give people with psoriasis some control over the probability of flare-ups.

Learn 12 home remedies for treating psoriasis here.

Psoriasis often affects the skin on the face, but it very rarely affects the lips. If it does, it can cause reddish or silvery skin lesions to build up on the lips.

A doctor can prescribe topical creams to help treat psoriasis on the lips. A person can also seek to avoid certain triggers, such as overexposure to sunlight and smoking tobacco.

However, it may be more likely that the symptoms are the result of factors such as seasonal changes, or another condition, such as eczema or contact dermatitis.

See the rest here:
Psoriasis on lips: Symptoms, causes, treatment, and more - Medical News Today

Theres no cure for psoriasis, but certain over-the-counter (OTC) treatments can ease itchy, scaly, or uncomfortable skin.

OTC products are often sold online or in stores without a doctors prescription. They come in different formulations, such as:

In this article, we take a look at the most commonly used OTC products for psoriasis, and how they work to help relieve symptoms.

OTC topicals that contain salicylic acid, a peeling agent, are commonly used to treat symptoms of psoriasis. This ingredient has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating psoriasis. It works by prompting the outer layer of the skin to shed, which helps lessen scaling and swelling.

Its important to use salicylic acid as directed because too much can cause irritation and worsen your condition.

Tar is another ingredient thats FDA-approved to treat psoriasis. It comes from coal and wood and can slow the growth of skin cells. Many people report smoother skin with less scaling, itching, and inflammation.

Coal tar products can irritate your skin and make it more sensitive to the sun. You should use sunscreen when outdoors. Additionally, some studies have shown that very high amounts of coal tar, such as those used in industrial paving, are linked to cancer. You might want to talk to your doctor about this risk.

Keeping your skin moisturized and hydrated can help with redness and itching. Heavy creams or ointments that lock in water are preferred. They relieve dryness and help your skin heal.

You can even use shortening or coconut oil to keep your skin lubricated.

Some OTC bath products help remove scales and soothe irritated skin. To create your own solution, add any of the following items to your bath:

Try to soak for about 15 minutes.

OTC scale lifters, also known as keratolytics, usually contain ingredients like:

Products with these ingredients help loosen and eliminate scales, which lets medications reach the psoriasis plaques. It might help to take a warm, 15-minute bath before using a scale lifter.

Occlusion refers to covering the skin, so it can absorb topical medications or moisturizers better. You can cover the area with:

Talk with your doctor about this method before using it. Its important to know which topical treatments are safe to use beneath a skin covering.

OTC anti-itch products may contain the following ingredients:

These medications can help relieve itchiness caused by psoriasis, but they can also irritate and dry out your skin.

Other OTC treatments that can soothe your skin and relieve itching may include the following:

While the effectiveness of some of these ingredients hasnt been proven, many people with psoriasis report relief anecdotally.

Some OTC treatments can irritate or dry out your skin. You may want to use a moisturizer along with them to counter this effect.

It also might be helpful to test products on a small area of the skin first to see how you respond to the treatment. Some topical medications can be applied on top of a moisturizer to minimize side effects.

Treatments that contain coal tar can stain clothing or bed linens, so you might want to protect these items with a towel or other barrier.

Its also important to know that the concentration of ingredients can vary depending on the brand and product. Typically, the higher the concentration, the stronger the medication.

Several OTC products are available to help treat symptoms of psoriasis. While many of these offer relief, its best to talk with a doctor before using a new therapy for your condition.

If these treatments dont work, your doctor can recommend a prescription medication that might do a better job of easing your symptoms.

Read the rest here:
8 Over-the-Counter Psoriasis Treatments: Effectiveness & How to Use - Healthline

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that can affect as many as 30 percent of people with psoriasis. Psoriasis is a condition that affects the skin, causing dry, scaly patches.

Psoriatic arthritis typically develops later but can have a much deeper impact on your body. Keep reading to learn about the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis and the risk factors for developing it.

Like other forms of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis affects your joints, causing stiffness and pain. Each type of arthritis has different features, and psoriatic arthritis symptoms include:

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis can strike large or small joints, but are most common in:

Symptoms can come and go. They usually come in the form of flare-ups that can last for weeks and then disappear for long periods of time. Psoriatic arthritis might affect one or many joints at a time during a flare-up.

The main risk factor for psoriatic arthritis is having psoriasis, but some people may develop this type of arthritis before ever developing any skin lesions. Overall risk factors include:

For people with psoriasis who end up developing psoriatic arthritis, it typically begins roughly 10 years after psoriasis appears. There doesnt appear to be any link between how severe your psoriasis is and how severe your psoriatic arthritis may be.

Psoriatic arthritis is usually diagnosed by a rheumatologist. Its important to seek diagnosis early if you suspect you have this condition. Early diagnosis and management can keep you from developing more severe complications like:

While theres no cure for psoriatic arthritis, symptoms can be managed with medications and therapy.

Read this article:
Psoriatic Arthritis: Symptoms and Risk Factors - Healthline

Occlusion therapy is a type of treatment method people may use for psoriasis. After applying topical treatment for psoriasis on the affected area, a person covers the area with plastic wrap or a waterproof dressing.

Occlusion therapy may help increase the amount of product that the skin absorbs, which can boost the effectiveness of topical treatments.

In this article, we look at which topical psoriasis treatments may work with occlusion therapy, as well as the effectiveness and safety of occlusion therapy for psoriasis.

People may be able to use occlusion therapy alongside topical treatments for psoriasis.

A person may wrap the affected area with any covering that will seal in the topical treatment. The coverings include:

Emollients, such as moisturizers and oils, may help restore hydration in areas with dry, psoriatic skin. Individuals should avoid using emollients with heavy fragrances or additives, as these may irritate the skin.

Occlusion therapy with emollients may help soothe pain more quickly than other home treatments.

Other topical treatments for psoriasis include:

Topical corticosteroids may help ease symptoms of psoriasis, such as itching and pain, and suppress the immune system to slow down the turnover of skin cells.

According to a 2012 review article, occlusion with topical corticosteroids may be suitable for thicker areas of the skin, such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Occlusion may only be suitable for a short period of time and under a healthcare professionals supervision.

In other areas of the body, such as the armpit, groin, or face, occlusion may produce side effects.

Keratolytics, such as salicylic acid, are peeling agents that encourage the shedding of the outer layer of the skin. This can help break down psoriatic plaques.

People should consult a healthcare professional about whether it is safe for them to use occlusion with salicylic acid.

If a person leaves salicylic acid on the skin for too long, it can result in irritation. Salicylic acid can also cause internal toxicity if people apply it over large areas of the skin.

Coal tar can help reduce inflammation, itching and scaling and slow down the rate at which skin cells grow.

Very high concentrations of coal tar may cause cancer. However, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), coal tar concentrations between 0.5 and 5% are a safe and effective treatment for psoriasis, with no known carcinogenic effects.

Coal tar is a potent active ingredient, and therefore people should seek guidance from a healthcare professional before using it with occlusion.

Retinoids help encourage skin cell turnover, meaning newer skin cells replace older ones and help reduce plaques.

Tazarotene, a type of retinoid, is a topical treatment for psoriasis. A combination of tazarotene and occlusion may be effective in treating nail psoriasis.

Anti-itch treatments may aid in alleviating psoriasis symptoms. These treatments include:

It is of note that some anti-itch treatments may be drying or irritating to the skin.

People should contact a doctor before using occlusion therapy, as some topical treatments may not be safe to use with occlusion. This is because occlusion may greatly increase the absorption of topical treatments, which may make the dosage too high to be safe.

Research shows that occlusion may help increase the effectiveness of topical medications by increasing the absorption of the active ingredients into the skin.

Research also suggests that occlusion has standalone benefits for psoriasis. It may help alleviate psoriasis symptoms and decrease the thickness of psoriatic plaques.

According to a 2014 article on the effects of topical corticosteroids, occlusion can enhance absorption by up to 10 times.

Occlusion traps moisture and heat, which helps hydrate and soften the skin. This in turn drives topical medication through psoriatic plaques and increases penetration of topical treatments into the skin.

Occlusion may improve small, localized areas of psoriasis. Authors of a small-scale 2016 study found that the use of waterproof hydrocolloid dressings was effective in treating psoriasis plaques.

After 10 weekly applications of the dressings, this treatment resolved 47% of plaques. Hydrocolloid dressings were also more effective than two daily applications of a strong topical steroid cream over the period of 10 weeks.

Occlusion in combination with topical treatments may be a more suitable psoriasis treatment for certain areas of the body, such as the nails, palms of the hands, or soles of the feet.

Occlusion therapy is a treatment method that people may use alongside topical treatments for psoriasis.

Occlusion therapy involves wrapping the area of the affected skin in a waterproof dressing or plastic wrap to increase the absorption of topical treatments into the skin. This may increase the effectiveness of topical treatments.

People need to consult a healthcare professional before using occlusion therapy with any topical treatments for psoriasis. Occlusion may increase the absorption of active ingredients into the skin, which may be unsafe without proper guidance.

More here:
Occlusion therapy for psoriasis: How it works, and is it effective? - Medical News Today

Narrowband ultraviolet (NbUVB) phototherapy treatment is often used in psoriasis as a second-line treatment if the response to topical treatments has been insufficient, prior to the use of systemic therapies. NbUVB is very effective in clearing psoriasis for 63%-86% of patients, but the length of remission after treatment can vary among patients. A greater focus on precision medicine approaches for the management of chronic diseases seeks to enhance treatment on a patient-by-patient basis and increase effective utilization of hospital resources. However, there is limited research that focused on determining which factors impact phototherapy response and length of remission.

For a paper published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, we first aimed to determine whether specific biomarkers correlated with remission duration and, secondly, with psoriasis clearance at the end of phototherapy treatment. In addition, my colleagues and I examined whether early trajectory of UVB clearance was tied to last clearance results.

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 100 adult patients with psoriasis routinely prescribed NbUVB and evaluated selected clinical and biochemical biomarkers, including weekly Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores. Patients were followed up for 18 months

Our study team found that the median time to relapse was 6 months (95% CI, 518) if 90% clearance (PASI90) was attained and 4 months (95% CI, 39) if less than PASI90 was achieved. Reaching 100% clearance did not lead to sustained remission. At the time of NbUVB completion, the median final PASI (n = 96) was 1.0 (interquartile range, 0.5-1.6), with 78 patients (81%) achieving PASI75 and 39 (41%) achieving PASI90.

Our research indicates no one baseline factor can be used to predict remission in isolation. However, the factors that were more likely to be important (ie, they met the 20% significance level) were baseline PASI, duration of psoriasis, BMI, cumulative NbUVB dose, smoking, and joint involvement. We found that elevated BMI and positive smoking status predicted poorer phototherapy response. In addition, for the first time, we have demonstrated that PASI clearance trajectory during the first 2-3 weeks of UVB treatment can predict psoriasis clearance (Table). This is a critical step toward developing personalized prescribing for patients with psoriasis, which can now be formally tested in clinical trials.

For future research, my colleagues and I would like to investigate the importance of the frequency of NbUVB phototherapy treatment. We typically administer it three times per week, but perhaps poor responders would benefit from a more intense treatment regime such as five times per week. Our study team is currently conducting a trial to see if this improves outcomes for this subset of patients. We would also like to see a continued search for good biomarkers, especially ones that can predict treatment response from the outset. This will allow optimization of resources and save patients time and money.

Similarly, it is important to consider the mechanism of action to clear psoriasis. NbUVB is one of the few treatment modalities to switch off psoriasis completely for a time; most systemic drugs offer excellent control, but only while taking them. NbUVB is, therefore, a useful modality to study as it may give insights into drug design, which can lead to better remission without the need for continual treatment, enabling patients to obtain a better quality of life.

Continued here:
Psoriasis Biomarkers as Predictors of UVB Phototherapy Effectiveness - Physician's Weekly

Nail problems are common, and they are not usually serious. If a person has multiple sclerosis (MS), nail problems can cause pain or discomfort. While nail issues are not directly related to the disease, determining the cause may help prevent a person with MS from experiencing further discomfort.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes the immune system to attack the myelin sheath, the protective covering around nerve cells. It can affect any part of a persons body.

There is no clear link between MS and issues with the nails. If a person notices changes in their nails, it may be due to the nail itself or the skin underneath it. Changes in the nails may be due to environmental factors that affect the wider population in the same way, including trauma or prolonged exposure to dyes, such as nail polish.

Nail issues could also be a marker for an underlying systemic disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), so a person should contact a doctor if they feel concerned.

In this article, we look at the possible causes of various nail changes and how to treat them.

Learn how to identify nail diseases using our illustrated chart here.

MS is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack healthy cells.

MS can cause weakness and paresthesia. Paresthesia causes unusual sensations that can affect any part of the body, usually on one side or limb. However, it often affects the extremities, such as hands, legs, or feet.

Sometimes, paresthesia can affect the fingers or toes, but having MS does not make this more likely. However, the sensation can make a person feel like there is something wrong with their nails.

It is important to note diminished sensations in the body, particularly in the arms or legs, as they can put a person at risk of an injury they might not notice or be aware has happened.

People with MS can also experience pain more intensely than the general population. Therefore, seemingly insignificant issues, such as hangnails, may cause excessive pain in someone who has MS.

Nail abnormalities can occur for many reasons and are not exclusive to people with MS. Environmental factors, vitamin deficiency, or prescribed medication are usually the cause. Prolonged exposure to water, for example, can soften the nails, making them more susceptible to infections or discoloration.

Learn how MS can affect the body here.

There are many reasons why nails may change color. Some may involve lifestyle choices, such as smoking, staining after wearing dark nail polish, trauma from an injury, or an underlying condition. Discoloration can affect the nail itself or result from changes in the skin underneath the nail.

Yellow, brown, or white nails usually indicate a fungal infection. The nails may also thicken, crack or break more easily.

Some fungal infections heal slowly, sometimes taking up to a year. However, once the infection has cleared, the nail usually grows back. A doctor may prescribe oral antifungals if topical treatments do not work.

Learn about yellow nail syndrome here.

Blue nails occur when there is not enough oxygen in the bloodstream. This may result from cold weather when the body restricts the amount of oxygen to the fingertips. People with Raynauds disease may experience this sensation. Blue nails will typically return to their usual color when the body warms up.

Contact a doctor for further treatment.

Learn more about blue nails here.

Black nails often develop after trauma to the nail. If something hits the nail with force, the nail or the skin underneath it may turn black.

Other causes of black nails include underlying conditions, such as thyroid disease, although this is extremely rare. Contact a doctor to determine the cause.

Learn about black toenails here.

White marks on the nails are known as leukonychia. The markings can present as spots or stripes. There are many causes of white spots on the nails, including trauma, some diseases, or a zinc or iron deficiency.

Treatment depends on the cause. Lifestyle changes or taking supplements may cure this problem, but if it persists, contact a doctor.

Learn more about white spots on the nails here.

Brittle nails are usually the result of too much or too little moisture. Repeated washing and drying of the hands can cause the nails to dry out and become hard and brittle, and applying too much moisturizer, for example, can make the nails too soft, causing them to split.

Rarely, brittle nails may signify a vitamin deficiency, including iron deficiency.

There are few treatments available for brittle nails. However, wearing cotton-lined rubber gloves when washing up or using cleaning products, taking supplements to strengthen the nails, or moisturizing hard, brittle nails may help.

Learn more about brittle nails here.

A person may notice horizontal or vertical nail ridges. Horizontal ridges follow the direction of the nail bed, while vertical ridges run along the length of the finger.

Beaus lines are deep grooves that run horizontally across the width of the nail. These occur when something interrupts or stops the nails from growing.

There are many causes of horizontal nail ridges, including high fever, cold temperatures, or psychological stress.

Vertical, or transverse, ridges that run along the length of the nail can develop due to:

Learn more about ridges in nails here.

Nail loss may be the result of trauma, a rash, or certain MS medications.

Lichen planus causes a recurring itchy rash. When it affects the nails, it can damage the nail bed, causing the nail to become yellow, thinner, and ridged. It can lift the nail off the nail bed in some cases, and the nail may fall off.

Prescribed medicines can cause nail damage, and some people have reported nail damage, although scientists have not fully established this link.

If a person notices nail loss, they should contact their doctor.

Learn more about why a toenail might fall off here.

Nail disorders are not specific to MS. However, as this is a systemic disease affecting every part of the body, some people with MS may experience symptoms. Certain medications may also cause nail issues.

External factors, such as exposure to chemicals or household cleaners, can damage the nails, as can fungal or bacterial infections.

In most instances, nail damage will clear as the nail grows out, but it may be a marker of an underlying condition. Anyone who notices any sudden changes in the texture or appearance of the nails that are not the result of an injury should consult a doctor for advice and diagnosis.

See the rest here:
Multiple sclerosis and the nails: Causes and treatment - Medical News Today

vTv Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:VTVT) watched its shares move skyward Friday, after the company announced the results of a multiple ascending dose study evaluating HPP737 in healthy adults.

HPP737 is an orally administered phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) inhibitor. The 12-subject trial had two dose cohorts, 15mg and 20mg.

Dose escalation up to 20mg/day demonstrated approximate dose-proportional increases in exposure.

The drug candidate maintained a favorable safety and tolerability profile with no dose-limiting safety or tolerability, particularly with no dose-limiting gastrointestinal adverse events.

There were no serious adverse events and no discontinuations due to treatment-emergent adverse events.

vTv is of the opinion that HPP737 can be developed further for anti-inflammatory and anti-psoriatic responses.

The two multiple ascending dose studies will be presented at an upcoming scientific conference focused on dermatology.

Said CEO Steve Holcombe, We are pleased that the study accomplished its objectives by confirming the anticipated favorable safety and tolerability profile of HPP737, particularly the absence of dose limiting gastrointestinal adverse events, at substantially higher concentrations than previously tested.

The Company plans to file an IND application later in 2021 for a 12-week Phase 2 trial of HPP737 in moderate to severe psoriasis. The study is targeted to start in early 2022.

Additionally, Newsoara Biopharma, vTv's partner in Asia, is currently conducting Phase 2 studies in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis in China.

VTVT stock is up 28 cents, or 15.8%, at $2.05 early Friday.

Link:
vTv Therapeutics Hikes on Test Results - Baystreet.ca