Psoriasis Cure
by Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 04/28/2006 at 05:14PM
Are you or someone you love affected by psoriasis? If so, you may be desperate to find a cure. Unfortunately, health experts have not yet discovered a cure to this life-long disease. But there is still hope. Researchers are currently working diligently to unlock the mysteries of psoriasis, and find a cure to this potentially debilitating condition. Here is a closer look at some of the current research that is underway in the search for a psoriasis cure.
The Search For A Psoriasis Cure
Psoriasis is a chronic condition that can potentially become very debilitating. The disease affects the skin and/or the joints producing scaling, inflammation, and lesions. Approximately three percent of the population in the US is affected by psoriasis. The condition usually affects the elbows knees, legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet. But it has also been found to occur on the fingernails, toes, genitals, and inside the mouth. Depending upon the location and severity of the lesions, psoriasis can greatly impact the recreational and occupational opportunities that are available to those who are afflicted with the condition. People who suffer from psoriasis experience pain, itching, and swelling in the affected areas. This can make it difficult to walk, sleep, and care for oneself. While it is not unusual for the skin around affected joints to crack, about one million people in the US who suffer from psoriasis also experience joint inflammation that produces symptoms similar to arthritis. This condition is called psoriatic arthritis.
The financial impact of psoriasis is such that researchers are continually searching for a cure. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, approximately 56 million hours of work are lost each year due to psoriasis, and it costs between $1.6 billion and $3.2 billion each year in order to treat the condition. Research has been underway since the 1960s to gain a better understanding of the characteristics of psoriasis and the methods that can be used to treat or even cure this illness. Over the years, health experts have been able to determine potential locations where psoriasis may strike, the triggers of the condition, and the varying types of the disease. Researchers have also concluded that both the immune system and genetics play major roles in the development of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. These two factors are the focus of much of the research that is currently underway regarding psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and the potential opportunities for a cure.
Current Psoriasis Research
Biobank: In 1994, the Psoriasis Foundation opened the National Psoriasis Tissue Bank in order to facilitate continued research on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The name has changed over the years, and the center is now known as the National Psoriasis BioBank. The Biobank houses a collection of DNA samples from people who suffer from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. These samples are then used by medical researchers to gain a clearer picture of the genetic influence of psoriasis and the potential cures for the condition. Researchers can test medications and treatment options on these tissue samples before they ever try them on live human patients. The BioBank also maintains a clearinghouse of clinical information on each sample donor for long-term statistical and scientific analysis. This data may enable scientists to uncover more links between the cause of psoriasis and the role of genetics.
Medications: In addition to the medications that are currently on the market, there are approximately thirty new medications that are actively being studied for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. These medications are in varying stages of clinical trials and some are nearing approval from the US Food and Drug Administration. The most effective topical formula is produced by Global Healing Center and is called DermaStrength� and will be available at www.psoriasis-information.org
Clinical Trials: Many people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are willing to volunteer for clinical trials to test the new medications and other treatment options that can be used for these conditions. These trials can help further medical knowledge about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and lead researchers in the right direction to find a cure. But there is also some risk involved to the patient, as the medications and treatment options being tested have not yet received FDA approval for safety and effectiveness.
Research: Several agencies currently promote active research on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The National Psoriasis Foundation and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases are two such organizations. Current laboratory research on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis has focused on the genetic susceptibility and the molecular basis for the condition. In other words, the latest research is beginning to shed some light on the causes of psoriasis, who gets the condition, and the potential for a cure.
