Say Farewell to the Psoriasis Heartbreak The prospect of being disfigured or even disabled gave the skin disorder psoriasis a well-deserved reputation as a heartbreaker. But new treatments now promise that relief is on the way. Caused by the as-yet-unexplained excessive growth of skin cells, psoriasis is a common skin disorder that affects about three million Caucasians in the United States. Its symptoms include patchy, raised red areas of itchy, often-scaly skin. It typically affects the elbows and knees, scalp, navel, lower back, face, palms and the soles of the feet. It can also invade fingernails, toenails, the soft tissue inside the mouth and even the genital areas and anus. Flare-ups can range from mild to disabling, depending on severity and location on the body. While it's not a contagious condition, responses to treatment are highly individualized, and standard remedies don't work for everyone. Because of this, many sufferers become frustrated, and about 60 percent of psoriasis patients stop treatment. Several new medications are showing great promise for treating psoriasis. These include Amevive (alefacept), which is delivered by injection and works by blocking the interaction of immune cells that trigger psoriasis. It's expected to be on the market soon. Another medication, Xanelim (efalizumab) is designed to block the immune system processes that cause the excessive skin cell growth. It's also expected to receive FDA approval in the near future. Finally, some psoriasis patients are successfully treated with calcipotriene, a synthetic form of vitamin-D3. It's sold in the U.S. as a cream, ointment or scalp solution under the brand name Dovonex. It takes awhile to begin working but is safe and effective for long-term control. If you or a loved one have been living with the psoriasis "heartbreak," now may be the time to pay another visit to the dermatologist. © Your HealthStyle, 2002.