O'Donoghue Dermatology

Newsletter: Skin Care News

New campaign encourages people with psoriasis to Stop Hiding

The American Academy of Dermatology and the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) have joined forces to launch the Stop Hiding from Psoriasis public education campaign.

The goals of the campaign are to:

• Educate the public about how this chronic skin disorder affects nearly 7 million Americans
• Motivating people suffering from psoriasis to stop hiding and start living

Join the Stop Hiding campaign

The emotional toll of adult acne

Acne is traditionally viewed as a rite of passage for teenagers. But in fact, 1 in 5 women with acne is between 25 and 40 years old.

A recent survey evaluated the emotional toll of adult acne. Over a third (38%) of adults with acne reported that it is more stressful having acne as an adult than as a teenager. Half found acne more unappealing than having facial wrinkles or gray hair. Some reported that the acne may prevent them from asking for or accepting a date (9%) or canceling social plans (7%).

The same survey showed that 67% of adults with acne believed they would no longer have it by the time they reached their twenties. People who have had acne as a teenager feel that they should have outgrown it. This misperception is a common cause of frustration among adults with acne.

Fortunately, effective treatments are available and some newer formulations are better tolerated by adult skin.

Depending on the severity of the acne, location and skin type, treatment may include the use of a topical retinoid (Differin, Retin A Micro, Tazorac). These topical retinoids are important for treating the acne and preventing further breakouts. They have the added benefit of improving the appearance of sun-damaged skin.

More treatment options on the way for people with psoriasis

Biologics have emerged as a promising treatment option for people with moderate to severe psoriasis that have not responded to other treatments. Biologic medications are administered via injection or IV infusion, similar to insulin or vaccines.

There are currently five biologic medications available to treat psoriasis:

• Amevive (alefacept)
• Enbrel (etanercept)
• Humira (adalimumab)
• Raptiva (efalizumab)
• Remicade (infliximab)

That number is likely to rise soon as researchers and pharmaceutical firms work to develop new treatments:

• Ustekinumab, a biologic that treats moderate to severe psoriasis, is currently in an extended FDA approval process, which should be completed by December 2008. Ustekinumab is the first interleukin inhibitor designed specifically to treat psoriasis.
• Golimumab produced encouraging results during recent Phase 3 trials for people suffering from psoriatic arthritis (as well as two other forms of arthritis), and its manufacturer applied for FDA approval over the summer.

Because psoriasis affects each person differently, not everyone responds the same way to biologic medications. Ustekinumab and golimumab will, hopefully, widen the variety of biologic treatment options.