Psoriasis is a common and chronic skin disease in which red, scaly, itchy patches form on the Scalp, elbows, forearms, knees, legs and various other parts of the body, affecting about 1 -2% of the population. Its cause is not known. It is rarely found in the infants and the elderly but is often seen to run in families. Its cause was thought to be anxiety. It mostly occurs in childhood or adolescencle. It may also occur arthritic patients (Psoriatic Ar-thritis).
At times, psoriasis may be very severe, affecting most part ofthe skin, causing considerable amount of disability to the patient. There is no definite cure so far; hence the treatment is palliative with ointments, lotions or PUVA Psoralen Ultra Violet light therapy. It is an effective therapy, though suiting only a few patients.
To start with the treatment, special type of lamps are needed and Psorelan which is given by mouth (For which method xalen is used) about 2 hours beforehand so as so sensitize the skin to the effects of reaction. A course of PUVA may stretch over a period of 4-6 weeks. Such a treatment is given only by a specialist at specialized cente due to the risk of severe short-term risk of burning and long-term risk of formation of cataract, development of skin Cancer and, incidence of accelerated aging’.
Tablets of Melenocyl (10 mg tablets) 0/7 mg/Kg body weight may be given on alternate days but strictly under medical supervision. This preparation is also available in the form of ointment and solutions, for local useMedicine’, ‘Whether oral or local, must not be administered to pregnant ladies and children. Local application must not be applied to lips, eyes, genitals and in jaundice.