Review: Notes from the land of Psoriasis
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 5, 2014
Jeff Kennedy has suffered from psoriasis and understands the skin condition as well as anyone. He has gathered all the available information about this curious condition and shares his insights with the reading public in a very well conceived little book.He opens his discussion with the facts known about the etiology of psoriasis: it is a genetic condition, an autoimmune condition not caused by bacteria virus or fungus, and is not contagious. Some of the causes for onset include stress triggers, skin injuries, prescription or OTC drugs (eg Inderal), weather, alcohol, tobacco smoke, etc. He mentions that the signs of the condition include  scaly oily plaques, tiny bleeding spots, as well as manifestations on fingernails.He then emphasizes the treatments, first in finding ways to strive for healthier lifestyle and diet, decrease triggers, and protect the skin. Oral meds include methotrexate, cyclosporine, and oral retinoids and topical treatments include keeping the clean skin, use moisturizers, and the meds calcipotriene, corticosteroids, anthralin, coal tar, in addition to UV treatment, retinoids, Phototherapy with UVB (ultra violet B) and PUVA (psoralen and ulltraviolet A light) and the natural treatments - vinegar, Epsom salts, wheat germ castor and sunflower oils, vitamin E, fish oil, goldenseal, milk thistle, Gotu Kola, natural sunlight, capsaicin, and organic non fragrant shampoos. Note that Kennedy uses the word `permanently eliminate' instead of `cure' in the title of the book. As of this time, no cures are known.Without attempting to act as a medical advisor, Kennedy gives an overview of a puzzling condition that troubles many people and the result is very informative. Grady Harp, January 14