Psoariatic Arthritis Q&A

[Guest guest]

(NOTE: From Australian Women's Weekly magazine, August 2005 issue)

ASK THE DOCTOR

Treating Psoriasis

Q: Are there any new suggestions for psoriasis, or psoriatic arthritis? I

am allergic to coal tar, so many remedies are unusable. I've used cortisone

creams, but skin thinning is a problem. I've taken diclofenac nightly for

arthritis, too, which is effective if I take an acid-lowering medicine as

well. P.Squires, va email

A: A relatively new group of drugs for psoriasis is DMARD (disease

modifying anti-rheumatic drugs). They can slow or stop the progression of

the disease and joint erosion, and include methotrexate, sulfasalazine and

hydroxychloroquine. Most of these have significant potential side effects,

so must be used with care. Creams available on prescription, such as

Daivonex and Daivobet, can give relief. Sunlight (without getting

sunburned) also helps, as do reducing sugar, fat and alcohol in your diet,

and eating more fruit, vegetables and fish. Dr Kerryn Phelps

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

Owner/Moderator, Australian online support group for Juvenile Arthritis

jra-australia/

Check out our online Celebrity Charity auction

http://www.ausauction.com

And meet the Fletchers at

http://www.trikearoundaustralia.com.au

[Guest guest]

Psoariatic Arthritis Q & A

(NOTE: From Australian Women's Weekly magazine, August 2005 issue)

ASK THE DOCTOR

Treating Psoriasis

Q: Are there any new suggestions for psoriasis, or psoriatic arthritis?

I

am allergic to coal tar, so many remedies are unusable. I've used

cortisone

creams, but skin thinning is a problem. I've taken diclofenac nightly

for

arthritis, too, which is effective if I take an acid-lowering medicine

as

well. P.Squires, va email

A: A relatively new group of drugs for psoriasis is DMARD (disease

modifying anti-rheumatic drugs). They can slow or stop the progression

of

the disease and joint erosion, and include methotrexate, sulfasalazine

and

hydroxychloroquine. Most of these have significant potential side

effects,

so must be used with care. Creams available on prescription, such as

Daivonex and Daivobet, can give relief. Sunlight (without getting

sunburned) also helps, as do reducing sugar, fat and alcohol in your

diet,

and eating more fruit, vegetables and fish. Dr Kerryn Phelps

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

Owner/Moderator, Australian online support group for Juvenile Arthritis

jra-australia/

Check out our online Celebrity Charity auction

http://www.ausauction.com

And meet the Fletchers at

http://www.trikearoundaustralia.com.au