Eczema and psoriasis are a global health concern that impacts Torontonians both physically and mentally every day. Unless ailed by these conditions or acquainted with someone who is, many people go through their day, having heard of these terms, vaguely aware that they are skin conditions, but not sure exactly what they entail.
You’ve heard the term, but what is it exactly?
Both eczema and psoriasis are inflammatory, chronic skin conditions. Eczema is caused by a severe sensitivity (like an allergic reaction) to environmental factors (e.g. soap). Psoriasis is an
autoimmune disorder (this is where your immune system goes haywire and starts attacking the body) and results from the production of too many skin cells. Both are characterized by itchy, extremely dry skin and increased redness. Eczema has the added misfortune of peeling, oozing, and crusting skin. Even though both conditions are not contagious, the picture they paint is rather unsavory and consequently, many sufferers not only experience daily physical pain but social discomfort as well.
The Costs
According to a 2006 study, an estimated $1.4 billion dollars were spent annually in Canada to combat eczema
[1]. In a survey carried out by the Quebec-based Novartis Pharmaceuticals Inc., patients in
Ontario spent $282 to $1242 per annum, depending on the severity of their condition. Since psoriasis is a life-long condition with no cure, patient expenditure is a never-ending affair. Both are costly ailments to be afflicted with and accordingly, one must try to balance money spent with effective treatment.
Treatments: Let’s Ask a Dermatologist
The most universal treatment for both eczema and psoriasis are topical corticosteroid creams. You can read tons of articles on the internet about treatment options, but the best way to gather accurate information about treatment is to talk to a dermatologist. That’s what we did.
Dr. Sanjay Siddha is an assistant professor and clinician teacher affiliated with the Dermatology Division of the University Health Network
Toronto Western Hospital. We asked him a couple of questions about treating eczema and psoriasis.
1. Would you recommend over-the-counter (OTC) topical corticosteroid creams?
OTC topical steroids can be used such as 0.5% to 1% hydrocortisone creams for one to two weeks
[2].
2. What sort of side effects can be caused by prolonged use of these creams?
Here are a few side effects: Skin atrophy (thinning of the skin and weakness), purpura (purplish spots on the skin), and perioral dermatitis (acne-like pustules that develop around the mouth and occasionally around the nose and eyes).
3. If a topical corticosteroid cream doesn't work on a patient, what other options would you prescribe?
There are other options such as vitamin D preparations as well as
calcineurin inhibitors [3] such as Silkis, Dovonex, Dovobet, Protopic and Elidel.
These are just some valuable tips offered by Dr. Siddha. However, there are varying levels of severity and for some, a more detailed assessment and additional care might be needed to manage their condition.
The Toronto Psoriasis Centre found at the Toronto Dermatology Centre has been helping patients in the Toronto area for many years. Their
website offers comprehensive tools and guides to identify and care for psoriasis and you are able to book a consultation if one on one care is required.
When Nothing Seems to Work: 3 Simple Tips
Perhaps you’ve already tried the above suggestions and the results have failed to satisfy you or maybe you would like some alternative techniques to work alongside modern medicine and speed up your healing. Here are three tips:
1. Change your diet.
Improper diet is the underlying cause for many illnesses and eczema and psoriasis are certainly not exemptions. That said, a diet change may work for some but not for others. If a certain food has an inflammatory effect on you (e.g. gluten or dairy), sever all ties immediately. In addition, steer clear of processed foods and incorporate more organic options. Add a few vitamin helpers; speak to your doctor about
vitamin D and B12 supplements, which studies have shown to alleviate symptoms
[4] .
2. Add some oil to your skincare routine
Sunflower seed oil and coconut oil have shown promising results in eczema relief. Incorporate these into your skincare routine and apply topically. Not all natural oils are great for sensitive skin though. For example, olive oil had been shown to worsen symptons
[5]. However, in one study, when olive oil was mixed in equal parts with honey and beeswax, 80% of eczema patients showed marked improvement. The mixture worked well for cases of psoriasis too with a 50% improvement rate.
3. Try Naturopathic Medicine
This includes natural remedies like herbs as well as acupuncture. The latter combats the underlying issues that trigger eczema and psoriasis and restores balance to your body. A good place to direct your enquiries is the
Toronto-based
Zen-tai Wellness Clinic. Naturopathic doctors work on treating eczema rather than offering temporary relief. For psoriasis, these doctors focus on regulating your immune system.
