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How to Pick an Effective Flea Medication for Your Dog

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Regardless of where you live, if you have a dog, at some point your dog will have fleas. Flea medicines for dogs have provided more comfort for canines, perhaps, than any other drug in the veterinary field. They’re absolutely necessary for anyone who owns a dog, as a scratching dog can be a nuisance and annoyance not just for the dog but also for the owner.

All in all, a dog with fleas means a miserable state of affairs for all parties involved. Fleas crawl on the skin of your dog, taking little bites here and there, and your dog is powerless, without medicine, to do anything about the bites or the tiny insects on her skin. The only thing your dog can do to relieve herself is to scratch what itches, and this often means scratching everywhere that your dog can reach. This means they’ll inclined to rub on your furniture and will often scratch bare sports into their backs. They might also chew their paws until they bleed in hopes of respite.

It’s a sad situation all around, as scratching leads to hair loss and skin infections for your dog. In addition, many dogs are allergic to the saliva of fleas. This is called flea allergy dermatitis. Dogs that have flea allergy dermatitis can develop serious skin problems that can become difficult to treat and are always extremely uncomfortable for them. They’ll chew their skin to get respite just because of a simple itching bite, and can often chew until they create raw patches, which then only create greater problems.

Thankfully, there are many great flea medicines out there that are extremely affective and will prevent your dog from going crazy trying to scratch and bite his way out of his itches. For dogs with flea allergy dermatitis, you’ll find that the best products are flea drops, which you have to place on the skin at the top of the dog’s neck once a month. These are preventative, and help ward off fleas from your dog’s skin so that you don’t have to worry about the problems mentioned above. For larger dogs, you might have to divide the application between the neck and the lower back of your dog at the base of his tail.

Three of the best known products out there, which are often recommended by vets for flea treatment, are Advantage, Frontline Plus and K9 Advantix. All of these brands also make flea medicine for cats, so make sure you get the right kind! These flea solutions kill adult fleas and continue to kill hatching fleas for up to 30 days.

You can also try Revolution, which provides the same type of spot application to the back of the neck and also offers an all-in-one medical solution that prevents heartworm and kills fleas. Spot products are recommended by vets for dogs with flea allergies because they kill adult fleas so quickly. You can also try flea medicine in pill form, but most dogs will be resistant to this type of medicine. Spot treatment is much easier to apply than giving your dog pills.

Pill form medicines include Program and Sentinel – these contain insect growth regulators and parasitic insecticides that kill fleas when they hatch, but don’t kill adult fleas already living on your dog. You can use these treatments in addition to the spot treatments, so that you not only kill adult fleas, but the ones that are hatching as well. These pill treatments are recommended more for the fact that they prevent heartworm and also kill tapeworm, hookworms, round worms and whip worms in your dog.

Topical spot treatment drops are the most popular choice when it comes to flea control for those who own dogs. These sorts of products are available online and in stores, but it’s best to purchase them from your vet so that you can ensure that you’re getting the best kind of flea medicine out there. You don’t want to risk using low cost fake products that might actually hurt instead of help your dog.

Advantage is one of the best products out there and is highly recommended by vets because it’s not just effective, but also reasonably priced. It’s applied once a month. Frontline is a bit more expensive than Advantage, but it also prevents against ticks. Unfortunately, the brand that works for your dog this year might not be the brand that works for you next year.

Fleas multiply very quickly and their bodies are smart enough to adapt to protect themselves against topical flea medicines, so the medicine you’re currently using may not actually protect your dog in a year from now. For this reason, it’s advisable to switch up the products every so often, much like you switch up your shampoo to keep your hair healthy.

Take these tips into consideration and find the flea medication for your special friend now.

Adrian Blue is a freelance writer who writes about pet care and dog medicine.

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Dandruff Treatment and Effective Home Remedies for Dandruff

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The term dandruff generally refers to the condition of the skin wherein shiny, silvery scales separate from the scalp and collect amidst the hair.

Seborrheic dermatitis is quite a common skin condition that affects the scalp causing an itchy scalp and scaly or flaky skin and stubborn dandruff.

Read more on Dandruff Treatments and Hair Loss Herbal and Hair Loss Remedy

The condition can become troublesome when the skin gets infected. There are two main types of dandruff, namely dry dandruff and oily dandruff. Those with an oily skin tend to suffer from oily dandruff while those with dry skin suffer from dry dandruff.

The type of dandruff home remedy that one chooses must therefore be decided according to the type of dandruff. Oily dandruff can be a little tougher to treat as it tends to recur quite easily while dry dandruff can be prevented quite easily.

Nevertheless, with a suitable dandruff home remedy and a regular hair care regimen, you can get obtain permanent relief from this condition.

Dandruff is a kind of skin disorder that affects the scalp. Dandruff is a condition in which white, dry flakes of dead skin are shed from the scalp.

Normally dead skin cells are shed from the scalp, but it results in dandruff only when the scalp starts shedding thick layers of these dead skin particles.

Seborrheic dermatitis or Seborrhoea is a disorder of the sebaceous glands which affects the scalp. Seborrhoea produces severe dandruff and a red, itchy scalp.

Dandruff Treatment

1.  Add six spoonfuls water, two spoonfuls pure vinegar and apply it on the scalp with cotton wool before going to bed. Tie a towel around your head to protect the pillow. Wash your hair next morning. After shampooing, rinse again with vinegar water. Continue this once a week for at least three months.

2.  Mix a spoonful of lemon juice with two spoonfuls of vinegar and massage on the scalp. Wash your hair with an egg shampoo after this.

3.  Soak fenugreek (methi) seeds in yogurt overnight and apply the curd on your scalp for half an hour before washing in the morning.

Home Remedies for Dandruff

Hot steam bath is highly beneficial for the hair and scalp. Massage hot oil and wrap a hot damp towel on the head for few minutes.

Immerse peels of lemon in coconut oil for 8-10 days in sunshine. Now sieve and apply on the hair. Hair will become dandruff free.

Hot oil therapy is the best method to cure dandruff. Massage hot oil into the scalp at bedtime. Next morning an hour before the bath, rub lemon juice mixed with cosmetic vinegar into the scalp with cotton wool.

Wash your hair properly and as a last rinse use the juice of one lemon in a cup of hot water. Continue this treatment once or twice a week for three months.

Mix two tablespoons of cosmetic vinegar and six tablespoons of hot water. Dab this with cotton on the scalp and leave it overnight. Next morning wash the hair with a shampoo. – Home Remedy for Dandruff

Mix beetroot juice in vinegar and apply on the scalp. Ginger juice and beetroot juice mixed together and applied on the scalp are also beneficial.

The juice of snake gourd is helpfulin the prevention and dandruff treatment. The juice should be rubbed over the scalp for this purpose.

Read more on Dandruff Treatments and Hair Loss Herbal and Hair Loss Remedy

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Effective Steps For Controlling Pesky Eczema

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Eczema is very widespread and there are tons of people who suffer from this all over the world. It’s worse for some more than others. Some people don’t even realize they have it, while others live permanently changed because of it.

Coconut oil has many benefits that have helped eczema sufferers. Coconut oil contains something called Lauric acid, which is only found in human breast milk. The soothing quality of this substance is pretty powerful. Just apply coconut oil to the areas affected by your dermatitis and see if it soothes some of your symptoms. Flax seed oil is also a supplement that people take internally to assist with dermatitis.

If you suffer from this skin condition, one of the most essential things is to keep the area hygienic and free from germs, and dust. This can be achieved through bathing or showering regularly. However, you have to take precautions, as the frequent washing away of the natural oils in your skin will result in dryness. This can in turn increase the dermatitis intensity.

As mentioned earlier, dry skin is problematic for dermatitis. This is because the skin is less elastic which leads to it turning flaky and even splitting. The goal is to prevent this by moisturizing routinely. Applying moisturizer to damp skin is the best way to allow some of the moisture to stay in your skin.

The food we consume is the fuel our body uses for everything we do, which includes healing and repairing skin. It’s thought that acidic foods can cause an increase in dermatitis symptoms. The best way to control this is to consult a dietician and get meal plans customized for you. You can also reduce the acid by taking kelp supplements. These are high in alkali, and can minimize the acids in your body. Avoiding allergenic foods can also make a difference for many individuals.

Learn more about Eczema Rash Problems and common Skin Rashes

Effective Eczema Home Treatments – Natural Ingredients For Skin Dermatitis

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When your skin has red patches, pimple-like inflammation and raised bumps it effects your daily life in a number of ways. The itchiness can cause sleep deprivation as well as poor concentration at work and school. You may spend a lot of time trying to figure out what to wear to cover your arms, legs and other areas that have eruptions from eczema. Psychologically, dermatitis makes people feel self-conscious and it can create a social impediment if your case is moderate to severe.

Fortunately, there are effective eczema home treatments to reduce both the itchiness and red skin irritations.

Moisturizing should be the first line of defense and something to be sure to not neglect. In summer months, it is easy to go swimming in a chlorine pool and to neglect moisturizing afterwards. Remind yourself and your children to do this as being in the sun dries your skin and the moisture needs to be replenished. Check the ingredients on moisturizers to omit those with alcohol and drying agents. Vitamin E, olive oil, coconut oil and neem oil are all excellent for the skin. If you use an essential oil, be sure it is added to a carrier such as olive oil or virgin coocnut oil. You can get olive oil in your system by having pesto sauce on foods. Water also should be carried around at all times for drinking. Do not count soda, tea and coffee as getting water. These can have a dehydrating result on your skin.

Do you own a juicer? Take a juicer and blend together carrots, celery, parsley and wheat grass. These provide nutrients for the skin that we often neglect. You can also get vegetable drinks juiced now at many health food stores and juice bars. Take a vitamin that contains vitamins a, d, e , calcium, magnesium and zinc. B-complex is good for stress reduction so this is important for mental stability.

Another natural remedy for eczema some people have recommended on home remedy sites is to put 1/2 a teaspoon of tumeric in a cup of water and drink it. Tumeric is a blood cleanser and good for many ailments including dermatitis.

For the problem of itchiness, take a twenty minute bath with oatmeal. Don’t scrub the skin, but let your body soak. This relieves itchiness and reduces inflammation. Draw on both external and internal supplements to get relief from the skin eruptions of atopic dermatitis.

Get a system that is a complete Home Remedy for Eczema and read articles on the underlying causes of dermatitis at http://www.itchyskinrash.net/what-to-avoid-with-eczema.html

Ginseng, as effective as Benadryl for histamine itching?

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ginseng on a wooden boardResearchers find that several varieties of ginseng can lower histamine levels and stabilise mast cells (a key component of the immune system), preventing them from releasing  histamine and other inflammation into the blood stream. In certain animal studies it has been shown to be as effective at relieving histamine itching as Bendryl. Please remember, what works in animal studies or in test tubes (and for me) might not for you, and anything; any food, supplement, whether it has antihistamine properties or not, can still hurt us. So please make sure to check with a doctor and researching all contraindications before trying anything new.

There are three main types of ginseng:

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), which according to the University of Maryland Medical Center Complementary and Alternative Medicine Guide, are pretty much made up of the same active constituents, and Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), which is not actually a ginseng but it has similar active constituents.

American and Asian (or Korean red) ginseng 

Red ginseng has been shown to block histamine-dependent itching at the peripheral sensory neuronal level. Meaning that it prevents us from feeling the itch, but might not be treating it.

Ginseng extract has also been shown to prevent human mast cells from releasing inflammatory agents into the blood stream. In another animal study it was shown to be as effective as Benadryl at alleviating itching. It also performed well at resolving atopic dermatitis. A third study tells that red ginseng is able to relieve histamine itching by inhibiting interleukin and TNF expression.

Animal test subjects in another study suffered memory impairment when stressed (who can blame them, and I certainly do). Ginsenoside derived from ginseng was able to reverse the memory impairment in the stressed animals. Yes, I could probably use this. I’m still dealing with residual stress from what was possibly the most difficult year of my life and it has definitely affected my memory.

I’m going to stop there, but there were a lot more studies, leading me to seriously question why I had never researched this commonly found compound before.

Siberian ginseng

This traditional eastern extract has been validated by modern research which reveals that in animal studies it’s able to inhibit the development of systematic and skin allergy. It does this by preventing mast cells from releasing histamine and other inflammatory mediators into the blood stream.

  • The University of Maryland website tell us that this ginseng is traditionally used to prevent colds and flu and is “widely” used in Russia as an adaptogen, a substance that’s supposed to help the body cope better with mental or physical stress. It has been shown to be effective in preventing viral outbreaks of genital herpes and improve mental performance (so key for those of us with mast cell issues),
  • My favourite go to brand by far (and no I don’t get any freebies for mentioning them) is Herb Pharm.

  • See larger image

    Herb Pharm Asian (Panax) Ginseng Extract for Energy and Stamina Support – 1 Ounce (Health and Beauty)

    List Price: $ 16.00 USD
    New From: $ 9.83 USD In Stock
    Used from: Out of Stock

I was initially surprised to see that ginseng was contraindicated for breast cancer according to the University of Maryland website, especially given that the Mayo Clinic recommends Asian ginseng for breast cancer. It may be that the alcohol found in the preparations was the issue (the Herb Pharm liquid is alcohol-free) or because it is a phytoestrogen. Recent research revealed that though it does weakly bind to the estrogen receptor, it doesn’t do so strongly, but you must research this for yourself if you have any concerns. The other caveat is that it may not be suitable for people with autoimmune conditions.

Please remember, what works for me might not for you, and anything, any food, supplement, whether it has antihistamine properties or not, can still hurt us. So please make sure to check with a doctor before trying anything new. I’ve been taking a very tiny dose for a few weeks but I’m not quite sure that’s a big enough dose to make a difference. Time will tell!

  • I wasn’t living in a country where we could get any kind of oxalate testing so I just went ahead and did a modified low histamine diet combined with a low oxalate diet. You can read how I did it and find my food list for that particular adventure in my post The Low Oxalate Low Histamine Diet: The Missing Link?. Many of my more recent recipes like in the Man Food book are low oxalate and I have the Low Oxalate Cookbook which was my first foray into that world.

    The best resource to find more information on the Hashimoto’s oxalate link seems to be Dr. Wentz’s website (that I’m aware of).

    It’s finally here! Man Food – a high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredient filled book geared towards guys, women who love to work out, yoga like they mean it, or just load up on healing nutrients. Features my personal shopping list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods.

    The Anti-cookbook and all liquid Anti-Detox Book, don’t treat any conditions, but feature a plethora of the high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredients that have been instrumental in helping me feed myself on a limited diet. The Anti-cookbook features a four page list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods and comes in regular and Paleo.

    The Low Oxalate Cookbook features antihistamine and anti-inflammatory rich recipes.

    Don’t miss the Low Histamine Beauty Survival Guide for non-toxic beauty tips, the skinny on histamine releasing (mast cell degranulating) beauty ingredients, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory beauty alternatives and the top brands natural brands I’ve found.

    Take a peek at my other low histamine and antihistamine cookbooks for more high nutrient recipes

  • ——REFERENCES—–

“The Many Health Benefits of Ginseng.” Mercola.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.

“Siberian Ginseng.” University of Maryland Medical Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.

Park, Eun-Kyung, Min-Kyung Choo, Myung Joo Han, and Dong-Hyun Kim. “Ginsenoside Rh1 Possesses Antiallergic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities.” International Archives of Allergy and Immunology 133.2 (2004): 113-20. Web.

Trinh, Hien-Trung, Yong-Wook Shin, Sang-Jun Han, Myung Han, and Dong-Hyun Kim. “Evaluation of Antipruritic Effects of Red Ginseng and Its Ingredients in Mice.” Planta Medica 74.3 (2008): 210-14. Web.

Samukawa, Keiichi, Yasukatsu Izumi, Masayuki Shiota, Takafumi Nakao, Mayuko Osada-Oka, Katsuyuki Miura, and Hiroshi Iwao. “Red Ginseng Inhibits Scratching Behavior Associated With Atopic Dermatitis in Experimental Animal Models.” Journal of Pharmacological Sciences 118.3 (2012): 391-400. Web.

Bae, Hye-Min, Ok-Sun Cho, Shin-Jung Kim, Byung-Ok Im, Soon-Hyun Cho, Se-Na Lee, Myung-Gyou Kim, Kyung-Tack Kim, Kang-Hyun Leem, and Sung-Kwon Ko. “Inhibitory Effects of Ginsenoside Re Isolated from Ginseng Berry on Histamine and Cytokine Release in Human Mast Cells and Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells.” Journal of Ginseng Research 36.4 (2012): 369-74. Web.

Jang, Yongwoo, Wook-Joo Lee, Gyu-Sang Hong, and Won-Sik Shim. “Red Ginseng Extract Blocks Histamine-dependent Itch by Inhibition of H1R/TRPV1 Pathway in Sensory Neurons.” Journal of Ginseng Research 39.3 (2015): 257-64. Web

Kezhu, Wang, Xu Pan, Lu Cong, Dong Liming, Zhang Beiyue, Lu Jingwei, Yang Yanyan, and Liu Xinmin. “Effects of Ginsenoside Rg1 on Learning and Memory in a Reward-directed Instrumental Conditioning Task in Chronic Restraint Stressed Rats.” Phytotherapy Research 31.1 (2016): 81-89. Web.

Jeong, H. J., H. N. Koo, N. I. Myung, M. K. Shin, J. W. Kim, D. K. Kim, K. S. Kim, H. M. Kim, and Y. M. Lee. “Inhibitory Effects Of Mast Cell-Mediated Allergic Reactions By Cell Cultured Siberian Ginseng.” Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology 23.1 (2001): 107-17. Web.

Kuk Shim, Myeong , and Young Joo Lee*. “Estrogen Receptor Is Activated by Korean Red Ginseng In Vitro but Not In Vivo.” Journal of ginseng research (2012 ): n. pag. Web.

 

 

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The Most Effective Essential Oils For Eczema Treatment

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Essential oils for eczema treatment have been found to be instrumental in killing pathogens on the skin as well as in soothing inflammation.  They are hardly a new fad as they have been used since time immemorial to provide relief from ailments and to rejuvenate the skin.  This long record of success makes essential oils […]

The post The Most Effective Essential Oils For Eczema Treatment appeared first on Best Eczema Remedies.

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New Data Demonstrate Stelara® (Ustekinumab) Is Effective, Well-Tolerated And Improved QOL In Patients With Moderate To Severe Plaque Psoriasis

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AppId is over the quota AppId is over the quota Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click ‘references’ tab above for source.
Visit our eczema / psoriasis section for the latest news on this subject. Study Design and Results

TRANSIT study
Design: A 52 week, open-label, Phase 4 study of 489 patients designed to compare two methods of transitioning patients from methotrexate to ustekinumab. The first was discontinuation of methotrexate with immediate initiation of ustekinumab and the second was initiation of ustekinumab with overlap and gradual dose reduction of methotrexate over four weeks. Results: Ustekinumab was well tolerated, with 8% of patients in each transition arm experiencing a serious adverse event (AE), and associated with sustained efficacy;http://www.eczemablog.net/  76% and 77% of patients, in the methotrexate immediate cessation arm and the methotrexate gradual withdrawal arm respectively, achieved at least a 75% improvement from baseline in their Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score (PASI 75) at Week 52. The data showed there was no difference in terms of the number and types of AE or efficacy outcomes, whether given ustekinumab after immediate cessation of methotrexate or if methotrexate is gradually withdrawn over 4 weeks.1


PHOENIX 2
Design: 1,230 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis were randomised to receive ustekinumab 45 mg or 90 mg at weeks 0, 4 and every 12 weeks thereafter, or placebo at weeks 0 and 4. Patients initially randomised to placebo at baseline were assigned to cross over to either ustekinumab 45 mg or 90 mg at weeks 12, 16 and every 12 weeks thereafter. Investigators were permitted to adjust ustekinumab dosing based on clinical judgment after Week 52 of the study.* Results: With up to five years of ustekinumab treatment, high levels of clinical responses were achieved and maintained in the overall population; 76.5% and 78.6% of patients who received STELARA 45 mg and 90 mg, respectively, achieved a PASI 75 response at the end of the treatment period. The safety profile of ustekinumab was generally comparable between patients who received 45 mg or 90 mg, with or without dose adjustments.3


*PHOENIX 2 study design involved a revised dosing schedule for partial responders which is not included in the approved EMA Summary of Product Characteristics for STELARAR.


Clinical Trial Safety Database Analysis


Design: Safety data were pooled from four ustekinumab psoriasis studies (one Phase 2 and three Phase 3 [PHOENIX 1, PHOENIX 2, and ACCEPT]) in which patients were treated for up to five years. Rates of overall and targeted adverse events were analysed by ustekinumab dose received (45 mg or 90 mg) and by year of follow-up (Year 1 to 5) to evaluate potential dose-response or impact of increasing duration of exposure.
Results: Analyses included 3,117 patients with a total of 8.998 PY of follow-up. Rates of safety events were generally comparable between patients who received 45 mg and 90 mg; and generally consistent over time from Year 1 through 5. The overall safety profile of ustekinumab remained stable in adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis receiving up to five years of ustekinumab treatment. No effect of dose and no effect of increasing duration of exposure were observed.4


PSOLAR
Design: A disease-based registry study that captures multiple forms of psoriasis therapy that is planned to enroll approximately 12,000 patients. In August 2011, 9,495 patients were available in the last annual data extract reflecting 13,733 PY of exposure. Patients that are eligible for systemic therapies, including ustekinumab and infliximab, are enrolled and followed biannually.
Results: Preliminary findings on rates of infection, malignancy (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) observed since the registry opened in 2007 were reported.5-7 In patients exposed to ustekinumab and infliximab, no new safety signals for malignancy, MACE or infection were identified in patients undergoing actual clinical use in more than 250 centres internationally.5-7


About Psoriasis


Psoriasis is a chronic disease caused when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, speeding up skin cell production.10 Plaque psoriasis, the most common type of psoriasis,11 often results in patches of thick, red or inflamed skin covered with silvery scales (known as plaques). These plaques usually itch or feel sore, can crack and bleed, and can occur anywhere on the body.


Psoriasis affects 125 million people worldwide and around 11 million people in Europe.12,13 The type, symptoms and severity of psoriasis may differ from one person to another, with its effects ranging from mild or moderate, to severe. Nearly one-quarter of people with psoriasis have cases that are considered moderate to severe.14


Biological therapies represent an advancement in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Long-term data on available treatment options is important to support healthcare professionals in their decision-making about the most appropriate treatment option for patients.


For more information about psoriasis, available treatment options and tools to assess the medical severity of psoriasis please visit http://www.psoriasis360.com


About STELARA (Ustekinumab)


Ustekinumab is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who failed to respond to, or who have a contraindication to, or are intolerant to other systemic therapies including ciclosporin, methotrexate and PUVA (psoralen plus UVA).15


The recommended dosing regimen for ustekinumab is an initial dose of 45 mg administered subcutaneously, followed by a 45 mg dose 4 weeks later, and then every 12 weeks thereafter. For patients with a body weight of greater than 100 kg the recommended dose is 90 mg administered subcutaneously, followed by a 90 mg dose 4 weeks later, then every 12 weeks thereafter. (In these patients, 45 mg was also shown to be efficacious. However, 90 mg resulted in greater efficacy). Consideration should be given to discontinuing treatment in patients who have shown no response up to 28 weeks of treatment.15 Ustekinumab is the only subcutaneous treatment for psoriasis available with every 12-week (quarterly) dosing, or as few as four injections per year, following two initial doses.15-17


STELARA is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below age 18 due to a lack of data on safety and efficacy.


Janssen Biotech, Inc. discovered and developed ustekinumab and has exclusive marketing rights to the product in the United States. Janssen pharmaceutical companies have exclusive marketing rights in all countries outside of the United States.


Important Safety Information14


Ustekinumab is a selective immunosuppressant and may have the potential to increase the risk of infections and reactivate latent infections. Serious infections have been observed in patients receiving ustekinumab in clinical trials. Do not start ustekinumab during an active infection. If a serious infection develops, monitor patients carefully and stop ustekinumab until the infection resolves. Patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis (TB) infection prior to initiating treatment with ustekinumab.


Ustekinumab is a selective immunosuppressant. Immunosuppressive agents have the potential to increase the risk of malignancy. Malignancies have been observed in patients receiving ustekinumab in clinical trials.


Caution should be exercised when considering the use of ustekinumab in patients with a history of malignancy or when considering continuing treatment in patients who develop a malignancy.


Serious allergic reactions have been reported in the post-marketing setting, in some cases several days after treatment. Anaphylaxis and angioedema have occurred. If an anaphylactic or other serious allergic reaction occurs, administration of ustekinumab should be discontinued immediately and appropriate treatment instituted.


It is recommended that live viral or live bacterial vaccines (such as Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin [BCG]) should not be given concurrently with STELARA.


No overall differences in efficacy or safety in patients age 65 and older who received STELARA were observed compared to younger patients. Because there is a higher incidence of infections in the elderly population in general, caution should be used in treating the elderly.


Special Warnings and Precautions for Use14


Concomitant immunosuppressive therapy: Caution should be exercised when considering concomitant use of other immunosuppressants and ustekinumab or when transitioning from other immunosuppressive biologics.


References


1. Paul C et al. Long-term safety and efficacy of ustekinumab in patients with psoriasis inadequately responding to methotrexate: Week 52 TRANSIT results. Presented at the 21st European Association of Dermatology & Venereology (EADV) congress, Prague 27–30 September 2012. Oral session FC02.1.


2. Reich K et al. Long-term improvement in patient-reported outcomes after transition from methotrexate to ustekinumab in moderate to severe psoriasis: TRANSIT Week 52 results. Poster presented at the 21st European Association of Dermatology & Venereology (EADV) congress, Prague 27–30 September 2012. Poster 955.


3. Langley R et al. Long term efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis through 5 years of follow-up: results from the PHOENIX 2 long-term extension. Poster presented at the 21st European Association of Dermatology & Venereology (EADV) congress, Prague 27–30 September 2012. Poster 976.


4. Papp K et al. Long term safety of ustekinumab in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis through up to 5 years of continuous follow-up. Poster presented at the 21st European Association of Dermatology & Venereology (EADV) congress, Prague 27–30 September 2012. Poster 965.


5. Naldi L et al. Major adverse cardiovascular events in the Psoriasis Longitudinal Assessment and Registry (PSOLAR) study: current status of observations. Presented at the 21st European Association of Dermatology & Venereology (EADV) congress, Prague 27–30 September 2012. Oral session FC02.7.


6. Leonardi C et al. Serious infection events in the Psoriasis Longitudinal Assessment and Registry (PSOLAR) study: current status of observations. Poster presented at the 21st European Association of Dermatology & Venereology (EADV) congress, Prague 27–30 September 2012. Poster 977.


7. Langley R et al. Malignancy events in the Psoriasis Longitudinal Assessment and Registry (PSOLAR) study: current dtatus of observations. Poster presented at the 21st European Association of Dermatology & Venereology (EADV) congress, Prague 27–30 September 2012. Poster 973.


8. National Psoriasis Foundation. Related Health concerns: Psoriasis comorbidities. Available at: http://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/related-conditions. Last accessed September 2012


9. Augustin M et al. A framework for improving the quality of care for people with psoriasis. JEADV 2012; 26 (Supplement 4):1–16.


10. The Psoriasis Association. Available at: http://www.psoriasis-association.org.uk/pages/view/about-psoriasis. Last accessed September 2012.


11. National Psoriasis Foundation. Psoriasis types. Available at: http://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/types. Last accessed September 2012.


12. National Psoriasis Foundation. About Psoriasis: Statistics. Available at: http://www.psoriasis.org/about/stats. Last accessed September 2012.


13. Lecluse LL et al. National registries of systemic treatment for psoriasis and the European ‘Psonet’ initiative. Dermatology. 2009;218 (4):347-56.


14. Ustekinumab European Summary of Product Characteristics. Date: March 2012.


15. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Enbrel Summary of Product Characteristics.


16. Abbott Laboratories Ltd. Humira Summary of Product Characteristics.


17. Schering-Plough Ltd. Remicade Summary of Product Characteristics.


To view a film of experts discussing the data, please visit:
http://www.brainshark.com/janssencns/PsoriasisInterviews


Janssen

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Janssen. “New Data Demonstrate StelaraR (Ustekinumab) Is Effective, Well-Tolerated And Improved QOL In Patients With Moderate To Severe Plaque Psoriasis.” Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 2 Oct. 2012. Web.
7 Apr. 2013. APA
Janssen. (2012, October 2). “New Data Demonstrate StelaraR (Ustekinumab) Is Effective, Well-Tolerated And Improved QOL In Patients With Moderate To Severe Plaque Psoriasis.” Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/250915.php.

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Dyshidrotic Eczema Treatment – 3 Effective Remedies to Treating Eczema

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Dyshidrotic eczema is a serious condition where blisters develop along the edges of the fingers and toes which can be irritating. In fact, this skin condition can lead to many restless nights as you stay awake feeling the intense desire to scratch the affected area. Fortunately, most cases are easily treatable and the following are 3 effective remedies that act as a dyschidrotic eczema treatment.

1. Use ointments with cortisone

It’s important that you do not scratch the affected areas if you start to notice signs of eczema including dryness, itchiness and redness. To help ease and control the itchiness, make use of ointments containing cortisone as this will help soothe your skin. However, if the condition is flaring up then you may need to use steroidal creams to suppress the body’s inflammatory response.

2. Stay away from external allergens

While some cases of dyshidrotic eczema are influenced by genetics, there are other factors such as external allergens which may trigger symptoms. Every individual is different so it’s likely that reactions will vary but certain types of foods or chemicals such as soaps can cause such outbreaks. Once the cause is identified, it’s important to stay away from it and avoid other irritants.

3. Regularly apply creams with herbal ingredients

The next important factor is that you want to ensure your body is moisturized on a regular basis as dry skin will only worsen symptoms and cause more severe irritation. Right after a bath, be sure to apply creams containing aloe vera, witch hazel or vitamin E as this will soothe your skin and reduce the swelling. You may want to keep a bottle on you at all times in case you need to moisturize.

While dyshidrotic eczema is a serious condition, fortunately there are steps that you can take to significantly reduce symptoms. Be sure to make use of ointments with cortisone and to regularly apply moisturizers while avoiding external allergens which may trigger such outbreaks.

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Eczema and Treatment – An Effective Treatment For Your Eczema

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Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease that affects thousands if not millions of people throughout the world. The disease can either be present from birth or can develop at any stage of life. The health industry has not figured out a cure as such but there are many methods of treatment to choose from. Following is a look at eczema and treatment in it’s varying forms.

If you go to your doctor for medication you will undoubtedly be prescribed with a steroid based cream or ointment supplemented by an aqueous cream cream or emollient. Steroids are often the first line of defense for a severe outbreak of eczema. However continued use can be dangerous and lead to other complications such as thinning of the skin and Glaucoma. Due to this, it is important to use this form of medication only in an emergency or for a short time until the skin has begun to heal.

There is some disagreement as to the effectiveness of emollients and paraffin creams for use as a moisturizer. Some say that the thick layer on top of the skin causes further itching and discomfort, where others find it a good source of added moisture. It would seem that it is purely a matter of opinion and personal circumstance.

Other treatments for eczema include natural substances that do not cause any side effects or unpleasant reactions. Certain oils such as Neem and Evening Primrose oils are known for their healing properties and hormone balance. They can be taken in capsule form every day for best results.

Organic skin creams with added vitamin E oil are a great source of rejuvenation for the skin and can be used once or twice a day for added effect. Choosing a skin cream that is 100% organic allows you to be safe in the knowledge that your skin will not suffer any side effects. One thing to note, however, is that some of these types of cream contain fruit and vegetable extracts and some use nut oils. If you have food allergies, then be sure to read the ingredients for your chosen skin lotion.

Personally, I encourage the use of a natural treatment for eczema as it can be used for continuous use and not a quick fix, rather a permanent solution.

There are many avoidance measures and natural methods for eliminating eczema from the body that can be implemented easily. For a full guide to getting rid of eczema once and for all, continue to the Complete Guide to Eczema And Treatment.

There are many avoidance measures for eczema and treatment, with natural methods for eliminating eczema from the body that can be implemented easily. For a full guide to getting rid of eczema once and for all, continue to the Complete Guide to Eczema And Treatment.

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