Vitamin B shows promise for psoriasisSuperiority of a vitamin B-containing emollient compared to a standard emollient in the maintenance treatment of mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis.
We conducted a study to examine the effectiveness of a vitamin B-containing ointment in treating mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis compared to a standard glycerol-petrolatum-based emollient cream. The trial was designed thoughtfully, with 24 patients participating in a randomized, controlled, single-blind format. Each patient received the vitamin B ointment on one side of their body and the standard cream on the other side.
Over the duration of 12 weeks, we periodically measured the severity of psoriasis using the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI). Our findings revealed that the vitamin B ointment significantly reduced the severity of psoriasis compared to the control cream at various times, particularly showing an impressive average reduction of 87.6% from baseline after 12 weeks.
This evidence suggests that vitamin B ointment not only offers a new treatment avenue for psoriasis but also should be considered in future treatment guidelines. We believe our research underscores the potential benefits of a vitamin B therapy approach in managing this chronic skin condition effectively.
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Herbal treatment shows promiseA case series of the effects of a novel composition of a traditional natural preparation for the treatment of psoriasis.
We assessed the effectiveness of a topical herbal preparation called DurrDerma, designed to treat moderate to severe psoriasis. This preparation combines several natural ingredients, including black cumin, olive oil, tea tree oil, cocoa butter, along with vitamins A and B12. The focus was on seeing how well this combination worked in patients who had severe and treatment-resistant cases of psoriasis.
Our case series involved 12 patients, aged between 21 and 86 years, who used the preparation twice daily for 12 weeks. The results were quite promising. Ten out of the twelve patients (about 83%) achieved significant improvement, with a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score reduction of over 75%. However, two patients only had moderate improvements, with a PASI reduction of 50% or less.
Interestingly, while vitamin B12 was part of the treatment mix, we cannot isolate its specific effects on psoriasis due to its combination with other ingredients. Despite the lack of separate assessment of vitamin B12, the overall findings suggest that the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of DurrDerma may provide a beneficial effect. In summary, our findings indicate that this traditional herbal preparation may serve as a complementary approach to psoriasis management.
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Methotrexate toxicity management insightsMethotrexate toxicity in psoriasis-A multicentric retrospective study.
We examined the challenges associated with methotrexate (MTX) treatment in psoriasis patients, particularly the risk of toxicity from the medication. In this multicentric, retrospective study, we focused on identifying the underlying causes of MTX toxicity and understanding how folate treatment plays a role in managing these cases.
Out of 21 patients treated for MTX toxicity, most experienced significant side effects like mucocutaneous ulcerations and hematological issues. We observed that folinic acid, a form of folate, was used successfully in treating these patients, with a recovery rate of 85% within just 7-14 days. However, this finding primarily highlights folinic acid's role in mitigating toxicity rather than demonstrating a direct benefit of folate on psoriasis itself.
Importantly, the study revealed that overdosing—often due to self-medication—was the leading cause of toxicity, affecting 66% of patients. This underscores the need for thorough counseling regarding MTX use and potential side effects.
Overall, while folate aids in addressing toxicity symptoms, our findings do not suggest that it offers significant benefits for psoriasis treatment itself. It's crucial for patients to seek prompt medical advice if toxicity symptoms arise, ensuring timely and effective management.
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Folate's role in psoriasis managementHomocysteine and psoriasis.
We explored the relationship between homocysteine levels and psoriasis, with particular attention on how folate treatment may influence this chronic skin condition. Recent findings have shown that individuals suffering from psoriasis typically have elevated serum homocysteine levels. This condition, known as hyperhomocysteinaemia, can be associated with deficiencies in essential nutrients like folic acid and vitamin B12.
Our investigation highlighted the potential role of homocysteine in exacerbating the inflammatory processes underlying psoriasis, by activating certain immune cells while hindering the activity of regulatory T cells. Importantly, increasing folate intake through systemic folinate calcium has been noted to provide effective treatment results.
Topical vitamin B12 has also shown promise. The growing body of evidence points to the idea that addressing deficiencies in these vitamins could help manage symptoms of psoriasis more effectively. It seems clear that optimizing folate levels might play a vital role in improving patients' conditions.
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Folic acid enhances psoriasis treatmentAnalysis of factors influencing target PASI responses and side effects of methotrexate monotherapy in plaque psoriasis: a multicenter study of 1521 patients.
We conducted an extensive analysis involving 1521 patients to understand how folic acid treatment influences psoriasis when used alongside methotrexate (MTX). Methotrexate is often the go-to first-line systemic treatment for psoriasis, and many patients in our study were treated with it for at least three months.
Among these patients, 95.2% were also taking folic acid supplements. Our findings indicated a positive link between folic acid use and achievement of PASI 90 responses, which means a drastic improvement in psoriasis severity. For instance, at week 12, 16.3% achieved this target response, and by week 24, this number rose to 37.3%.
Notably, factors like a lower median MTX dose (≤ 15 mg per week), administering MTX subcutaneously, having no prior systemic treatment, and the absence of comorbidities also contributed positively to treatment success.
However, while folic acid appeared beneficial, it did not stand out in isolation due to the complexities of treatment factors involved. Common side effects such as nausea and elevated liver enzymes were reported health concerns, but the treatment was generally considered both effective and safe.
Overall, our study emphasizes MTX as an efficient approach for psoriasis management, especially with appropriate folic acid supplementation, helping to enhance the treatment outcomes for many patients.
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