New Psoriasis Bill Introduced In U.S. Senate

The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, & Care Act of 2007 was introduced today by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. This is the first psoriasis legislation to be introduced in the U.S. Senate. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., joined as an original co-sponsor with Sen. Menendez in introducing the bill.

The legislation was spearheaded by the National Psoriasis Foundation, which advocates in the nation’s capital for greater federal investment in psoriasis, on behalf of as many as 7.5 million Americans with the disease.

"Too many people mistakenly think psoriasis is merely a mild inconvenience," said Sen. Menendez, adding that approximately 220,000 people in New Jersey alone have the disease. "I believe it’s time for the federal government to recognize the pain and suffering caused by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. I am introducing this legislation to make treatments more accessible and find a cure for those living with these difficult diseases."

Read full story about new psoriasis bill.

How Toxic Substance Can Reduce Risk of Disease with Children

A new study has found that a toxic substance called Endotoxin, made by certain types of bacteria found in house dust, may reduce the risk of developing diseases or skin the condition eczema or wheezing in children if they are exposed to it up to age of 3. Endotoxin is an element of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, a type of bacteria that repeatedly causes disease. This toxic substance is released when the bacteria dies or is damaged. The new study found that homes with a low level of endotoxin is associated with more wheezing or eczema in children by age 3, whereas higher amount of endotoxin in their homes, is linked to lower risk of the diseases by age 3. Read more about how toxic substance can reduce risk of disease in children.

Arthritis Linked to Psoriasis

You may be wondering what psoriasis and arthritis possibly have in common. The answer is too much in some cases. Psoriatic arthropathy is a condition that strikes roughly 10% of people. If you have psoriasis, this is information you need to be aware of.  At the least, if it happens to you, you will have some information about the disease in mind and the treatment process may go faster. The treatment for psoriatic arthropathy is really a combination of the standard treatments for psoriasis and arthritis. Doctors often prescribe anti inflammatory drugs and exercises for the affected joints, while treating the psoriasis with medicated topical creams and possibly light or phototherapy. For the best results with help, psoriasis and arthritis must be treated together. Though no one knows why the two diseases team up like this, there are treatments available that will limit the effects on the skin and the joints. For more information, read the full article about the connection between arthritis and psoriasis.

New Hospital Center for Treating Eczema

 Rady Children’s Hospital is working on building one of the nation’s first comprehensive center for eczema. Eczema is a chronic skin condition that affects 15 to 20 percent of children. The new center will focus on treating children’s conditions and also conduct research on the cause of eczema and remedies for it. Symptoms of eczema, a non-contagious condition that also afflicts 10 percent of adults, include rashes, blisters and dry, scaly and itchy skin that can bleed when scratched, inviting infection. Read more about Rady’s Hospital Center eczema center.

New Treatments for Eczema May be Coming Soon

Experts at the University of Dundee have made a breakthrough discovery about dry skin. They have found the gene that leads to eczema and asthma.
They found that the problem is with a gene that produces filaggrin. Filaggrin, abundant in the outermost layers of the skin, forms a protective outer barrier that keeps bacteria and viruses out while keeping water in to prevent the skin from drying. Reduction or absence of the protein leads to dry and flaky skin.  Researchers plan to use the discovery for more effective therapies to cure the causes of the conditions, rather than simply treating the symptoms. At the moment the only treatment is through the use of emollients and ointments or anti-inflammatory drugs. The research, to be published in the journal Nature Genetics, was undertaken with collaborators in Glasgow, Dublin, Seattle and Copenhagen. Professor Irwin McLean, of Dundee University’s human genetics department, said the elusive gene had been known about for 20 years or more but was difficult to analyse. Read full article, news about Eczema.