Submitted by Doug Leone, MD and Adrienne Schupbach, MD, Dermatology and Mohs Surgery Institute
Over 7.5 million Americans suffer from psoriasis, a chronic immune disease that currently has no cure. The condition can affect the joints, but most commonly presents itself in the form of itchy skin spots, red patches, and thick, flaky lesions. If you suffer from psoriasis, you know how frustrating the disease can be.
In addition to being physically painful, psoriasis is often socially painful. From dealing with sideways glances to feeling awkward at the hair salon or swimming pool, those with psoriasis find themselves in many uncomfortable situations. According to the National Psoriasis Institute, 73 percent of sufferers report feeling self-conscious about their condition, 68 percent report feeling embarrassed, and 54 percent feel that their condition is disfiguring.
Until recently, treatment for psoriasis has been limited to topical creams and ointments, medicines taken by mouth or injection which can potentially have serious side effects, or full-body phototherapy light treatment. For many patients, these treatments are not very effective or not well tolerated, and the patient continues to search for relief. However, an exciting new development — the excimer laser — has recently been approved by the FDA for treating psoriasis and vitiligo. Vitiligo is a disorder in which white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. Vitiligo can also affect the mucous membranes, such as the tissue inside the mouth, nose, and eye.
Unlike conventional phototherapy, excimer lasers deliver ultraviolet light directly to the affected areas without harming healthy skin cells. In addition, the treatment is safe and does not carry the risk of severe side effects as some of the pills and injectable medications do. Excimer laser is most effective for people with mild to moderate psoriasis and has proven effective in challenging places such as elbows, knees, and the scalp. Results last for several months up to a year. Excimer laser treatment is especially exciting because treatment times are relatively short — they can easily be squeezed in over a lunch break! Most patients typically require two treatments a week for about three weeks. Of course, treatments may vary per person, and your dermatologist will work with you to determine the number of weeks you’ll need treatment.
Even though psoriasis is a life-long condition and can’t be cured, the excimer laser offers a new way to effectively control the disease, giving people new hope and improving their quality of life.
For more information, you may contact the Dermatology and Mohs Surgery Institute at 309-451-DERM (3376) or on the web at
www.dermatologistbloomington.com. Dr. Leone and Dr. Schupbach, both residents of Bloomington, are board-certified dermatologists, specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology, including the treatment of skin cancer, moles, acne, rashes, warts, and all skin disorders. Dr. Leone is one of the few Mohs-trained surgeons in the area. Their office is located at 3024 E. Empire St., 2nd floor (in the Advocate BroMenn outpatient center).