SKIN infection, such as tonsillitis.


Pustular psoriasis: this form of the condition can cause pus-fi lled blisters on the skin, when then dry up, become scaly and peel off. Primarily seen in adults, this condition can cause the person to feel generally unwell.


Erythrodermic psoriasis: the rarest form of psoriasis, which causes fi ercely red and scaly skin to appear over large areas of the body. This condition can evolve from other forms of psoriasis or be triggered by treatment for psoriasis, but can also be triggered by withdrawal from drugs such as corticosteroids.


Inverse psoriasis: this form of psoriasis, causes scaly, bright red patches to appear in folds of skin, such as those under the breasts or in the armpits, and is exacerbated by obesity.


WHERE IT APPEARS Eczema often appears on parts of the


body that ‘bend’, such as the inner elbow or behind the knees, although it can also appear on the neck, wrists, and ankles. Young babies can sometimes get it on the chin, cheeks, scalp or chest.


In psoriasis, the most commonly- affected areas are the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back, although any surface of the skin can be involved. It can also occur in the fi ngernails, toenails and body folds.


HOW IT LOOKS....


In eczema the skin becomes red and infl amed, but may also be scaly or ‘crusty’. There may also be rough or leathery patches that can look darker than the rest of the patient’s skin.


While psoriasis will also cause red patches, these may have more of a ‘silvery’ tinge to them and they’re generally raised up. These bumps will, over time, become larger and scaly. While the affected skin appears to be thicker, it will bleed easily if the scales


In psoriasis there is also an itch, but that is only one of the symptoms. The skin may also experience a stinging or burning sensation, with patients often referring to the feel of being bitten by insects or ants.


WHAT CAUSES IT


Polytar scalp shampoo contains coal tar solution which has antibacterial and anti-infl ammatory properties.


Tar preparations have been used extensively for over 50 years in the management of various skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and dandruff.


Scalp conditions such as psoriasis are often the result of an overproduction of skin cells which can cause hardening, thickening and scaling of the skin.


Polytar contains coal tar solution which suppresses this process helping to provide relief for your scalp.


Product Information


Polytar Scalp Shampoo (coal tar solution). Indications: Treatment of scalp disorders including psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, eczema, pruritus and scaling associated with psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis and eczema, dandruff and itchy, oily scalp. Legal category: GSL. Licence holder: Stiefel, 980 Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9GS, U.K.


Information about this product, including adverse reactions, precautions, contra-indications and method of use can be found at: https:// medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/31935


Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies.


CHGBI/CHPOL/0011/16 22 - PHARMACY IN FOCUS


While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, it is most common in people who have very dry skin, and it’s thought that this dryness makes the skin more likely to react to particular triggers, which causes it to become red and itchy. There is also a genetic element, with studies showing that if a child has one or both parents with eczema – atopic eczema in particular – then they will have an increased likelihood of developing it themselves.


The exact cause of psoriasis is also unknown, but it’s generally believed that a combination of factors contributes to the development of the condition. Recent studies have shown that psoriasis can often begin in the immune system when certain immune or T cells are triggered and become overactive. In normal circumstances, skin cells are replaced every 28-30 days, but in psoriatic skin new cells grow and move to the surface of the skin every three to four days. This accelerated growth of skin cells causes the psoriatic plaques or scales to form. It’s for this reason that psoriasis is referred to as an auto-immune disease, although it’s not known yet what initially triggers the immune system to behave in this way.


WHAT TRIGGERS OR EXACERBATES IT?


Eczema is often brought on by things that irritate the skin, such as soaps, detergents or other chemical products. Hormonal changes, sweating, infection and stress can also play a role .


Eczema can, however, also be caused by allergies, such as those to dust, pets,


are picked off. If the psoriasis is on the scalp, it will create a crust. If it is affecting the fi nger or toe nails, they will become discoloured and also may begin to crumble.


HOW IT FEELS


There’s no doubt that, in addition to the distress that the appearance of eczema causes a patient, the worst thing about eczema is the intense itch, which can become so bad that a patient may scratch their skin enough to make it bleed.


pollen, mould and some foods. For that reason, patients with chronic eczema often have to undergo allergy tests to determine the trigger in order to avoid exacerbations as much as possible.


While psoriasis shares some of these triggers with eczema - stress and infection, for example - it can however, also be caused by:


• an injury to the skin, such as infl ammation or excessive scratching


• the sun: while many patients believe that sunlight is benefi cial for psoriasis, some can fi nd that strong sunlight will aggravate their symptoms


• drugs: a number of medicines have been proven to aggravate psoriasis


• smoking: research has indicated that smokers have an increased risk of chronic plaque psoriasis


• alcohol: this is considered a risk factor for psoriasis, particularly in young to middle-aged males


WHAT AGE DOES IT START?


With eczema, most sufferers will fi rst experience the condition as babies or young children, with many growing out of it as they move into adulthood. Few patients will have their fi rst outbreak of eczema as an adult. If it does happen, it is usually down to an extraneous condition, such as thyroid disease or stress.


Psoriasis will usually appear between the ages of fi fteen and 35, although it can appear at any time. It is very rarely seen in babies.


TREATMENTS


Since eczema causes skin to become excessively dry and scaly, it’s vital that moisturising treatments are applied directly to the skin to reduce water loss, creating a protective fi lm. The fi rst line of attack in eczema is therefore generally emollients, which, in addition to adding moisture to the skin, may also play a mild anti- infl ammatory role.


If the patient’s skin is sore and infl amed, then a topical corticosteroid may provide some relief. Corticosteroids are hormones that can reduce infl ammation, while suppressing the immune system. Their main purpose is to reduce skin infl ammation and irritation, making them ideal in the treatment of eczema. Topical corticosteroids


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64