What's New in Psoriasis Treatment from a Memphis Dermatologist

by Board-certified Cordova Dermatologist George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (12/01/2024)

Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with a Psoriasis patient

Psoriasis is a type of genetically sensitive skin condition of the elbows, knees, back, chest, scalp, and sometimes the whole body, which can also settle into the joints, sometimes causing Psoriatic Arthritis. It can start in childhood or adulthood, and half of the 3% of the US population with Psoriasis report a family history of Psoriasis, so part of its cause could be genetic. We Dermatologists often consider it a type of autoimmune condition. Fortunately, it is not considered to be contagious, but it can cause a visible and uncomfortable eruption, particularly severe in the cooler months of the year, with the more drying Winter air.

Psoriasis can affect the elbows and knees or the entire body

The good news is that Dermatologists have many new promising Psoriasis treatments to alleviate the dry rash, itching, or soreness of Psoriasis, from traditional topical steroids creams and ointments to Methotrexate pills, Narrow-band Ultraviolet Light Therapy, Cyclosporine pills, Tumor Necrosis Alpha injections, over 12 Biologic therapy injections, and a newer PDE-4 inhibitor (Zoryve Cream) and a new cream called Vtama.

Psoriasis can occur on the body or the scalp

So we now have many helpful options:

Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors (TNF-alpha inhibitors) reduce inflammation in skin and joint Psoriasis through their action on Cytokines:

Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol)

Enbrel® (etanercept)

Humira® (adalimumab)

Remicade® (infliximab) and

Simponi® (golimumab).

Psoriasis is often more of a problem in the cooler, drier Winter

Interleukin 12/23 inhibitors:

Stelara® (ustekizumab).

Interleukin 17 inhibitors:

Bimzelx® (bimekizumab)

Cosentyx® (secukinumab)

Siliq® (broadalumab) and

Taltz® (ixekizumab).

Psoriasis typically starts in childhood but can start in adulthood

Interleukin 23 inhibitors:

Ilumya® (tildrakizumab)

Skyrizi® (risankizumab) and

Tremfya® (guselkumab).

Interleukin 36 inhibitors:

Spevigo® (spesolimab) – approved for a special type of Psoriasis called Pustular Psoriasis.

Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with a skin patient

T-cell inhibitors:

Orencia® (abatacept) – approved for Psoriatic Arthritis.

Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors:

Otezla® (apremilast) – an oral steroid-free tablet.

Psoriasis patient applying cream

Zoryve® (Roflumilast cream) - approved by the FDA is a promising new topical cream for Psoriasis as of October of 2023 - works by inhibiting the action of a chemical called phosophodiesterase-4, resulting in a boost in the level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in immune cells and epithelial cells. The result is a decrease in the inflammation that goes along with Psoriasis. Zoryve is currently approved by the FDA for use in children down to the age of 6 at its 0.3% strength.

Vtama (Tapinarof Cream 1%) – approved by the FDA in May of 2022 - is what’s called an Aryl Hydrocarbon agonist that works to decrease inflammation, approved for Psoriasis in adults.

Sotyktu® (deucravacitinb) is a new steroid-free tablet approved for Psoriasis in adults by the FDA in 2022 – which acts on the Tyrosine Kinase pathways to decrease inflammation. It is approved for Psoriasis patients who are candidates for systemic therapy or light therapy.

Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with Big River Silk Skincare staff

I have used two gentle Refined Shea Butter fragrance-free moisturizers – HypoShea Moisturizer Cream and HypoShea Moisturizer Lotion – for my own Memphis Dermatology patients since 2016. These lubricating moisturizers tend to be helpful for people with Eczema and Psoriasis, and they’re now available through Big River Silk Skincare Inc., a company of which I’m the President (www.Bigriversilkskincare.com). Available for pickup on site at 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018 (1-901-753-0168), M-F, or for online order ($7.50 USPS shipping and handling for US orders under $75.00 – otherwise free shipping and handling; $10.00 for Canadian orders).

HypoShea Moisturizer Lotion is a fragrance-free Refined Shea Butter moisturizer

So if you have – or may have – Psoriasis - consider seeing a Board-certified Dermatologist today. To start, we sometimes will perform certain types of skin testing - such as a skin biopsy, immunofluorescence biopsy, fungal culture, or allergy patch testing. My own Memphis Dermatology practice is with Rheumatology and Dermatology, in Cordova, TN, or you can find a “Best Dermatologist Near Me” by going to the American Academy of Dermatology website, AAD.org, then plugging your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist’ tab.

Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury

George Woodbury Jr. M.D.

Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates PC

8143 Walnut Grove Road

Cordova TN 38018

Memphis Dermatologist on new Psoriasis treatment, from Biologic Injections to Otezla, Zoryve and Vtama, and HypoShea™ Moisturizer Lotion, from Big River Silk Skincare Inc.

12/01/2024

1-901-753-0168

www.Bigriversilkskincare.com