Bangkok--Oct 18--Spark Communications
The Psoriasis Society of Thailand will host Thailand’s first seminar in recognition of World Psoriasis Day on Friday, October 29. The Fair will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Asia Hotel, and will provide patients and the general public with detailed information and up-to-date treatments for the disease.
Dr. Pimolpan Krityarangsan, Director of the Institute of Dermatology and Founder of the Thailand Psoriasis Society, said: “Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease caused by the abnormal division of body cells. The epidermis thickens, causing rashes and silvery scabs on the affected areas. These scabs can be removed by scratching, but this can also trigger bleeding.”
Over the past ten years, the number of psoriasis patients treated by The Skin Diseases Institute has increased four-fold, from 1,127 in 1994 to 4,706 last year. Alarmingly, the large number of psoriasis patients places the illness as one of Thailand’s five most common skin diseases.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that can not be completely cured. Its rashes are mostly found on patients’ head, arms, legs, elbows, joints, palms and feet. Between 1-3 percent of skin disease patients have psoriasis, with no difference among the amount of men and women who are affected.
Children and adolescents aged 10-30 are the group most affected by psoriasis. Thirty percent of patients have a family history with the disease. Psoriasis is not a fatal illness, but can seriously affect a patients’ economic and social status.
“Often times the treatment of psoriasis is not effective because patients move from one hospital to another hoping to find one that can cure them permanently. As a result, dermatologists from hospitals and academic institutions have founded The Psoriasis Society of Thailand to build a network of nationwide medical services for standard and continual treatment of patients. This approach will represent vital support for a patient’s physical, mental and social well-being,” added Dr. Pimolpan.
Dr. Bhornthip Puwabunditsin, Dermatologist at Chulalongkorn Hospital, said: “New, more efficient treatments have been developed for psoriasis that provide patient’s with a better quality of life. Currently, the standard treatment is to apply a variety of ointments to topical rashes. This is inconvenient, however, due to their unpleasant smells and color, and can cause messy stains on the skin and clothes.”
“Psoriasis pills are also full of side-effects. They can destroy bone marrow, damage kidneys, liver, fetuses, and some of them can cause cancer. Patients need to undergo frequent health checkups, which comprise blood and urine tests, when taking pills. Phototherapy is also inconvenient for many psoriasis patients, since it requires significant travel time for frequent trips to the hospital for treatment,” continued Dr. Bhronthip.
“In the near future, injected ‘Biologicals’ will improve patients’ well-being. The patients can inject themselves at home once a week, just as insulin is by diabetics. Such innovative progress will enable psoriasis patients to live normal lives. However, its efficiency in Thai patients still needs to be studied,” Dr. Bhornthip added.
Biologicals, are synthesized proteins now being widely developed that help halt abnormal function in the immune system. This group of medications interacts only with the skin’s surface, and not with internal organs, which may lead to cancer and fetus abnormalities.
Associate Professor Dr. Natta Rajatanavin, Dermatologist from Ranathibodi Hospital and founder of the Thailand Psoriasis Society, said: “The disease can be found in all age groups and sexes. It’s not fatal or contagious, but its frightful appearance can drive people away from patients. These types of myths can cause great difficulty and loneliness for people living with psoriasis. As a result, The Psoriasis Society of Thailand is obliged to educate the public, patients, and their relatives, so everyone can live happily together in mutual understanding.”
The Psoriasis Society of Thailand has invited psoriasis patients and general public to attend Thailand’s first World Psoriasis Day Fair on Friday, October 29 at the Asia Hotel from 2:00-4:00 pm. Dermatologists and psoriasis experts are also invited to provide knowledge and consultation on treatments. Reservation can be made free of charge at The Skin Diseases Institute, tel. 0-2354-8036 ext. 134,106 during office hours.
For more information, please contact:
Jarinthorn Thanasilpakul, Rungnapa Chanwiset
Tel. 0-2653-2717-9, 0-1494-8131 End.
--InfoQuest (NT)--