Psoriasis Treat Reduces Side Effects

A new treatment that directly targets parts of the immune system responsible for the skin condition psoriasis will be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from next week.
About 17,000 Australians have chronic plague psoriasis and as well as suffering unsightly skin, many experience anxiety and depression.
The new class of drugs, known as biological agents, produce fewer side effects because they have a more targeted effect.
Dr Stephen Shumack, from the College of Dermatologists, says the treatment will bring relief to thousands of sufferers.
"They change the way the immune system works or they alter or reduce some aspect of the immune function," he said.
"It's done in a much more targeted way than some of the agents we currently use such as steroids which have a blanket suppression of the immune system."
Dr Shumack says those with the disease can suffer psychologically.
"There's a lot of social isolation amongst sufferers of severe psoriasis," he said.
"They have trouble getting jobs they have trouble keeping jobs, they have a lot of time off work, they don't interact socially, they don't go out, they usually have trouble meeting partners."