The Psoriasis Association
Home Page: http://www.psoriasis-association.org.uk/
The Psoriasis Association exists to support those who have psoriasis, to raise awareness about the condition and to fund research into the causes of and treatments for it. They have over 4,000 members - and their site is full of helpful information.
Psoriasis itself is deconstructed and further topics include children with psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, genital psoriasis, ultraviolet treatment and biologic drugs. They also have a useful jargon buster that may help when reading related medical information - and the Association produces its own quarterly magazine.
The Psoriatic Arthropy Alliance
Home Page: http://www.paalliance.org/
The PAA is a registered national UK charity and is supported by a team of volunteers to help people with psoriasis. Their team includes specialists from the fields of dermatology, rheumatology, immunology, physiotherapy, nursing, scientific and pharmacology.
The PAA website is the place to go if you want to order their Fact File - which contains 32 factsheets covering all aspects of psoriasis. Topics covered include immune factors; diet; psychological factors; genital psoriasis; psoriatic arthritis; physiotherapy; disability living allowance; Vitamin D treatments; the genetics of psoriasis; light therapy; a glossary of medical terms and more. They also offer a "Psoriatic Care Manual" - a huge contact directory of psoriasis centres around the world.
British Association of Dermatologists
Home Page: http://www.bad.org.uk/
Condition Info: http://www.bad.org.uk/public/leaflets/overview.asp
The British Association of Dermatologists is the only professional organisation representing skin specialists in the UK and Ireland. Virtually all consultant dermatologists and trainees are members and there is a wide overseas membership.
The BAD have a large page on psoriasis: it begins by discussing causes, symptoms, effects and diagnosis - and moves on to the various treatments available. These include Vitamin A and Vitamin D analogues, steroid creams, tar preparations, phototherapy (ultraviolet light), internal and injectable treatments. They also have another page (http://www.bad.org.uk/public/leaflets/moderate_severe_psoriasis.asp) addressing the questions raised by treatments for more serious psoriasis conditions.
Psoriasis Scotland Arthritis Link Volunteers
Home Page: http://www.psoriasisscotland.org.uk/
PSALV was set up as a charity in1998 in response to a real need for information and education on psoriasis in Scotland. They are member-based, have their own newsletter and run two seminars a year.
Their site covers what psoriasis is, why it occurs and its different forms (plaque, flexural, pustular and guttate). Information leaflets are available to members for free on the following topics: psoriatic arthritis, mild or severe psoriasis, homeopathy and skin camouflage therapy. The PSALV also take a strong stance on discrimination in the workplace and have many contacts to help in this area.
Home Page: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/
Condition Info: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/en.aspx?articleID=301
NHS Direct Online is a website providing comprehensive health advice for people living in England - and is supported by a 24-hour helpline.
Their psoriasis page explains what the condition is as well as discussing its symptoms, causes and diagnosis. Advice is given on treatments (emollients, topical steroids, Vitamin D analogues, dithranol, coal tar, tazarotene, salicylic acid, coconut oil, phototherapy, aromatherapy, acupuncture, sunshine) and possible complications that may occur with their use. Psoriatic arthritis is also discussed - and further links offer a route to other related websites.
Home Page: http://www.bupa.co.uk/
Condition Info: http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/Psoriasis.html
BUPA is the leading provider of private healthcare insurance, hospitals and healthcare services in the UK. Their website offers free online health information from trusted medical experts.
BUPA"s factsheet on psoriasis talks about common symptoms and types - including scalp, plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythroderma. It discusses the causes of psoriasis skin changes and how a diagnosis is made. BUPA also offer a list of common-sense tips to help minimise the frequency and severity of psoriasis flare-ups. They explain the various treatments available, too - including steroid creams, tar compounds, Vitamin D, Vitamin A, ultraviolet light and complementary therapies like homeopathy and herbal remedies.
Home Page: http://www.patient.co.uk/
Condition Info: http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068811/
Patient UK provides non-medical people in the UK with good quality information about health and disease. Their content is produced and edited by qualified GPs and is based on patient evidence.
Their psoriasis page discusses its different types - nail, scalp, guttate - and takes into account aggravating factors like stress, infections or medication. It explains the various treatments available (from emollients, Vitamin D and coal tar preparations to steroid creams and phototherapy) and briefly touches upon psoriatic arthropathy.
Home Page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/
Condition Info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/psoriasis1.shtml
BBC Health offers a complete A-Z illness listing, with related articles and guides plus a messageboard where users can share their experiences.
The BBC offer advice on the causes, appearance and treatment of psoriasis - and offer links to related information such as light therapy and immunotherapy. They also give attention to the implications of psoriasis for men and children. The site even discusses how goat products can help psoriasis sufferers - and surfers also have the option of emailing a BBC doctor with their various queries.
HomePage: http://www.medinfo.co.uk/
Condition Info: http://www.medinfo.co.uk/conditions/psoriasis.html
Medinfo.co.uk provides free and simple medical advice for patients; their index of medical conditions, ailments, drugs, etc, covers common illnesses as well as some more obscure complaints.
Their psoriasis section covers everything from symptoms and type (including plaque, guttate, flexural and scalp psoriasis plus erythroderma) right down to diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Treatments discussed include moisturizing creams, oils, Vitamin D, salicylic acid, sunshine and UV radiation. Medinfo also suggest several helpful books that are available online and supply links to related websites.
Home Page: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/
Condition Info: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/psoriasis.htm
NetDoctor.co.uk is a collaboration between committed doctors, healthcare professionals and patients in the UK. Their website aims to break down the "medical language barrier" between doctor and patient and offers a large online encyclopaedia of diseases and related medicines.
The NetDoctor factsheet for psoriasis discusses the causes and symptoms of "psoriasis vulgaris" and explains how the condition is diagnosed. It suggests various treatments - including tar, dithranol, salicylic acid or vitamin D-related compounds, calcipotriol (Dovonex) or tacalcitol (Curatoderm) and cortico steroids. They also offer tips for sufferers that can be put into practice at home.
