Hyperthermia in the treatment of psoriasis

Abstract

The effectiveness of commercially available, chemically generated, topical exothermic pads that elevate skin surface temperature from 42 to 43 degrees C was stressed in 22 patients with psoriasis. Control sites were treated with conventional modalities such as Goeckerman's regimen, as well as with occlusion with nonexothermic pads. Skin lesions in 19 patients disappeared after the use of hyperthermia. The average time required for complete regression in the treated areas was 27 days with hyperthermia, compared with 44 days with Goeckerman's regimen. There were no hyperthermic side effects. Seventeen patients whose skin lesions disappeared with the use of both hyperthermia and Goeckerman's regimen were subsequently reexamined. The hyperthermia produced an equal or longer duration of remission than did Goeckerman's regimen.

Reduction of Chemotactic Activities in Psoriatic Lesions by Hyperthermia Treatments

“…Histological study showed that neutrophil accumulation in psoriatic lesions disappeared two weeks after local heat treatment and subsequently parakeratosis and elongation of rete ridges disappeared (4). In this study, we demonstrated a marked decrease of chemotactic activity for PMNs in the extract of psoriatic scales 2 weeks after local heat treatment (Table 1).…”

Add-On Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine Bath to Phototherapy for Psoriasis Vulgaris: A Systematic Review

“…Orenberg's study in 1980, which used ultrasound induced heat to treat psoriasis, showed a benefit for psoriasis lesion remission [29]. Later it was demonstrated that hyperthermia induced by topical exothermic pads [30], infrared [31], or microwave [32] was also effective for psoriasis plaques. The advantage of using a hot water bath is that it is a simple, inexpensive approach that can be used to treat relatively large body areas [33].…”

Dead‐Sea climatotherapy versus other modalities of treatment for psoriasis: comparative cost‐effectiveness

“…With the variety of treatments available today, it is possible to improve the quality of life of nearly all psoriatic patients. [50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66] According to a recent economic study on the cost of psoriasis treatments, overall expenses increase with the severity of the disease. 67 Taking into consideration that Dead-Sea climatotherapy is similar in cost regardless of the severity of the disease, climatotherapy gets an extra score for treatment of severe patients.…”

“…With the variety of treatments available today, it is possible to improve the quality of life of nearly all psoriatic patients. 50 –66 …”