Psoriasis historical perspective
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Historical Perspective
Psoriasis is probably one of the longest known illnesses of humans and simultaneously one of the most misunderstood. Some scholars believe psoriasis to have been included among the skin conditions called tzaraat in the Bible.[1] In more recent times psoriasis was frequently described as a variety of leprosy. The Greeks used the term lepra (λεπρα) for scaly skin conditions. They used term psora to describe itchy skin conditions. It became known as Willan's lepra in the late 18th century when English dermatologists Robert Willan and Thomas Bateman differentiated it from other skin diseases. They assigned names to the condition based on the appearance of lesions. Willan identified two categories: leprosa graecorum and psora leprosa.
While it may have been visually, and later semantically, confused with leprosy it was not until 1841 that the condition was finally given the name psoriasis by the Viennese dermatologist Ferdinand von Hebra. The name is derived from the Greek word psora which means to itch.[2]
It was during the 20th century that psoriasis was further differentiated into specific types.
Historical treatment
The history of psoriasis is littered with treatments of dubious effectiveness and high toxicity. These treatments received brief popularity at particular time periods or within certain geographical regions. The application of cat feces to red lesions on the skin, for example, was one of the earliest topical treatments employed in ancient Egypt. Onions, sea salt and urine, goose oil and semen, wasp droppings in sycamore milk, and soup made from vipers have all been reported as being ancient treatments.
In the more recent past Fowler's solution, which contains a poisonous and carcinogenic arsenic compound, was used by dermatologists as a treatment for psoriasis during the 18th and 19th centuries. Grenz Rays (also called ultrasoft X-rays or Bucky rays) was a popular treatment of psoriasis during the middle of the 20th century. This type of therapy was superseded by ultraviolet therapy.
Undecylenic acid was investigated and used for psoriasis some 40 years ago.[3]
All these treatments have fallen out of favor.
Sulfur was fashionable as a treatment for psoriasis in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. It has recently re-gained some credibilty as a safe alternative to steroids and coal tar.
References
- ↑ Shai A, Vardy D, Zvulunov A (2002). "[Psoriasis, biblical afflictions and patients' dignity]". Harefuah (in Hebrew). 141 (5): 479–82, 496. PMID 12073533.
- ↑ Glickman FS (1986). "Lepra, psora, psoriasis". J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 14 (5 Pt 1): 863–6. PMID 3519699.
- ↑ Ereaux L, Craig G (1949). "The Oral Administration Of Undecylenic Acid In The Treatment Of Psoriasis" (PDF). Canad. M. A. J. 61: 361–4. Retrieved 2007-01-05. Unknown parameter
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