How Do You Apply Calcipotriol?

Understanding Calcipotriol Application Calcipotriol is a synthetic derivative of vitamin D3 and is commonly used in the treatment of psoriasis. It works by slowing down the growth of skin cells, reducing inflammation, and helping the skin to heal. Proper application of calcipotriol is crucial for its effectiveness and to minimize side effects.

Should Calcipotriol Be Used on Healed Psoriatic Skin?

Here's how you should apply it:Topical calcipotriol is a widely used treatment for plaque-type psoriasis worldwide, and has been shown to improve psoriatic plaques as well as very potent corticosteroids. However, there remains the practical question of whether calcipotriol application should continue on healed pigmentation/depigmentation associated with psoriatic plaques. Therefore, we conducted a pilot clinical study to answer this question. Plaque-type psoriatic patients not receiving systemic treatment were enrolled and treated with calcipotriol for 8 weeks (stage I) to achieve maximum effect. The patients were then divided into two groups: group A continued to apply calcipotriol to the entirety of the previous lesion (including pigmentation/depigmentation) regardless of whether skin was healed or not, while group B applied calcipotriol to the remaining lesion only. Patients were followed for 12 weeks (stage II) and dates of plaque recurrence were recorded. A total of 29 patients (13 men, 16 women) were enrolled. During stage I, reductions in scores for redness, induration and scale occurred in 40%, 47% and 55% of patients, respectively. After stage II was completed, group A (n = 19) showed a significantly better Kaplan-Meier curve of non-recurrence than group B (n = 8, P < 0.01). The mean non-recurrence duration was 76.8 ± 11.8 in group A and 35.0 ± 12.0 in group B. Our study showed that applying topical calcipotriol on seemingly healed psoriatic plaque lesions suppresses recurrence better than applying it only on remaining plaques. This finding may be important for instructing psoriatic patients on topical calcipotriol treatment.

Preparing Your Skin Before applying calcipotriol, ensure that your skin is clean and dry. You can wash the affected area with a mild soap and water and pat it dry with a towel. Avoid using harsh soaps or cleansers that can irritate the skin.

Applying Calcipotriol

1. Apply a Thin Layer: Use a small amount of calcipotriol and spread it thinly over the affected area. Avoid applying it to unaffected areas.

   Calcipotriol is a prescription medication used mainly for psoriasis. It is moderately or very effective for about 80% of patients. This means the patches become less scaly and thick, but red patches often persist despite continued treatment.

   It should be applied to the affected patches of psoriasis twice daily and can be used safely long term. The ointment is used on trunk and limbs. The cream is more often used in the body folds or on the face and ears. The scalp solution is used in hairy areas.

2. Gently Massage: After applying the medication, gently massage it into the skin. This helps the medication to penetrate the skin better.Wash Your Hands: After applying calcipotriol, wash your hands thoroughly to avoid accidentally spreading the medication to other areas of the body.

3. Calcipotriol may reduce the skin thinning effect of topical steroids.

   A fixed combination of calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate gel/ointment or foam is applied once or twice daily

   Alternatively, calcipotriol may be used once daily and a topical steroid applied 12 hours later. This allows the physician to choose a moderate potency or mild topical steroid.

   Calcipotriol may be used twice daily Monday to Friday, and the topical steroid twice daily at weekends. This may be a safer regime.

Frequency of Application

The frequency of applying calcipotriol can vary depending on the severity of your condition and your healthcare provider's instructions. In general, it is usually applied once or twice daily. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions carefully.

Monitoring and Follow-Up

It is important to monitor your skin's response to calcipotriol and follow up with your healthcare provider regularly. If you experience any side effects or if your condition does not improve, inform your healthcare provider.

Topical calcipotriol is usually well tolerated. Side effects are more common with the ointment formulation than with the cream (but the ointment is more effective on plaque psoriasis).

It may sting or cause an irritant dermatitis (dry itchy rash) on facial skin: use very cautiously in psoriasis affecting this area. When used on other sites, wash hands carefully to reduce the chance of inadvertent application to the face.

Treated psoriasis may develop peeling around the edge of the plaques. Surrounding skin may be irritated i.e. become red, dry and itchy. About 1% is absorbed through the skin. An overdose (more than 100g/week) could have an effect on calcium metabolism. If large doses are necessary, calcium levels in blood and urine should be monitored.

Conclusion

Proper application of calcipotriol is essential for its effectiveness and to minimize the risk of side effects. Follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider and contact them if you have any questions or concerns. For more information about calcipotriol, please contact emily@jiubaiyuanbiotech.com.

References

1. Kragballe, K., et al. (1988). "Calcipotriol (MC 903), a novel vitamin D3 analogue, stimulates terminal differentiation and inhibits proliferation of cultured human keratinocytes." *Archives of Dermatological Research*, 280(3), 189-193.

2. van de Kerkhof, P. C. M., & de Hoop, D. (1990). "Topical treatment with calcipotriol in psoriasis." *Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology*, 22(5), 876-881.

3. Kragballe, K., et al. (1991). "Efficacy, tolerability, and safety of calcipotriol in patients with psoriasis: A randomized, double-blind, right/left comparative study." *British Journal of Dermatology*, 125(3), 271-276.

4. Lebwohl, M., et al. (2001). "Topical calcineurin inhibitors for atopic dermatitis: A review of the literature and clinical practice." *Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology*, 44(1), S28-S34.

5. van de Kerkhof, P. C. M., et al. (1992). "Long-term efficacy and safety of calcipotriol in the treatment of psoriasis." *Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology*, 1(2), 167-173.

6. Mason, J., et al. (2002). "Systematic review of randomized trials assessing the efficacy of calcipotriol in treating psoriasis." *British Journal of Dermatology*, 146(3), 434-443.

7. van de Kerkhof, P. C. M., et al. (2003). "A randomized comparison of the efficacy and safety of once-daily versus twice-daily treatment with calcipotriol ointment in patients with psoriasis vulgaris." *American Journal of Clinical Dermatology*, 4(7), 449-454.