Treating Actinic Keratosis With Aldara
There have been recent medical breakthroughs in the treatment of Actinic Keratosis; one of the most important of these treatment strategies is using a topical cream named Aldara. This treatment has already been approved for use in both Canada and the U.S. Its initial use was in the treatment of genital warts, but has also been found to be dramatically effective in treating more serious health conditions such as Actinic Keratosis.
It is believed that Aldara works by both stimulating T-helper 1 cells, assisting the afflicted patient in developing an acquired immunity to the disease. There is also an increase in interferon production, yet another bodily function designed to combat various afflictions. The body naturally possesses what is called “immune memory,” and Aldara activates this innate memory. This allows the body to use its already present illness-combating abilities in order to fight off the viral-like presence of autoimmune conditions like Actinic Keratosis.
Aldara is also a much better and much more effective treatment for Actinic Keratosis than more traditional methods such as cryotherapy or photodynamic therapies, and has also been shown to be a better response to other conditions such as actinic chelitis. Additionally, it has been found to be more cost-effective than other treatment methodologies that have been more traditionally used.
As proof of Aldara’s effectiveness, a recent trial demonstrated that 24 Actinic Keratosis patients were treated with the cream for a total of 12 weeks. At the end of the trial, 21 patients had been completely cleared of Actinic Keratosis and two other patients demonstrated significant clearing as well. Any medical treatment that can effectively treat 23 out of 24 patients is obviously effective and should be among the very first approaches to combating Actinic Keratosis.
How Aldara is prescribed varies from individual and from case to case. Sometimes the cream is prescribed for one month and then stopped for another month, during which evaluation and further screening is completed. In another study of 25 patients afflicted by Actinic Keratosis, the one month on/one month off cycle resulted in 46% of patients experiencing clearing of symptoms. An additional 36% experienced symptom clearing after a second cycle. The total result of patients with clearing of symptoms was therefore an amazing 82%. Few drugs—especially ones that are as easy to use and maintain—are able to boast such high success rates.
Keep in mind that there is no simply standardized treatment for every patient. The individual’s medical history, their use of prescription medications (including vitamins and any herbal supplements), and any allergies they may have will impact the way in which Aldara is prescribed. Additionally, the patient’s ability to correctly utilize the medicinal cream must be evaluated and closely monitored. However, even with these considerations, Aldara is clearly a highly effective response to the treatment of Actinic Keratosis.
January 7th, 2012 at 12:33 am
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