Pressing and stretching of psoriatic lesions induces their involution

Remission of psoriatic lesions was induced when the lesions were firmly pressed with a plastic cap held in place by an elastic bandage for 24 h or stretched with a negative pressure of 200 mmHg for 2 h. Seven out of 10 patients showed a clinical improvement of the treated psoriatic lesions. These lesions cleared within 1-3 weeks after removal of the apparatus. Biopsy specimens taken from responding lesions showed a reduction in psoriatic epidermal and dermal changes as compared with those taken before treatment. Patients having extensive active psoriatic lesions experienced recurrence after approx. 3 weeks. No complications were seen except for an occasional formation of erosions at sites the edges of the apparatuses were apposed too firmly.