This 'miracle' drug offers new hope to many skin condition Psoriasis sufferers

A new study has revealed that a new drug can provide hope to thousands of sufferers of the skin condition psoriasis.

Trials of a new drug found 40 per cent of participants showed complete clearance of their plaques, while 90 per cent experienced some improvement.

The study, conducted at the University of Manchester, tested the effectiveness of the drug ixekizumab.

Half the participants were given the new drug, ixekizumab while the other half were given a placebo, or a widely used drug for psoriasis called etanercept.

The ixekizumab groups showed quick and extensive improvements in their condition, outperforming the groups on placebo or etanercept.

Around half of these patients showed improvement as early as week four of the trial and up to 71 per cent had shown a high level of improvement in their symptoms.

Psoriasis - characterised by an abundance of skin cells - causes raised bumps known as "plaques" to grow on the skin. These can be flaky, scaly and itchy for sufferers.