Living with a chronic skin condition can be difficult, but you dont have to navigate it alone.
condition, from inside out.
Check out what weve put together here.
Illustration by Amanda Bailey
The goal of any psoriasis treatment is to clear up your skin and keep new psoriasis plaques from forming.
But before you get started with any medication, it’s important to understand the wider implications.
Here are some of the common misconceptions doctors say that their patients sometimes have about biologics for psoriasis.
Biologics are a class of drugs derived in part from organic materials.
Psoriasis is a disease of inflammation.
Psoriasis is a chronic condition that doesnt have a cure, even with biologic treatment.
When we put people on these medications, the idea is that they will be on them forever.
When you get started, you should understand that youre committing to this treatment method indefinitely.
Some people are tentative about starting biologics because they dont want to commit to a lifelong immunosuppressant.
But the idea that todays biologics shut down your entire immune system is a misconception.
We used to have to really suppress the immune system to treat psoriasis.
The process of starting biologics takes time.
For one thing, youll need to get bloodworkto testfor hepatitis B and tuberculosis before you get started.
Your answers will help your doctor have a good chance at getting the medication right the first time.
There are no specific lifestyle changes you might make to increase the efficacy of biologics.
Either a drug works for you, or it doesnt.
Both Dr. Baruch and Dr. Garshick hesitate to generalize about what the side effects of biologics will be like.
Its good practice to ask your dermatologist specific questions about side effects so you know what to expect.
Ask about how common certain side effects are, and ask about interactions with other medications.
In many cases, controlling your psoriasis isnt just about your skin.
VisitSELF’s My Way to Wellinformation hub for more on Psoriasis.
