In an ideal world, there would be one magical medication to effectively treatpsoriasisfor each person with the condition.
But anyone with an autoimmune disease, including psoriasis, can have varying experiences.
While there are a lot of different treatment modalities, we really have to tailor it to the individual.
Sometimes finding the best psoriasis medication can be a process.
In mild cases, prescription topical creams often are effective, he explains.
In more severe cases where large body surface areas are involved, systemic medicine may be needed.
Finding the right medication can be a life-changing process, Dr. Bierman says.
Buthowdo you know when its time to make the switch?
SELF asked board-certified dermatologists to explain the signs to watch for.
Your symptoms never truly go away.
Psoriasis flares are very multifactorial, Dr. Bierman says.
Give your medication at least six weeks to see if its working for you, Dr. Bierman suggests.
Youre only feeling and seeing some improvement.
There area lotof differentpsoriasis treatmentsout there, and some are stronger than others, Dr. Zeichner says.
That generally means starting with topical treatments, like corticosteroid creams and seeing how things go.
Systemic medications include pills, self-performed injections, or infusions through an IV, Dr. Zeichner says.
The choice depends on your personal preferences, disease severity, and whether you have associated psoriatic arthritis.
There are even options within your different options.
If one class is busted for you, then another one still may, Dr. Zeichner says.
Your symptoms return, even after the treatment has worked once.
Sometimes your medication has seemingly done the job.
You have very few or no psoriasis plaquesbut then you start seeing and feeling those dreaded symptoms once again.
In some cases, your body can produce antibodies that reduce the effectiveness of the drug, she explains.
But sometimes, all of a sudden, your psoriasis returns with a vengeance.
We are in such a good place with psoriasis medication now, she explains.
There are so many amazing medications available and you’ve got the option to tailor them to patients.
The side effects are really bothering you.
You might have hypersensitivity to a particular component or ingredient, she says.
Other psoriasis medications can potentially cause diarrhea, Dr. Leger says.
If youre constantly running to the bathroomand it doesnt let uplet your doctor know.
Youre planning to become pregnant.
Talking to your doctor about having kids might not be one of your first thoughts during your psoriasis appointments.
you should probably talk to your dermatologist about what the right decision is for you, Dr. Zeichner says.
Infusion medication doesnt work with your schedule.
That can be tough to make time for if you have a busy schedule.
There are very effective injectable biologic medications for psoriasis, she says.
If youve been on an infusion regimen, you might definitely switch to an injectable.
Youre starting to feeljoint pain.
Some injectable medications are better at treating both skin and joint psoriasis than others, Dr. Rodney says.
Im always shocked when patients say they have a relative who is suffering from psoriasis, Dr. Leger says.
We have so many great treatment options available.
That should not be the case.
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