Psoriasis is a chronic disorder of the skin most notably recognized as thick, silvery patches of inflamed, itchy skin. It can occur anywhere on the body and affects over 7 million people in the United States alone. Although the external aspect of the disease can be life-altering and is the most obvious, the condition also comes with internal complications.
Being that it is caused by an autoimmune response, psoriasis oftentimes results in a more specific condition known as psoriatic arthritis, which causes swelling in the joints and spine.
When a patient's psoriasis covers a large body surface area and is very severe, or has reached the point of psoriatic arthritis, topical treatments alone are not enough to effectively treat the disease.
Luckily, dermatologists are able to treat both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with powerful injectable medications known as "biologics".
There are several different types of biologics. Each works by targeting the two main chemical pathways inside the body that cause the inflammatory reaction responsible for psoriasis.
There are currently 11 biologics that target psoriasis. Your dermatologist will determine which is right for you.
Although biologics are considered both safe and effective in treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the course of treatment your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These variables include the results of required lab work, insurance coverage, and the amount of body surface area involved.
Schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable providers at Integrated Dermatology of Tidewater and start your journey toward clear skin today!
