August is National Psoriasis Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to share information about this skin disease and dispel myths associated with it. All in all, there’s a lot that your average patient might be misunderstanding about psoriasis.
Click here to get the medications your psoriasis patients need today!
Myth #1: That skin rash looks contagious.
Fact: Psoriasis is not contagious. Unfortunately, people with psoriasis can experience social stigma over the visible-ness of their condition that compromises their quality of life. It’s not uncommon for those with psoriasis to avoid shaking hands, visiting homes, or actively engaging in the dating scene due to fears of being stigmatized.
Myth #2: Psoriasis is just a minor skin inconvenience.
Fact: The problem with psoriasis does not end at the skin. One in every three people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, in which joint pain adds to the misery of this condition. Several studies also indicate that psoriasis can be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and depression.
Myth #3: It’s a mystery as to what might trigger a psoriasis flare.
Fact: There are numerous known triggers for a psoriasis flare-up. These include:
- Infection (such as strep throat)
- Skin injury such as a sunburn or cut
- Stress
- Cold weather
- Smoking
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Medication use (beta-blockers, lithium, or antimalarial drugs)
Myth #4: Psoriasis isn’t a big problem.
Fact: First of all, 2-3% of the population experiences psoriasis, which means nearly 8 million people are affected. With 150,000 new diagnoses each year adding new patients who need to learn about their disease.
Psoriasis can range from mild to moderate to severe. For severe cases (or even moderate ones), topical therapies are probably not enough. Systemic treatments are likely needed to get symptoms under control and improve quality of life. These systemic medications include:
- Skyrizi
- Otezla
- Taltz
- Enbrel
- Remicade
- Humira
- Stelara
- Cosentyx
BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy has a team of pharmacists, patient care coordinators, and a financial assistance department who are all ready to help your patients follow through with their psoriasis plan of care.
Click here to get the medications your psoriasis patients need today!
