Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology What is new in psoriasis? A lot has changed in how we treat skin disorders over the last decade. First of all, it was determined that many of them, including psoriasis, are immune system related. This was a huge revolution in medical science as we learned that genes and their modifications from some internal and external factors cause our own body to create a self-inflicted process of activation of inflammatory cells. Later, science identified which parts of our immune system are involved in these processes. And finally, medical science determined and discovered how to produce medications that stopped the processes. Psoriasis does not have a cure. But it can be perfectly controlled. As a matter of fact, many patients we see, especially those in long-term clinical studies, forget how psoriasis feels. They are clear- skinned and have no other symptoms. And when the studies end, and they decide to stay off the medicine for a while, months later, they come with one tiny spot and panic that their psoriasis is coming back. Often, they stay clear for as long as a year or two. Remember, there is no cure but control of it. Psoriasis is carried genetically, but not always directly from parents or grandparents. Our genetic buildup is very complex, and genes go through multiple modifications and mutations while we grow and mature. These modifications and mutations are often related to the environment: water, air, food and more. Some mutations are a result of psychological influence on our general immune system. Simply, long-term stress makes us weaker, and our immune system opens up our pre- dispositions to what we carry as our genetic code. Up to about 4-5 years ago, biologic injections were the most potent and successful treatment to control psoriasis. However, current studies introduced multiple oral options. Some oral treatments have not been very successful due to unwanted side effects. Every time you take a pill, it has to go through the digestive track and doing so, it may very well bother your stomach and intestines. The newer treatments eliminated all the digestive side effects. Pills are taken once or twice a day, and they have no effect on your stomach at all. The process of action against psoriasis may be a little slower than injections, but it is equally successful and can be taken with all other medication you may take. Patients who do not like injections in general can now be treated with a simple tablet. Certainly, we are still learning more and more about how to control this annoying disease and hopefully, one day, we will come with some new revolutions. Remember, medical science never stays in one spot. Changes and progress are the soul of all science. All of us practicing it daily know it and accepted that we will never know everything. We love sharing our knowledge with our patients. We love teaching them how to get to acceptance of 'no cure but 'good control. We also love that we can offer so many free treatments and options in controlling psoriasis. Our clinicians and research staff realize we have no control of pricing of the medications, but we can secure options that provide free medical care and drug, often for years. This is what we do daily. If you want to learn more about new psoriasis treatments or you need help in controlling the cost of your psoriasis medication, please, contact us. You will not be left behind. And you might be clear soon. Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology What is new in psoriasis ? A lot has changed in how we treat skin disorders over the last decade . First of all , it was determined that many of them , including psoriasis , are immune system related . This was a huge revolution in medical science as we learned that genes and their modifications from some internal and external factors cause our own body to create a self - inflicted process of activation of inflammatory cells . Later , science identified which parts of our immune system are involved in these processes . And finally , medical science determined and discovered how to produce medications that stopped the processes . Psoriasis does not have a cure . But it can be perfectly controlled . As a matter of fact , many patients we see , especially those in long - term clinical studies , forget how psoriasis feels . They are clear- skinned and have no other symptoms . And when the studies end , and they decide to stay off the medicine for a while , months later , they come with one tiny spot and panic that their psoriasis is coming back . Often , they stay clear for as long as a year or two . Remember , there is no cure but control of it . Psoriasis is carried genetically , but not always directly from parents or grandparents . Our genetic buildup is very complex , and genes go through multiple modifications and mutations while we grow and mature . These modifications and mutations are often related to the environment : water , air , food and more . Some mutations are a result of psychological influence on our general immune system . Simply , long - term stress makes us weaker , and our immune system opens up our pre- dispositions to what we carry as our genetic code . Up to about 4-5 years ago , biologic injections were the most potent and successful treatment to control psoriasis . However , current studies introduced multiple oral options . Some oral treatments have not been very successful due to unwanted side effects . Every time you take a pill , it has to go through the digestive track and doing so , it may very well bother your stomach and intestines . The newer treatments eliminated all the digestive side effects . Pills are taken once or twice a day , and they have no effect on your stomach at all . The process of action against psoriasis may be a little slower than injections , but it is equally successful and can be taken with all other medication you may take . Patients who do not like injections in general can now be treated with a simple tablet . Certainly , we are still learning more and more about how to control this annoying disease and hopefully , one day , we will come with some new revolutions . Remember , medical science never stays in one spot . Changes and progress are the soul of all science . All of us practicing it daily know it and accepted that we will never know everything . We love sharing our knowledge with our patients . We love teaching them how to get to acceptance of ' no cure but ' good control . We also love that we can offer so many free treatments and options in controlling psoriasis . Our clinicians and research staff realize we have no control of pricing of the medications , but we can secure options that provide free medical care and drug , often for years . This is what we do daily . If you want to learn more about new psoriasis treatments or you need help in controlling the cost of your psoriasis medication , please , contact us . You will not be left behind . And you might be clear soon . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net