Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology What is new in dermatology? Recently, I mentioned that dermatology, being a medical field of skin care, extended much further than skin. This happened many years ago, when medical science discovered that many immune system disorders show their symptoms through skin. Thus, problems like allergic reactions, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, and more are truly originating in our dysfunctional immune chain of cells, which simply 'went off the track' and mutated into abnormal actions. This brought a whole new concept of treatments that extend beyond skin symptoms and treat the entire body; we call it systemic treatments, and these are injections and pills. There is no particular benefit or risk when you generally compare injection delivery of the drug vs. orally taken pills. Antibiotics have been delivered both ways for years. However, depending on what type of molecule the drug is, it might be very difficult to manufacture it in either form. Biologic drugs, the ones produced from human blood, are the most natural products, but they have only been provided in a form of injections. This is why people who do not like needles stay away from biologics. There have been clinical trials that are 're-developing' biologics into pills, and they are very promising, but not approved yet. However, in the meantime, some new oral medication has been in the process of development and approval, and it will soon deliver multiple options to patients. These are non-biologic pills, produced in the lab, but have a similar action of blocking unwanted cells in the system of over-reactive immune cells. They are simple, small pills and seem to have not only a good effect on psoriasis, but we see no major side effects from them either, Injection haters, stay put, good times are coming. On another note, symptom reliving creams were usually steroid based. They worked for some, not for all patients, and they definitely had some negative outcomes when overused. This is why patients usually do not use them on their face or genital area and should have used them for a limited period of time. New time came last year, and they continue: non-steroid based cream got approved and some are excellent. They can be used by adults and children, and they have no serious side effects. Medical science has always been evolving and seeking better and safer options for our diseases. It is no different now. We need to remember that huge majority of discoveries occur in the labs of the National Institute of Health, the Their discoveries are ultimately 'gifted' government agency in Washington DC. to private pharmaceutical companies for further development. NIH is crucial to our nation's well-being long-term and limiting medical research works against us as humans. People often do not know about it or forget about it, but progressive research is the key to our future. Ask any who participated in our studies. They will person with severe psoriasis or eczema tell you their personal stories. And like all science, medical research is evolving and changing daily, making it very difficult to keep up with. We try our very best to be on top of all the news. As this column is not an advertisement for any particular medication, but rather our attempt to keep our community educated about our medical work, I am not mentioning any brands or names. Rather, I encourage you to call or come to discuss your needs with our staff. They are the extension of my written education. 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 dermatology ? Recently , I mentioned that dermatology , being a medical field of skin care , extended much further than skin . This happened many years ago , when medical science discovered that many immune system disorders show their symptoms through skin . Thus , problems like allergic reactions , psoriasis , atopic dermatitis , eczema , and more are truly originating in our dysfunctional immune chain of cells , which simply ' went off the track ' and mutated into abnormal actions . This brought a whole new concept of treatments that extend beyond skin symptoms and treat the entire body ; we call it systemic treatments , and these are injections and pills . There is no particular benefit or risk when you generally compare injection delivery of the drug vs. orally taken pills . Antibiotics have been delivered both ways for years . However , depending on what type of molecule the drug is , it might be very difficult to manufacture it in either form . Biologic drugs , the ones produced from human blood , are the most natural products , but they have only been provided in a form of injections . This is why people who do not like needles stay away from biologics . There have been clinical trials that are ' re - developing ' biologics into pills , and they are very promising , but not approved yet . However , in the meantime , some new oral medication has been in the process of development and approval , and it will soon deliver multiple options to patients . These are non - biologic pills , produced in the lab , but have a similar action of blocking unwanted cells in the system of over - reactive immune cells . They are simple , small pills and seem to have not only a good effect on psoriasis , but we see no major side effects from them either , Injection haters , stay put , good times are coming . On another note , symptom reliving creams were usually steroid based . They worked for some , not for all patients , and they definitely had some negative outcomes when overused . This is why patients usually do not use them on their face or genital area and should have used them for a limited period of time . New time came last year , and they continue : non - steroid based cream got approved and some are excellent . They can be used by adults and children , and they have no serious side effects . Medical science has always been evolving and seeking better and safer options for our diseases . It is no different now . We need to remember that huge majority of discoveries occur in the labs of the National Institute of Health , the Their discoveries are ultimately ' gifted ' government agency in Washington DC . to private pharmaceutical companies for further development . NIH is crucial to our nation's well - being long - term and limiting medical research works against us as humans . People often do not know about it or forget about it , but progressive research is the key to our future . Ask any who participated in our studies . They will person with severe psoriasis or eczema tell you their personal stories . And like all science , medical research is evolving and changing daily , making it very difficult to keep up with . We try our very best to be on top of all the news . As this column is not an advertisement for any particular medication , but rather our attempt to keep our community educated about our medical work , I am not mentioning any brands or names . Rather , I encourage you to call or come to discuss your needs with our staff . They are the extension of my written education . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net