Psoriasis is more than just the signature red or purplish patches of itchy skin that seem to appear out of the blue. Those trademark symptoms—which are caused by ‘friendly fire’ from a person’s own immune system—can take a serious toll on quality of life. Itch can sabotage sleep. Self-consciousness and embarrassment can keep people from going out and doing things they enjoy.
And while we do have effective medications for managing psoriasis, many Canadians with the disease are living with poorly controlled symptoms. What’s more, at least a third of people living with psoriasis have outbreaks in areas they may be reluctant to show their health care provider—such as the groin or underneath the breasts.
Sticking to the recommended regimen can be time-consuming and complicated, too. For example, some people have to make weekly visits to a dermatology clinic for a special type of light therapy. Then there’s the fact that the face, elbows and knees, and arms, might each need a different strength of topical corticosteroid cream. I don’t know about you, but if I had to remember to apply three different products twice a day, I might end up quitting within a few weeks. Never mind having to remember to refill and pick up multiple prescriptions.
That’s why a newer generation topical medication for psoriasis is such a big deal. It’s not a steroid, and it can be applied nearly anywhere on the body. That simplicity should make people more likely to stick to their treatment regimen long-term.
To learn more about the impact of poorly controlled psoriasis symptoms, and how a newer-generation medication has changed one man’s life, read this sponsored content story I wrote for PostMedia Content/healthing.ca : ‘Living With Psoriasis: The risks of letting self-consciousness about symptoms impede treatment’.
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Image by Eszter Miller Courtesy of Pixabay