Psoriasis patients live with pain, itchiness, and skin flakiness every day, not to mention stigma of their condition, the cost of treatment, and the difficulties in getting insurance coverage. Psoriasis is not curable, and many people will have it for the rest of their lives. But the good news is that new medications are being developed every day that hold fresh promise for those with psoriasis.

“We forget what life was like without psoriasis. With the advances that we have, for many of our patients we can do better that they currently are if they’re still struggling with this disease,” says dermatologist Joel Gelfand, MD.

Among the highlights in this episode:

1:45 – New medications are easing the burden for many patients

2:34 – “Emotionally, it lifts you.”

3:33 - Life-changing results are not necessarily permanent

4:14 – A comprehensive treatment plan is essential

6:14 – With the advances that we have, we can do better for many patients

6:39 – Psoriasis treatment has drastically changed

Contact Our Host:

David Brandt: dbrandt@ghlf.org

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to Psoriasis@ghlf.org

Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uncomfortable confrontations with strangers. Embarrassment at the gym. Weird stares from cashiers at the grocery store. For psoriasis patients, dealing with the stigma of their disease is a way of life. Many go to great lengths to hide their skin symptoms.

Psoriasis differs from many other “invisible” chronic conditions in that the symptoms can be very obvious to others—and, in turn, stigmatizing for patients. It’s also largely misunderstood. In this episode, we hear what it’s like to live with the stigma of psoriasis day in and day out, and how some are finding ways to overcome it.

Among the highlights in this episode:

1:43 – Psoriasis is on full display at all times

3:45 – Incident at a public pool

4:40 – An experiment with fake tattoos shows how visible psoriasis is

5:30 – The impact of having psoriasis, from the physical symptoms to the coping with other people’s reaction

7:39 – It’s crucial to have an outlet for the frustration

7:58- Patients encouraged to share the fact they psoriasis with close friends and their romantic partner

Contact Our Host:

David Brandt: dbrandt@ghlf.org

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to Psoriasis@ghlf.org

Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Biologic medications are allowing many psoriasis patients to experience clear skin for the first time in years. These complex drugs target the immune system to tamp down the root cause of psoriasis. But there are downsides: biologics can be very expensive, and doctors and patients may have to battle with insurance companies to get them covered. In this episode, host David Brandt speaks with medical professionals and psoriasis patients about the impact of biologics on psoriasis treatment, and what to expect if you’re a patient who is considering these medications.

“We’re at a period of time that’s starting to be called ‘the golden age of psoriasis,’ because we can clear almost anyone, and we can do so in a way that is quite safe,” says dermatologist Mark Lebwohl. 

Among the highlights in this episode:

1:44 – How biologic medications work

2:09 – You can’t get a biologic at the corner pharmacy: The role of specialty pharmacies

2:22 – What it’s like to self-inject a biologic

4:30 – Worth the wait: experiencing the joys of clear skin

5:30 – How safe are biologics?

6:49 – We need to figure out how insurance will pay for these treatments

10:14 – The ‘golden age of psoriasis treatment’

Contact Our Host:

David Brandt: dbrandt@ghlf.org

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to Psoriasis@ghlf.org

Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.