Who should not take a biologic for psoriasis?

A minimalist approach is best for mild psoriasis symptoms, says HealthMaker Ellen Marmur, MD, a leading dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon. But sometimes, medicine is needed. Here, she details who needs to use caution before starting biologics.

Transcript

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ELLEN MARMUR: Who should not take biologics for their psoriasis? Well, if your psoriasis isn't too bad, you don't need a big-gun medication for your psoriasis.

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So always take a minimalist approach. [GENTLE MUSIC]

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Use your topical steroids. Use your moisturizer a lot.

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And never scratch, because you remember that when you scratch psoriasis skin, it creates more psoriasis.

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That's called Koebnerization.

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Also, people who have infections or who have cancer of any kind,

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if you have inflammatory bowel disease, if you have known

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history of tuberculosis, those are all things that can be worsened by biologics.

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Or one of the side effects from biologics, which is called immunosuppression.

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So anybody who has already a systemic illness needs to be very careful before starting a biologic. [GENTLE MUSIC]