Do You Need a New Psoriasis Treatment Plan?

1. Your psoriasis has been stable for a long time, but you’ve heard about newer treatment options such as biologics. Should you ask about switching?

• Yes
• No

2. How many months should you stick with your treatment plan before broaching the topic of making a change?

• 6 months
• 6 weeks
• 3 months
• 1 month

3. It’s probably time to talk to your doctor about a new treatment plan for your psoriasis if you develop:

• Sensitivity to light, nausea, and loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue
• Worsening itching, scaly skin, and a frequent urge to scratch, or worsening and painful joint involvement
• Fatigue, constipation, and weight gain

4. Which of these developments might signal that your psoriasis isn’t responding to your treatment regimen anymore?

• Psoriasis plaques are spreading, and affecting more parts of your body
• You’ve seen new plaques since you started your current regimen, but they’re not widespread
• You’re wondering if new joint pain could be psoriatic arthritis
• All of the above

5. Your fingers are swollen in the shape of sausages, and your joints hurt when you wake up in the morning. What should you do?

• Ice your fingers and take a hot shower to help ease the joint pain, then wait to see if the swelling/pain resolves on its own
• Check in with your doctor
• See an acupuncturist for relief from the swelling and pain
• Take extra medicine, such as an over-the-counter pain reliever

6. See your doctor right away to overhaul your treatment plan if your skin develops:

• Severe scaling and peeling of large patches
• Extreme/severe red and inflamed areas
• Discomfort from itching
• All of the above

7. All medications for moderate to severe psoriasis are taken over the course of months and years (long-term).

• True
• False

8. Consider temporarily changing your psoriasis treatment plan if:

• You’re flaring intermittently or experiencing side effects that aren’t stopping
• You think your treatment regimen could be even better
• You hear that other people don’t need medication for their psoriasis—so maybe you don’t either

9. Lately you’ve been feeling extra anxious or down. Should you see your doctor about changing your psoriasis medicines?

• True
• False