Come prepared for your visit to your dermatologist—and have a meaningful conversation. Write out a list of any questions you may have, track your diet and activities, and learn all you can about your psoriasis, how it affects you, and ways to treat it.

How to talk to
your dermatologist
about psoriasis

Clear, focused dialogue and a little preparation are vitally important to getting the most out of your office visits.

Before your visit:

• Write down any questions you may have about either your condition or your treatment. Making a list you can refer to during the visit will help you remember what you want to discuss and cover issues more efficiently.
• Continue to educate yourself on psoriasis. It’s to your advantage to know as much about the condition and treatment options as you can.
• Assess your symptoms. Be prepared to describe your symptoms clearly and in detail.
• Track your daily activities and diet, times when your symptoms seem better or worse, and notes on how you feel emotionally, and review it before your appointment.

During your visit:

Talk to your dermatologist about your psoriasis. Be as open and thorough as possible.

• Describe your symptoms in detail. Note how they affect your lifestyle and how they make you feel—both emotionally and physically.
• If you have any joint pain in addition to your skin condition, be sure to mention this to your dermatologist.
• Make sure you tell your dermatologist about the medications you are currently taking, or have taken and your response to them.
• Talk about your treatment expectations.
• Discuss your diet and exercise.

Talk to your dermatologist about your psoriasis treatment options. Once you and your dermatologist have decided on an appropriate treatment, make sure you understand everything about it. Ask your dermatologist the following questions:

• How does the treatment work?
• What are the possible benefits?
• How quickly will I see results?
• What side effects, if any, should I watch out for?
• Do side effects go away once I stop treatment, or are they permanent?
• Will I have to be tested regularly, and if so, what types of tests are required and how often do I have to take them?
• Will this medication make my skin more sensitive to sunlight?
• If the treatment is to be administered in the office, how often do I need to come in?
• How long should I expect to stay on the medication?
• Can I combine this medication with another to increase its effectiveness or reduce side effects?
• Can I stop this treatment suddenly or do I have to stop it gradually?
• If the treatment works but I have to stop taking it, will it still work if I want to take it again at a later date?
• What can I expect to pay for the treatment?
• Is this treatment a safe option if I’m trying to get pregnant?
• Can I continue to take this treatment while I’m pregnant/nursing?

Tip: You may not get the opportunity to discuss all of these questions during one visit so start by bringing a short list of the questions you wish to cover to your next visit. Also, many dermatologists can provide literature on the various treatment options for you to take home that may help address some of these questions.