Living with psoriasis can be challenging. If you are one of the millions affected, you have likely tried multiple treatments to manage your symptoms. From creams to light therapy, the options are many, but what really works?
In recent years, infusion therapy has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional psoriasis treatments. This guide will help you understand the differences between infusion therapy and traditional psoriasis treatments and determine which might be the best fit for you.
Understanding Psoriasis and Why Treatments Are Important
Psoriasis is a long-lasting condition that affects the immune system and speeds up how quickly skin cells grow. This causes skin cells to pile up on the surface, creating red, itchy, and sometimes painful spots. It is not just about your skin; it can also impact how you feel about yourself.
Treating psoriasis is important for feeling better and having a good quality of life. There is no cure, but treatments can help reduce symptoms and flare-ups, so you can live a happy life.
Common Psoriasis Treatments
There are several traditional treatments for psoriasis, like creams, special light therapy, and pills. They can work well for many people but also have some downsides.
Creams and Ointments
These are often the first things doctors suggest for psoriasis treatment. They help by reducing inflammation and slowing skin cell growth. However, they can be messy and need to be applied often.
Light Therapy
This involves using ultraviolet light on your skin, done by a doctor. It can help some people but requires many visits to the clinic and can increase skin cancer risk over time.
Oral Medicines
These psoriasis medicines work by calming down the immune system and reducing inflammation. While they can be effective, they might cause side effects like liver issues and a higher chance of getting infections.
Infusion Therapy for Psoriasis
Infusion therapy is a new way to treat psoriasis, a skin condition, and is becoming popular because it works well for moderate to severe cases. This treatment puts medicine straight into your bloodstream through an IV.
How Infusion Therapy Works
Infusion therapy uses special drugs called biologics that focus on parts of the immune system. Unlike usual treatments, biologics try to stop the processes that cause psoriasis.
Two common infusions for this are Stelara and Infliximab. These medicines are given through a process called infusion, slowly entering your body through a needle in your arm.
Stelara helps by blocking certain proteins that cause inflammation, which makes psoriasis better. You usually get it every 12 weeks after some initial doses.
Infliximab also reduces inflammation and is often used for more severe psoriasis. It’s usually given every 8 weeks after a few starting doses.
Both treatments help make your skin feel better and look clearer. They are usually done at a doctor’s office or clinic, where a professional makes sure it’s safe.
Benefits of Infusion Therapy
Infusion therapy has several benefits over normal psoriasis treatments:
- Efficacy: The special drugs in infusion therapy are very good at reducing symptoms and preventing flare-ups.
- Convenient: You only need treatments every few weeks, which is easier than using creams every day.
- Targeted Treatment: Biologics target the immune system parts that cause psoriasis, making them more effective.
Comparing Infusion Therapy and Traditional Treatments
When choosing between infusion therapy and traditional treatments, it is important to think about a few key points:
Severity of Symptoms
Infusion therapy is usually recommended for people who have more serious symptoms of psoriasis. This means if the symptoms are really bothering you or are quite strong, infusion therapy might be the better option.
Lifestyle
Infusion therapy means you do not have to go to the clinic as often as you would with other treatments like phototherapy. This can be really helpful if you have a busy schedule with school, sports, or other activities, as it saves time.
Side Effects
All treatments can have side effects, which are unwanted problems that might happen while trying to make you better. However, the medicines used in infusion therapy, called biologics, are generally easy on your body, and most people do not have too many issues with them.
Psoriasis Treatment in Atlanta, Georgia
At GI Care Infusion, we offer cutting-edge infusion therapies, including Stelara and Infliximab (commonly known as Remicade or Avsola), to help manage psoriasis. Our compassionate team of physicians and nurses is dedicated to providing personalized psoriasis treatment to help you regain control over your life.
To learn more about psoriasis treatment or to schedule a consultation, call us today at (470) 785-4616 or fill out our appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
