Psoriasis treatment needs to be cautious, biological agents are not a panacea! Keep in mind 4 precautions to reduce harm and feel more at ease!
Psoriasis is a source of distress for many patients. Most patients who come to the clinic choose to be treated with biologics to relieve symptoms, but long-term use of biologics comes with certain risks and side effects.
As a TCM practitioner, I would like to remind patients that there are four important considerations that should not be overlooked when using biologics, which are essential to reduce the potential harm caused by drugs.
1. Follow the doctor's instructions and standardize the use of medication
Biologics, while effective in relieving the symptoms of psoriasis, are not a panacea. Patients must strictly follow the doctor's instructions and prescriptions when using the medication. Standardized medication is the key to ensuring the effectiveness of treatment and reducing side effects.
2. Pay attention to your body's reactions
Everyone's constitution is different, and the response to medication will be different. During the use of biologics, patients should closely observe their own body reactions. Timely detection of problems and adjustment of treatment plans can help reduce the harm caused by medications.
3. Cooperate with traditional Chinese medicine treatment
Traditional Chinese medicine has unique advantages in the treatment of psoriasis. At the same time as the use of biologics,. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment of psoriasis focuses on overall conditioning, and through internal and external use of TCM, it can significantly improve the patient's physical fitness and immune function, so as to achieve better treatment results.
4. Maintain good living habits
Good lifestyle habits are essential for people with psoriasis. During the use of biologics,. Avoiding overexertion, mood swings and other adverse factors that irritate the skin can help reduce the onset and exacerbation of symptoms. At the same time, avoiding exposure to irritants and allergens is also an important measure to prevent psoriasis recurrence.
There are often cases of skin lesions enlarged due to the indiscriminate use of biological agents in outpatient clinics, and Mr. Zhang is a case worthy of everyone's vigilance.
【Summary of medical history】
Mr. Zhang has been suffering from psoriasis for more than five years, during which time he has had recurrent attacks. Nearly three months ago, Mr. Zhang started treatment with biologics, but the skin lesions did not improve after use.
[Dialectical Analysis]
When Mr. Zhang visited the doctor, his face was pale, his expression was anxious, his tongue was pale and pale, and his pulse was weak. According to the four diagnoses and references of traditional Chinese medicine, the dialectic is the deficiency of qi and blood, and the connotation of dampness and heat. Although the treatment with biological agents has a certain effect, Mr. Zhang's constitution is weak and intolerant to attack, resulting in greater dampness and heat in the body and aggravation of skin lesions.
【Treatment Plan】
- Oral Chinese medicine: Based on the principle of nourishing qi and nourishing blood, clearing heat and dampness, using traditional Chinese medicine such as astragalus, angelica, shengdi, white peony, poria cocos, atractylodes macrocephalus, etc., to make a decoction, one dose a day, divided into two times in the morning and evening.
- External Chinese medicine: Choose traditional Chinese medicine with the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, moisturizing dryness and relieving itching, such as Coptis chinensis, Phellodendron chinensis, Sophora radix, Cnidium monnieri, etc., to make ointment, and apply it to the affected area several times a day.
- Diet: Mr. Zhang is recommended.
After a course of TCM treatment, Mr. Zhang's skin lesions were significantly reduced, the symptoms of itching, redness and swelling were relieved, and the scaling was reduced. After a course of consolidation therapy, the skin lesions basically subsided, the complexion was ruddy, and the mental state was good.