Preparing for Your Psoriasis Appointment

Psoriasis is associated with red patches on the arm that are covered with scaly skin. As T-cells malfunction in the body, killing normal cells in addition to viruses and bacteria, new skin cells are produced in excess, move to the surface of the skin much faster and the dead skin cells are not shed quick enough, leading to the buildup of dead skin cells associated with psoriasis. Fortunately, there are treatments that may provide relief from the symptoms of psoriasis, although there is no cure for the disease. Before an appointment with a physician or skincare professional to discuss the condition, take some time to prepare yourself so that you get the most out of the opportunity to ask questions and learn about your condition.

Understand Psoriasis

Take a few minutes to research psoriasis and how it relates to the immune system. This will eliminate the need to have the skincare professional explain the process in detail and will allow you to ask more specific questions about psoriasis that you may not have understood on your own. SkinCareGuide.com offers further information about the cause of psoriasis and its relationship with the immune system.

Write Down Your Questions

You may go into your appointment with a list of questions in your head, but in the course of your appointment may become side tracked and forget to ask one or two that you really wanted an answer to. Write down any questions you have before your appointment so that you don't forget to ask any of them. Some common questions include:

• What is causing my symptoms?
• Is there anything I can do to reduce or eliminate my symptoms?
• Are there alternatives to your recommended treatment?
• Should I take a 'wait and see' approach?
• Will psoriasis ever go away?

Think of some of your own questions as well and don't be afraid to ask a question. The chances are that the doctor has heard the question before.

The Doctor's Questions

The doctor will probably have a few question of his or her own. When you first noticed symptoms, if anything makes your symptoms go away or improve, how often you experience symptoms and if anything makes your symptoms worse are common questions you should expect from your doctor. Family history may play a role in psoriasis, so the doctor may ask if anybody in your family has had psoriasis. The most important thing to remember before and during your appointment is that you should aim to have all of your questions answered. A doctor is the best resource for information about psoriasis and you should take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the condition.