Not Another Dermatologist

August is Psoriasis Awareness month ( yes I am aware that August ends in a few hours but this still counts as an August post OK?).

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is quite common. About 2% of people worldwide have a form or another of Psoriasis. It can appear in many forms and affect the nails, the skin and the joints. Most of the time, patients just have a few spots on their elbows and knees that get better with some creams and some sun exposure. But for those who have more severe disease, they may need to take systemic medications like biologics ( TNF alfa inhibitors, IL 17 blockers, IL 23 blockers, just to name a few).

These medications work really well to control severe psoriasis. Our patients who had access to them enjoyed quasi-clear skin prior to the financial crisis. This is not to say that they are magical or without risk, but they did make a difference in people’s lives. After the crisis these medications were very difficult to find, and our patients who had experienced the joy of remission, of clear skin, saw their severe psoriasis come back.

I can’t express how helpless we feel, as doctors, when we know that there is a medication that can make our patient feel better but they cannot have it. It breaks my heart. Things are not as bad in 2023 compared to 2021, and some people are able access medications, but this is still a problem.

This is to hoping things will improve.

On our side, as doctors, we will keep advocating for our patients and taking care of them under all circumstances.

Thanks dawleh.

Thank you your support!

Lebanon's dermatologist fights misinformation with sketches | Reuters Video Lebanese dermatologist Jinane El Khoury illustrates short stories to spread awareness and battle misinformation about skin conditions.