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 disease, how it affects you, and ways to treat it.

How to talk to
your dermatologist

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 disease 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 condition. 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.
• Make sure you tell your dermatologist about the medications you are currently taking, including herbal supplements and your response to them.
• Describe any previous treatments.
• Talk about your treatment expectations.
• If you have any joint pain in addition to your skin condition, be sure to mention this to your dermatologist.
• Discuss your diet and exercise.

Talk to your dermatologist about your 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 unwanted 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?
• What treatment options do I have if I am planning to get pregnant?

After your appointment:

• Make sure you schedule your next appointment.
• Ask for a number to call if you have an emergency.

To help prepare for your next visit, be sure to print this page.