Managing Psoriasis Flares with Biologic Therapy: A Case Study from Village Dermatology

Blog Article by Dr. Caroline Vaughn
At Village Dermatology, we understand that psoriasis is a chronic and often unpredictable condition that requires consistent, personalized care. Today, I’m sharing the story of a 32-year-old male patient from our Katy and Memorial Houston offices who returned to clinic due to a psoriasis flare after being off his biologic medication, Taltz, for four months because of insurance issues.

Psoriasis: Chronic and Complex

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes skin cells to build up and form scaly, itchy plaques. This patient’s case was moderate in severity with symptoms like flaking and itching, primarily affecting the scalp and body. On examination, approximately 5–10% of his body surface area (BSA) was involved. Psoriasis is not only skin-deep; this patient also reported joint pain in his hands and knees, a possible sign of psoriatic arthritis.

The Role of Biologic Therapy

Biologic therapies, like Taltz (ixekizumab), target the immune pathways involved in psoriasis. Our patient had experienced improvement in both skin and joint symptoms while on Taltz. After discussing treatment expectations and the importance of monitoring for infections and immunosuppression, we reinitiated the process to restart his medication. A TB test was ordered to ensure safety prior to resuming therapy.

You can learn more about psoriasis and its treatment options on our dedicated pages here:
👉 Psoriasis Overview
👉 Psoriasis Treatments

Personalized Care with Every Visit

At Village Dermatology, we work closely with patients to ensure they understand their condition and treatment options. By staying proactive with follow-up visits and high-risk medication monitoring, we aim to keep flares under control and improve overall quality of life.