Psychodermatological Disorders

There is no doubt that the way our skin looks and feels can affect our mood. On the other hand, our mood can certainly affect the condition of our skin. Both dermatologists and psychiatrists have long been trying to determine the ultimate cause of psychodermatological conditions and to determine the most effective way of treating these complex disorders. However, they often run into many challenges when recommending treatment.

It is one thing for a psychiatrist to recommend to a patient already seeking psychiatric care that they may want to visit a dermatologist for any related skin conditions. After all, a dermatologist seems relatively harmless as far as medical professionals go and patients are likely eager to clear up skin problems. The reverse, however, is not as easy. A patient who has visited a dermatologist likely does not want to hear that they may need psychiatric treatment. In fact, a patient may even take offense to the suggestion and will likely resist seeking such treatment. For this reason, dermatologists should always be aware of the implications that psychological conditions may have on the skin and how they can be connected.

There are a number of skin conditions that are legitimately affected by psychological state of mind, which can include psoriasis, acne, alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis, pruritus, hyperhidrosis, lichen simplex, and rosacea. These are not the only psychodermatological disorders that exist and dermatologists should consider psychiatric health when treating patients.

How Pharmacists can Help

Patients with these disorders are often on several different medications to treat several aspects of their condition, both psychological and dermatological. These medications can often interact with one another and a pharmacist should always play an active role in managing a patient’s medication regimen. A pharmacist can do the following and more:

• Screen for adverse interactions between drugs
• Educate patients about their medications and the importance of adhering to their prescribed regimen
• Identifying any side effects to medication that may be causing or worsening skin problems

Call 856-323-8723 or stop by today for more information.

At Kress Specialty Apothecary, our pharmacists are always learning about new disciplines and trying to find ways that compounding can best help our patients suffering from complicated disorders. We develop a personal relationship with our patients to ensure they receive the best possible effects from their medication. We can also help to compound individualized medications to prevent side effect or interactions with other drugs. Please call today to discuss your needs with a pharmacist today.