Dear Patients,
Discussions and concerns surrounding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) continue at the local, state, and national levels. Our practice continues to closely monitor the situation in conjunction with guidance from the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control.
The well-being of our patients and team members is our top priority and we want to ease any concerns about this issue at hand. Our medical staff and employees always follow strict guidelines for cleaning and sanitizing work surfaces, common use areas and treatment rooms to reduce/prevent the spread of illness. Hand washing and sanitizing are handled very carefully and thoroughly between each patient and will be continuous daily.
We ask that if you are sick (fever, coughing, achiness), please cancel your appointment and reschedule for a later time when you are no longer sick or running fever. If you or anyone in your household have been on a cruise or traveled to or from China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, or Japan within the last 14 days, please contact our office to reschedule your appointment. No cancellation fees will be incurred.
We urge patients to please refer to the CDC website for information on preventing illness from the coronavirus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
If you are in a group that has been identified as being at high risk for serious illness from coronavirus infection, you should also consider additional precautions such as limiting close contact with others, avoiding crowds, and avoiding cruise travel and non-essential air travel. Please refer to following CDC webpage for more detailed information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html
Our practice will continue to take all necessary and precautionary measures to ensure safety for all of our patients, visitors and staff during this COVID-19 outbreak. If you have specific questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office or your provider prior to your visit at (205) 933-0987.
The following information is specifically for patients who are currently using any injectable (biologic) medication(s) to treat psoriasis.
What is my risk of becoming sick from the coronavirus?
At this time, it is unknown what effect the injectable (biologic) medication you are on for psoriasis has on your risk of developing a serious illness due to a coronavirus infection. What we do know is that, regardless of your psoriasis (treatment, those who are at highest risk of becoming ill due to the coronavirus are older adults (over age 60) and people with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, and immunosuppressive conditions.
Should I take my injectable (biologic) medication as scheduled?
Whether or not you should take your injectable (biologic) psoriasis medication as scheduled depends on your individual situation. Please contact our office to discuss this with your Total Skin and Beauty Dermatology Center provider.
In general, if you are a younger adult, otherwise healthy, and are not at high risk of having been exposed to coronavirus, in most cases, it is probably okay to continue your psoriasis medication as scheduled.
If you are an older adult, have a chronic medical condition (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, immunosuppressive condition), or have been exposed to the coronavirus, then, out of an abundance of caution, you may want to stop your psoriasis medication during this time period.
Regardless of your personal situation, contact our office to discuss any changes to your psoriasis treatment with your Total Skin and Beauty Dermatology Center provider. Also, see below regarding “What if I develop symptoms concerning for coronavirus?”
What if I develop symptoms concerning for a coronavirus infection?
If you think you have been exposed to the coronavirus and develop any fevers/chills, cough, shortness of breath, or other concerning symptoms, call your primary doctor immediately. You should also stop your injectable (biologic) psoriasis medication and inform your Total Skin and Beauty Dermatology Center provider. Please note that we routinely recommend stopping your injectable (biologic) medication if you have symptoms of infection, regardless of the coronavirus, and restarting it about 2 weeks after the symptoms of infection have resolved.
Please don’t hesitate to call our office with any questions (205) 933-0987.
