Biologic drugs have transformed the lives of patients with severe eczema and psoriasis. In the case of psoriasis, these drugs also help arthritis as well.  Biologics represent a class of medications that is distinct from conventional drugs. .A biologic is a protein-based drug derived from living cells cultured in a laboratory.  Biologics are different from traditional systemic drugs that impact the entire immune system. Biologics, instead, target specific parts of the immune system. The biologics used to treat psoriatic disease block the action of a specific type of immune cell called a T cell, or block proteins in the immune system, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 17-A, or interleukins 12 and 23. These cells and proteins all play a major role in developing psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. There is now a Biologic drug available for patients with severe eczema. Some of these biologic drugs are given as injections in our office and others are self administered at home. Anyone considering taking a biologic drug will need to be evaluated with regard to their other medical conditions and be given information about short- and long-term side effects and risks. Many insurance companies offer coverage for these types of medications and the drug cost depends upon your plan. We will always preauthorization these medications for our patients.