Plaque psoriasis is a fairly common autoimmune skin condition — as many as 6.7 million people in the US are diagnosed with it. The typical symptoms are itchy, flaky, raised red patches on the skin. In many cases, it only covers a small portion of the body, often the knees, elbows, and scalp. But, those who have it can feel distracted by their plaques and sometimes want to cover it up. Professional tight end Dallas Goedert realized early on in his career that covering up plaques is much harder when you’re on TV, on the field, and in the public eye in general.
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How a pro football champion found a plaque psoriasis treatment that fits his lifestyle — and his uniform
Dallas Goedert was tired of covering up during practice.
“Being a football player with plaque psoriasis is challenging,” Goedert said. “The football locker room is always a place where people are gonna see your skin, and you can’t hide it forever.” Many patients hide their plaques by covering up their skin.
According to dermatologist Dr. Meagen McCusker*, patients “...usually choose clothing to cover involved areas even if it means wearing long pants and sleeves in the summer which can make them uncomfortable. They also might choose haircuts that mask plaques on the scalp and are sometimes viewed as “unclean” when scalp flakes fall on the shoulders. It can take you out of the moment and feel distracting.” Dallas shared his personal experience with this: “We have conditioning outside in the summer with the team, and everybody takes their shirt off because it’s hot, and I’m one who’s gonna leave my shirt on because my plaques will show and I don’t want everybody to see them.”
For years, his solution was topical treatments. “The hardest parts, for me, was applying them every day, applying them to spots that are hard to reach, or getting someone to apply them for you,” he added.
Even though Dallas started to realize topicals weren’t working for his lifestyle, he kept trying different ones instead of asking his doctor about another treatment option. “Looking back at it, I probably could’ve told my doctor my struggles earlier,” Goedert said. Many patients with plaque psoriasis don’t think their condition is a major problem and let it go untreated... There is a common misconception that plaque psoriasis is just a skin condition, but it actually starts from within.
Dallas recounts going to a new doctor who recommended Otezla, a pill that treats plaque psoriasis from the inside out. It can help patients achieve clearer skin after just 4 months of treatment.
APPROVED USE
Otezla® (apremilast) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of adult patients with plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
You must not take Otezla if you are allergic to apremilast or to any of the ingredients in Otezla.
“Since psoriasis is a systemic disease, it’s important to consider systemic treatment,” McCusker said. “A lot of patients are not aware of their options and often wish they had started treatment sooner.” It seems like Dallas agrees — “Talking to my doctor about a pill was a total game changer,” he said.
Learn more about Otezla for treating plaque psoriasis here.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION CONTINUED
Otezla can cause allergic reactions, sometimes severe. Stop using Otezia and call your healthcare provider or seek emergency help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: trouble breathing or swallowing, raised bumps (hives, rash or itching. swelling of the face. lips, tongue, throat or
Otezla can cause severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, especially within the first few weeks of treatment. Use in elderly patients and the use of certain medications with Otezla appears to increase the risk of complications from having severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Tell your doctor it any of these conditions occur.
Otezla is associated with an increase in depression. In clinical studies, some patients reported depression, or suicidal behavior while taking Otezla. Some patients stopped taking Otezla due to depression. Before starting Otezla, tell your doctor if you have had feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Be sure to tell your doctor it any of these symptoms or other mood changes develop or worsen during treatment with Otezla.
Some patients taking Otezla lost body weight. Your doctor should monitor your weight regularly. It unexplained or significant weight loss occurs, your doctor will decide it you should continue taking Otezla.
Some medicines may make Otezla less effective and should not be taken with Otezla. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines.
The most common side effects of Otezla include diarrhea, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, tension headache, and headache. These are not all the possible side effects with Otezla. Ask your doctor about other potential side effects. Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or planning to breastfeed.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-332-1088.
Please click here for the Full Prescribing Information for Otezla.
*Dr. Meagen McCusker has been compensated for her time by Amgen Inc.
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