Psoriasis Awareness

August 2024

If you’re of a certain age, you probably remember a commercial that addressed “the heartbreak of psoriasis.” Some people get a laugh out of them, but psoriasis is no laughing matter for those who suffer from this disease.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, the immune system and genetics play significant roles in developing psoriasis. It’s not contagious, and the lesions are not infectious. About one-third of those diagnosed with the condition have a family member with the disease.

Typically, raised, red, itchy, scaly patches develop on the scalp, elbow and knees, although they can appear on other parts of the body. In those with psoriasis, the skin cells grow much faster, resulting in lesions and scaling.

Psoriasis affects more than 8 million Americans, with most seeing the first signs between the ages of 15 and 35. It’s important to remember that you are not alone in this journey. Most people who develop the disease have plaque psoriasis, the kind where silver-white patches of flaky skin appear on elbows, knees and the scalp.

What triggers a flare-up of psoriasis? The causes can vary from person to person. They can include stress, certain medications, injury to the skin or infections. People often have more trouble with these flare-ups during the winter.

While there is no “cure” for psoriasis, several treatments are available to significantly reduce the itching, pain and appearance of the patches. The variety of treatment options, from topicals and phototherapy to systemic, biologics and oral treatments, provides a sense of hope and control over your condition as you and your doctor can find the best approach for you.

Keeping the skin moisturized, reducing stress, exercising and using over-the-counter products to reduce itching can also help. It is essential to work with your doctor to determine the best treatment for your symptoms.

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