It’s the most common autoimmune disease in the U.S., affecting approximately 7.5 million Americans and 125 million people worldwide. August is Psoriasis awareness month. Psoriasis is a chronic, noncontagious autoimmune disease caused by a combination of genetics and external triggers. The disease appears on the skin in red, scaly patches that itch, crack and bleed. There is no cure for psoriasis, however various treatments are available.
It’s certainly not a pretty picture, but psoriasis is not just a cosmetic issue. Nearly 60 percent of people suffering from the disease report that the condition is a significant obstacle in everyday life and up to 30 percent of people diagnosed with psoriasis later develop psoriatic arthritis.
There is no way to prevent psoriasis, therefore early recognition and diagnosis is key to effective treatment. Once diagnosed, steps can be taken to alleviate symptoms and decrease the severity of flare-ups. Dr. Dale Isaacson advises, “if you notice any unusual, inflamed patches of skin take immediate action and contact your dermatologist for a skin evaluation to get the condition under control”.