August – Psoriasis Awareness Month

August is National Psoriasis Awareness Month. With about 3% of the world’s population diagnosed with it, it is important that we do our duty to spread awareness by informing you and your family of some basic facts about psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause itchy, painful lesions on those affected. There is no cure for it, and it is not contagious. Lesions form dry, scaly skin that can easily crack and bleed when irritated, which can cause a lot of discomfort. Typically, flare-ups show up in young adults, but they can occur in both males and females at any time in their lives. Psoriatic arthritis, which is a form of psoriasis, affects between 30 and 50 percent of those with the condition. These symptoms can lead to a variety of negative emotions such as embarrassment, anger or sadness to those who are diagnosed.

Since so many people are uninformed about the condition, those who are unaffected can sometimes be insensitive to those who are. It is essential to support those with psoriasis, especially since it can lead to depression. Some people may be quick to point out lesions in front of others, which can embarrass that person who has psoriasis. Some even avoid people with psoriasis due to the fact that they think it is contagious, when it is not. This is why it important to inform those who don’t know about psoriasis so that people who are diagnosed don’t have such a difficult time coping with their condition.

If you have a friend or family member with psoriasis, try to be open minded and willing to talk to about it. Help them figure out what steps to take to try to treat their symptoms. Many people affected have a hard time talking to people about their condition, so do your best to support those who struggle with psoriasis.

It is important to keep your family informed of the many conditions that affect everybody, directly or indirectly, in North Texas. Our family doctors treat an incredible variety of diseases and conditions every day, so we believe that everybody should learn about them.

August may be Psoriasis Awareness Month, but try to spread awareness every month!