October 29th - World psoriasis day

[lea75 0]

Psoriasis
Nearly three percent of the world's population endure the symptoms of psoriasis. Many tolerate constant pain from cracking and bleeding skin. They bear the humiliation of continually shedding scales that litter their clothes and surroundings. They struggle with the disappointment of treatments and the lack of a cure. Some wrestle with a crippling form of arthritis, called psoriatic arthritis. More than anything, they sometimes bear the brunt of public rejection because of the misunderstanding surrounding the disease.

Yet, much of the world's population finds psoriasis a trivial matter requiring little understanding or sympathy. Sometimes they even find it humorous and enjoy a chuckle over the "heartbreak of psoriasis" an advertising tagline made popular in the USA. Some people still equate psoriasis with being unclean or self imposed and shun those who bear its mark. When, in fact, many people with psoriasis isolate themselves because of such a deep sense of shame.

Psoriasis associations from around the world give people the tools to cope with this troubling disease. They rebuild people's hope and give them the support they require. IFPA provides the reinforcement to build better psoriasis associations, gives member associations a global voice to campaign on behalf of those who bear its mark, and the unity that strengthens everyone's ability to support research that will someday find a cause and a cure for these diseases.

What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a life-long skin disorder that causes red, scaly patches called lesions to appear on your skin. The lesions can show up on any area of the skin. There are several different kinds of psoriasis.

Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis and it is characterized by red-looking skin lesions topped with silvery white scales.

Guttate psoriasis is also fairly common and it is characterized by red, small, dot-like lesions covered with silvery white scale;

Pustular psoriasis has blister-like lesions of fluid, which is not infectious, and intense scaling. It can appear anywhere on the body, but often it appears on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

Inverse psoriasis is very red lesions with little or no scales and appears in the skin folds, such as the arm pits, creases in the groin and under the breasts.

Erythrodermic psoriasis is rare and looks very red and swollen, lots of shedding of dead skin, and painful.

About 30 to 50 percent of people with psoriasis also get psoriatic (sore-ee-attic) arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. This type of arthritis most often affects the hands, feet, wrists, ankles and lower back.

Who gets psoriasis?
Psoriasis affects nearly three percent of the world's population. It can develop in males or females of any race or age. It often appears between the ages of 15 and 35, although it can strike at any age including infants and the elderly.

What causes psoriasis?
No one knows exactly what causes psoriasis. Doctor's believe it is related to the body's immune system and that it is genetic, meaning that it can run in families. In people with psoriasis, the immune system is mistakenly "triggered" causing skin cells to grow too fast. The rapidly growing cells pile up in the skin's top layers, leading to the formation of lesions on the surface.

Right now, there are many psoriasis associations around the world supporting research to find out why people get psoriasis and how it can be treated or even cured.

How bad can psoriasis get?
Psoriasis can be limited to a few areas of the skin (mild), or it can be moderate or widespread and severe. A normal skin cell matures in 28 to 30 days and sheds from the skin unnoticed. Psoriatic skin cells mature in only three to four days. They "heap up" and form scaly lesions. Psoriasis lesions can be painful and itchy and they can crack and bleed.

How do I know I have psoriasis?
A physician usually makes the diagnosis after looking at the skin. Occasionally a physician examines a skin biopsy under a microscope. Pitting of the nails is sometimes a sign of psoriasis. There is no specific medical test for psoriasis.

Is psoriasis contagious?
No, people cannot catch psoriasis from someone else.

What are some of the myths surrounding psoriasis?
Unlike other ailments, psoriasis can be seen on the skin and often people guess at what is wrong. They wonder if the lesions might be contagious, which they are not, or that the person who has psoriasis is unclean, overly nervous or high-strung, which they may be, but that is not the reason they have psoriasis. Sometimes they may believe the person who has the skin disorder did something to cause psoriasis to appear but that, too, is also false.

Psoriasis is a disorder stemming from a physical defect just like other disorders, such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes or nearsightedness. It is very important to educate the public about psoriasis and not allow myths to spread.

What are the chances of getting psoriasis?
It is not possible to predict who will get psoriasis. Heredity (the genetic transfer of features from parent to child) plays a role, but some people who have psoriasis have no obvious family history of psoriasis.

Is there a cure for psoriasis?
Not yet. Psoriasis is a disorder that most often needs lifelong treatment. And because there are so many different medications for the disorder, it may take some time before the right treatment or combination of treatments will work for an individual. Sometimes psoriasis becomes worse (called a flare) than at other times. In some cases, psoriasis can go away on its own for a period of time, which is known as a "spontaneous remission."

I suffer with Psoriasis as well as Psoriatic arthritis and think it is important to try and get as many people as possible to understand what psoriasis is and most importantly it is not contagious!
Living with Psoriasis effects your every day life. Apart from the pain it can cause, having to change the bed sheets every day because your skin has been bleeding, wearing long sleeved tops even through the summer...there is also the emotional impact it has on your life.
I have been at stages where my psoriasis totally covers my body, as well as my face and scalp. The looks and the comments I have had from people (not just strangers but also people I know and even family) are so hurtful it got the stage where I would not go out unless I absolutely had to....which is why I think world psoriasis day is so important. I would rather people look at me and think...oh she has psoriasis instead of thinking OMG look at her skin, and dragging their kids away from me (yes this has happened)

I haven't posted any photos of psoriasis, but I can if you would like...or if you have any questions, feel free to ask them...the more people who are educated in what psoriasis is the easier life will be for all us psoriasis suffers

[Toulouse 0]

Dear Lisa,

I am very sorry you have to suffer from psoriasis and PA, and also I am very sorry for the comments and strange looks you have to go through. I know it must be very hard.

It is a good thing to bring this under attention, because indeed, psoriasis is sometimes misunderstood (as in: "I don't want to touch her as it seems contagious") and not much is known about it.

I have to be honest myself: I didn't know there was a such thing as PA. I do know psoriasis exists, and I know arthritis exists (as I am an RA patient myself), but I had no clue that psoriatic arthritis existed.
I did not know your skin bleeds from psoriasis, but I do realize and know from another friend (we are not that close that I would ask him about details) it affects your self-image and it is a hard thing to deal with every day.

You must be a strong woman having to deal with this every day.

[Guest Guest]

Lisa! skin problems or not you are wonderful. beauty is skin deep, and i think that saying fits perfectly here. you are a lovely person Lisa and i'm sure your friends and family know this..


i actually had this problem on my scalp before.. it's entirely humiliating and embarrassing.. i scratched my head all day and flakes would fall on my shirt, i had to wear light colors for so long, and it was so itchy and irritating and frustrating beyond belief. my parents hated it, im sure my friends did too but didn't say anything. i tried my best to do it private but it was hard going to school everyday. i'm sure people would give me looks as well when they see skin falling off my hair.

i have healed now thanks to a great shampoo but i know i'll have hustle more then other people in preventing a break out again..

i can't compare to what you've gone through but that only makes you the stronger and more caring person. i know how painful words can be since i've gone through discriminatory things due to my race as opposed to a physical problem, but either way it's incredibly painful and hard to deal with. but the fact you keep on going today proves that you are just that much more amazing.

[lea75 0]

Thanks guys

Riuna...scalp psoriasis is awul...I hate it
I'm the same as you were...when its bad I wont wear dark clothes...I wont go anywhere where there are Ultraviolet lights as this shows up all the psoiasis flakes and then everyone assumes it is dandruff!! If only! That would be a lot easier to clear up!

I'm glad you managed to get something to treat yours hun xx

[Tromo3 0]

Don't worry Lisa. People who can live with some difficulty make them more special. And people who avoid you are just stupid( Sorry for being a little rude). Cause everyone knows that beauty is skin deep (like Renny said). You are a great and caring person. Don't let those people who avoid you make you a different people. Only listen what your family and real friends think about you.

You are our best Admin.