August is Psoriasis Awareness Month

Foundations of psoriasis, loved ones and patients all gather together to commemorate National Psoriasis Awareness month each and every month of August.  It is during this time that anyone who has felt the impact of psoriasis can help bring more awareness to this condition and work towards lessening the associated stigma with both psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. There are more than just a few ways you can help others become more aware of this disease including hosting a fun run, lecture, fund raising and other methods.

What Is It?

The NPF also known as the National Psoriasis Foundation gives the description that psoriasis is an autoimmune, chronic disease that is visible on the skin. This happens when there are faulty signals sent out by the system of immunity which speeds up skin cell growth. Plaque psoriasis is the most common type and this is the case when there are patches of red covered with white silvery dead skin cell buildup.

Less common psoriasis forms include erythrodermic psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, inverse psoriasis and guttate psoriasis.   Not that it is important to realize that although this disease can appear on any part of the body of the patient, it is not contagious in the least. This means that even with physical contact, this disease cannot be passed to anyone else.

Psoriasis Symptoms

Psoriasis is described by the National Psoriasis Foundation as a disease that affects the outside of the scalp, knees and elbows typically. Of course, it can also become apparent in other locations. Some folks report that psoriasis stings, burns and is itchy. In order for this disease to be diagnosed, it is sufficient to undergo a visual exam. At times, a small skin sample is needed and examined underneath a microscope in order to confirm a psoriasis diagnosis. This is also necessary in order to identify the psoriasis type you happen to have. Keep in mind that there are a few other conditions of the skin that look similar to this particular disease.

Psoriatic Arthritis

This condition is described in swelling, stiffness and pain around and within the joints. At any time, this condition can develop during the lifetime of a patient of psoriasis. Up to thirty per cent of patients of psoriasis develop this type. When patients are between thirty and fifty years old, this occurs most commonly.

Treatment

For each individual that is going through psoriasis, the treatment is unique. There are options your healthcare provider can give you to help in determining the best treatment for your particular severity and type of the disease. This will also help determine which skin area has gotten affected as well as your own specific goals of treatment.

At times, more aggressive therapy is required by patients. For the psoriasis treatment, various medications are available and approved which can be given as oral capsules or tablets or as medications that are injectable. When it comes to which is the best therapy for your own particular case, this will be based on the one with the least side effects as well as the one that is most effective.