Psoriasis can damage emotional well-being, skin, Parkland expert says
DALLAS — Psoriasis, which affects as many as 7.5 million Americans, not only irritates the skin, but also can affect the self-confidence of those afflicted, according to Benjamin F. Chong, MD, Medical Chief of Dermatology at Parkland Health & Hospital System.
“Psoriasis can be very disabling,” Dr. Chong said. “In addition to experiencing significant physical discomfort and some disability, those affected can also suffer from a poor self-image because many lesions are in highly visible areas.”
More than 125 million people worldwide—2 to 3 percent of the total population—have psoriasis, according to the World Psoriasis Day consortium, a global group of patient associations that aims to educate both patients and the public about this devastating skin disease by raising awareness with the annual World Psoriasis Day event occurring on October 29 this year.
A chronic skin disease characterized by red bumps with large silver-white scales, psoriasis most often appears on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp. Psoriasis is not contagious but is thought to be genetic, or inherited. About one in three people with psoriasis report having a relative with the condition.
Symptoms include itching and pain. Studies show that between 10 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis causing significant joint pain. Nearly 60 percent of patients with psoriasis report their disease is a significant problem in their everyday life, causing them to miss an average of 26 days of work per year. Nearly one-quarter of people with psoriasis have cases that are considered moderate to severe.
Although there is no cure for psoriasis, treatments can help control symptoms and prevent infection. Topical treatments include lotions, ointments, creams and shampoos. Systemic treatments for more severe cases include medications and injections that lower the entire body’s immune response, not just the skin’s, to decrease the inflammation. A third option is phototherapy, which uses focused ultraviolet light to treat psoriasis.
“While we don’t have a cure for psoriasis, there are a variety of treatments that can be prescribed to help treat patients,” Dr. Chong stated. “Besides treating their physical symptoms, we also look for signs of depression and refer patients to medical specialists for further evaluation. Individuals with moderate to severe psoriasis may also benefit from counseling or participation in a support group to reduce self-consciousness about their appearance or relieve psychological distress. The disabling consequences of psoriasis are real, and people need to be aware of what they are.”
