Psoriasis Awareness

Psoriasis Awareness Month: More Than Skin Deep

August is Psoriasis Awareness Month, and if there's one thing worth correcting right away, it's this: psoriasis is not "just" a skin condition, and it's not contagious.

It's a chronic autoimmune disease with effects that go well beyond what's visible, and it's far more common than most people realize.

The Numbers

• Psoriasis affects roughly 7.5 million U.S. adults, about 3% of the adult population, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, making it the most common autoimmune disease in the country.

• Globally, it affects nearly 8 million people in the U.S. alone and a meaningful share of the world's population across all ages and backgrounds.

• Up to about 30% of people with psoriasis will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, a related condition that adds joint pain, stiffness, and swelling to the picture.

• Psoriasis often first appears between ages 15 and 25, though it can develop at any age, and it tends to run in families.

• Nearly 60% of people with psoriasis say the condition majorly affects their everyday life, a reminder that this isn't a cosmetic inconvenience.

What's Actually Happening in the Body

Psoriasis causes the immune system to speed up the life cycle of skin cells, leading to red, scaly patches that can appear anywhere on the body. The underlying cause involves an overactive immune response, specifically an overproduction of certain white blood cells that, instead of defending the body, mistakenly target healthy skin cells.

Importantly, psoriasis is linked to systemic inflammation and is associated with other health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and depression, which is exactly why treating it as "only" a skin issue misses the bigger picture.

The Joint Connection Nobody Talks About Enough

This is one of the most important things to know, especially if you or someone you love has psoriasis: up to 30% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, often within 10 years of their initial skin diagnosis, and joint damage from it can occur silently and irreversibly. A rheumatologist can catch early signs of joint involvement that routine care might miss, and the earlier psoriatic arthritis is identified and treated, the better the long-term outcome for preserving joint function.

If you have psoriasis and notice new joint pain, stiffness (especially in the morning), or swelling, it's worth raising with your doctor specifically, not assuming it's unrelated.

Debunking the Biggest Myth

Despite being common, psoriasis is still surrounded by stigma and misinformation, many people wrongly believe it's contagious, which leads to shame, isolation, and discrimination for those affected. It isn't. You cannot catch psoriasis from someone else's skin, a shared towel, a pool, or any form of casual contact. It's an internal immune process, not an infection.

What Awareness Month Is Really For

Psoriasis Awareness Month exists to promote understanding of the physical, emotional, and social challenges people with psoriasis are still facing, and to push back on outdated stigma once and for all. If you don't have psoriasis yourself, the most useful thing you can do this month is simple: don't assume, don't ask invasive questions about someone's skin, and don't treat it as something to be embarrassed about on someone else's behalf. If you do have psoriasis, August is a good nudge for two things: an annual skin check, and, if you haven't already, a specific conversation with your doctor about joint symptoms and psoriatic arthritis risk.

Managing Psoriasis with Holistic Support

Psoriasis can be a relentless condition, but with a comprehensive approach, relief is within reach. A health coach like Cami Grasher can be instrumental in managing psoriasis by guiding you through lifestyle modifications, stress reduction techniques, and anti-inflammatory diet strategies. These holistic methods complement traditional medical treatments by addressing the underlying triggers and promoting overall wellness.

While a health coach cannot replace the expertise of a dermatologist, they can empower you with the tools and strategies to manage psoriasis effectively. Embrace a path that prioritizes holistic wellness alongside medical care.

Explore holistic support for psoriasis with Cami Grasher. Call or text (214) 558-0996 or book online.

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This article is for general informational purposes and isn't a substitute for personalized medical advice. If you have psoriasis or are noticing new symptoms, talk to your dermatologist or rheumatologist.Sources: Awareness Days; Personalized Cause; Overlake Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center; EClinicalMedicine (PMC); Galen Dermatology; APDerm; TRVST.