| Do you, or someone you know, suffer from | | | | immune system is involved. |
| psoriasis skin disease? Do you know the | | | | The National Psoriasis Foundation |
| cause? Did you know that Psoriasis may | | | | reports that 56 million work hours are |
| be one of the oldest recorded skin | | | | lost each year by those who have |
| conditions? It was probably first | | | | psoriasis. Additionally, a survey |
| described around 35 AD. Some evidence | | | | conducted by the National Psoriasis |
| indicates an even earlier date. Yet, | | | | Foundation in 2002 indicates that 26% of |
| until recently, little was known about | | | | people living with moderate to severe |
| psoriasis. | | | | psoriasis have been forced to change or |
| Psoriasis is the most common skin | | | | discontinue their normal daily |
| condition known today. People who | | | | activities. |
| develop psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, | | | | Unfortunately, more than 4.5 million |
| which appears as patches of raised, | | | | adults in the United States have been |
| reddish skin covered by silvery-white | | | | diagnosed with psoriasis, and |
| scale. These patches, or plaques, | | | | approximately 150,000 new cases are |
| frequently form on the elbows, knees, | | | | diagnosed each year. An estimated 20% |
| lower back, and scalp. However, the | | | | have moderate to severe psoriasis. While |
| plaques can occur anywhere on the body. | | | | psoriasis occurs equally in males and |
| Psoriasis skin disease is a chronic | | | | females, more recent studies show that |
| condition because there is currently no | | | | there may be an ethnic link. |
| cure. People often experience flare ups | | | | It seems that psoriasis is most common |
| and remissions throughout their life. | | | | in Caucasians and slightly less common |
| Controlling the signs and symptoms | | | | in African Americans. Additionally, |
| typically requires lifelong therapy. | | | | psoriasis is most common in Scandinavia |
| Psoriasis usually causes much | | | | and other parts of northern Europe. It |
| discomfort; the skin often itches, and | | | | appears to be far less common among |
| it may crack and bleed. In severe cases, | | | | Asians and is rare in Native Americans. |
| the itching and discomfort may keep a | | | | However, living with this lifelong |
| person awake at night, and the pain can | | | | condition can be physically and |
| make everyday tasks difficult. | | | | emotionally challenging. Itching, |
| Treatment depends on the severity of the | | | | soreness, cracked and bleeding skin are |
| condition. Some psoriasis is so mild | | | | common. Several studies have shown that |
| that the person is unaware of the | | | | people often feel frustrated. In some |
| condition. Recently, research has | | | | cases, psoriasis limits activities and |
| significantly advanced in the | | | | makes it difficult to perform job |
| understanding of psoriasis. One | | | | responsibilities. |
| important breakthrough began with the | | | | Studies also have shown that stress, |
| discovery that kidney-transplant | | | | anxiety, loneliness, and low self-esteem |
| recipients who had psoriasis experienced | | | | are part of daily life for people living |
| clearing when taking cyclosporine. Since | | | | with psoriasis skin disease. Imagine the |
| cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive | | | | embarrassment and pain an individual |
| medication, this indicates that the | | | | suffers with this condition. |