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