Psoriasis Awareness Month: 5 Important Things You Should Know

Even if you don’t have psoriasis, you should be well-informed about it because it’s so widespread. Around the world, 125 million people have the disease. Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian West, Kris Jenner, and Dara Torres have openly discussed their psoriasis. Though it’s largely associated with red patches of skin, this isn’t just a skin condition. Many patients who have the disease have an increased likelihood of developing depression and a decreased quality of life. We could all do our part in helping stop the stigma surrounding psoriasis by learning the truth about the disease. 

Here are five important things you should know:

1. Psoriasis Is Not Only A Skin Condition — It’s An Autoimmune Disease  Psoriasis is characterized by patches of red, scaly skin. This is because it makes cells grow at a quick pace, triggering the formation of scaly, red skin that can cause itchiness or an unpleasant burning feeling. While this is it’s most typical characterization, it’s actually an autoimmune disease. As an autoimmune disease, it’s a result of the immune system attacking the body’s tissues by mistake. 
2. There’s More Than One Kind of Psoriasis - To get the treatment that’s right for you, you should know which specific type of psoriasis you have. These are the various forms of the disease: 

1. Guttate
2. Pustular 
3. Erythrodermic 
4. Inverse
5. Plaque -Plaque psoriasis is the most widespread form of the disease. It involves patches of lesions that are coated with white build-up of dead skin cells. 

 Psoriasis Isn’t The Same As Eczema - Both eczema and psoriasis can lead to rashes or red patches that are very unpleasant. However, there’s a key difference: while psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, eczema is a chronic skin condition. Are you unsure whether you have psoriasis or eczema?  It’s important for women to have seamless access to medical information. That’s why telehealth services are so great. Instead of having to wait at a busy doctor’s office, you can book an online consultation with a healthcare provider and discuss your symptoms virtually

3. Psoriasis Can Affect Anyone Of Any Age - Often, psoriasis develops in people who are within the ages of 15 and 25. However, any person of any age can develop the disease, including children. In fact, 20,000 children beneath the age of 10 years old get diagnosed with it each year.There’s No Cure For Psoriasis 
4. This disease is a lifelong condition, meaning there’s no cure. However, there are ways to manage psoriasis symptoms. A doctor knowledgeable in dermatology may recommend these treatments: 

• Phototherapy (this is also referred to as light therapy)
• Creams and lotions that hydrate the skin
• Topical anti-inflammatories 
• Systemic or biologic medications. These drugs can control the body’s immune and inflammatory responses. 

Natural Ways to manage psoriasis symptoms which may include dry flaky and inflamed skin. 

1. Bath time is an important part of managing symptoms. Hot showers, while relaxing, can dry the skin. Cooler showers are a better alternative. 
2. Regular soaps should be avoided as they are extremely drying. Seek out natural soaps made with rich oils and butters. These soaps will cleanse without stripping oils from the skin. You can typically find these types of soaps in Natural and Organic Food stores.  Shea Radiance Black Soap Body Wash is very gentle and contains oats
3. Oatmeal is a great natural ingredient that locks in moisture. It can be found in soaps and moisturizers or used by itself. Oatmeal soothes inflammation and itchiness.  Shea Radiance offers a great Oatmeal Based Body Butter.
4. Proper moisturization of the skin using rich and emollient creams and balms formulated with ingredients like shea butter, rice bran oil, cocoa butter and other natural oils is important. Unrefined shea butter is especially good because it can be used as a soothing balm. Unrefined shea butter is rich in sterols and bio-actives, that provide deep penetrating moisture to the skin. Shea butter also has a sizable percentage of unsaponifiable fats, which contain shea triterpene esters with anti-inflammatory properties. These natural active elements help with cell regeneration and capillary circulation and also provide about 5% UV protection because of the cinnamic acid content.

This Psoriasis Awareness Month, tell people the facts about psoriasis. If we all do our part, we can stop this stigma and make it easier for the millions of people with psoriasis to be open about the disease.