Psoriasis Awareness Month
August is the national psoriasis month!
Psoriasis is an important subject that we need to address. Over 125 million people in the world suffer from psoriasis, and there is yet many myths and misunderstanding around it. So, let’s spread awareness. Let’s talk about psoriasis!
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that occurs when a person is affected by the overproduction of skin cells. The excess skin cells then gather on the skin surface forming rad patches and scales.
At present, there is no cure for psoriasis, but that does not mean we are completely helpless. Some treatments can put the condition in remission and help control it.
As a chronic disease, psoriasis can appear and disappear over time. By introducing some measures in their lifestyle, a person can control and even prevent the next breakout.
Psoriasis is not contagious. So, even though it can sometimes look scary, you shouldn’t avoid contact nor discriminate against the person who suffers from it. You should avoid touching the parts of the breakout for the sake of not causing pain to that person solely. What you shouldn’t do is worry about getting psoriasis through someone else.
How to recognize psoriasis?
So, what does psoriasis look like?
Psoriasis can come in different forms. The most common form is plaque psoriasis or psoriasis vulgaris. In 10 people, 8 people will have this form.
Psoriasis can form on many different parts of the body, but mostly we found psoriasis on fingers, psoriasis on arms, and psoriasis on elbows. This is why psoriasis is commonly mistaken with eczema.
However, these two skin diseases are not the same. While eczema is always reddish and looks like an allergy that can carry blister-like occurrences, psoriasis is recognized by a thick layer of white or ashy scales.
Let’s break down the most common types of psoriasis and find a bit more on them all.
Psoriasis awareness month 2020
Psoriasis awareness month 2020 is in august like it was the case in the previous years. This month is all about psoriasis, different treatment options, factors that can trigger it, and overall sharing knowledge and experiences with psoriasis.
The importance of psoriasis awareness month lies not only in prevention and treatment but also in minimizing misconceptions. Many people who don’t have experience with psoriasis, or not know much about it, are not comfortable when seeing it on someone. Mainly, it is due to fear of contracting the same condition by close contact with the person.
This puts people suffering from psoriasis in a negative light, discriminates them, and generally makes them feel ashamed of their state. On the other hand, spreading awareness also helps other people understand the struggles of someone with psoriasis.
It is important for others to understand that it is not only a rash but a chronic inflammatory problem that needs special treatment. It is also important to note that people with psoriasis did not get it by not improper hygiene.
Here is a little something a professor and interim chair of dermatology at George Washington University, Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD, said in the interview with Healio, that can help us understand this situation better.
“Clothing choices, activities, social engagement, work, feelings of embarrassment, trying to avoid potentially awkward situations — these are things those with visible diseases deal with. This is why the burden of skin diseases is so tremendous. You have no poker face here; you are literally showing your medical condition to the outside world.”
Now when you know that august is the national psoriasis awareness month, go out there and spread what you know! Let’s bust the myths!
How to treat psoriasis?
Even though there is no cure for psoriasis, there are treatments that can help you control it. Treatment can be topical, systematic, or phototherapy.
- Topic psoriasis treatment include creams and medication recommended by your doctor that you put onto the skin. These creams are put exactly on the inflamed area and are meant to reduce the pain, itch, redness, and overall breakout.
- Systematic treatments are done by intaking medication orally or by injection. This treatment can be very effective in fighting psoriasis, but it also carries a list of side-effects. It is important to be extremely careful and to cooperate regularly with a licensed doctor.
- Phototherapy uses ultraviolet or other types of artificial or natural light to treat psoriasis. These treatments are done at hospitals, and some of these are used for severe psoriasis that couldn’t be controlled topically or systematically.
There is no such thing as the best treatment for psoriasis, and they are often combined. Everybody reacts differently. The important thing is that there are options and treatments that can help reduce the symptoms of psoriasis.
When it comes to psoriasis, natural treatment is also something you should consider. Even as a help alongside your regular treatment. There are many “psoriasis home remedies” but the one that is undoubtedly a must are moisturizers.
Even though psoriasis is much more than just dry skin, often the use of moisturizers can help with both appearance and feel. Good moisturizers and emollients soothe the skin and can tame inflammations. Moisturizing is something every doctor recommends alongside the therapy, as it can give you instant relief.
How to prevent psoriasis?
Many environmental factors can cause psoriasis, but it can also be about stress.
To prevent psoriasis, it is best to keep an eye on your moisturizing routine. Nourish your skin and treat dry patches and redness as soon as you see them. Avoid exposing yourself to harsh weather conditions, even the sun. Even though light therapy can help with psoriasis, severe sunburn can also cause it.
Avoid dry, and cold weather, or use proper skincare if you are unable to avoid it. It is unsure what exactly triggers psoriasis, but the most probable is a problem in the immune system. You may not succeed at stopping it, but you can control it, treat it, and make living with it easier.
How can Skineez help?
Skineez specializes in skincare garments. This means that all our garments are infused with an amazing formula of 5 essential ingredients that moisturize, hydrate, and nurture the skin.
One of our top products are hydrating compression gloves. People with arthritis often use these gloves because of their compression properties, but they are also a remedy for dry skin, or people suffering from eczema.
Strong moisturizers penetrate deep into the skin while you wear the gloves, helping those with skin sensitive to cold weather to conquer it.
The compression also boosts blood flow, encouraging a healthy circulatory system.
The Skineez Hydrating gloves are not a remedy for psoriasis, but they can be an easy and simple supplier of daily hydrating and moisturizers. You only need to put them on, and not think about moisturizing. They do it for you.
Our customers reported younger-looking skin and relief after only hours of using the gloves. Read more about the formula we made from skin-healthy, natural ingredients, and tell us what you think.
Use our 30% discount to treat yourself with Hydrating gloves that can support you through your treatment and give you daily relief.
You can check out all our products here.
And be sure to check out our newest product – hydrating skin-healthy face masks.