“My son has psoriasis. What should I know?”

Psoriasis is an immunologic condition of a) recurring, often disturbing-looking, scaly, thick and red patches in the skin; b) nail changes, and c) thick patches in the scalp. The condition can affect 10% of the body in mild cases to 20% or more of the body in severe cases (which can also come with mild to debilitating arthritis). As unnerving as the skin lesions can be, they are NOT infectious or contagious. In fact, psoriasis is just a form of allergy, much like a contact dermatitis or eczema. Stress is a big trigger and people with psoriasis can feel stressed or depressed about their appearance, the daily treatments they have to spend time on, and the expense of therapy. Relatives, friends, and caregivers need to be educated about the condition to provide a strong support system. Doctors must find the time to listen to their patients and watch for clues that are possible triggers for flare ups, and for comorbidities that may be signs of common causes of inflammation that can then trigger obesity, hypertension, diabetes, or arthritis.

Psoriasis groups exist all over the world and are great sources of assistance for treatment recommendations and subsidies as well as emotional support and even psoriasis-friendly career searches. A great place to start: the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations www.ifpa-pso.org.