August is National Psoriasis Awareness Month
August is National Psoriasis Awareness Month in the US. Here’s what you need to know more about the skin condition that affects families.
Every year, August has been designated as National Psoriasis Awareness Month. According to a JAMA Dermatology 2021 report, Psoriasis actually affects close to 3% of the adult population in the US which is about 7.5 million adults.
But what is Psoriasis and what is the cause of it? Here is what we found out from the National Psoriasis Association.

What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is considered an auto-immune disease that inflames the body. Symptoms include dry and scaley skin, redness, and itchiness. It can appear in different parts of the body including the face.
Psoriasis can appear anytime and can affect any age, color, and gender. Yes, children included.
It’s not yet known what really triggers psoriasis but genetics and the immune system are factors as to why the body gets inflamed. But stress, injury to the skin, illness, and the weather have been attributed as reasons for psoriasis inflammation as well.
How different is it from Eczema?
While eczema and psoriasis almost have the same symptoms such as rashes and redness, there are some differences. According to a Penn Medicine report, the underlying causes are what determine whether you have eczema or psoriasis.
Jeffrey Millstein, a physician, said: “Psoriasis tends to cause milder itching and, in some less common types of psoriasis, a terrible burn. Eczema, on the other hand, can lead to very intense itching. When it starts to become severe, some people scratch their skin so hard that it bleeds.”
Another difference between psoriasis and eczema is the areas where it occurs. Eczema normally targets the back of the knees and the elbows. Meanwhile, Psoriasis may hit anywhere like the scalp, knees, hands, and buttocks — to name a few.

How to treat Psoriasis
Scientists and medical doctors have yet to find a real cure for psoriasis. But over the years, topical creams have been created to ease the inflammation. Light therapy and oral or injected medication have also been prescribed.
Some of the common topical creams as listed by the Mayo Clinic are:
- Corticosteroids
- Vitamin D analogues
- Retinoids
- Calcineurin inhibitors
- Salicylic acid
- Coal tar
- Anthralin
Before getting any topical cream for treatment, it’s best to check with your doctor first.
Having psoriasis is not the end of the world. It can be challenging considering the itchiness and symptoms on the skin. But if properly treated, it will ease not only your body but boost your confidence, too! What’s important is to bring more awareness to the condition and hope for a day when a proper cure can make it disappear.
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