Wednesday, 30 October 2013

Today is National Psoriasis Day – Don’t let the condition ruin your life!

A quarter of people in the UK suffering with the inflammatory skin condition psoriasis claim their relationship has ended because of the symptoms they were afflicted with.

New research shows that four in 10 people with psoriasis say they have been dumped after their partner found them unattractive. Furthermore, 16% of those with the skin problem have cancelled a date because of it and 15% refuse to go on holiday due to worries about having to show off skin.

The findings were part of a report published ahead of today’s National Psoriasis Day – a global event that aims to give an international voice to the 125 million people around the world who suffer with psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis. The day will also hopefully raise awareness of the psychological impact that living with the condition can have and letting those affected discuss the day-to-day impact of managing the chronic inflammatory condition.

The new research shows to some extent how some of the 1.8 million sufferers in the UK try and deal with a condition that has been nicknamed eczema’s ‘cousin’.

One in six sufferers say that their psoriasis has hindered their progress at work, whilst four in 10 psoriasis patients claimed others have had a repulsed look at them and over of half of sufferers have co-workers who behave differently around them.

Of the 125 million around the world effected by psoriasis, there are some celebrities in this total. Reality show star Kim Kardashian and supermodel Cara Delivingne, who have both previously spoken of their battles against the condition, explaining how it has impacted their careers.

Delevingne has even deliberated walking away from the catwalk if her psoriasis becomes too problematic.

When interviewed by W Magazine, she commented: “It only happened during the Fashion Weeks, which are, of course, the worst time of year for me to be covered in scabs. Psoriasis is an auto-immune disease, and I’m sensitive.”

Kardashian has also stress her fears for her career, saying: “My career is doing ad campaigns and swimsuit photo shoots. People don’t understand the pressure on me to look perfect.”

It can be underestimated the psychical and mental impact that the skin condition can have for those who have it, and Medical Specialists Pharmacy is fully supportive of awareness campaigns that will promote more knowledge, understanding, and empathy towards ‘lesser known’ ailments.

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring skin disease that unfortunately is often a life-long problem, and an estimated 2% of the population in the UK. It causes red, flaky, patchy and scaly skin that is usually on the scalp, lower back, elbows and knees, but can appear  anywhere on the  body.

After developing psoriasis, those who have it find that it tends to come and go throughout their life and flare-ups can occur quite randomly. Most people are usually only affected in small patches, but these patches may be itchy and sore.

Psoriasis occurs when skin cells are replaced faster than at a normal speed. As yet, health experts have not yet fully established why this can happen to some people. However, it is generally believed there are probably a mixture of reasons that cause it, such as genetic predisposition and environmental factors.

For instance, approximately one in three people with psoriasis also has a close relative who has the condition. A lot of people with psoriasis will see their symptoms begin or become worse due to ‘triggers’, including: smoking, alcohol, stress, a skin-related injury such as a cut, scrape, insect bite or sunburn (known as the Koebner response) and certain medications.

T/Gel is recommended by dermatologists for chronic scalp psoriasis treatment, seborrhoeic dermatitis and even common dandruff. Clinical tests have shown the active ingredients in T/Gel carry on working for hours after the shampoo has been rinsed off, and also works to leave hair looking healthy and manageable.

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