In honor of National Psoriasis Awareness Month, Windsor Dermatology recently issued a press release announcing our list of top myths about psoriasis. Here is an excerpt from that press release below. Do you have psoriasis? Let us know what other myths you have come across and help us uncover the truth behind this disease...
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease in the U.S., affecting nearly 7.5 million Americans. Dr. Jerry Bagel, a leading provider in medical dermatological care for over 25 years and member of NPF’s Medical Board, dispels the myths about psoriasis and urges residents to help spread awareness and find a cure.
“People affected with psoriasis
often feel emotional, psychological and physical strains that take a
significant toll on their well-being,” said Bagel, who is Medical Director of
the Psoriasis
Treatment Center of Central New Jersey. “We need to make the public aware
of psoriasis facts to help ease the fear brought on by fiction.”
The most common psoriasis
myths are:
1. Myth: Psoriasis is
contagious.
Fact: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, not an infection, meaning you can’t contract the disease by being in contact with it.
Fact: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, not an infection, meaning you can’t contract the disease by being in contact with it.
2. Myth: Poor hygiene causes
psoriasis.
Fact: Psoriasis is a
genetic disorder and is not caused by hygienic practices.
3. Myth: There is no
treatment for psoriasis.
Fact: The fact is, there
is no cure for psoriasis but many different treatments are available to help
lessen the symptoms. Biologic agents developed over the past 15
years have improved quality of life for patients significantly.
4. Myth: Psoriasis is a skin
or cosmetic condition.
Fact: Psoriasis has
significant cosmetic concerns, however it is more significantly associated with
systemic involvement such as arthritis, diabetes, obesity, depression and
cardiovascular disease.
5. Myth: Red patches on your
skin mean you have psoriasis
Fact: Red patches can be a
symptom of eczema and other skin disorders. The only way to diagnose psoriasis
is to consult with a dermatologist who will conduct medical tests to confirm
the diagnosis.
Psoriasis Awareness Month provides
an opportunity for people affected by psoriasis to directly participate in
spreading local and national awareness to help find a cure. As “Citizen
Pscientists,” psoriasis patients are encouraged this year to participate in
ongoing research on the disease. For more information about Psoriasis Awareness
Month, visit www.citizenpscientist.org.
Dr. Bagel is board certified
in dermatology and is a fellow of the American Academy
of Dermatology. His practice in East
Windsor, New Jersey
is home to the Psoriasis Treatment Center of Central New Jersey, the only
treatment center in the region. He has been named one of the top doctors in the
state by New Jersey Monthly magazine
and a Top Doc in the Castle Connolly survey of physicians every year for the
past 10 years. A Senior Attending Physician at the University Medical Center at
Princeton, Dr. Bagel is regularly invited to speak across the country about the
treatment of various dermatological conditions.
For more information about
Windsor Dermatology, please visit www.windsordermatology.com.
Hello, I just wanted to say thanks for sharing this information. With close to 8 million Americans who are living with some form of psoriasis, and I bet most people have no idea that it is an autoimmune disease. As you already know, it tends to make patients feel extremely self-conscious and embarrassed. But they don't have to hide their disease from the people who are close to them. I think another great aspect of Psoriasis Awareness Month is showing people that they don't have to hide because of their psoriasis.
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