For Your Better Health - August 2022

August is National Psoriasis Awareness Month!

Here are some helpful facts:

• Psoriasis can appear anywhere on the body, even on the eyelids, ears, lips, skin folds, hands, feet and nails.

• It occurs because the overactive immune system speeds up skin cell growth. Normal skin cells completely grow and shed in a month. With psoriasis, skin cells do this in only three or four days. Instead of shedding, the skin cells pile up on the surface of the skin.

• A significant percentage of psoriasis patients may end up developing psoriatic arthritis. The symptoms of this disease can reflect those of rheumatoid arthritis (swollen, painful, and stiff joints).

• Psoriasis is not contagious, you can't catch it from another person. Usually, something triggers psoriasis, causing symptoms to appear or worsen. Triggers vary from person to person.

• There are many treatment options available, but there is still no cure for this disease. Treating psoriasis can help improve symptoms as well as lower the risk of developing other health conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, heart disease, obesity, diabetes and depression.