“Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, and I’m sensitive”
Cara Delevingne
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease (a disease with an unclear cause that is characterized by inflammation caused by dysfunction of the immune system) that causes inflammation in the body. There may be visible signs of the inflammation such as raised plaques (plaques may look different for different skin types) and scales on the skin.¹
Psoriasis is not contagious, you cannot catch psoriasis from another person.
One study from 2015 brought out that psoriasis is highly stigmatized², the common belief being that it’s contagious. If you know someone with psoriasis, you can help to educate others about the realities of this disease, offering better support for sufferers of this condition. This is important, as stigma can be stressful, and stress can trigger psoriasis flares.
Treatment can range from topical (applied to the skin), to phototherapy, to prescription drugs. Since people can have different forms of psoriasis that can affect them differently, treatments can vary.
So what is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a challenging condition that affects both body and mind. But, what it isn’t is contagious or infectious. August is Psoriasis Action Month. We here at Graham-Field send our love and support to both the sufferers, and to the healthcare providers and others, who care for them.
The information offered here is not medical advice and is not intended to replace guidance offered by your medical professionals.
