Skin in the Game
By Mark Loehrke
Appears in the August 2025 issue.
Building momentum in the fight against a common affliction
Not so long ago, asking someone on the street if they knew anything about psoriasis was probably something of a 50-50 proposition. About half might have been familiar with the chronic skin condition because they were among the roughly 8 million Americans dealing with it (or knew someone who was) or were in the health care field. The other half, meanwhile, probably never heard of it.
These days, almost anybody who watches TV can’t help but have at least a passing knowledge of psoriasis, thanks to the abundance of tune-filled commercials for a variety of pharmaceutical treatments targeting the condition. Despite their potential to implant an unwelcome earworm, those commercials are nevertheless a positive development on two fronts: First, they raise awareness, which can lead to both better understanding and wider support for research and treatment, and, second, they exist because there are more treatment options available for psoriasis patients than ever before.
But if those catchy songs are still the extent of your psoriasis knowledge, here are five important things to know during Psoriasis Action Month (see sidebar), according to board-certified dermatologist Nour Al-Hadidi, at Oak Dermatology in Naperville.
WHAT IS PSORIASIS?
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition. Plaque psoriasis, the most common type, causes raised, inflamed, scaly spots on the skin called plaques. Some patients may only have a few spots, while others may suffer more widespread coverage.
THE CAUSES OF PSORIASIS
Genetic predisposition is the most notable contributing factor—about 40 percent of patients have a family history of the disease or a related condition called psoriatic arthritis. Beyond genetic factors, some environmental and lifestyle triggers can contribute to the onset or worsening of psoriasis, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, infections (especially streptococcal throat infections), certain medications (beta-blockers, lithium), and stress.
A PAINFULLY OBVIOUS AFFLICTION
In addition to physical discomfort from symptoms like itching, dryness, and cracking, Al-Hadidi says people with psoriasis often face significant physical and emotional challenges due to the visible nature of the disease. In addition, they often grapple with widespread misunderstanding surrounding psoriasis in society, with many assuming it’s contagious (it’s not).
TAKING CARE
Al-Hadidi notes that psoriasis is more than just a skin disease—up to 30 percent of patients develop psoriatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory joint disease that can lead to permanent joint damage if not treated. Individuals with psoriasis are also at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
“Because of these systemic associations, it’s crucial for patients to seek medical care not only for active skin or joint symptoms but also to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle,” she says. “This includes maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and avoiding smoking—all of which can have a positive impact on overall health and long-term outcomes.”
IMPROVEMENT
With the recent availability of effective therapies, Al-Hadidi says many psoriasis patients no longer have to endure the same burdens of the disease that once existed. While there is still no known cure, psoriasis these days can be effectively managed with a variety of treatments that aim to reduce or completely clear active skin lesions. For patients with more limited disease, there are a variety of topical medications to help improve symptoms, while more widespread or severe psoriasis may be treated with oral and injectable medications.
Action Month
The National Psoriasis Foundation promotes Psoriasis Action Month, which focuses on meaningful steps to take in the fight against the condition, including sharing patient stories and raising money for research. For more information, visit psoriasis.org/psoriasis-action-month.
Photo: Oak Dermatology. Art: istock
