The National Psoriasis Foundation increases awareness about psoriatic disease in August, and Great Care joins in encouraging an active role in treating it.

“With tremendous advancements in the number of treatment options available today for people living with psoriasis, now more than ever, it’s easier to treat psoriasis and the results can be life-changing,” says the National Psoriasis Foundation.

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune mediated disease that most often appears on the skin as painful, raised, red, itchy patches. Men and women develop psoriasis at equal rates, and the disease occurs in all racial groups, however at varying rates.

“Scientists believe that at least 10 percent of people inherit one or more of the genes that could eventually lead to psoriasis. However, only 2 percent to 3 percent of the population develops the disease,” the NPF says. “Researchers believe that to develop psoriasis, a person must have a combination of the genes that cause psoriasis and be exposed to specific external factors known as ‘triggers.’ Psoriasis is not contagious. It is not something one can ‘catch’ from another person as psoriasis lesions are not infectious.”

By defining psoriasis for the general public and sharing the “Set Goals, Take Control” initiative, the NPF hopes patients continue to take an active role in treating their disease.

“Psoriasis Action Month focuses on empowering people with psoriasis to take control of their disease,” says the NPF. “Living with psoriasis can be an everyday battle — from aches and pains, exhaustion, risk of comorbid conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, to dealing with the stigma associated with such a visual disease. The best way for patients to fight psoriasis is to work with a healthcare professional to fully understand the physical and emotional impact of the disease and the various treatment options available for managing the disease.”

The Foundation provides helpful information and tools to set achievable treatment goals, track symptoms and help patients talk with their healthcare providers about treating psoriasis. The informative webpage, at www.psoriasis.org/psoriasis-action-month, educates patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals about the resources available to treat psoriatic disease, says the NPF.

“Throughout August, people impacted by psoriasis can participate in interactive quizzes that will help them better understand and manage their disease,” reports the NPF. “Quiz topics will range from how to set goals and treat psoriasis to achieve skin clearance, understanding your personal communication style, and testing your knowledge of psoriasis treatment options.”

According to the NPF, participants can opt in to receive a journaling kit to track symptoms and receive resources to guide conversations with healthcare providers. All quiz participants have the option to have a NPF Patient Navigator contact them directly to discuss finding a specialist in their area and getting started on treatment.

The NPF also hosts two Facebook Live interviews in August. The first, on Thursday, Aug. 10, will be a discussion between NPF Vice President of Research Programs, Michael Siegel, and April Armstrong M.D., NPF medical board member and associate dean of Clinical Research at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.

“They will discuss setting achievable treatment goals using a specific treatment strategy spearheaded by the NPF Medical Board,” the NPF says.

The second Facebook Live interview, on Thursday, Aug. 24, will be a discussion between Siegel, NPF volunteer Howard Chang, and his doctor, Emanuel Maverakis, M.D., associate professor at the University of California, Davis. The discussion will focus on how Chang and Maverakis have implemented and are tracking Chang’s psoriasis after utilizing the effective treatment strategy discussed with Dr. Armstrong on Aug. 10.

Patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals can benefit from the NPF’s available resources in treating psoriatic disease by following the organization on social media and visiting www.psoriasis.org/psoriasis-action-month for the exact time of each interview.

Follow the NPF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find information, memes and other resources to treat and manage psoriasis. Show support by sharing NPF social posts and updates with friends; use the hashtag #PsoriasisActionMonth.

For those who may have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, consult a dermatologist for a formal diagnosis and get started on a treatment plan. To answer questions, or for help in finding a dermatologist in your area, contact the National Psoriasis Foundation Patient Navigation Center at: www.psoriasis.org/navigationcenter. The NPF created the Patient Navigation Center in 2016 to offer personalized assistance to everyone with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. In addition, the NPF has funded more than $15 million in research grants and fellowships to date.

National Psoriasis Foundation is the world’s leading nonprofit fighting for individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. NPF is on a continued mission to drive efforts to cure psoriatic disease and dramatically improve the lives of more than 8 million Americans affected by this chronic immune mediated disease.

Learn more at www.psoriasis.org.

The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs, including respite care. Great Care is a non-medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Fishers, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (888) 240-9101 for more information.