PSORIASIS PATIENT HANDOUT

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition characterized by raised, red, scaly patches of skin called plaques. It is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells.

• It is not contagious.
• Scratching makes it worse, so try not to scratch!
• A healthy diet is important. People with active psoriasis are 36% more likely be in the highest third of daily ultraprocessed food intake, compared to people who do not have psoriasis. So avoid the cakes, cookies and donuts!
• Weight gain can trigger psoriasis. For new-onset psoriasis the first question should be, "Have you gained weight recently?" If yes, weight loss can cure it!
  
• In one study of 784 patients from Greece, the mean age of onset was 31 years. The man:woman ratio was 1.8:1. 35% of patients reported a positive family history of psoriasis. Flares occurred 2.6 times per year on average. The patients considered stress as the main cause for psoriasis exacerbation.
• Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke are both independent risk factors for the development of psoriasis. One study found that long-term smokers had almost double the risk of psoriasis when compared to those who've never smoked.
• Patients with psoriasis are at higher risk for various diseases including heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. Taking some of the newer psoriasis medications actually reduces many of these risks.
• About 15% of patients with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis. If you have psoriasis, tell your dermatologist about any joint pains.

Treatment, Brief Overview

• Don't smoke.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Consider a GLP-1 agonist (e.g. Ozempic, Victoza, Trulicity, Mounjaro) if overweight.
• See a dermatologist!

There are many excellent therapies for psoriasis ranging from topical medications to pills to shots. Unfortunately, none of these are OTC. Anyone with psoriasis should see a dermatologist.

RegionalDerm

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