INFOGRAPHICPSORIASIS

Surprising Facts About Psoriasis

December 11, 2023
PSORIASIS IS COMMON 125 million people worldwide have psoriasis. That’s over 2% of the population. In the U.S., more than 8 million people have psoriasis. PSORIASIS IS NOT CONTAGIOUS IT’S GENETIC Scientists have discovered about 25 genetic variants that make someone more likely to have psoriatic disease. About 1 in 3 people with psoriasis say they also have a family member with the condition. What are the odds? If one parent has psoriasis, their child has a 10% chance of developing it. If two parents have psoriasis, their child has a 50% chance of developing it. Often, a stressful life event, injury, or illness triggers the first psoriasis flare-up. QUALITY OF LIFE IS AFFECTED Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis affect emotional well‑being and enjoyment of life. People with the condition often report experiencing: • Anger • Frustration • Helplessness • Embarrassment • Self-consciousness • Pain • Itching People with psoriasis say the condition comes up in conversation more than 5.8 times per month, on average. 51% of those conversations include negative comments from others. PSORIASIS SYMPTOMS VARY 80 to 90% percent of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis. 80% of people with psoriasis will experience a flare-up on their scalp at some point. Nearly 25% of psoriasis cases are considered to be moderate to severe. Mild psoriasis covers <3% of the body. Moderate psoriasis covers 3 to 10% of the body. Severe psoriasis covers >10% of the body. *Your hand usually represents about 1% of the skin’s surface. Symptom intensity and location can also factor into the severity. PEOPLE TRY MANY METHODS TO SEEK RELIEF Prescription medications and OTC options are the most common ways to treat psoriasis. However, many people try natural treatments to seek relief. According to one survey, 20% of people with psoriasis have tried taking vitamins 19% have made dietary changes 16% have tried topical herbs or botanicals 10% have taken Dead Sea salt baths 10% have meditated 8% have practiced yoga 6% have tried acupuncture 43% would recommend a natural or alternative treatment to others with psoriasis. SOURCE: JAAD JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY *Talk to your doctor before trying any psoriasis treatment or natural remedy. People who follow a Mediterranean diet are less likely to report severe psoriasis symptoms. 52.3% of people with psoriasis are dissatisfied with their current medical treatment. CELEBRITIES WITH PSORIASIS • Kim Kardashian West • Jonathan Van Ness • LeAnn Rimes • Jon Lovitz • Cara Delevingne • Liam Gallagher • Cyndi Lauper • Phil Mickelson SOURCES American Academy of Dermatology, “Medications and Light Therapies.” American Academy of Dermatology, “Psoriasis: Overview.” American Academy of Dermatology, “What Psoriasis Treatments Are Available Without a Prescription?” Armstrong, A., et al. (2012) Quality of Life and Work Productivity Impairment among Psoriasis Patients: Findings from the National Psoriasis Foundation Survey Data 2003–2011. PLoS ONE Armstrong, A., et al. (2013) Undertreatment, Treatment Trends, and Treatment Dissatisfaction Among Patients With Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis in the United States: Findings From the National Psoriasis Foundation Surveys, 2003-2011. JAMA Dermatology. Blakely, K. & Gooderham, M. (2016) Management of scalp psoriasis: current perspectives. Psoriasis (Auckland, N.Z.). Murphy, E.C., et al. (2019) Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with psoriasis. JAAD Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. National Psoriasis Foundation, “About Psoriasis.” 2020. National Psoriasis Foundation, “About psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in children.” National Psoriasis Foundation, “Genes and Psoriasis.” 2019. National Psoriasis Foundation, “Herbs and Natural Remedies.” 2019. National Psoriasis Foundation, “Psoriasis Fact Sheet.” 2017. National Psoriasis Foundation, “Statistics.” Phan, C., et al. (2018) Association Between Mediterranean Anti-inflammatory Dietary Profile and Severity of PsoriasisResults From the NutriNet-Santé Cohort. JAMA Dermatology.