While there’s more information out there about psoriasis now, that doesn’t mean it’s all correct. Whether you’re dealing with the condition yourself or you know someone who has it, it’s important to separate facts from fiction. Knowing that will make it easier for you to handle the condition well.
1. Psoriasis Only Comes In One Form
There are actually seven types of psoriasis, which differ based on their symptoms and severity. Plaque psoriasis is by far the most common and is characterized by large, red patches on the skin. The guttate form has small lesions while inverse psoriasis is moist instead of dry. Pustular psoriasis has pus-filled blisters and the scalp type of the disease only affects the scalp. Nail psoriasis causes an issue with the nails and psoriatic erythroderma is associated with significant skin peeling.
READ: It’s Not Dandruff, It’s Psoriasis!
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2. It’s Just About The Skin
The symptoms of psoriasis might be obvious on the outside but the illness is far from skin-deep. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system is attacking skin cells. That attack is what causes the characteristic symptoms of the disease. It’s also why the treatment of psoriasis has to go further than creams and lotions.
3. Psoriasis Is Contagious
Is psoriasis contagious? Depending on the symptoms, it’s easy for people to believe that psoriasis is contagious. However, this is not the case. As discussed in the previous point, psoriasis is related to your immune system and any external symptoms are a manifestation of that. The illness cannot be spread to anyone else.
4. You Can Cure Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a lifelong illness that cannot be cured. It can, however, be treated with medications that address the disease’s root cause. Doctors can also guide you on how to reduce the likelihood of having painful flare-ups when you’re dealing with the disease.
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READ:Ten Ways To Prevent Psoriasis Flare-Ups
5. Psoriasis Comes From Poor Hygiene
This is another myth that persists because of the appearance of symptoms in psoriasis. It’s important to note that the rashes, plaques, blisters, or lesions that are caused by
psoriasis have nothing to do with poor hygiene. They cannot be made better or worse by a shower.
6. It’s Really Just Eczema
While many people deal with eczema, psoriasis is a completely different disorder. The symptoms are different and they have different causes. According to health experts, it’s possible to be misdiagnosed with eczema when the symptoms of psoriasis first appear but specific skin tests will show the difference.
READ: The Difference Between Eczema & Psoriasis
7. Psoriasis Doesn’t Affect Black People
Although the symptoms of psoriasis can appear differently in African Americans, they’re affected just as much as other ethnicities. What has happened is that it’s taken some time for dermatologists to understand how to treat Black people with the disease. The misunderstanding has resulted in many people remaining undiagnosed.
8. It Only Affects Your Arms And Legs
Just as there are different types of psoriasis, the areas that are affected can also differ. The rashes are most likely to appear on the arms, legs, and scalp but they can pop up all over the body. Reports have shown that you can have rashes under the nails, on the soles of your feet, and even in the groin area. Of course, it’s important to note that if you’re not sure about a sudden rash in an unusual place, you should have it checked out.
9. The Disease Only Affects Young People
While the majority of people who are diagnosed with psoriasis are typically in their 20’s, the disease can affect anyone. Studies show that young children and older adults can develop psoriasis as well. In fact, there is a high incidence of the illness in the 50-60 age group.
10. Psoriasis Only Affects Women
As with the belief that only certain ethnicities have to deal with psoriasis, there is no basis for this gender-based myth. It has been shown that men and women are diagnosed with the illness on a fairly equal level.
There’s still a lot of work to be done when it comes to African Americans and psoriasis. In the meantime, it’s best to know what’s a myth and what you should apply to your life. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, it’s best to consult with your doctor.
