The inflammatory skin disease psoriasis affects around 2% of people in the UK.
The condition causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin that are sometimes covered in silvery scales.
As well as being physically irritating, the condition can have an emotional effect on many sufferers.
In the above video, Stephanie Lamp, who suffers from psoriasis, says: “There’s really nothing about every day that isn’t affected by it. Relationships suffer a lot, you can’t do a lot of the things people want to do, or you’re embarrassed to do them.”
So how can psoriasis be treated?
The good news is that it’s not life-threatening. The bad news is that there is no complete cure.
Dermatologist Dr. Sandra Lee shares three treatment options which can help suffers manage symptoms.
She recommends a brand new pill named Otelzla which inhibits the inflammatory process within cells.
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An alternative could be light based therapy or “phototherapy.”
"It’s one of the few times as dermatologists that we actually recommend people expose themselves to ultra violet rays” says Dr lee.
"This light helps to decrease the size and thickness of the plaques and limit inflammation of the cells.”
Having said that, she does not advise tanning booths and recommends that patients visit their doctor for light laser treatment instead.
The last form of treatment Dr Lee recommends is a product called Derma Rescue, it helps to decrease flaking and increase penetration of topical steroids.
Different treatments will work for different people, so visit your GP to discuss the best option for you if think you may be suffering from psoriasis.
