Psoriasis Awareness Month - Are you joining the Psoriasis Awareness Month campaign? We’ve got facts to help you make a positive impact!

Psoriasis Awareness Month 2024 – August 2024

Psoriasis Awareness Month or Psoriasis Action Month holds throughout August yearly. This holiday aims to educate the public about psoriasis and enlighten patients on topics surrounding causes, triggers, and treatment methods. The event was first observed in October 1997 as a full-scale national awareness campaign, publicizing relevant facts about psoriasis through newspapers, radio, and television. Thankfully, psoriasis is treatable; however, dissemination of vital information on all aspects of the disease is necessary, which is the aim of this month.

History of Psoriasis Awareness Month

National Psoriasis Awareness Month began in 1997 as an initiative of the National Psoriasis Foundation (N.P.F.). It was initially observed in October but was later moved to August because there were already numerous awareness days in October. Another important reason for the change was that August is a time of year that allows for activities, such as swimming and sunbathing, which expose the skin. Moreover, the sun has a positive effect on psoriasis.Psoriasis is a condition characterized by scaly, red, and raised patches on the skin, especially on the elbows, knees, and scalp; however, it could also affect other areas in the body. Psoriasis often causes itching, burning, and stinging in affected areas. Though its etiology is unclear to medical experts, psoriasis occurs when the life cycle of skin cells increases, causing a buildup of excess skin cells that form red patches and scales. Scientists believe that genetics and the immune system are contributory factors to the development of psoriasis.Psoriasis affects people differently, with varying levels of severity. For severe cases, 10% or more of the patient’s skin may be affected by the disease. In mild cases, less than 3% is affected by psoriasis; however, psoriasis affects between 3% to 10% of the skin in moderate cases. Because psoriasis is often cyclical, particular triggers, such as infections, skin injuries, heavy alcohol consumption, vitamin D deficiency, stress, emotional trauma, certain medications, and smoking, may lead to an episode. Thankfully, psoriasis has various treatment options — creams and ointments can clear skin patches in mild-to-moderate cases. Light therapy, including U.V.B. phototherapy, Goeckerman therapy, and psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA), can also be employed. For severe psoriasis, retinoids, methotrexate, and cyclosporine are the drugs of choice.

Psoriasis Awareness Month timeline

129 B.C. to 99 B.C.
The Word ‘Psora’ is First Used

‘Psora,’ meaning ‘desquamative ailment,’ is first used by Galen.

1809
Willan Describes Psoriasis

Robert Willan, the ‘Grandfather of Dermatology,’ becomes the first to give a clearly-defined description of psoriasis.

1841
Hebra Separates Leprosy from Psoriasis

Ferdinand von Hebra becomes the first to dissociate leprosy from psoriasis, leading to the ultimate separation of the two disease entities.

1997
Launching of Psoriasis Awareness Month

Psoriasis Awareness Month holds for the first time in October.

2017
A Name Change Occurs

“Psoriasis Awareness Month” is renamed “Psoriasis Action Month” during the event’s 20th anniversary.

Psoriasis Awareness Month FAQs

How do you diagnose psoriasis?

A dermatologist examines the individual’s skin, nails, and scalp or recommends a biopsy.

Is psoriasis contagious through kissing?

No, it is not. You also cannot catch the condition by brushing up against someone who has it or swimming in the same water.

Is there a psoriasis Foundation?

On March 14, 1967, the National Psoriasis Foundation began as the Psoriasis Society of Oregon.

How to Observe Psoriasis Awareness Month

  1. Donate

    Donate to a psoriasis-centered organization. Donations go a long way in funding more research on the disease and assisting individuals unable to afford proper treatment.

  2. End misinformation

    Join the campaign to end misinformation on psoriasis. Enlighten people using facts to dispel myths and encourage patients to seek proper treatment.

  3. Create awareness

    Let others know that August is Psoriasis Awareness Month. Paste a flier on your window or volunteer at a psoriasis organization to fight against psoriasis.

5 Important Facts About Psoriasis

  1. Plaque psoriasis

    This is the most common type of psoriasis and manifests as raised, red patches covered by a white buildup of cells.

  2. Guttate psoriasis

    This type of psoriasis is common in children and young adults and usually appears as lesions.

  3. Inverse psoriasis

    This type of psoriasis usually appears as red lesions in skin folds, such as behind the knees, the breast folds, the armpits, and the groin.

  4. Pustular psoriasis

    It causes white skin eruptions and commonly occurs on the hands and feet.

  5. Erythrodermic psoriasis

    This type of psoriasis leads to painful and itchy redness over large areas of the skin.

Why Psoriasis Awareness Month is Important

  1. Awareness is created

    Continuous awareness of psoriasis is necessary as some people are unaware of its existence. This month provides ample time for circulating accurate information about psoriasis and tips to help patients.

  2. Myths dismissed

    People with psoriasis often get asked annoying and offensive questions about their disease because of false societal beliefs. Psoriasis Awareness Month helps dispel such false beliefs and information that people have about psoriasis.

  3. Support for patients

    Some patients with psoriasis are stigmatized and ostracized because of their skin condition, which should not be the case. Psoriasis Awareness Month helps tackle this bias.

Psoriasis Awareness Month dates

Year Date Day
2023 August 1 Tuesday
2024 August 1 Thursday
2025 August 1 Friday
2026 August 1 Saturday
2027 August 1 Sunday
DOGust 1st: Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
Spider-Man Day
Respect For Parents Day
National Minority Donor Awareness Day
Lammas Day
Rounds Resounding Day
National Raspberry Cream Pie Day
Scout Scarf Day
World Wide Web Day
National Girlfriend Day
Play Ball Day
World Lung Cancer Day
Planner Day
Switzerland National Day
Albariño Day
Colorado Day
Benin Independence Day
International Can-It Forward Day
National Promise to Care Day
Lughnasadh
National Day of Benin
Homemade Pie Day
National IPA Day (India Pale Ale Beer)
Guadalcanal Province Day
Santo Domingo Celebrations Start
India Pale Ale Day
International Childfree Day
National Andrew Day
Woman Astronomers Day
Santo Domingo Celebrations Start
Emancipation Day (Guyana)
Yorkshire Day
Start Up Day Across America
Coolio's Birthday
Robert Van Tromp's Birthday
Hailey Peters's Birthday
Jerry Garcia's Birthday
Jason Momoa's Birthday
International Clown Week
National Minority Donor Awareness Week
National Eisteddfod
World Breastfeeding Week
National Immunization Awareness Month
National Eye Exam Month
National Catfish Month
National Goat Cheese Month
National Panini Month
National Traffic Awareness Month
Child Support Awareness Month
Happiness Happens Month
Motorsports Awareness Month
MedicAlert Awareness Month
National Sandwich Month
American Artist Appreciation Month
American Adventures Month
National Hair Loss Awareness Month
National Peach Month
Family Fun Month
Summer Sun Safety Month
Gastroparesis Awareness Month
National Language Month
Psoriasis Awareness Month
Brecon Jazz Festival
National Civility Month
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month
National Golf Month
Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
Black Business Month
Rawgust
National Breastfeeding Month
​Back to School Month