7 Psoriasis Myths You Shouldn’t Believe

Although public knowledge of psoriasis is increasing, there are still many misconceptions we need to address.

In the last 10 years or so, psoriasis has made its way into the limelight.

From commercials pushing various treatments for the disease to Kim Kardashian publicizing her psoriasis diagnosis on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” psoriasis has become more mainstream than ever. I’ll bet most people have heard the term “psoriasis,” even if they don’t know the exact details of the disease.

Although public knowledge of psoriasis is increasing, there are still many misconceptions that need to be addressed.

You might be surprised by what you thought you knew and what you still don’t know. Check out these common myths people still believe about psoriasis:

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Myth 1: Psoriasis is just a “skin thing”

Often, when I ask people how much they know about psoriasis, they refer to it as simply “having dry skin.” Many people believe that psoriasis is just a cosmetic issue — something that can be easily remedied with the right lotions or soaps.

This is totally false.

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease that causes raised, scaly, discolored patches to appear on the skin. Depending on your skin color, this discoloration can appear red, purple, or brown.

It all begins with an overactive immune system telling your body to create skin cells that it doesn’t really need.

While typical skin cells die after about 21 to 28 days, skin cells in a person with psoriasis replicate and die within 4 to 7 days.

Due to this accelerated process, dead skin cells don’t have enough time to flake off the body. Instead, they build on top of the skin, causing patches and inflammation.

Myth 2: There’s only one type of psoriasis

The most common form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis, which affects up to 80% of people with the disease. But it’s not the only type.

There are four other types of psoriasis, which include:

• guttate
• inverse
• pustular
• erythrodermic

Each form of psoriasis has different symptoms and requires different forms of treatment.

Erythrodermic psoriasis usually develops in people with an unstable form of plaque psoriasis. It can be life threatening and requires unique emergency treatment.

Guttate psoriasis is commonly triggered by strep throat and is characterized by dot-like spots resembling bug bites on the body.

Inverse psoriasis is a form of the disease found in body folds, while pustular psoriasis creates non-infectious red blisters with pus.

No form of psoriasis is contagious.

Myth 3: Psoriasis is due to bad hygiene

I’ve heard many horror stories from people with psoriasis. Some people have been accused of “being dirty” as the reason for their plaques and dry skin. This misconception is even more common in people who have scalp psoriasis.

Some people wrongly believe that plaque buildup and flakes on the scalp are due to a person not shampooing their hair enough. Again, this is a myth that can cause severe insecurities and embarrassment for people dealing with psoriasis.

Myth 4: It’s actually eczema

At times, people mistake psoriasis for eczema. Eczema is another skin condition that causes itchy, inflamed skin, but it is not the same as psoriasis.

Eczema affects over 31 million people in the United States and is much more common than psoriasis, which affects around 8 million people in the United States.

This myth is so common that many people I’ve spoken with who have psoriasis shared experiences of being misdiagnosed with eczema when their skin issues first appeared. It wasn’t until after failed treatments or a skin biopsy that they learned they had psoriasis and not eczema.

Although the diseases are different, the American Academy of Dermatology says that a person can have both conditions at the same time.

Myth 5: Getting rid of psoriasis is as simple as changing your diet

I can’t begin to express how exhausting it becomes to have people tell you that changing your diet will cure your disease.

It’s important to understand that this disease is different for everyone, and currently, there’s no cure. What may affect one person may not affect another.

Therefore, while diet changes work for some, they may not work for everyone with the disease.

The common suggestions I hear are to go gluten-free, eliminate sugar and dairy, and avoid nightshade vegetables. A diet adjustment is not as easy as just saying it — it takes a real lifestyle change, which can be difficult for many people.

What’s more, experts say there is no single treatment plan that works for everyone with psoriasis. With that said, research is ongoing, and some people swear by diet changes.

Myth 6: Psoriasis doesn’t affect the rest of your health

While psoriasis symptoms are most apparent on the skin, people living with psoriasis have a higher risk of developing at least 10 other health conditions, including:

• depression
• cancer
• cardiovascular disease
• arthritis
• irritable bowel disease (IBD)
• diabetes

Due to the mechanics of this disease, depression and other mental health conditions commonly occur in people with psoriasis.

A 2020 research review noted common factors between the two conditions. Each can amplify the other, making treatment for both conditions an important consideration.

Psoriasis can affect your self-esteem, relationships, quality of life, ability to sleep, and much more. It’s important to understand the full scope of the effects of psoriasis and know that they go beyond skin-deep.

Myth 7: Psoriasis only affects white people

Psoriasis can affect all people. It’s a misconception that people of color do not get psoriasis.

While people of all races and ethnicities can be diagnosed with psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, it’s more frequently seen in white populations compared to African American or Hispanic populations. However, reported diagnoses may not reflect the reality of how many people are affected.

Why? Psoriasis may be underdiagnosed and undertreated in people with dark skin tones. This may be due to a combination of factors, including a lack of physician experience in identifying psoriasis on dark skin, the lack of diversity in advertising for treatment options, and socioeconomic and insurance status.

Takeaway

Thanks to growing awareness and better research, more people understand psoriasis and psoriasis treatments today. Even so, the common misconceptions surrounding the disease can result in stigma and setbacks for those living with a condition that’s more serious than many suspect.

If you know someone with psoriasis, take a minute to talk with them about what you still might not know. And if you live with psoriasis, don’t be afraid to speak up. The more myths we can bust, the faster we’ll progress.

What common psoriasis myths do you still hear about? Share them with us!