Sorry not sorry about psoriasis
RizalMed offers a unique, comprehensive approach to treatment
Discrimination, bullying, lack of school or work opportunities, social problems, mental health issues, and isolation—these are all beyond the skin condition that psoriasis patients suffer from, until today. Even if psoriasis is not uncommon, with one to two percent of Filipinos suffering from the disorder according to Psoriasis Philippines, the stigma is still there. And this is one of the things that the Rizal Medical Center Department of Dermatology aims to eradicate with the recent media launch of the RizalMed Psoriasis Center.
Psoriasis is an inflammatory, autoimmune lifelong disease wherein skin cells grow at a pace much faster than normal, causing lesions, sores, and dry and scaly patches on the skin that can be painful, sensitive, or itchy (plaque psoriasis). When psoriasis affects the nails it may look thick, rough with small dents, and sometimes discolored. Other types of psoriasis are scalp psoriasis, guttate psoriasis (where smaller patches appear on the trunk, legs, and arms), inverse psoriasis (caused by friction, appears on skin folds such as the breasts, underarm, navel, or groin area), and pustular psoriasis (more uncommon, creates pus-filled blisters, and may also cause itching, fever, and chills).
Up to one-third of psoriasis patients may even develop psoriatic arthritis that affect joints, causing pain, stiffness, and additional discomfort. Psoriasis may be mild to severe, and may manifest from childhood, but is more common to develop from 15 to 35 years of age, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.
A combination of genetics and environmental triggers strongly contribute to a patient’s susceptibility to the disease. Unfortunately, only those with close family members or who know someone who has it fully understand the condition. And because of what psoriasis looks like, the rest are still bound by the stigma that it is contagious or infectious, with some refusing to shake their hands or make friends with them, not allowing them to use public facilities, being bullied at school or being denied of work opportunities, affecting their quality of life and overall well-being.
Psychologically, patients may also suffer from anger, anxiety, depression, poor performance, low self-confidence, and social problems, making psoriasis not only a skin condition but a debilitating physical, mental, and psychological condition. Because of this, psoriasis must be treated on a “multidisciplinary approach,” according to Dr. Jaime
Nunez, the head of the Psychosocial
Committee and a fellow, and head of the ethics committee of the Philippine Dermatological Society, because aside from the type of psoriasis, doctors also have to assess the age of the patient, its severity, and other related illnesses that the patient has. And this is what the recent media launch was all about, as RizalMed Psoriasis Center has a dedicated team of medical professionals that include dermatologists, rheumatologists, cardiologists, and more that work together in providing a complete, more effective approach in psoriasis treatment and management.
With the center having opened since April 2018, RizalMed is also a part of the Service Delivery Network, a system of health facilities providing health care services within a given area, where it plays a role in catering to patients for those with moderate to severe psoriasis, or special cases beyond the scope of primary health care providers. In the long term, RizalMed aims to have psoriasis centers nationwide. Non-profit organization Psoriasis Philippines was also present at the launch as it discussed its program, PsorCoach, that offers education and support to psoriasis patients by providing them with information from various treatment options, teaching them how to cope, and giving them hope amid their condition.
Understanding the disease, empathy for patients, and actively sharing correct information about psoriasis could significantly help in removing its stigma. While there is still a long way to go, RizalMed is worthy of recognition for being the first medical center that focuses on the holistic treatment of psoriasis that include patient support, education, research, and public awareness. Hopefully, in the near future, patients need not to feel sorry about psoriasis anymore.
Understanding the disease, empathy for patients, and actively sharing correct information about psoriasis could significantly help in removing its stigma.