Today is World Psoriasis Day

Conceived by patients for patients; World Psoriasis Day is a truly global event that sets out to give an international voice to the 125 million people with psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis.

On 29 October the International Federation of Psoriasis Association ( IFPA) its members associations and support groups perform activities all over the world to raise awareness about psoriasis and give people with psoriasis the attention and consideration they deserv.

This year, IFPA are marking World Psoriasis Day with the theme for 2010 'Childhood psoriasis - a challenge for all', a new campaign where activities on both a national and global level will be introduced that aim to involve as many children as possible from all over the world to participate. As part of the material for the campaign, the association will be presenting the World Psoriasis Day Teddy bear, an appropriate symbol for the children who are affected by this condition.

Psoriasis is a non-contagious disease, chronic disorder which typically consists of red patches covered by a silvery white scale. It is commonly found on the elbow, knees, lower back and scalp. The exact cause is not known heredity seem to play a role in a person being predisposed to developing Psoriasis. Factors such as skin injury, emotional stress, certain medication and changes in the level of the body natural hormones are thought to help trigger the development of Psoriasis.

For more information about psoriasis visit the South African Psoriasis Association website www.psoriasis.org.za/.