There is treatment available for this chronic skin condition

Dermatologists sat down with doctor and media personality Michael Mol during a webinar on 11 June to discuss how psoriasis is more than skin deep.

The chronic skin condition, which presents with red, scaly patches on the skin and an itch that will not abate, affects one million South Africans. Psoriasis can also result in mental stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression and even social stigma for some patients.

Dermatologist at SkinDerm in Sandton Dr Lushen Pillay said that the condition is not contagious, but often presents in individuals with a family history of the condition.

Dr Pillay explained that some signs of the condition include skin changes that are resistant to treatment and nail changes.

Mol explained that psoriasis is a life-long condition where the body makes too many skin cells which pile up on the skin’s surface, causing thick, scaly lesions.

The dermatologists said that the condition also presents its sufferers with a 75 per cent increase in other conditions such as depression, high blood pressure and diabetes. Pillay said that a contributor to this is the fact that many patients desire to isolate.

While there is no cure for the condition, if treated early, it can be drastically improved and can prevent the onset of other issues as a result.

Psoriasis sufferer Trevlyn* explained that it was a tough journey to understand his condition. He presented with psoriasis early in his working career and was embarrassed to find skin scales everywhere and was affected by low self-esteem. “I worried a lot about what people thought of me. It impacts your ability to interact socially,” he said.

He was only diagnosed after receiving a fifth medical opinion.

He has been frustrated by the inability of his medical aid to cover his treatment, however, he is pleased to have seen a dramatic improvement since beginning treatment. “My message to others with the condition is that you can manage it and live a better life. Don’t deny that you have it. There is magical treatment available. In the two years since my diagnosis, I have seen a radical improvement. My skin is clear.”

Legal specialist Elsabe Klink, who practices in Sandton, said that she believes that medical schemes need to acknowledge psoriasis as a chronic condition that should be covered as such. “If treatment is ineffective, you are entitled to an alternative without a co-payment, which applies to PMBs and non-PMBs,” said Klink.

She encouraged patients to ask their dermatologists to write a motivation letter and provide proof that other medication is ineffective to medical aids in an effort for the treatment to be covered.

*No surname was supplied.

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