Every August, a quiet but deeply personal story takes the spotlight. Psoriasis Awareness Month is not just about a skin condition – it’s about living with visibility, stigma, and chronic illness. For the millions of people affected by psoriasis, this month is a chance to shift the conversation, increase understanding, and advocate for better support, treatments, and research. Coordinated by patient organizations like the National Psoriasis Foundation, the month invites us all to look beyond the surface and recognize the complexity of this autoimmune disease.
What is Psoriasis Awareness Month?
Psoriasis Awareness Month is an annual observance dedicated to raising public understanding of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis – two chronic, autoimmune conditions that affect nearly 8 million people in the United States alone. Psoriasis causes the immune system to speed up the life cycle of skin cells, resulting in red, scaly patches that can appear anywhere on the body. Psoriatic arthritis adds joint pain, stiffness, and swelling into the mix.
Though commonly misunderstood as “just a skin condition,” psoriasis is linked to systemic inflammation and is associated with other health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and depression. For many, it affects self-esteem, daily routines, social confidence, and mental health. Psoriasis Awareness Month creates a platform for stories that aren’t often told – from the teen hiding her arms in summer to the working parent managing flare-ups while juggling life.
When is Psoriasis Awareness Month?
Psoriasis Awareness Month is observed every year during the month of August. It runs from August 1 to August 31 and includes both in-person and virtual events, educational campaigns, social media takeovers, and advocacy efforts. Individuals, nonprofits, medical professionals, and communities use this time to speak up, share lived experiences, and push for systemic improvements in care and research.
Why Psoriasis Awareness Month Matters
Living with psoriasis often means living with misunderstanding. Despite being a common condition, it’s frequently under-discussed, misdiagnosed, or minimized. This matters – because misunderstanding breeds stigma, delays treatment, and isolates those affected.
Psoriasis Awareness Month helps rewrite that narrative. It highlights that psoriasis is not contagious, that flare-ups can be triggered by stress, infection, or even weather, and that there is no cure – only management. It brings attention to the mental health toll of visible illness, especially among children and teens. It amplifies the need for accessible dermatology care, diverse research funding, and healthcare equity for marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by autoimmune diseases.
And it reminds us that visibility can be healing. For someone scrolling through Instagram and seeing a model proudly showing their plaques, or reading a blog post about someone thriving with psoriatic arthritis, this month can be the beginning of feeling seen and less alone.
How to Get Involved in Psoriasis Awareness Month
There are many ways to support, educate, and participate during August, whether you live with psoriasis or want to support someone who does. Here are some ways to take part:
- Learn and Share: Read about the condition on trusted sources like the National Psoriasis Foundation and share facts on social media using campaign hashtags.
- Tell Your Story: Whether through blog posts, videos, or photos, personal storytelling helps challenge stereotypes and build solidarity.
- Wear Orange: Orange is the recognized awareness color for psoriasis. Wear it proudly during August and explain why to those who ask.
- Host a Fundraiser: Whether it’s a fitness challenge, bake sale, or livestream, raising funds for research and support programs makes a direct impact.
- Advocate for Policy Change: Write to your legislators about access to dermatology care, prescription affordability, and medical leave protections for chronic illness.
- Support Someone: If someone you know is living with psoriasis, ask how you can be there. Sometimes the smallest gestures – a check-in, a compliment, a kind word – go the furthest.
History of Psoriasis Awareness Month
Psoriasis Awareness Month was established by the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) in 1997. The NPF began as a grassroots effort by patients in the 1960s and grew into one of the most impactful chronic illness advocacy organizations in the U.S. The goal of Psoriasis Awareness Month was clear: bring this often-overlooked condition into public consciousness and support those affected.
Over the decades, the campaign has evolved from pamphlets and community meetings to global hashtags and virtual summits. It now involves collaboration with dermatologists, rheumatologists, researchers, patients, and policymakers. In recent years, campaigns have focused on mental health, racial disparities in diagnosis, and the intersection of chronic illness and identity. The movement has expanded internationally, with support from sister organizations in the UK, Canada, and beyond.
Noteworthy Facts About Psoriasis Awareness Month
- Psoriasis affects approximately 2-3% of the global population, including people of all ages and backgrounds.
- About 30% of people with psoriasis will also develop psoriatic arthritis – often leading to joint damage if left untreated.
- People of color are more likely to have their psoriasis misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed, leading to worse health outcomes.
- August’s awareness efforts often include “More Than Skin Deep,” a campaign highlighting the internal and emotional impact of psoriasis.
- There are now more than 10 FDA-approved biologic treatments for moderate-to-severe psoriasis, offering hope and options that didn’t exist a generation ago.
Hashtags
#PsoriasisAwarenessMonth, #MoreThanSkinDeep, #PsoriaticArthritis, #ChronicIllnessVisibility
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