Help at hand for psoriasis sufferers @ The Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust

Help at hand for psoriasis sufferers

28 March 2008

Hundreds of people in the Dewsbury area who suffer from a common skin condition can benefit from a new local support group which is to meet for the first time next month (April 2008).

Psoriasis patients, and anyone with an interest in the skin condition, will come together at a special meeting to be held by the Psoriasis Association at the Oakwell centre, Dewsbury and District Hospital from 6.30pm on Monday 7 April.

There they will share their experiences of living with the common skin condition that often appears as thick, red patches and dry silvery scales on the scalp, face, elbows, knees, palms or soles of the feet. The condition can often have a detrimental effect on a patient’s self-esteem and confidence and the meeting will be the first of its kind to bring them together in our area.

Dr Manu Shah, consultant dermatologist at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin problem, affecting about 2% of the UK population. It causes considerable distress for many sufferers but discussing issues with other psoriasis patients can help to ease their concerns and enable them to manage their condition better.”

Gladys Edwards, chief executive of The Psoriasis Association, will speak at the meeting and there will also be the chance to meet with dermatology specialists from Dewsbury and District Hospital. Gladys said: “We are delighted to be involved in this meeting with the dermatology department at Dewsbury and District Hospital.

“We aim to help people with psoriasis by offering information about the condition and its treatments, as well as advice about where to turn for help. This meeting is a fantastic opportunity for people to find out more about psoriasis and dermatology services provided locally, whilst also giving us the opportunity to learn more from patients about the reality of what it is like for them living with the condition.”

The meeting is expected to last around two hours and anyone with an interest in psoriasis is invited to attend. To book a place contact the dermatology department at Dewsbury and District Hospital on 01924 816260.

Ends

Notes to editors

Dermatology is the specialist branch of medicine concerned with the skin and its diseases.
Normally a skin cell matures in 21 to 28 days. Psoriatic cells however are believed to mature excessively in two to three days, causing even live cells to reach the skin’s surface and accumulate with the dead cells in visible, scaly layers and thick red patches known as plaques.
Psoriasis cannot be caught from other people, nor can it be transferred from one part of the body to another.
Nearly 1 in 4 patients with psoriasis have a condition known as psoriatic arthritis which affects joints.

Issued by Charlotte Farrar
01924 212984
charlotte.farrar@midyorks.nhs.uk

Skip to Navigation	Help at hand for psoriasis sufferers 28 March 2008 Hundreds of people in the Dewsbury area who suffer from a common skin condition can benefit from a new local support group which is to meet for the first time next month (April 2008). Psoriasis patients, and anyone with an interest in the skin condition, will come together at a special meeting to be held by the Psoriasis Association at the Oakwell centre, Dewsbury and District Hospital from 6.30pm on Monday 7 April. There they will share their experiences of living with the common skin condition that often appears as thick, red patches and dry silvery scales on the scalp, face, elbows, knees, palms or soles of the feet. The condition can often have a detrimental effect on a patient’s self-esteem and confidence and the meeting will be the first of its kind to bring them together in our area. Dr Manu Shah, consultant dermatologist at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin problem, affecting about 2% of the UK population. It causes considerable distress for many sufferers but discussing issues with other psoriasis patients can help to ease their concerns and enable them to manage their condition better.” Gladys Edwards, chief executive of The Psoriasis Association, will speak at the meeting and there will also be the chance to meet with dermatology specialists from Dewsbury and District Hospital. Gladys said: “We are delighted to be involved in this meeting with the dermatology department at Dewsbury and District Hospital. “We aim to help people with psoriasis by offering information about the condition and its treatments, as well as advice about where to turn for help. This meeting is a fantastic opportunity for people to find out more about psoriasis and dermatology services provided locally, whilst also giving us the opportunity to learn more from patients about the reality of what it is like for them living with the condition.” The meeting is expected to last around two hours and anyone with an interest in psoriasis is invited to attend. To book a place contact the dermatology department at Dewsbury and District Hospital on 01924 816260. Ends Notes to editors Dermatology is the specialist branch of medicine concerned with the skin and its diseases. Normally a skin cell matures in 21 to 28 days. Psoriatic cells however are believed to mature excessively in two to three days, causing even live cells to reach the skin’s surface and accumulate with the dead cells in visible, scaly layers and thick red patches known as plaques. Psoriasis cannot be caught from other people, nor can it be transferred from one part of the body to another. Nearly 1 in 4 patients with psoriasis have a condition known as psoriatic arthritis which affects joints. Issued by Charlotte Farrar 01924 212984 charlotte.farrar@midyorks.nhs.uk
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