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Problem of Psoriasis in Malaysia
Psoriasis is common and affects 3% of Malaysians i.e. @ 400,000. It is usually non-life-threatening, but is a distressing condition as it can affect any part of the skin, scalp and nails. Fortunately, life-threatening and widespread disease which can affect one's job is not common, and the majority of psoriatics are able to perform normally in their respective occupations albeit with some social restrictions. There are in fact many prominent and successful persons with psoriasis in the Malaysian scene in business, politics and various professions who have psoriasis who have learnt to live with and overcome the disease.
Psoriasis shares some similarities with diabetes in that it is partly hereditary and partly brought on by trigger factors in the environment (stress, certain infections, drugs, physical injury). And like diabetes, the sufferer must learn all he can about the condition so that he or she can co-operate with the physician to take more responsibility in the treatment regimes. When a person is first diagnosed with psoriasis, it is not possible in a busy clinic setting for the doctor to educate the patient on all he or she needs to know about the condition.
As psoriasis can be a chronic, long-term problem, the sufferer needs to have continuing medical education about: the nature of psoriasis (that it is not infectious); aggravating factors (stress, infections etc) so that he can prevent exacerbations; treatment options (so that he can avail himself of the latest breakthroughs); treatment side-effects; stress reduction strategies etc. Regarding stress, this is a well-known aggravating factor in initiating an initial psoriasis attack and also in perpetuating the condition.
Having psoriasis (and for that matter any significantly visible skin disease) has disproportionate social and psychological penalties. Sufferers have to put up with the stigmatization by an uninformed public who may discriminate, do (eg avoid shaking hands with a sufferer), or say hurtful or insensitive things about a person with psoriasis. This kind of social dynamics generates further stress which further aggravates the disease.