Skin disease loses stigma

Press, 23 November 1983, Page 9

Skin disease loses stigma

Fifteen years ago some severe psoriasis sufferers were hounded off beaches, rejected by hairdressers, and thrown out of shop fitting rooms. But today, 10 years after the Psoriasis Association of New Zealand was formed at a public meeting in Christchurch, psoriasis is no longer a dirty word. The basic aim of the association was, and still is, to provide information about the disease both to sufferers and the general public. Psoriasis is one of the most common skin diseases, between 2 to 3 per cent of the population suffering from it at some time in their lives. It is hereditary, but not contagious, and although it can be treated, it diinnot be cured. (Jnce a

person has had it, he or she is always at risk of its recurring. It- is characterised by red, scaly patches on the skin, and can be very unsightly. It generally does not cause ill-health, but one of the biggest difficulties a sufferer has to overcome is the reaction of others to it Many victims become embarrassed, withdrawn, and depressed. By bringing psoriasis out into the open the association had improved the sufferer’s lot, said its president and a Christchurch skin specialist, Dr D. A. Lamder. It became' spoken about on television and radio, and articles appeared in newspapers and magazines. People who had hidden the disease realised that they were not alone and_gaccepted that they had itJJfhis

helped take away their fear and regain their selfrespect, he said. The first Psoriasis Association was established

in Britain. The local group, which covers the area from Blenheim to Waimate, celebrated its tenth anniversary last week. It originally had about 200 members, but over the years many had left and new members had joined.

It meets three times a year and issues a newsletter from time to time offering tips on how to cope with the disease and therapy suggestions.

Dr Larnder said some of the association’s main achievements included raising $lO,OOO for a P.U.V.A. (black light treatment) machine for Christchurch Hospital, educating hairdressers about the disease, and issuing sufferers with identification cards saying that r psoriasis was neither infectious nor contagious

and signed by the Medical Officer of Health. With the increased public awareness of the disease, people with psoriasis had learned to treat themselves as normal again, Dr Larnder said.

They now showered with others after sport, went swimming, and were not afraid that people would stare at them if they sat on a beach — one of the best places for them. Only a few years ago they were too embarrassed to do these things, Dr Larnder said.

Looking back after 10 years, he believed that the association had been successful, but there was a continuing need for it. There were always new sufferers needing support and a need for public education.