Psoriasis Association Southland (PAS) - the only support group for people living with psoriasis in New Zealand - and drug company AbbVie, in conjunction with dermatologists, recently surveyed 492 New Zealanders living with psoriasis.
Association president Patricia Officer Young, of Gore, said the survey revealed that people with psoriasis often had other associated conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, colitis and Crohn's disease.
''So psoriasis should be treated and there's plenty of great medication and treatments out there for people to try, until they get one that suits them.''
The survey revealed that 98% of the respondents experienced flaking skin, 70% experienced bleeding and 61% experienced pain associated with lesions, also called plaques.
Half of the respondents who reported living with moderate psoriasis said they had never received care from a dermatologist for management of their condition.
Of those with severe psoriasis, 21% had never seen a dermatologist for their condition.
Between 40% and 50% of respondents used only creams and lotions to treat their psoriasis.
Mrs Officer Young said anyone with psoriasis should see a dermatologist.
''They are specialists in skin conditions.''
Dermatologist Dr Steven Lamb said it was important people with psoriasis received effective treatment for it, as well as for other associated conditions, which could also include depression, weight gain, joint pain and high blood pressure.
Of the respondents, 35% reported weight problems, 36% stress and 31% mental health issues.
People needed to be accurately diagnosed early and put on a course to effectively manage the disease, he said.
''We need to set the bar higher to achieve a better level of control of psoriasis and work more closely with our patients to manage their associated health conditions.''
The survey revealed 60% of respondents had experienced a negative reaction from others about their skin condition and 22% reported that these comments were very or extremely hurtful.
Mrs Officer Young said she got psoriasis at the age of 16.
''It was a real bad time because you are young and you were told there was no cure, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.''
Treatments were getting better, she said.
''I went to a conference in July last year in Stockholm and I came away with all this hope because the amount of research overseas is mind-blowing; it is absolutely amazing ... There is definite hope. It's not going to be tomorrow, but it will come.''
The association had released three educational booklets to improve understanding of psoriasis and assist people with psoriasis to better manage their condition.
Raising awareness of psoriasis was critically important to ensure early intervention and improved management of the condition, Mrs Officer Young said.
''The survey findings indicate New Zealanders with psoriasis don't get to a dermatologist quickly enough to access comprehensive information and effective treatment options.''
Copies of the booklets can be downloaded from www.psoriasis.org.nz.
Tuesday was World Psoriasis Day - an international day of recognition for people living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Concise overview
• A chronic skin condition caused by overactivity of the immune system in the skin. Skin cells multiply at an abnormally fast rate and accumulate, producing a range of chemicals, which act as if they are fighting infection or healing a wound.
• Most common form causes raised, inflamed, scaly, red skin lesions known as plaques.
• Plaque psoriasis lesions are usually dry, raised slightly above the skin, red and covered with silvery scales and may also be itchy, inflamed, painful, cracked and bleeding.
• Develops most frequently in young adults and continues throughout their life.
• About one in 50 adults in New Zealand lives with psoriasis.
