Health Boards
Irish actress Jenny Kavanagh has revealed details of her 15 year experience with psoriasis at the launch of an educational campaign aimed at dispelling the myths associated with the skin condition. Jenny, better known for her portrayal of the character Cleo in the hit RTE soap Fair City, launched the initiative – which includes the results of a survey on the public's attitudes towards psoriasis – at the 80th Annual National Ploughing Championships in Athy, Co.Kildare.
The educational campaign, entitled 'Psoriasis - Clear as Mud' and supported by LEO Pharma, seeks to create a better understanding of the skin condition among the general public and those living with psoriasis. Dermatology nurses and the Psoriasis Association of Ireland provided information on the condition and educating the public at a dedicated 'Psoriasis – Clear as Mud' stand at the 2011 National Ploughing Championships.
The need to dispel misconceptions was underlined by the survey's results which revealed the extent to which worrying misunderstandings exist on this common skin condition. The campaign title reflects how this 'muddying of the waters' makes living with psoriasis increasingly difficult. An outspoken psoriasis advocate, Jenny urged Irish people with psoriasis to visit their healthcare professional early for treatment and support. "Having had psoriasis since I was eight years old, I understand the frustration and embarrassment that can sometimes be associated with the condition. That's why I am personally happy to be involved in this worthwhile campaign – I want to show people that psoriasis does not have to be restricting, psoriasis is treatable and there is help available so it is important to seek support early", the 23 year old actress said.
Awareness and attitudes research carried out recently by Behaviour and Attitudes suggests that a number of misconceptions concerning the condition still exist. While most respondents recognised that psoriasis was a debilitating skin condition, 9% believed psoriasis was a liver disease. The survey also revealed that 7% of adults actually believe that psoriasis may actually be contagious while another 7% of adults felt that people suffering from psoriasis should be banned from certain occupations, particularly those working with foods, such as chefs, or personal care In addition, 39% of male and just 18% of female sufferers say that they don't see healthcare professional in relation to their psoriasis which emphasizes the need to educate the public, particularly men with the condition, on the advances in treatments available.
Also speaking at the launch of the campaign was former farmer Ronan Farrelly, a committee member of the Psoriasis Association Ireland and a sitting board member of EUROPSO, the federation of psoriasis patients' associations based in Europe. "This campaign sets out to remove the stigma surrounding psoriasis and educate the public on this condition. The public need to know that psoriasis is a common skin disorder affecting more than 100,000 people in Ireland. It is not contagious and anyone can develop it.
"This initiative will seek to dispel the myths surrounding psoriasis. Those of us with the condition often feel frustrated with the treatment they receive from people who do not understand the condition. This can often lead to a sense of hopelessness. The understanding that will come from this campaign coupled with information about support networks will help people with their treatment and improve overall care of this condition" he added.
Sorce: waterford-today.ie
The educational campaign, entitled 'Psoriasis - Clear as Mud' and supported by LEO Pharma, seeks to create a better understanding of the skin condition among the general public and those living with psoriasis. Dermatology nurses and the Psoriasis Association of Ireland provided information on the condition and educating the public at a dedicated 'Psoriasis – Clear as Mud' stand at the 2011 National Ploughing Championships.
The need to dispel misconceptions was underlined by the survey's results which revealed the extent to which worrying misunderstandings exist on this common skin condition. The campaign title reflects how this 'muddying of the waters' makes living with psoriasis increasingly difficult. An outspoken psoriasis advocate, Jenny urged Irish people with psoriasis to visit their healthcare professional early for treatment and support. "Having had psoriasis since I was eight years old, I understand the frustration and embarrassment that can sometimes be associated with the condition. That's why I am personally happy to be involved in this worthwhile campaign – I want to show people that psoriasis does not have to be restricting, psoriasis is treatable and there is help available so it is important to seek support early", the 23 year old actress said.
Awareness and attitudes research carried out recently by Behaviour and Attitudes suggests that a number of misconceptions concerning the condition still exist. While most respondents recognised that psoriasis was a debilitating skin condition, 9% believed psoriasis was a liver disease. The survey also revealed that 7% of adults actually believe that psoriasis may actually be contagious while another 7% of adults felt that people suffering from psoriasis should be banned from certain occupations, particularly those working with foods, such as chefs, or personal care In addition, 39% of male and just 18% of female sufferers say that they don't see healthcare professional in relation to their psoriasis which emphasizes the need to educate the public, particularly men with the condition, on the advances in treatments available.
Also speaking at the launch of the campaign was former farmer Ronan Farrelly, a committee member of the Psoriasis Association Ireland and a sitting board member of EUROPSO, the federation of psoriasis patients' associations based in Europe. "This campaign sets out to remove the stigma surrounding psoriasis and educate the public on this condition. The public need to know that psoriasis is a common skin disorder affecting more than 100,000 people in Ireland. It is not contagious and anyone can develop it.
"This initiative will seek to dispel the myths surrounding psoriasis. Those of us with the condition often feel frustrated with the treatment they receive from people who do not understand the condition. This can often lead to a sense of hopelessness. The understanding that will come from this campaign coupled with information about support networks will help people with their treatment and improve overall care of this condition" he added.
Sorce: waterford-today.ie