PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) is transforming August from Psoriasis Awareness Month to Psoriasis Action Month.

Twenty years ago, NPF hosted the first Psoriasis Awareness Month to educate the public about a disease that was often misunderstood and stigmatized. Since then, NPF has made great strides in increasing awareness about psoriatic disease. With tremendous advancements in the number of treatment options available today for people living with psoriasis, now more than ever, it's easier to treat psoriasis and the results can be life-changing.

NPF wants people with psoriasis to take an active role in treating their disease. With the theme of "Set Goals, Take Control," Psoriasis Action Month focuses on empowering people with psoriasis to take control of their disease. NPF is providing information and tools to set achievable treatment goals, track symptoms and help patients talk with their health care providers about treating psoriasis.

NPF has launched http://www.psoriasis.org/psoriasis-action-month, a website to educate patients, caregivers and health care professionals about the resources available to treat psoriatic disease. Throughout August, people impacted by psoriasis can participate in interactive quizzes that will help them better understand and manage their disease. Quiz topics will range from how to set goals and treat psoriasis to achieve skin clearance, understanding your personal communication style, and testing your knowledge of psoriasis treatment options. Participants can opt in to receive an NPF journaling kit to help track symptoms and receive resources to guide conversations with their health care providers. All quiz participants have the option to have a NPF Patient Navigator contact them directly to discuss finding a specialist in their area and getting started on treatment.

NPF will host two Facebook Live interviews. The first, which will be held on Thursday August 10, will be a discussion between NPF Vice President of Research Programs, Michael Siegel, and April Armstrong M.D., NPF medical board member and associate dean of Clinical Research at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. They will discuss setting achievable treatment goals using a specific treatment strategy spearheaded by the NPF Medical Board. The second Facebook Live interview, which will be held on Thursday, August 24, will be a discussion between Siegel, NPF volunteer Howard Chang, and his doctor, Emanuel Maverakis, M.D., associate professor at the University of California, Davis. The discussion will focus on how Chang and Maverakis have implemented and are tracking Chang's psoriasis after utilizing the effective treatment strategy discussed with Dr. Armstrong on August 10. Follow NPF on Facebook or go to http://www.psoriasis.org/psoriasis-action-month for the exact time of each interview.

Ways to Participate in Psoriasis Action Month

Go to http://www.psoriasis.org/psoriasis-action-month to access information, tools and to participate in interactive quizzes on treating psoriasis.

Follow the National Psoriasis Foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find information, memes and other resources to treat and manage psoriasis. Show support by sharing NPF social posts and updates with friends; use the hashtag #PsoriasisActionMonth

Donate to NPF to help support advancements in psoriatic disease research and NPF programs and services.

Check out TeamNPF to find a Walk, Run or Cycle event in your area. Not into sports? Host a DIY event and turn your hobby or passion into a fund raising and awareness event for psoriatic disease.

If you believe you may have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, consult a dermatologist for a formal diagnosis and get started on a treatment plan. To answer questions, or for help in finding a dermatologist in your area, contact the National Psoriasis Foundation Patient Navigation Center at: http://www.psoriasis.org/navigationcenter

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune mediated disease that most often appears on the skin as painful, raised, red, itchy patches. Men and women develop psoriasis at equal rates, and the disease occurs in all racial groups, however at varying rates. Psoriasis is not contagious. It is not something one can "catch" from another person as psoriasis lesions are not infectious.

Living with psoriasis can be an everyday battlefrom aches and pains, exhaustion, risk of comorbid conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, to dealing with the stigma associated with such a visual disease. The best way for patients to fight psoriasis is to work with a health care professional to fully understand the physical and emotional impact of the disease and the various treatment options available for managing the disease.

Over the last 50 years, the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) has become the world's leading nonprofit patient advocacy organization fighting for individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. NPF leads this fight by driving efforts for a cure and improving the lives of the more than 8 million Americans affected by this chronic disease. To date, NPF has funded more than $15 million in research grants and fellowships, and to commemorate 50 years, NPF plans to raise an additional $2 million for early scientific career research programs in 2017 alone. Each year, NPF strives to support, educate and advocate on behalf of more individuals living with or caring for someone with the disease than ever before. As part of that effort, NPF established the Patient Navigation Center to offer personalized assistance to everyone with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Join our community today and help drive discovery and create community for all living with psoriatic disease.

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SOURCE National Psoriasis Foundation

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