Friends and colleagues

What can I do to help?

Seeing a friend or colleague struggling with their health can be difficult, as many people are very stoic and carry on, as they do not want to let their friends or employer down.

Helping someone with psoriasis

• I know someone with psoriasis, will I catch it? Definitely not, psoriasis is not contagious. Learn more.
• How did they get psoriasis? They would have inherited it, as it is a genetic condition. Learn more.
• Why has it only developed recently? It may not have been obvious or visible, as it often only appears when they are older. Learn more.
• Does diet and lifestyle make a difference? It's not a cause; sometimes unhealthy choices can aggravate it, such as smoking, alcohol and poor diet. Learn more
• How can I help and support? Understanding the condition and being empathetic will help, as people often find psoriasis embarrassing. Don't judge them, as it is not their fault, as they may have spent many years coming to terms with the condition, be a friend. Learn more.

Helping someone with psoriatic arthritis

• My friend has psoriatic arthritis, how did they get it? It is associated with psoriasis, and is therefore an inherited condition, that often doesn't appear until sometime after psoriasis has developed. Learn more.
• I know someone with psoriatic arthritis, will they be disabled? Not necessarily, although in very rare cases the condition can cause joints to become deformed, so could make some tasks difficult to perform, although movement therapy can help. Learn more.
• Can they claim any benefits? Yes, they may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Learn more.
• Does diet and lifestyle make a difference? It's not a cause; sometimes unhealthy choices can aggravate it, such as smoking, alcohol and poor diet. Learn more
• What can I do to help? Be supportive and understand that living with psoriatic arthritis, can make your friend, at times frustrated, as the condition can cause good and bad days. Learn more.