DAVAO CITY (PIA) — Psoriasis, an unsightly skin condition that can lead to stigma among its patients, is not a contagious disease, according to doctors.
“Pangit siya tingnan, but hindi siya nakakahawa (it is ugly to see, but it is not contagious); in fact, persons with psoriasis are considered disabled because of the psychosocial stigma they get. Walang gusting tumabi sa kanya, walang gusting humawak sa kanya (no one wants to be near them, no one wants to touch them),” said Dr. Karen Lee Alabado, senior consultant of the Department of Dermatology at the Southern Philippine Medical Center.
Psoriasis is a skin condition that is likened to dandruff, where patients have reddish, scaly patches of skin.
She said that because of the stigma associated with having the skin condition, patients are considered as persons with disabilities.
“Psoriasis happens across all ages, peaking at 26 to 55 years old,” Alabado says.
There are around 2 million Filipinos with psoriasis in the country. In Davao Region, there are many afflicted with the condition, though they do not have the data. Alabado said they get to see 20 to 30 patients per month.
The Psoriasis Club at the Southern Philippine Medical Center has around 300 active members.
According to Dr. Donna May Sarenas, senior resident of the Department of Dermatology at the Southern Philippine Medical Center, the Psoriasis Club aims to raise awareness and educate the public about the skin condition.
(left to right) Dr. Donna May Sarenas, senior resident and Dr. Karen Lee Alabado, senior consultant Department of Dermatology Southern Philippine Medical Center
There are around 2 million Filipinos with psoriasis in the country. In Davao Region, there are many afflicted with the condition, though they do not have the data. Alabado said they get to see 20 to 30 patients per month.
The Psoriasis Club at the Southern Philippine Medical Center has around 300 active members.
According to Dr. Donna May Sarenas, senior resident of the Department of Dermatology at the Southern Philippine Medical Center, the Psoriasis Club aims to raise awareness and educate the public about the skin condition.
“We have many patients working in BPO. We tell them to change their work schedule from evening to morning; rest is very helpful not just in psoriasis but in many diseases,” Alabado said.
To make people aware of the condition and to fight the stigma, Alabado cited the importance of having psoriasis clubs and also engages with the Philippine Information Agency to help educate the public about the skin disease.
According to Alabado, World Psoriasis Day was celebrated on October 29 to help increase awareness about the skin condition across the world in an effort to break the stigma associated with the disease. (RGA/PIA Davao)
