The newest therapies for psoriasis aim to interrupt an immune system gone awry.

by Eve Jacobs

"Really, there are no words for what this disease does to me. At the age of 17, within a three-day period, my beautiful skin was suddenly covered with bright red psoriasis lesions, literally all over my body. The doctors said there was no cure, but I couldn't believe it. Why couldn't they burn it off, cut it out or give me a pill?

Almost 20 years later, this disease has devastated my self-esteem, appearance, social life, work life and mental well-being. Endless doctors' visits, treatment regimens and hospital stays have taken their toll. I struggle daily with anxiety, itching and severe pain.

The pain from the public's ignorance is even worse. Often, I want to just stay home, because I'm afraid to go outside and have people see my skin. A cashier will jump when he accidentally touches my hand, as if he might catch some dreaded infection. Yesterday, a woman at the swimming pool asked if I was contagious. I explained that my psoriasis is neither contagious nor infectious, that my skin just grows too quickly. She got right up and left the pool anyway. Sometimes, parents even pull their kids away from me. People joke about the 'heartbreak of psoriasis,' but it goes much deeper than that. I wish they understood."

34-year-old woman, member, National Psoriasis Foundation