Stigmatization in Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a highly visible chronic disease with a substantial impact on quality of life. The purpose of this review is to understand how psoriasis experience stigmatization. A greater understanding of this may help dermatologists improve treatment strategies for their patients. A MEDLINE search was performed for the terms stigmatization and psoriasis. Stigmatization is common in psoriasis and has a much greater social and psychological impact than even the extent and severity of skin involvement. Patients with psoriasis may experience stigma in different ways. Psoriasis is more highly stigmatized than most other skin diseases. Lack of knowledge about psoriasis on part of the general public is a significant contributor to how patients with psoriasis are stigmatized by others. Stigma is a significant contributor to negative quality of life in patients with psoriasis. Stigma is an important aspect of disease to consider when formulating optimal psoriasis treatment strategy