11 Ways to Get Involved This Psoriasis Action Month

August is Psoriasis Action Month. Here are ways to get involved.

If you’re living with psoriasis, chances are you don’t need reminding that August is Psoriasis Action Month. Every August, the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) honors the month in many ways and for many reasons.

With over 100 million people worldwide affected by psoriasis, this month of awareness and action is something that touches many.

If you have psoriasis, you may not feel the need for more awareness about your own condition. Yet the month can be a helpful reminder that you are not alone. Hearing other people’s stories and sharing your story can make a big difference in your health journey.

This month, some of your well-intended friends and family members may show an increased interest in what you live with day to day. Here are some tips for talking with family and friends about your psoriasis.

You can try sending them some educational resources, like a psoriasis glossary. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also offers a comprehensive, easy-to-read guide about what exactly psoriasis is. 

More attention, empathy, and exposure can help lead to more funding for psoriasis research, too.

Let’s honor this month by sharing information and support to create a more inclusive environment for everyone who is affected by psoriasis.

How you get involved this month is entirely up to you. If you need some ideas, here are a few to get you started.

Join the free PsA community!

Connect with thousands of members and find support through daily live chats, curated resources, and one-to-one messaging.

Sign up

Connect with a celebrity

Many celebrities live with psoriasis and openly share their challenges online. Simply clicking around the internet and reading their stories may help remind you that you are not alone.

Check out this list of celebrities also living with psoriasis. It includes big names like Kim Kardashian, LeAnn Rimes, and Cyndi Lauper.

Post on social media

Everyone benefits when we talk more about psoriasis and its effects on people’s lives. If you are into social media, share your stories and pictures with these hashtags:

• #Psoriasis
• #PsoriasisWarrior
• #PsoriasisAwareness
• #PsoriasisCommunity

You can find inspiration for your posts from the NPF pages on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Share resources

Psoriasis resources are updated constantly, and new articles on psoriasis seem to appear all the time. Here are a few of the places to start for more information on psoriasis:

• the NPF
• the American Academy of Dermatology Association
• the American Academy of Family Physicians (also available in Spanish)
• the CDC
• the National Institutes of Health

Bezzy’s sister site, Healthline, even has a free weekly newsletter about psoriasis. 

Get involved in research

Research is so important when it comes to finding effective treatments for people living with psoriasis.

If you want to get involved, start with asking your healthcare professional if they know of any clinical trials happening right now. There are a lot of opportunities for people with psoriasis, and there are some for family members, too.

Here are a few places to start looking for active clinical trials to participate in:

• ClinicalTrials.gov
• the NPF
• Mayo Clinic

Donate

If you’re feeling generous and have the funds, consider donating to an organization that helps people living with psoriasis. Organizations need money to do the work they do, and this is a great month to contribute.

Here are some great places to start:

• the NPF
• Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
• International Dermatology Outcome Measures Initiative
• Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Clinics Multicenter Advancement Network

Support a small business

Check out the psoriasis section on Etsy for some incredible homemade products. You’ll find some inspirational clothing and keychains, too.

Most of these items are made by people living with psoriasis, and your purchase will benefit the creators directly.

Save some money

Prescription medications can be so expensive. This August, you can focus on your financial health by using Optum Perks to compare prices at pharmacies and get coupons on your prescriptions.

The coupons can help provide discounts on unpredictable prescription costs. If you have health insurance, these frequently asked questions break down how Optum Perks can help you.

Join the community

Online support communities can benefit people with psoriasis. The Bezzy Psoriasis community understands what you’re going through.

You can join our free community for live discussions, forums, private messaging, and more.

If you’re looking for in-person options for connection, you can check out this list of events organized by the NPF. The list includes links to meetings, webinars, walks, runs, and bike rides organized by geographic location. 

Prioritize your self-care

Sometimes showing awareness can mean having self-awareness and making time to take care of yourself.

Prioritize yourself and your health this month. Make a self-care plan and stick with it. 

Pay it forward

Know someone else with psoriasis? Check out this list of gift ideas to help spread the love. Gifting something thoughtful is a great way to show you care and brighten a loved one’s day.

Spread the word!

August is Psoriasis Action Awareness month. There are so many ways to spread awareness and take action. The most important thing to remember this month is to do what feels most rewarding and empowering for you!