Canadian dermatologists participate in bodypainting to raise psoriasis awareness

Dermatologists attending the Canadian Dermatology Association annual conference are taking part in a public awareness campaign to help Canadians understand experiences of patients with psoriasis.

The participating dermatologists at the meeting held in Fredericton, New Brunswick, will have parts of their bodies painted in recognition of their patients’ rashes of the skin disorder. The body painting will be filmed for a public service announcement to highlight the impact psoriasis has on the 1 million Canadians who have the skin condition, according to a news release from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada.

Performance artist Natalie Fletcher, who has psoriasis, will be doing the bodypainting.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada also released data from the Clear About Psoriasis Survey, launched by Novartis AG in 2016 and involving more than 8,000 people with psoriasis from 31 countries, including Canada.

Of the patients surveyed in Canada, 84% reported experiencing discrimination or humiliation because of the condition.

Being stared at in public (46%), being asked if psoriasis is contagious (45%), having a barber or hairdresser refuse to serve them (12%) and discrimination at work (10%) were reported among the participants.

Responses also included 58% of participants reporting feeling self-conscious of their skin, 51% reporting feeling unattractive and 45% feeling less confident, with 13% reporting the skin condition had little impact on how they feel about themselves, while 22% reporting “It has taken over my life,” according to the release.

Reference: www.novartis.ca