National Psoriasis Foundation contest encourages patients to #FlauntYourFlares

The National Psoriasis Foundation recently launched an Instagram hashtag contest encouraging patients with psoriasis to post images of themselves during a flare and to include a positive message about their body with the hashtag #FlauntYourFlares.

The contest is designed to show that even when psoriasis is treated with medications, flares are a reality during the warmer months of the year, and should not mean that patients with psoriasis must cover up with excessive clothing or skip outdoor activities, according to a release from the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF).

More than 8 million people have psoriasis, and about two-thirds have reported that the condition makes them “feel angry, frustrated and helpless.”

As photos are posted to Instagram with the hashtag #FlauntYourFlares, the image will be loaded to a page on NPF’s website, psoriasis.org, with the foundation selecting two winners every week through Aug. 31. A #FlauntYourFlares social media campaign will feature one winner and include their picture and message.

Contest winners will receive a special “FlauntYourFlares” healthy lifestyle kit, according to the release.

“We know that many are affected every day not only with the physical impacts of psoriasis, but the emotional impacts as well,” John Ogden, marketing and communications director at NPF, stated in the release. “First and foremost, we encourage people to seek treatment for their disease, but also not be afraid to keep living a healthy, active lifestyle. As the weather gets warmer and clothing provides less coverage, we want people to not worry about what other may thing or say and go ahead and flaunt their flares.”

NPF is a patient advocacy organization that provides resources and programs to help patients manage their disease.

Reference: www.psoriasis.org