In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who would be their Valentine. They would wear this name pinned onto their sleeves for one week for everyone to see. This was the origin of the expression “to wear your heart on your sleeve.”

People with psoriasis commonly wear erythematous plaques on their elbows and knees. Newer research supports psoriasis vulgaris is an inflammatory immune mediated disorder that if left untreated can lead to several comorbid conditions such as obesity, arthritis, and even heart disease. Join us for the Skintimate Connections dermatology discussion and explore the heartbreak of psoriasis that affects over 7 million Americans. We will share a new treatment algorithm that focuses on targeting the inflammatory nature of this disease in an effort to decrease morbidity and mortality.
Jeopardy Question: What is the finding typical in psoriasis, in which removal of scale leads to pinpoint bleeding?
Answer: The __________ Sign
Quick Tip: Body Surface Area (BSA) % affected can be determined by utilizing the patient’s palm as being 1% BSA and estimating how many of their hands it would take to cover all the visible psoriasis plaques. One could underestimate a child’s BSA % if the health care provider utilizes their own palm instead of the child’s smaller hand.
Resources:
• Learn more about psoriasis severity rating scales and review the Dermatology Quality of Life tool at www.pasitraining.com
• International Psoriasis Council (www.psoriasiscouncil.org)
• The National Psoriasis Foundation (www.psoriasis.org) are valuable resources for providers and patients.