What is plaque psoriasis?

Plaque psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes patches of raised, inflamed, and red skin with silvery scales.
In skin of color, plaques may be thicker, have more scales, and appear like darker areas of skin.

It’s caused by an imbalance in your immune system that disrupts the normal function of cells in your skin.

Psoriasis plaques can affect any area of skin (this includes skin in sensitive areas like your face and neck, armpits, chest/breasts, groin, and genitals)*. The most common areas affected by psoriasis plaques include the knees and elbows, stomach, lower back, and scalp.

*Do not use VTAMA cream in your eyes, mouth, or vagina.

Plaque Psoriasis Impact

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Plaque psoriasis has a major impact on people everywhere

In the United States, there are over 7.5 million adults 20 years or older who have plaque psoriasis.

Plaque psoriasis is one of the most common diseases affecting the immune system in the United States—which means there are so many people out there who know what it’s like to hide their skin under sleeves.

Plaque psoriasis affects men and women equally. While race and/or ethnicity appears to have an impact on prevalence, White patients are 2 times as likely to have plaque psoriasis compared with non-White patients.

The effects of plaque psoriasis are more than just skin deep

Adults with plaque psoriasis report that it isn’t only itchy skin that disrupts their lives. They also report that their plaque psoriasis affects their overall well-being, and it interferes with their enjoyment of life.

The impact on quality of life differs between diverse ethnic groups. Plaque psoriasis has been associated with a greater negative impact on quality of life in non-White people compared with White people.

Plaque psoriasis has also been linked to non-skin-related problems. Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension have all been found to be linked to plaque psoriasis.

Not an actual patient.

Touch Deprivation and Plaque Psoriasis

In two large surveys^†, one including 800 adults with plaque psoriasis and one including 800 adult family members of patients with plaque psoriasis, results showed that there is an emotional impact from touch deprivation which affects both patients and their family members:

of adult patients with plaque psoriasis felt deprived of physical touch from others because of their plaque psoriasis.

of partners of adult patients with plaque psoriasis surveyed revealed that plaque psoriasis has negatively impacted their relationships.

of adult patients with plaque psoriasis reported that they feel uncomfortable engaging in physical intimacy with a partner.

Want to learn more about the Plaque Psoriasis Touch Deprivation Survey?

Download Key Findings

^† KRC Research conducted the Psoriasis Touch survey using online surveys of n=800 U.S. adult patients with plaque psoriasis and n=800 U.S. adult family members of patients with plaque psoriasis. Surveys were fielded between July 14 - August 1, 2023.

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Can’t stop thinking about the possibility of clearer skin? Start your journey here.

This guide will help you and your dermatologist find the treatment that is right for you.

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What is plaque psoriasis?

Plaque psoriasis has a major impact on people everywhere

The effects of plaque psoriasis are more than just skin deep

Touch Deprivation and Plaque Psoriasis

Want to learn more about the Plaque Psoriasis Touch Deprivation Survey?

Talk to your dermatologist

Thank you for taking the assessment.

1. What best describes your plaque psoriasis treatment journey?

2. Are you currently using VTAMA cream?

3. How involved are you in treatment decisions related to your plaque psoriasis?

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