newjerseynewsroom.com

BY PAM LOBLEY

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

NOW THAT’S FUNNY

In Sunday night’s episode of “Keeping up with the Kardashians”, Kim Kardashian learned she has psoriasis. She was startled and worried, telling her doctor that her unsightly red, scaly spots would show up in a video she would be making for Skechers Shape Ups.

The red spots were on her stomach, and would be visible during the shoot because she would be clad only in her sports bra.

Kim might feel better to know that she is one of 7.5 million people to suffer from psoriasis, a skin condition that causes redness and irritation. It is not contagious. As Kim’s doctor told her: it’s controllable, but not curable.

Psoriasis is a dramatic sounding name for such a common ailment. In fact, my first introduction to the word was that old television commercial for Tegrin lotion, which referred to “the heartbreak of psoriasis.” I believe it featured a middle aged lady woefully inspecting her scaly arm and looking, if not exactly heartbroken, than certainly quite troubled.

Looks like psoriasis is ripe for an image overhaul. Here are a few famous people who suffer from psoriasis: Mark Gastineau, Art Garfunkel, LeAnn Rimes. I am sure we all know many people with the disorder, but since they hide it, or handle it well, we aren’t aware of it. Maybe psoriasis needs a celebrity who’s not afraid of show and tell. Kim Kardashian fits that bill.

Normally, new skin cells grow deep under the skin and rise to the surface over the course of a month or so. In psoriasis, the process is much faster, and the cells rise to the surface in only two weeks, leaving lots of dead cells built up on the skin. The patches can appear anywhere on the body, and certain situations may trigger an attack of psoriasis or make the condition more difficult to treat. These include:

• Bacteria or viral infections, including strep throat and upper respiratory infections
• Dry air or dry skin
• Injury to the skin, including cuts, burns, and insect bites
• Some medicines, including antimalaria drugs, beta-blockers, and lithium
• Stress
• Too little sunlight
• Too much sunlight (sunburn)
• Too much alcohol

Mm hm. I see a few triggers on that list that could be a problem for Kim.