We talk a lot here on MySkinCareConnection about various skin diseases including acne, psoriasis, and eczema. One common struggle for the patient who must cope with any of these skin ailments is the lack of public understanding about skin diseases. There are some common misperceptions which may increase feelings of social alienation and depression for the person who has been diagnosed with a skin disease. In this post we are going to debunk some of these myths which can cause social stigma and isolation.
Myth Number One: Skin diseases such as psoriasis or eczema are contagious.
Sometimes when people view the scaling and inflammation that either psoriasis or eczema can cause, they may fear that they will somehow catch the disease if they are in physical proximity to the person who has it. Eczema, psoriasis, and acne are not contagious. You cannot transmit these skin diseases to anyone else. In a recent post I interviewed one of our members about the experience of having psoriasis. One of the heartbreaking stories we got to hear was how individuals with psoriasis are treated due to the appearance of their skin. Despite the fact that this member worked in a hospital setting, people were not empathic to his situation and worried about contagion. It seems to be a particularly difficult myth to dispel.
Myth Number Two: People with skin disease and especially acne are dirty and don’t wash properly.
This seems to be a common thing to say to a person who suffers from acne that they need to wash their face more. I remember hearing this as a teen and worse. This acne myth may come from the appearance of blackheads which some people inaccurately surmise to be filled with dirt because of the color. A blackhead isn't dirt and cannot be washed away. A black head is just a combination of sebum (oil) and dead skin cells. The pore is clogged but open to air which oxidizes the material inside and turns it dark. Scrubbing the skin repeatedly or harshly does nothing but irritates the skin and makes acne worse. Acne is primarily a result of genetics and fluctuations in hormones. Acne is not caused by having dirty skin.
Myth Number Three: Skin disease is just a temporary cosmetic problem.
Sometimes the public is not very empathic to people with skin diseases because they think this is just a minor inconvenience only affecting the person’s appearance. The truth is that skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema can be chronic and lifelong battles for the sufferer for which there is no real cure. Even acne can last for decades. I am in my mid-forties and I have had to cope with acne problems since adolescence. These skin diseases are not just “skin deep” and affect most areas of one’s life including relationships, employment, and one’s mental health. Depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation may result from having to cope with a chronic skin disorder. In the case of psoriasis, there can be physical pain and serious co-morbid medical conditions.
