Psoriasis Uncovered

Description: Coping with psoriasis can be challenging when your routine changes. Hear NPF Youth Ambassadors Aditi, Alyssa, and Pierce offer what they do to overcome such challenges when out of their routine. Join host Kaleigh Welch as she discusses tips for coping with changes that occur when traveling to visit family or friends, going on vacation, camping, or a change in schedule with three amazing NPF Youth Ambassadors Aditi, Alyssa, and Pierce who live with psoriasis. Hear their story from challenges with their initial diagnosis, struggles with insecurities, whether they choose to inform others, and what they do to manage their disease and stress while living their life with confidence to pursue their chosen activities no matter if their routine changes. This episode features how 3 NPF Youth Ambassadors overcome challenges when out of their routine and how they respond while managing their psoriasis. (0:00) Intro to Psoriasis Uncovered & welcome to guests Youth Ambassadors Aditi, Alyssa, and Pierce. (0:55) Overcoming challenges from diagnosis, finding the right treatment, to making choices impacted by living with psoriasis. (5:44) Tips for what to do and pack when traveling for activities that disrupt the usual routine. (10:11) Keeping the skin moisturized can be a challenge but find a routine and product that works. (12:38) Preparing for potential triggers that could initiate the Koebner phenomenon and psoriasis. (13:33) Managing the impact of stress when out of the routine or traveling. (16:20) Alyssa's approach to managing fatigue. (16:53) The impact of diet and exercise when managing psoriasis. (18:47) Telling others about psoriasis when staying at a friend's house or hotel. (23:36) Our number one recommendation for when being out of your routine. (25:39) Be confident about who you are and trust you'll find the right treatment and routine for your psoriasis. Key Takeaways: · Being out of your normal routine whether traveling on vacation or for work, camping, staying at a hotel or with family or friends can present challenges to managing your psoriasis. · Preparing in advance by anticipating medication or over-the-counter needs, telling others, and asking for help can reduce the impact of challenges due to a change in routine. · Be confident about who you are, find a treatment that works, and learn to live successfully with your psoriasis. Guest Bios: Aditi enjoys Carnatic singing, violin, figure skating, and participating in Model UN where students debate global issues, learn diplomacy, international relations, and public speaking. Aditi was diagnosed with psoriasis at 10 years old and has used topicals to manage her disease along with diet, exercise and stress management. Prior to becoming a Youth Ambassador she had never met anyone with psoriasis. She plans to pursue a career in dermatology. Alyssa is relatively new to the NPF Youth Ambassador program, joining in 2025 to connect with others who also live with psoriasis. Her diagnosis process was challenging and eventually she was diagnosed with guttate psoriasis after being improperly diagnosed and given treatments that didn't fully clear her psoriasis. This experience changed her life both physically and emotionally. Alyssa is a busy student-athlete serving as a member of her school's varsity cheer team and being a star pitcher for her school's softball team. Pierce connected with NPF right after being diagnosed with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in 2024 which covered over half of his body. Together with his mother they learned more about the disease and management with various treatment options from NPF, quickly learning what worked and what didn't. Per Pierce "it was horrible dealing with it for a while because I couldn't hide the plaques." After facing challenges with step therapy and eventually traveling to the Mayo Clinic he found the treatment he needed to help clear his skin. Pierce is very active in golf playing at least 5 days a week. He currently plays for his high school team, the Louisiana Junior Golf Tour, and the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). Pierce also became a Youth Ambassador to meet others with psoriatic disease. Resources: -Meet other teens who have psoriatic disease. Become a Youth Ambassador -"Traveling Near and Far With Psoriatic Disease" podcast episode. -"Moisturizing Sensitive Skin" Advance Online. June 11, 2025.

After being diagnosed with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, finding a community that understood how life changed meant everything to Jody Quinn, Ben and Kathryn Rifenbark. Join host Alan Simmons as he addresses life with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis before and after finding the National Psoriasis Foundation with 3 amazing volunteers – Jody Quinn, Ben and Kathryn Rifenbark. Hear their story from struggles with initial diagnosis, being an advocate for their own health care, to how they chose to become part of a community and help others with the disease to support the mission of the National Psoriasis Foundation. Being part of NPF truly changed their lives! This episode features how 3 volunteers changed their lives to navigate the challenges of being diagnosed with psoriatic disease to taking steps to help others in need and the mission of the National Psoriasis Foundation. Timestamps: · (0:00) Intro to Psoriasis Uncovered & guest welcome Jody Quinn, Ben and Kathryn Rifenbark. · (0:59) What life was like for Ben and Kathryn from diagnosis to finding a community through NPF. · (2:42) Facing psoriatic arthritis first and being undiagnosed for years was challenging for Jody. · (4:48) Finding control over psoriatic disease by becoming an advocate for change. · (6:15) Diving into the deep end to help fundraising efforts. · (7:03) Becoming a One to One mentor to help answer questions from others and share the positive impact NPF makes in our lives. · (8:52) Making connections to help raise awareness about psoriatic disease from resolutions to public service announcements and lighting bridges in NPF's colors -- orange and blue. · (10:40) Receiving the NPF Volunteer Innovator award and being a Psoriatic Ambassador Honoree. · (12:04) Benefits we received from attending the IMPACT Summit Volunteer Leadership Conference. · (15:11) Jody's single most life-changing event was attending the FDA Drug Development meeting. · (17:23) It's important to advocate for your own health care needs while continuing to learn from others and resources available through the NPF. · (19:14) Every step no matter how small or large makes an impact and is important. Key Takeaways: · Being diagnosed with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is a life-long journey which can be made easier by finding the right health care, education and resources, as well as a community that understands what it means to live with psoriatic disease. You are not alone. · You can take control over your disease by advocating for policy changes that affect all patients regardless of what chronic disease they may have. Let your voice be heard. · Every step you take no matter how small or large makes a difference – whether it's learning more about psoriatic disease, sharing your story, or participating as a volunteer. You can make an impact. Start your journey with NPF today! Become a volunteer. Guest Bios: Jody Quinn has a long history of involvement with NPF as a volunteer. She first became a volunteer in 2012 after seeking to connect with others who have psoriatic disease during a Walk event. She remembers meeting an inspirational group of volunteers. Wanting to learn more about her disease she attended More Than Skin Deep and Be Joint Smart events and served as a moderator. Continuing her path of involvement she attended Volunteer Conferences in Chicago and San Francisco. In 2016 she attended her first Capitol Hill Day followed by the FDA Patient Focused Drug Development (PFDD) meeting. Her involvement was so profound she remains an active advocate promoting research and legislation to enhance access to treatments and health care services. Jody has been so successful in promoting awareness about psoriatic disease, she was awarded the NPF Volunteer Innovator Award in 2017. In 2025 she was also named as the New England Soiree Psoriatic Ambassador Honoree for her impactful service and tireless advocacy. In her words, "I volunteer because it gives me some control over what often feels like a completely uncontrollable disease. It allows me to have a say in what is happening with my life and my disease, which I didn't have before. I also volunteer so that others don't have to go through the same long and difficult journey to diagnosis and treatment that I did." Kathryn & Ben Rifenbark discovered the NPF after many challenges with finding the right diagnosis for Ben's psoriasis. Through a local NPF Take ACTION event Ben quickly learned he wasn't alone in living with his disease, while Mom, Kathryn, gained as much information as she could. After the event, they soon became part of the NPF community with Ben serving as the 2024 Take ACTION Ambassador and a leading peer-to-peer fundraiser. He shared his story and a motivational message at last year's Take ACTION event to help encourage others to support the mission of the NPF. Ben is also an IMPACT Ambassador learning how to advocate for himself and has participated in the IMPACT Summit representing the amazing youth who are part of our NPF Community. Kathryn is now a mentor sharing what she's learned with other parents. Resources: Volunteer Spotlight: Jody Quinn May 1, 2025 Ambassador, Advocate and Mentor Advance Online December 11, 2025. (Ben & Kathryn Rifenbark) Her Nails Held the Secret to Her PsA Advance Online Updated September 29, 2025.

Description: Learn why advocating for care is crucial when moderate to severe plaque psoriasis develops at a young age or in high-impact sites, and how advanced biologic therapies can offer effective solutions for those that may be undertreated. Join moderator Kaitlin Walden, patient advocate Carolyn, and dermatologist Dr Candrice Heath as they discuss the realities of living with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis at a young age, as well as adult patients with plaque psoriasis in high-impact sites, like the scalp, nails, and face. Carolyn shares her personal journey with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and how it has continued from childhood into adulthood, while Dr Heath offers insights to help caregivers and patients navigate treatment approaches, including when and how a biologic therapy may be helpful. This episode addresses challenges associated with living and treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in children and adults. This episode is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. Please see Important Safety Information and full Prescribing Information for the product mentioned in this episode. Timestamps: · (0:23) Intro to Psoriasis Uncovered and guest introductions from dermatologist Dr. Candrice Heath and Carolyn, a patient advocate living with plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. · (1:22) Information about, and pivotal data for, TREMFYA® (guselkumab), a biologic used to treat adults and children 6 years and older who weigh at least 88 lbs or 40 kilograms with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. · (3:48) Living with psoriasis as a child can be difficult with challenges in being diagnosed correctly and receiving appropriate treatment. · (6:17) A dermatologist's view of children and adolescents living with plaque psoriasis including in high-impact sites. · (8:14) It's important to advocate for yourself and the best possible care. · (9:37) Open communication with your dermatologist helps identify the best possible treatment plan, which is dependent on several factors including the availability of new treatment options. · (12:05) Carolyn's biggest challenge is managing her psoriasis and then psoriatic arthritis. · (14:20) Results of the SPECTREM clinical trial addressing treatment of adults with moderate plaque psoriasis in high-impact sites. · (17:38) Find the support and information you need to find the right treatment. · (21:48) Important Safety Information about TREMFYA® (guselkumab). Key Takeaways: · Plaque psoriasis can be challenging both physically and emotionally for children and adults – especially when high-impact site involvement (such as the face, scalp, armpits, and groin) is present. · Individual treatment plans vary and are based on several factors, including the severity of psoriasis, dosing schedule, cost, or route of administration. Finding the right treatment for plaque psoriasis is a collaboration between a dermatologist, the patient, and/or family (should the patient be a child). · A number of medicines that treat plaque psoriasis from the inside out, including biologics, are now available for children and adults. Such treatment options are continuing to expand. Guest Bios: Candrice Heath, M.D. is a highly respected triple board-certified dermatologist who sees both children and adults at Howard University Hospital in Washington DC where she is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology. She is board-certified in dermatology, pediatrics, and pediatric dermatology. Dr Heath is a nationally recognized speaker, pediatric and adult dermatology clinical researcher, and has held a variety of leadership roles including Chair for the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA), Skin of Color and Pigmentary Disorders Focused Group, Skin of Color Society National Secretary-Treasurer, and American Academy of Dermatology Diversity Committee member. Her clinical, research, and teaching interests are shaped by insights gained from her unique practice filled with both children and adults in addition to her passion for exploring the intersection of dermatology and social science. Carolyn Pugh is a patient advocate and volunteer with the National Psoriasis Foundation who lives with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Carolyn was diagnosed with psoriasis at age 11 after being misdiagnosed and offered treatments that didn't work. Once she was diagnosed with plaque psoriasis some of the initial treatments were difficult and unsustainable. Over the years she has learned to advocate for her own self-care and feels her personal experiences can help empower other adults and parents. Resources: · Learn more about treatment options for children and adolescents at Our Spot for Youth and Parents · For more information about psoriasis in high-impact sites

Hear leading dermatologist Dr. E. James Song and patient advocate Ana Rinck share their perspectives on the use of biosimilars to manage psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The use of biosimilars is growing with 24 currently on the market and more on the way for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. What does this mean for you? Find out as we explore the use of biosimilars, the impact of interchangeability, what it's like switching to a biosimilar, and what questions to ask your health care provider with leading dermatologist and NPF Medical Board member Dr. E. James Song, Director of Clinical Research at Frontier Dermatology Partners, and patient advocate Ana Rinck who currently uses a biosimilar to treat her psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The intent of this episode is to offer an update on the use of biosimilars and to hear the experience of those who have used biosimilars to manage psoriatic disease. This episode is sponsored by Organon. Timestamps: (0:00) Intro to Psoriasis Uncovered and guest welcome to dermatologist Dr. E. James Song, Director of Clinical Research and Co-Chief Medical Officer, Frontier Dermatology, and patient advocate Ana Rinck, who presents her experience with using a biosimilar to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. (0:58) Definition of what is a biosimilar in comparison to a biologic which is also referred to as the original bio-originator or reference product. (3:10) What biosimilars are available and how they are used. (4:35) The term interchangeable and what it means for use of a biosimilar. (5:46) Ana's diagnosis to treatment options starting with use of topicals to ultimately use of a biosimilar. (7:57) Treatment discussion and choices when faced with diminishing effectiveness within a class of medications. Should a biosimilar be considered as an option? (9:50) Questions to consider when there's a change in treatment. (10:57) FDA announcement to simplify the development process for biosimilars and what that means for the future use of biosimilars. (13:55) What to consider when thinking of a biosimilar as a treatment option and where to find help when needed. (14:53) The hope and equity of access that biosimilars represent is here for the appropriate individual. Key Takeaways: · A biosimilar is an FDA-approved biologic product that behaves and functions like a brand biologic treatment which is also called the reference product or bio-originator. There are no clinically meaningful differences between biosimilars and their reference product. · The FDA has approved several biosimilars for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Some have been identified as interchangeable which means a biosimilar could be substituted for a reference product without a health care provider's approval pending state legislative rules. · Don't be afraid to ask questions or access resources to assist with preparing for a medication change should that change be initiated either by yourself, your healthcare provider, or your health insurance company. Guest Bios: E. James Song, M.D. is a nationally recognized dermatologist and clinical researcher who is also a Clinical Instructor at the University of Washington. Dr Song is recognized as a key opinion leader in treating psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. He is actively involved in the development of new therapies for dermatologic disease and has firsthand experience with treatments before they come to market. Dr. Song has been published extensively in peer review journals and regularly participates in meetings both as a lecturer and attendee. He is also a Medical Board member of the National Psoriasis Foundation. He believes that the best health outcomes come from shared decision making between the patient and physician. Dr. Song strives to help patients understand not only their condition, but all their treatment options. Ana Rinck is a patient advocate and volunteer for the National Psoriasis Foundation. She developed psoriasis in 2009 following symptoms she noticed for a few years which proved to be challenging to diagnose. She managed for many years on topicals and intralesional injections. In 2018 she was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and started use of a biologic realizing she needed to protect her joints from further damage. She now uses a biosimilar to manage her psoriatic disease. Ana owns her own private consulting business and is an Operations and Project Manager. Resources: -Learn more about biosimilars, interchangeability, and state substitution rules. -Armstrong A, Callis Duffin K, Feldman S, Glick B, Kalb R, Reddy S, Schwartzman S, Yamauchi P, Calabrese C, Cordoro K, Desai S, Gladman D, Han G, Hawkes JE, Hsu S, Kircik L, Koo J, Kreuger GG, Lebwohl M, Leonardi C, Lewitt GM, Liao W, Liu C, Markenson J, Merola JF, Orbai A, Prussick R, Richardson V, Soung J, Van Voorhees AS, Wallace E, Weinberg J, Wine Lee L, Harris J, Koons S, Howard L. Position Statement on the Use of Biosimilars for Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis. National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board. 2023. -If you need help finding a dermatologist near you contact the NPF's Patient Navigation Center for assistance.

Description: Nail psoriasis is tough to treat. Hear Rebecca, a patient who lives with nail psoriasis, and dermatologist Dr. Paul Yamauchi discuss the diagnosis, care, and treatment for this high-impact site. Join host Roy Pankey as he addresses the complexities of nail psoriasis from diagnosis to coping and the latest research and treatments with leading dermatologist, Dr. Paul Yamauchi from the Dermatology Institute and Skin Care Center and Clinical Science Institute, and Rebecca, a patient advocate with the National Psoriasis Foundation who lives with nail psoriasis. Listen as they discuss the challenges associated with living with nail psoriasis, and what can be done to help manage the disease from self-care to treatment choices – including the latest research developments. While nail psoriasis can be challenging to diagnose and treat, there are many actions that can be taken to help minimize the impact of this disease. Timestamps: (0:00) Intro to Psoriasis Uncovered & guest welcome Rebecca and dermatologist Dr. Paul Yamauchi. (0:58) Signs or changes to nails that indicate nail psoriasis is present. (2:07) Elements and challenges to diagnosing nail psoriasis. (4:41) What is a nail biopsy and how is it done. (5:25) How nail psoriasis relates to psoriatic arthritis. (6:19) What flares my nail psoriasis. (6:57) There are many treatment choices used to treat nail psoriasis based on convenience, impact of disease, preference, and when to expect improvement. (10:13) A personal perspective on medications used to treat nail psoriasis. (10:42) Research results of the latest medications used to treat nail psoriasis. (13:03) Upcoming oral agents that could be effective in treating nail psoriasis. (15:14) Self care tips, use of nail polish and artificial nails. (19:21) Nail psoriasis is challenging to treat. Be patient with yourself and your dermatologist. Key Takeaways: · Nail psoriasis presents many challenges from living and coping with the disease to diagnosis and treatment. · Medication choices for nail psoriasis are based on convenience, impact of disease, and preference for use of topicals, phototherapy, oral agents, and/or biologics. · Since nail psoriasis takes time to see improvement, it is important to be patient with yourself and your dermatologist. Guest Bios: Dermatologist Dr. Paul Yamauchi is President and Medical Director of the Dermatology Institute and Skin Care Center and Clinical Science Institute in Santa Monia, CA. Dr. Yamauchi is a leading expert in the field of psoriasis and has extensive experience treating different types of psoriasis using the latest treatments from topicals to biologics. He is also a Clinical Professor in the Division of Dermatology with David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Yamauchi has conducted over 200 clinical research trials as principal investigator and is widely regarded as an outstanding clinical research investigator exploring innovative therapies, serving on advisory panels designing protocols that led to FDA approval of various medications. Dr. Yamauchi is a past member of the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation and is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and the American Society of Dermatology Surgery. Rebecca Cohen, is a patient advocate, who was diagnosed with plaque, scalp, and nail psoriasis at age 6 after being adopted by a dermatology physician's assistant who quickly found the best treatment path for her. Prior to that time she was told she had eczema. "My skin actually was really bad as a child. Horrible. Hands, feet, elbows, everything." Eventually after experiencing joint pain and fatigue, she was also diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis around age 20 at which time she started on her first biologic. "I struggled a lot with nail pitting and thickness as a kid and have recently been going through another episode." Resources: -Still have questions? Contact the Patient Navigation Center . -Nail Psoriasis or Nail Fungus? Advance Online June 2025. -What Your Nails Can Tell Your Doctor About PsA Advance Online March 2020 .