National Psoriasis Information Week takes place from today with a series of meetings and events scheduled around the country.

This is the biggest effort yet to educate Ireland about this painful and distressing skin conditon. The purpose is to create awareness and to encourage patients to seek information.

An estimated 100,000 people in Ireland have psoriasis. Many are too embarrassed or frustrated to seek medical help.

"Psoriasis is prevalent in many families throughout the country, yet many people have a vague understanding about the condition and how it can affect the sufferer physically and psychologically," said Caroline Irwin of the Psoriasis Association of Ireland.

Ms Irwin asked people to show support to coffee mornings, walks, and sponsored head shaves which are some of the events planned.

Details about the campaign have been issued to dermatologists, general practitioners, dermatology nurses and pharmacists.

You can also visit irishealth.com’s Psoriasis Clinic at…

http://www.irishhealth.com/clin/psor/index.html