Flare Frequency

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that currently has no cure and can be a difficult and challenging condition to live with on a daily basis. Most people cycle through periods of flare-ups and periods of remission. Psoriasis flare-ups are periods of time when symptoms become worse. Remissions are periods of time when the symptoms get better or even go away completely for a period of time.

In our Psoriasis In America 2017 survey we asked respondents to share their experiences with frequency and duration of psoriasis flares. A look at the responses of survey respondents regarding psoriasis flares.

Number of flares in the past year

When asked the question "within the past year, how frequently have you experienced a psoriasis flare," 54% of respondents shared that they experience 8 or more flares a year!

Duration of latest flare

Respondents to the survey were also asked: "how long did your latest flare last?" A look at the responses from participants of our survey.

Most frustrating flare symptoms

When you have a flare, what symptom is the most frustrating for you? The top five most frustrating symptoms experienced during a flare were as follows:

1. Itching
2. Red patches of skin with silvery scales (plaques)
3. Swollen and/or stiff joints
4. Pain
5. Scale/crust/lesions on the scalp

Identifying flare triggers

People who are diagnosed with psoriasis can learn to identify and avoid their own psoriasis triggers, which are things in the environment that can cause psoriasis symptoms to flare up. Identifying triggers can be a tactic to help manage frequency of flares.