Me: “Let’s go swimming, you want to?”

My roommate: “Where?”

Me: “At Robinson.”

My roommate: “...”

Me: “Come mon now, you used to swim ALL the time. You know it would make you feel better. I know I can’t completely understand how it affects you, but I’m trying to. I don’t want to be to pushy, though.”

My roommate: “It’s just, everybody stares. I know you’re just trying to help me, but I can’t help but be embarrassed and pissed off. A lot of people have it, but not everyone knows about it, though. So they’re not as understanding as you, but you’re my roommate so obviously I’m more comfortable around you.”

Me: “What’s it called again?”

My roommate: “Psoriasis.”

I had heard of psoriasis, but she was right, I wasn’t too informed on it, and did not realize its prevalence amongst the population. So I decided to Google it, because I Google everything! And the results were the following “Did You Know?” facts of the day: According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, 2-3 percent of the world’s population has psoriasis, and between 5.8 and 7.5 million Americans have the common disease. Along with the prevalence of the disease, I believe we all should know at least the basic causes, effects and appearances of psoriasis.

Everybody has skin cells that shed regularly, and a normal cell ‘sheds’ or falls of your skin in about 30 days. A person with psoriasis, however, has skin cells that shed and then accumulate at the surface every three to four days, instead of falling off. If this accumulation creates lesions that appear as red or white patches on various locations on the body, the person is diagnosed as having plaque psoriasis, one of the most common of the five different forms. These patches are what make my roommate apprehensive about going out in public in a bathing suit or even capris.

I’ll admit, that if I see something that is “different,” I’ll either look twice, or more carefully. I’m not saying that I stare or perceive that person with a lower standard than before by any means. I’m just a curious, open-minded girl. And as humans, I’m sure we can all agree and admit as well, that at least one point in our life we have done the same. We have looked a little longer at a unique trait than is appropriately allowed. Unfortunately, that extra long glance is why many people who have psoriasis, like my roommate, experience the emotional distress that it causes as well.

Psoriasis is thought to be genetic, with a person diagnosed having some relative with the disease as well. The severity of the disease depends on the percentage of body surface that is covered by the patches, as well as the impact it has on a person’s life. Judging from my roommate’s own experiences and testimony, amount of body surface doesn’t even matter. The effect that it has on people, women mostly, is heartbreaking. No one can prevent or cure psoriasis, and I know my roommate feels people will judge and stare regardless of that fact. The treatments one can endure to help with the disease are financially demanding, with billions of dollars spent annually.

I learned that World Psoriasis Day is Oct. 29. Hopefully until next year if you see anyone with a condition or anything you may deem as “different,” you’ll consider the many causes that may be behind it, because it could be psoriasis or some other unfortunate condition.

Me: “Can we go swimming now?”

McNaughton is a Topeka junior in journalism.