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There is an estimated, 1.8 million people in the UK who are living with psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin and joints.

The condition causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales which normally appear on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back but can appear anywhere on your body.

It can start at any age, but most often develops in adults under 35 and can affect men and women equally.

To mark Psoriasis Awareness Week, the Psoriasis Association has launched a new range of leaflets to provide patients with comprehensive information about their psoriasis and the care options available on the NHS so patients do not have to suffer in silence.

The leaflets have been developed in response to a mounting call for high quality patient information - revealed in a number of independent reports published over the last 18 months.

A report published last month Patients in Control: why people with long-term conditions must be empowered found more than half of respondents were not offered support or information on their long-term condition at diagnosis.

The series of leaflets aims to address that information gap with information beyond the basics of what the condition is and are available through doctors and on the Psoriasis Association website.

Chairman Ray Jobling, who lives in Cambridge and has suffered with psoriasis for nearly 60 years, said they wanted to make people aware of the different treatments available.

People who have psoriasis, and in some cases sadly have it for quite a long while, they get stuck on the same form of treatment, he said. We like to try and keep people up to date, theres lots of new treatments coming in, and good ways for how people can support themselves.

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The Psoriasis Association launches series of leaflets for people living with the condition