6 Psoriasis Self-Assessment Tools Black People Need to Know About

A chronic skin condition responsible for rapid skin cell growth, psoriasis can turn normal healthy-looking skin into something out of a horror movie! Whether it’s red, scaly patches, burning flesh, stiff joints, or thickened nails, the symptoms of psoriasis are more than enough to interrupt your daily life. Unfortunately for Black individuals, the challenges of this condition often show up in different ways. Patches may appear purple, dark brown, or gray on darker skin, making diagnosis and treatment all the more difficult.  This is why self-assessment tools are so essential. These handy tools can help you monitor the severity and impact of your psoriasis, allowing you and your doctor to make better, more informed decisions. Here are six critical self-assessment tools you’ve gotta know. 1. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) is a popular tool that gives you a good idea of the severity and extent of your condition. Basically, it assesses how much redness, thickness, and scaling you’ve got in your skin lesions, while also letting you know the area of your body affected. PASI scores can range from 0 to 72. The higher the score, the worse your psoriasis. The index...