South Africa’s growing health crisis has a new contender quietly adding to the burden, psoriasis. As the nation struggles with diabetes, heart disease, obesity and depression, advocates are warning that psoriasis, often dismissed as a “skin problem,” is a much deeper public health issue than most realise.
On World Psoriasis Day, the advocacy group PsorAfrica has called on the Department of Health to officially recognise psoriasis as part of South Africa’s non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis.
More Than a Skin Condition
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own skin cells, leading to inflamed, painful, and scaly patches. But new evidence shows that this inflammation doesn’t stop at the surface, it can affect the joints, heart, and even mental health.
Research published in the International Journal of Dermatology and the South African General Practitioner Review reveals that local psoriasis patients face higher rates of metabolic syndrome, including diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, conditions already listed among the country’s top causes of illness and death.
“People see the visible plaques and forget the invisible inflammation,” says Veronica Mitchell, Secretary of the South African Psoriasis Association. “That inflammation travels through the body, creating a domino effect. When we treat psoriasis early, we’re preventing other serious diseases from developing.”
Living With Psoriasis
For Junaid Baig, a Cape Town entrepreneur diagnosed with psoriasis at age 14, the condition has shaped his life and career. Years of flare-ups and stigma have been challenging, but community support has kept him grounded.
“Every flare-up reminds me to stand tall in my own skin,” says Baig. “We aren’t asking for sympathy — just dignity, understanding, and access to proper treatment.”
His story echoes the experiences of thousands of South Africans who live with chronic autoimmune conditions that remain underdiagnosed and undertreated.
A Call for Integrated Care
PsorAfrica is calling on national policymakers to act urgently. The organisation’s key demands include:
- Recognising psoriasis as part of South Africa’s non-communicable disease burden
- Ensuring equitable access to dermatological and mental health services
- Training primary healthcare workers to identify and manage psoriasis early
- Funding public awareness campaigns to fight stigma and misinformation
To build awareness, PsorAfrica and the South African Psoriasis Association are inviting citizens to share their stories online using #StopTheDominoEffect and #WorldPsoriasisDaySA.
The organisations will also host community dialogues in Durban, Pretoria, and Cape Town throughout November. These sessions will offer free consultations, information booths, and open discussions with dermatologists and mental health professionals.
Understanding PsorAfrica
PsorAfrica is a regional advocacy network uniting patients, healthcare workers, and policymakers to improve psoriasis care across the continent. The organisation focuses on awareness, access to treatment, and policy reform to ensure that no one living with psoriasis feels isolated or neglected.
As South Africa grapples with overlapping health challenges, PsorAfrica’s message is clear: treating psoriasis early can prevent a chain reaction of chronic diseases that continue to strain the nation’s health system.