World Psoriasis Day 2026: What It Is and Why It Matters to People Living With Psoriasis

World Psoriasis Day is on 29 October. It is the one day each year when people around the world come together to talk about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and to say that these conditions deserve to be understood.

If you have just found this page, here is the short version of what it is, why it matters, and how you can be part of it.

What is World Psoriasis Day?

World Psoriasis Day is an international awareness day held every year on 29 October. It is a chance to raise understanding of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, to challenge the myths that surround them, and to push for better care and support.

Psoriasis is a long-term condition. It is not contagious, and it is much more than "just a skin thing". For many people, it also affects the joints, energy, sleep, work, relationships and mental wellbeing. Psoriatic arthritis can develop alongside it.

Why does it matter?

Because so many people still get it wrong.

Some people living with psoriasis are asked if it is contagious. Some are told to try a different soap or to just cover up. Some wait a long time for a diagnosis or for the right support, and some feel they have to explain themselves every time they walk into a room.

That weight is real. A day like this gives us a reason to talk openly, to listen to each other, and to make it a little harder for psoriatic disease to stay misunderstood.

It also matters if you are new to all of this. Maybe you have just been diagnosed. Maybe you are looking up symptoms at midnight. You are not alone, and many people know exactly how you feel.

How we are marking it at PSOR

From 24 to 29 October, we will be sharing posts, stories and information across our channels. The heart of our campaign this year is PSOR Perspective, a project collecting photographs from people living with psoriatic disease.

The idea is simple. When people see the real picture, stigma has less room to grow. Your image can show your skin, your joints, your treatment routine, or simply how this condition feels. A phone photo is perfectly fine, and you do not need to be a photographer. You can find out more and take part at psor.org/psor-perspective.

Other ways to take part

You do not have to share a photo to be part of World Psoriasis Day. Some ideas:

• Share something we post. A share helps someone who has not yet heard of us yet find support.

• Talk about it. Tell a friend, a colleague or a family member one thing you wish people understood.

• Join the community. Our friendly online space, PSOcial Space, is open to people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and to the people who care for them.

• Learn more. Our Information Hub has plain-language guides on living with psoriatic disease, written with patients in mind.

  
  

A note from us

We are a patient-led charity, and we are not medically trained. This article is general information and not medical advice. If you are worried about your skin, your joints or how you are feeling, please speak to your GP or specialist.

Whether you have lived with psoriatic disease for decades or only a few days, World Psoriasis Day is for you. We would love for you to be part of it with us.