Recently, in the news was Kim Kardashian, star of the reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians, diagnosed with psoriasis. A airing of a video clip showed Kardashian in deep discussion with her dermatologist over the rash’s onset.

The fact that most psoriasis sufferers try to hide their condition has seen Kardashian’s diagnosis draw a lot of attention. By being open and willing to discuss her condition, Kardashian is creating awareness about psoriasis and other auto-immune conditions.

As the National Psoriasis Foundation explains, the most common auto-immune disease affecting 7.5 million Americans, psoriasis is often misdiagnosed as a rash, ringworm or skin irritation like eczema.

Those suffering from psoriasis are also at increased risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and depression, with around 30% of people with psoriasis going on to develop psoriatic arthritis, , a painful inflammation of the joints that can be disabling.

The National Psoriasis Foundation is extremely pleased over the awareness the television celebrity’s openness about her skin condition has created about a condition that can prove devastating, socially.

Catie Coman, Director of Communications for the National Psoriasis Foundation said she thought Kim Kardashian was brave to come out in to the open about her recent diagnosis, and admired her self-confidence, when her stock and trade is about being beautiful. Interestingly, Kris Jenner, Kardashian’s mother was also diagnosed with psoriasis at the same age as her daughter.

The disease is not contagious, but both genetics and the immune system play a role in the onset of the disease. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells, with red patches often appearing on the scalp, knees, elbows and torso, but which can can develop anywhere. Most concerned about her face, Kardashian was reassured by her doctor that it was rare for patches to appear on the face.

There are five types of the skin condition: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. Like Kardashian, nearly 80% of people have plaque psoriasis that appears as red, raised patches.