From the Editor…
If pityriasis rubra pilaris is, in fact, an autoimmune disease, then supporting the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association would seem like an appropriate path forward. It was on this basis that I approached the AARDA in 2015 intent upon having the PRP Alliance join. It became clear, however, that it was the view of ARRDA that PRP was NOT an autoimmune disease. It should be noted that the National Psoriasis Foundation agrees.
What they say about themselves:
“The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association is dedicated to the eradication of autoimmune diseases and the alleviation of suffering and the socioeconomic impact of autoimmunity through fostering and facilitating collaboration in the areas of education, public awareness, research, and patient services in an effective, ethical, and efficient manner.
“AARDA is the only national nonprofit health agency dedicated to bringing a comprehensive focus to autoimmunity, the major cause of over 100 serious chronic diseases. Approximately 50 million Americans — or one in five people — suffer from autoimmune diseases. Women are more likely than men to be affected; some estimates say 75% of those affected are women. Still, autoimmunity is rarely discussed as a women’s health issue.
“An autoimmune disease develops when a person’s immune system mistakenly identifies healthy cells as foreign cells and attacks them. There are over 100 known autoimmune diseases. Most of these are known by their singular names, but the public is generally unaware of their autoimmune nature. This makes it difficult to raise awareness of autoimmune diseases as a whole.
Many people also confuse the term autoimmune with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or they think these diseases are a form of cancer.
Editor’s Note: Skin disorders considered to be autoimmune include:
✽ Psoriasis
✽ Psoriatic arthritis
✽ Bechet’s disease
✽ Bullous pemphigoid
✽ Dermatitis herpetiforms
✽ Dermatomyositis
✽ Lichen planus
✽ Lichen sclerosus
✽ Pemphigus
✽ Prsoriatic arthritis
✽ Vitiligo