LeAnn Rimes Starts Psoriasis Awareness Campaign

With the help of Country Music star LeAnn Rimes, this week saw the launch of Stop Hiding from Psoriasis, a campaign headed up by the American Academy of Dermatology and National Psoriasis Foundation to increase awareness of the disease. The non-contagious, chronic immune disorder causes flare ups of itchy, red skin, and for some people, can progress to a combination of skin lesions and arthritis. Rimes, who suffers from the disease, hopes the campaign will help educate and encourage people to talk to their doctors about the effects of psoriasis. "Having battled severe psoriasis my whole life, I have gone to great lengths to hide my condition, especially as a performer," Rimes said. "Over the years, I've had to deal with the emotional and physical toll psoriasis has had on my self-esteem and confidence, but today I no longer let psoriasis define who I am or how I feel about myself. I hope by joining this effort and sharing my story, others will be empowered to stop hiding from their psoriasis and better manage their disease and not let it limit them or their aspirations." For more information about psoriasis, visit www.StopHiding.org.