A new campaign aims to address concerns for those living with psoriasis by approaching the condition from the inside out.

The #AskHowIFeel cam-paign is designed to support those living with psoriasis to seek support from others – whether friends, family or healthcare professionals – and to have more open conversations about the impact the condition has on their lives.

According to the Irish Skin Foundation, 100,000 people in Ireland live with psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that causes patches of red, itchy and scaly skin.

As well as the physical symptoms, psoriasis can affect people emotionally. Many people with the condition can struggle with anxiety and depression, impacting both self-esteem and confidence.

Dr Eddie Murphy, clinical psychologist and campaign ambassador, said: “Skin conditions such as psoriasis can affect people’s view of themselves deeply, though it is rarely treated holistically. I believe it is important to treat both the emotional and physical aspects of psoriasis in order to have the best quality of life possible. I believe this can make a massive difference.”

As a part of the #AskHowIFeel campaign, Dr Murphy is collaborating with a number of people in Ireland living with psoriasis to look at how it is affecting their emotional wellbeing. Together, they will work step-by-step to achieve goals designed to overcome these challenges.

Dr Murphy will use his expertise to provide people with techniques to help them take control, while building a positive mindset around managing their psoriasis. In addition, he will introduce the SymTrac app, a free tool from pharmaceutical company Novartis to empower those living with psoriasis to better track their symptoms.

The #AskHowIFeel cam-paign is created by Novartis in partnership with the Irish Skin Foundation.

For more information visit www.askhowifeel.ie