Recognising Autoimmune Awareness Month

Many people think psoriasis is ‘just a skin condition’, however, skin plaques are just one symptom of living with psoriasis, which occurs as a result of your immune system not functioning correctly.

Autoimmune Awareness Month takes place every March to raise awareness and advocate for further research into autoimmune conditions. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are classed as immune-mediated inflammatory conditions (or IMID) – but what does this really mean?

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For people with psoriasis, the immune system is overactive, speeding up the skin replacement process and taking just a few days to replace skin cells that usually take up to a month.

If psoriasis affects my immune system, what extra precautions do I need to take?

Autoimmune conditions don’t necessarily cause a weakened immune system, but some medications used to treat these disorders may cause a weakened immune response.

Several treatments for psoriasis and PsA are immunosuppressive, which means they work by reducing the activity of the immune system. These include the systemic treatments methotrexate and ciclosporin, which are most commonly used in the UK, as well as a variety of biologic treatments.

If you live in the UK and are immunocompromised, or are taking immunosuppressive medication such as the biologics and systemics mentioned above, you may be entitled to NHS vaccinations to help your immune system to fight off those tougher infections, such as the flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

The announced and authorised eligible cohorts for the COVID-19 spring 2026 programme are:

The NHS will contact you in spring 2026 if you're eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations will take place from April - June 2026.

If you've signed up for the NHS App, you can use it to book a COVID-19 vaccination once you have been contacted. You may also be offered a flu vaccination in the same appointment, if you are eligible.

Is there a cure for psoriasis or PsA?

As well as the visible symptoms, psoriasis can affect many aspects of a someone’s life, including mental wellbeing, self-esteem, relationships and work. It can even sometimes impact physical mobility by causing inflammation in the joints (psoriatic arthritis/PsA).

Like most autoimmune conditions, there is no cure for psoriasis or PsA, but there are many ways to manage it – and that’s where we can help.

On our website, you’ll find lots of information about treatments, resources to take to appointments, and forums to speak to other people with psoriasis about whatever’s on your mind. Our helpline is also available Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. You can give us a call, send an email or even send us a WhatsApp message!