Reality star, Kim Kardashian revealed last week via Twitter that her battle with the skin condition, psoriasis, is now present on her face. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches to appear on the skin.

psoriasisThe 35-year-old Kardashian is not stranger to psoriasis. Last summer it was reported she had the classic red, itchy patches on her legs. In fact, she once said, “After this many years, I’ve really learned to live with it.”

While the condition was restricted to her legs, it appears it is now on her face.

LISTEN: Psoriasis: An interview with Dr. David Sikes

Psoriasis typically affects the outside of the elbows, knees or scalp, though it can appear on any location. Some people report that psoriasis is itchy, burns and stings. The exact causes of psoriasis is still unknown; however, experts say that the immune system and genetics play major roles in its development.

Certain “triggers”, such as stress, injury to skin, medications, infections, and potentially allergies, diet, and weather can cause psoriasis to become active.

While Kardashian doesn’t give many details on her newly found facial psoriasis patches, the National Psoriasis Foundation says: Facial psoriasis most often affects the eyebrows, the skin between the nose and upper lip, the upper forehead and the hairline. Psoriasis on and around the face should be treated carefully because the skin here is sensitive.

There are a number of psoriasis treatments available including creams, oral and injectable medications and phototherapy.

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Psoriasis Public domain image/Bodiadub
Psoriasis
Public domain image/Bodiadub