Plaque psoriasis affects 80-90% of people with psoriasis, causing raised, inflamed, and scaly patches of skin. Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert has been managing this autoimmune condition since age 10.

As a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease, plaque psoriasis is driven by an overactive immune system. Dr. Adam Friedman, professor of dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine, explains that it's linked to joint disease, cardiovascular risk, metabolic syndrome, and mental health issues.

The condition appears differently based on skin color:

• On Caucasian skin: Red patches with silvery white scales
• On skin of color: Darker, thicker patches with purple, grayish, or brown coloring

Despite common misconceptions, plaque psoriasis is not contagious. The visible plaques result from dysregulated skin cell turnover caused by inflammation, not infection.

Treatment options include:

• Topical treatments (corticosteroids, vitamin D analogs)
• Oral medications (apremilast, TYK2 inhibitors)
• Phototherapy (UVB light therapy)
• Biologics (risankizumab, guselkumab, secukinumab, bimekizumab)

Goedert, who initially tried to hide his condition, now openly shares his experience to help others, particularly young people with psoriasis. He emphasizes the importance of consulting with doctors to find the right treatment, as different solutions work for different lifestyles.

Modern treatments can achieve skin clearance, and ongoing research in targeted therapies, microbiome research, and personalized medicine continues to advance treatment options for patients with plaque psoriasis.

Through his platform and partnership with Amgen, Goedert continues to raise awareness and provide support for others living with plaque psoriasis, showing that successful management of the condition is possible even at the highest levels of professional sports.

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