Psoriasis Is Not Contagious and Can Be Controlled With Proper Treatment: BMU Vice-Chancellor on World Psoriasis Day
Psoriasis is not a contagious disease. With proper treatment the disease can be kept under control and affected people can lead a normal life, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr FM Siddiqui has said.
He said people with psoriasis must not be treated in a way that makes them feel isolated or neglected. Along with raising awareness about the disease, discriminatory behaviour towards affected people must stop.
He made the remarks on Thursday (29 October) after inaugurating an awareness procession organised at BMU for World Psoriasis Day 2026.
The day was observed by the Psoriasis Awareness Club and the Bangladesh Dermatologist Society under the theme 'Look beyond the skin, see the person'. A procession was brought out from the university's Bottala, and later a scientific seminar was held in the lecture hall of the university's Super Specialized Hospital.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr FM Siddiqui said that because psoriasis is visible on the skin, affected people often face distance from others in family, society and the workplace. To deal with such situations, spreading correct knowledge about the disease is essential, and the public must be made aware that psoriasis is not contagious.
He said psoriasis is also linked to arthritis. One-third of people with the disease may develop arthritis. If arthritis is detected early and treated properly, it can be kept under control. Otherwise the disease can become severe and damage joints, the spine and various organs, and may also disrupt normal movement.
The Vice-Chancellor also said modern methods have been added to psoriasis treatment with advances in medical science. If these treatments are applied properly, affected people can keep the disease under control and lead a normal life. He called on media workers, alongside doctors, to spread awareness messages on this issue.
Special guests at the seminar included Director General of Health Education Professor Dr Nazmul Hossain, Director (Administration) of the Directorate General of Health Services Professor Dr Jalal Uddin Mohammad Rumi, Director of the Disease Control branch Professor Dr Md Halimur Rashid and BMU Director of Planning and Development Professor Dr Erfanul Haq Siddiqui.
