Perception and portrayal: The depiction of psoriasis in dermatology cartoons

Psoriasis is a frequently misunderstood condition that is associated with significant stigma. Media portrayals of skin disorders can influence public beliefs about those disorders. This study aimed to describe the portrayal of psoriasis in cartoons to inform education campaigns about the condition in a creative manner. The image sections of the internet search engines Google, Yahoo, Bing, and DuckDuckGo were inspected for single-panel cartoons that specifically referenced psoriasis. Each cartoon about psoriasis was then examined according to an instrument with categories for describing the treatment, outcome, impact of diagnosis, nature of the cartoonist's intended humor, and apparent messages about psoriasis. Twelve cartoons were identified. There is scope for more positive and imaginative portrayals of psoriasis in cartoons. The phrase heartbreak of psoriasis was commonly used by cartoonists, and this medium has overlooked various treatment options for psoriasis.