VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Psoriasis is quite common, with 125 million people worldwide who have the chronic autoimmune skin condition — seven million of those diagnoses in the United States and another 600,000 undiagnosed, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.

During Psoriasis Awareness Month, doctors are raising awareness of the effects of psoriasis on the human body. It causes red, scaly patches on the skin.

"It's an inflammatory skin condition and it affects many parts of our body besides the skin," said Dr. Lawrence Chang of Chang Dermatology and Skin Surgery Center. "It affects the heart."

That connection can create the possibility of heart attack.

"So often, people with severe psoriasis, they have joint destruction," he said. "So they have to be treated early and the

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