Actor Ted Danson, 77, Who Lives With Psoriasis, Recalls a Horrifying Moment Filming ‘Cheers’ Where He Felt as Though He was ‘Plummeting to Earth’

Then came showtime. “The audience comes. Here comes the moment, and you could hear a pin drop,” he said. “And it’s like, instead of being horrified, it’s the funniest thing because your body is all of a sudden plummeting to earth.”

While the missed punchline threw him off briefly—he even wondered if the mics had failed—Danson has weathered far more challenging experiences, including living with plaque psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition he’s managed for decades.

Psoriasis causes the immune system to attack healthy skin, often affecting areas like the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, and soles of the feet.

Danson has spoken candidly about how the condition shaped his outlook and even his humor. “I sometimes wonder whether or not my self-deprecating humor came as a defense: ‘I’ll make fun of myself before someone else does’ kind of thing,” he told USA Today.

“I was obviously able to navigate it [psoriasis], but it takes a toll,” he added.

Though there’s no cure for psoriasis, treatments like topical creams and ointments can help ease symptoms. Patients are also encouraged to speak with their healthcare providers to identify specific triggers—such as dietary or environmental factors—that may worsen flare-ups

Psoriasis is Chronic, But Can Be Managed

According to the National Institutes of Health, “Many people with psoriasis have a family history of the disorder. Researchers have identified certain genes linked to the disease, but they still don’t fully understand the disease process. They do know that it isn’t contagious.”

Dr. Saakshi Khattri, a dermatologist and rheumatologist at Mount Sinai Health System, echoed this point in an interview with SurvivorNet, explaining, “It is a chronic condition, which can ebb and flow. You can have good days and bad days.”

WATCH: Understanding the various types of psoriasis

While anyone can develop psoriasis, Dr. Khattri noted that it’s most commonly diagnosed between 30 and 50. She added that researchers believe both genetic predisposition and environmental influences contribute to the onset of the disease.

Common psoriasis symptoms include:

• Red patches of skin covered with silvery-like scales
• Small scaling spots
• Dry, cracked skin that may bleed or itch
• Itching, burning, or soreness
• Thickened or ridged nails
• Swollen or stiff joints

Environmental factors, particularly stress, are known to trigger flare-ups. A review published in the International Journal of Dermatology found that between 31% and 88% of people with psoriasis identified stress as a major contributor to their symptoms.

This stress is often compounded by the emotional burden of living with the condition—feelings of anxiety, shame, or depression are not uncommon. As a result, managing stress becomes essential for managing psoriasis itself. Tools like meditation, regular exercise, therapy, and relaxation practices should be woven into everyday routines to help reduce symptom flare-ups.

Other known triggers include skin injuries, infections, and weather-related factors, particularly cold, dry climates.

Managing Your Psoriasis Symptoms

Topical treatments, such as medicated skin creams, remain a cornerstone in managing psoriasis symptoms. The specific topical used often depends on the type of psoriasis and its unique presentation.

The overarching goal of most psoriasis treatments is to achieve remission—defined as a reduction or disappearance of symptoms. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, remission is reached “when skin becomes clear and patients do not experience symptoms such as itching, pain, or irritation.”

There are seven recognized types of psoriasis, each with distinct characteristics:

• Plaque psoriasis: The most common form, marked by dry, raised patches of skin that may be itchy, tender, and covered with silvery scales.
• Nail psoriasis: Affects fingernails and toenails, sometimes causing them to loosen or separate from the nail bed.
• Guttate psoriasis: Typically appears in children or young adults and is often triggered by bacterial infections like strep throat.
• Inverse psoriasis: Occurs in skin folds—such as under the breasts, around the groin, or buttocks—and can worsen with friction or sweating.
• Pustular psoriasis: A rare type characterized by widespread, pus-filled blisters.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis: Another rare form that can cover the entire body, causing intense redness, peeling, and burning sensations.
• Psoriatic arthritis: Involves painful, swollen joints. Sometimes, joint discomfort is the first or only sign, though nail changes and skin symptoms may also appear.

How is Psoriasis Treated?

In some cases, psoriasis is managed with oral medications, which may include the following:

• Methotrexate: Approved for psoriasis in 1972, this medication can be taken orally or administered intravenously. It functions as an immunosuppressant by inhibiting rapidly dividing cells. According to treatment guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology and the National Psoriasis Foundation, methotrexate is typically prescribed in doses ranging from 7.5 mg to 25 mg per week, either as a single dose or divided into three smaller doses within 24 hours. Common side effects include fatigue and nausea.
• Apremilast (Otezla): This oral drug works by suppressing an enzyme within inflammatory cells. Frequently reported side effects include diarrhea, nausea, upper respiratory tract infections, and headaches.
• Cyclosporine: Although not typically used for long-term psoriasis management due to its potential for serious side effects, cyclosporine may be prescribed “as a rapid-acting medication for severe, recalcitrant disease, acute flares, and erythroderma.” Its most common adverse effects include nephrotoxicity (kidney problems) and hypertension (high blood pressure).

In addition to oral medications, systemic treatments include biologic drugs administered via injection or intravenous (IV) infusion. Unlike traditional systemic medications, which affect the entire immune system, biologics are designed to target specific immune response components.

A patient may enter remission once a treatment successfully reduces or eliminates symptoms. However, remission is often unpredictable and varies significantly from person to person. Most individuals experience a return of symptoms within 12 months of reaching remission.

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