Never settle: How Jimmy's story with GPP inspires greater action and support

August 12, 2025 at 12:01 PM EDT

(BPT) - Jimmy Castillo has always welcomed new adventures. The Southern California native enjoys traveling and exploring new corners of the world. But after decades of global exploration, his most unexpected journey began close to home - in his doctor's office.

At age 39, Castillo started noticing patches of painful, pus-filled blisters across his body, including his hands and lower back. Though he had been diagnosed with plaque psoriasis decades earlier at age 15, he knew immediately that this was something different.

"It was different than what I was used to as a teenager," he recalls. "I knew something wasn't right."

Unbeknownst to Castillo, he was grappling with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) - a potentially dangerous and distinct form of psoriasis. GPP occurs when there is an imbalance in one of the pathways that manages inflammation in your body - the interleukin-36, or IL-36 pathway.

GPP is characterized by the sudden appearance of multiple small blisters filled with pus (called pustules) on large areas of the skin of the body, arms, and legs, that also become red and painful. Intense symptoms can include fever, chills and loss of appetite. GPP can cause underlying inflammation, plus unpredictable flares which can occur several times a year and can become life-threatening. GPP is rare, impacting approximately 1 in 10,000 people in the United States.

Jimmy leans against a barrier at a boardwalk.

While GPP can develop at any age, most people are diagnosed in their 50s, and it is more common in women. The physical and emotional toll can be substantial - impacting daily activities, triggering anxiety, and leaving many in fear of their next flare.

"It was in very noticeable areas," Castillo shares. "Having it on my hands and using my hands to pay or to eat - I felt like everybody noticed. I became very shy, and I didn't want to go out, I used to wear gloves with fingertips cut out just to feel a little more comfortable."

Refusing to settle, he fought for a diagnosis and began learning more about his GPP. While flare-ups still occur, he now feels empowered with the knowledge and tools to navigate them.

A turning point came when he connected with others in the GPP community. "With GPP, you live in fear every day," Castillo says. "Talking to peers, participating in events, and learning from others with GPP has made a world of difference. I realized I wasn't alone."

Jimmy poses in the center of a wooden bridge in the woods.

"Jimmy's experience highlights the critical need for increased awareness of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a chronic and rare disease that can leave individuals feeling isolated and misunderstood. By equipping those impacted by GPP with education and a sense of community, we can work to overcome diagnostic delays and alleviate daily challenges, creating a future where no one faces GPP alone," said Vicky Brown, Senior Vice President, U.S. Therapeutic Head for Immunology, Oncology & Eye Health, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

For too long, patients with GPP have felt resigned to managing symptoms alone, but that landscape is changing. Jimmy's story is a powerful reminder that patients deserve more than "good enough" care - they deserve to live openly without fear.

Boehringer Ingelheim is proud to sponsor the National Psoriasis Foundation's first-ever GPP Awareness Day on August 13, reinforcing its commitment to raising awareness and supporting the GPP community through education, advocacy, and connection.

GPP and plaque psoriasis are different, so it's important to speak with your dermatologist or other health care provider to get an accurate diagnosis and to help ensure the best care.

To learn more about GPP and to hear from others in the community, visit GPPandMe.com.

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Never settle: How Jimmy's story with GPP inspires greater action and support

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