6 Things About Psoriasis and Me

So today I thought I would do a wee post on having psoriasis and answer a few questions about it. 

When did I find out I had psoriasis? / How long have I had it for?

In 2004/2005 when I was about 14/15 so it's been about 12 years now. I was swimming with my best friend and when we went into the showers she noticed I had redness around my hairline. At the time we thought it might have been a reaction to the chlorine. A few months later though and the redness started to appear on my knees, elbows and scalp. Along with the redness came along the flaky skin. My mum already recognised what it was as my gran had it. She took me to the doctors though and they were like "yeah that's psoriasis alright" and gave me moisturiser and a special shampoo which kept it at bay for a wee while. I stopped using it however into my later teens and it gradually got worse over the years into my early 20's. 

How do I look after it now?

A couple of years ago I decided it was time to get it under control again because it was really effecting me. The doctors put me on a Dovobet Gel, Aveeno cream and Hyrdocortison cream. All of these together seem to really work at the moment however they have switched my Dovobet Gel to some new creams and I haven't tried them yet but will do when the gel runs out. I really hope that they work just as positively as the gel has done. So currently I'll use my Aveeno cream in the morning and sometimes other times during the day if my skin gets dry and then before I go to bed I apply my gel and hydrocortison. I also try to drink plenty of water and get out in the sun as much as I can in a country that's famous for it's rain. I've heard about diets and taking supplements but I've not tried any of them yet and I wouldn't rule out trying them but it's not for me at the moment.

Do you find it hard to date/have a relationship?

This is something I don't actually have much problems with. When my psoriasis was at it's worst it was in places that could be covered up with like cardigans, tights etc. Probably one of the reasons why Autumn/Winter is my favourite time of year. I still managed to go on dates or be in relationships. Sure I would be mega nervous to reveal my skin but honestly... they didn't mind it. They may have been curious sure. But they were never horrible about it. I was in a relationship with this guy who used to say things like "awh I wish there was something I could do" and I'm sure he meant well but it felt like he felt sorry for me and it didn't sit right with me. My current boyfriend has asked about it but he doesn't make a big deal out of it. Probably helps that my skin is actually doing pretty well at the moment. 

What is the worst experience you've had with psoriasis?

I don't think I could pinpoint one moment. There's been times where people have thought my psoriasis was dandruff and don't understand even after telling them. There's been times where it's been extremely painful with like a burning sensation or it's been cracking and bleeding. I think just finding out it was something I had, that there was no absolute cure for it and that it was something I was going to have to live with. 

How does it effect you?

I mostly just get on with it. At first it knocked my confidence right down and felt like there were things I couldn't wear, I stopped going swimming and it definitely made me a bit of a recluse. It got better as time went on but I would still have my bad days where I would look in the mirror and if I saw a patch of red or flaky skin I would immediately want to go straight back to my bed. It was awful. Those bad days have become less and less as the years have went on and the more supportive people I have in my life. I think with age people become more understanding, you inform them and it really is ok. I still have a bad now every one and now. Especially when the patches are close to my face or my lower part of my arm. 

Anything else?

Omg! Yes! Bed sheets. Buying bed sheets is a royal pain in my arse. Light ones means that if you do scratch and bleed whilst sleeping the blood is likely to show up on the sheets. Dark sheets means that the flaky skin ends up showing up on the sheets so you can't really win haha. I still opt for dark sheets most of the time though. I also used to sleep with cardigans on because I hated the plaques on my skin so much. That's stopped now and have only done it when I'm cold when I go to bed. 

If there are any other questions you'd like to ask about psoriasis or want to know then go ahead. Or tell me about your own experiences with psoriasis or any other condition.

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