Psoriasis - the itchy, flaky, and sometimes painful skin condition that has been a part of my life since I was 17. It started as what a thought was a mosquito bite, itching all the time! This just didn't go away as usual.
Growing up, I often felt self-conscious about the redish (most of the time pig-colored/pinkish), scaly patches on my skin, and I would do my best to hide them and not wear shorts during the summer. But as I've gotten older and learned more about psoriasis, I've come to the conclusion that there are some positive aspects of this condition.
First off, let's talk about the not-so-fun parts of psoriasis. The constant itching, the dry and flaky skin, and the occasional painful flare-ups are all very real and can be quite frustrating to deal with. Itching so much that one can easily scratch the skin off and start bleeding.. and it STILL itches! But there are some things that people without psoriasis may not know about this condition.
For starters, psoriasis is not contagious. So no need to worry about catching it from someone who has it. Also, despite popular belief, psoriasis is not caused by poor hygiene or a lack of skincare. In fact, many people with psoriasis go to great lengths to care for their skin, using gentle products and avoiding anything that could trigger a flare-up.
Ironically I don't know anyone who actually think that it's caused by poor hygiene or lack of skincare.
Another positive aspect of having psoriasis is that it has taught me to be more patient and understanding of other people's differences. When I was younger, I was often teased or made fun of for having psoriasis. But as I've grown older and met more people with a variety of skin conditions and other differences, I've come to appreciate that everyone has something that makes them unique. And while psoriasis may be a visible part of who I am, it doesn't define me as a person. Not anymore.
There are also some interesting facts about psoriasis that I've learned over the years. For example, did you know that psoriasis is actually an autoimmune disease? There's actually a lot of similarities between psoriasis and crohn's disease. Anyway, autoimmune disease, as far as psoriasis go, means that the body's immune system is attacking healthy skin cells, which causes the inflammation and other symptoms associated with psoriasis. It's also estimated that over 8 million Americans have psoriasis, which means that I'm definitely not alone in this condition. In fact, I read somewhere a while ago, that up to 25% of the world population has this condition.
As someone with psoriasis, I've learned to laugh at some of the ridiculous things people have said to me over the years. For example, I once heard strangers on the street talking about me, saying it must have hurt when I fell on the sidewalk. While that is definitely not new to me, I've also been asked if I have a "rash" or if I'm "allergic to something." It's always interesting to see what people come up with when they see something they're not familiar with. Especially kids. Their couriosity is sincere and they want to learn.
In conclusion, living with psoriasis can be tough at times. But it's also taught me to be resilient and to appreciate the little things in life, like a good moisturizer or a comfortable pair of pants. And while there may be days when I feel self-conscious about my skin, I know that I am more than just my psoriasis.
