How to Live With Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a condition that leads skin cells to replenish themselves too quickly. This causes a build up of dead skin cells that often appear as thick red patches with a scaly appearance. Because psoriasis often appears on the hands and face--areas that can't be covered by clothing--those who have to live with it may develop low self esteem and social anxiety. In addition, psoriasis can cause significant discomfort, which can in turn increase stress and even induce depression.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Support group
• Written information
• Dermatologist

Live Well With Psoriasis

1. Find a dermatologist you trust. You may need to go to several doctors before you find one you feel comfortable talking to.
2. Treat each outbreak as it occurs. Your doctor may prescribe oral medication, topical creams, laser therapy and/or holistic treatments.
3. Learn about your condition. An excellent resource which deals with both the emotional and physical aspects of psoriasis is "Coping With Psoriasis: A Patient's Guide to Treatment" by David Cram (see Resources below). Your dermatologist may also have reading material available.
4. Carry on with your everyday life. Don't let a psoriasis outbreak intimidate you and keep you away from work or social events.
5. Develop a pleasant, all-purpose answer that you can give to anyone who asks about your skin condition. For instance, you might say, "It's called psoriasis. Don't worry, it's not contagious."
6. Attend a support group or find support on line to help manage the stress and uncertainty of your condition. The National Psoriasis Foundation offers a ZIP code search to help you locate support groups and psoriasis-related events in your area (see Resources below). The foundation also offers message boards, member chat and a safe space to share your story, if you feel more comfortable seeking support online.

Tips & Warnings

• Try not to take it personally if you see people staring at your psoriasis--it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you, it just means they're rude, curious or both.
• We live in a culture that is fixated on external beauty, but try to keep in mind that no matter what your skin looks like, true beauty comes from within.
• Most anxiety and self-esteem issues caused by psoriasis can be managed with information and support, but if you find yourself feeling down most of the time, losing interest in activities you used to enjoy or thinking about hurting yourself or someone else, call your doctor immediately. You may be suffering from clinical depression.