Psoriasis

Psoriasis


Here’s a free collection of resources about Psoriasis.

Jump to:

Psoriasis Survey

We’re surveying people about their experiences with Psoriasis. Here will be a collection of their responses.

*This information is not meant to replace medical advice, and the information gathered via surveys may or may not be correct. Hopefully it will be helpful to you!

*Response format = Answer (Name, Age)

**Click here to share your experience with Psoriasis**

Psoriasis Symptoms

What symptoms have you experienced?

  • Bubbling skin – prickly hot itching everywhere- exhaustion- not always Psoriasis appearing though. (Elena, 34 years old)
  • Painful plaques, Palmoplantar pustulosis, seborrheic dermatitis. (Christine, 37 years old)
  • Itching, burning, flaking, redness. (Melissa, 43 years old)
  • Itchy, dry skin.  Plaque psoriasis.  Skin sensitivity. (Stacy, 43 years old)
  • Itching all over, fatigue. (Bessy, 46 years old)
  • Plaque psoriasis, plantopalmar psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis. Plaques on the scalp, thick leathery skin on palms with severe itching, cracked skin. Pain and swelling in most of my joints.(Anonymous, 48 years old)
  • Itching, burning, tenderness to touch. (Lisa, 51 years old)
  • Plaque, arthritis. (Gregory, 54 years old)
  • Psoriatic arthritis, itching, redness, inflammation, stiffness, hair loss. (Olga, 56 years old)
  • Itchy rashes. (Teresa, 60 years old)
  • Scaly red spots and itchiness. (Emelita, 69 years old)

Psoriasis Causes

Is there anything you believe contributed to or caused your Psoriasis?

  • I had stagnant heat in the body in general but then I got 3 colds in 6 weeks (my son started daycare) and the 3rd cold coincided with my period triggering a full outbreak as my immune system went into overdrive. (Elena, 34 years old)
  • Stress, hormonal changes, illness cause flare-ups. Smoking caused the palmoplantar pustulosis. (Christine, 37 years old)
  • Strep throat. (Melissa, 43 years old)
  • Genetics. (Stacy, 43 years old)
  • Genetics, stress. (Lisa, 51 years old)
  • Stress. (Gregory, 54 years old)
  • I developed psoriasis when I got pregnant with my son who is Bipolar/Add/ADHD AT 23.  High risk pregnancy- Dr. thinks the trauma brought on my psoriasis. (Olga, 56 years old)

Psoriasis Facts

What are some interesting facts about Psoriasis?

  • Psoriasis is our genetic reaction to emotional and physical distress (lack of exercise or trauma to the body like giving birth or not enough rest, unhealthy diet), which everyone in the world faces on a regular basis. Some people get things like acid reflux or headaches. We, on the other hand, break out with Psoriasis. (Elena, 34 years old)
  • It is an auto-immune disease and is manageable with a diet (not one doctor has ever talked to me about food affecting psoriasis). Sun and salt water help. (Christine, 37 years old)
  • No cure.  Autoimmune disease.  Sunlight helps heal skin. (Stacy, 43 years old)
  • It’s not just a skin disease. (Bessy, 46 years old)
  • It sucks. (Gregory, 54 years old)
  • I read somewhere that it can cause Fatty Liver Disease which I have. (Olga, 56 years old)
  • It has been a struggle. (Teresa, 60 years old)
  • It is a stress-related disease. (Emelita, 69 years old)

Psoriasis Pain Management

What’s your experience with pain and pain relief related to Psoriasis?

  • When the Psoriasis is thick it will crack and bleed heavily. Achy joints. Skin feels over stretched, sore, hot, and unbearably itchy. I use topical medicated creams to regain control of more painful areas on head when it gets bad. Bathing with Himalayan salt (warm water not hot) relieves irritation and disinfects the skin. I will douse my feet in coconut oil before wearing socks; this has had an amazing effect on reducing the Psoriasis to a minimum. I take 2 ibuprofens and 3 Tylenol and drink coconut water if things get too painful. (Elena, 34 years old)
  • Winters are painful due to the heat/drier air. When flare-ups are bad the pain makes it hard to sleep. I feel like my skin is burning. (Christine, 37 years old)
  • It is difficult to obtain pain medications. (Bessy, 46 years old)
  • It weighs on you physically and emotionally. (Lisa, 51 years old)
  • I have pain every day, but it is more bearable now that I use CBD oils. (Gregory, 54 years old)
  • It is more painful during winter. It was better when I was in Hawaii and Texas. Enbrel seems to work well along with methotrexate for the stiffness and arthritis pain. An RFA treatment I had in
  • July cleared me up completely for 6 months. (Olga, 56 years old)
  • Can’t sleep well because of itchiness. (Emelita, 69 years old)

Psoriasis Difficulties

What are the hardest aspects of living with Psoriasis?

  • Having to explain to children why my scalp is shedding is difficult. I think the worst is having to be disciplined with everything and having to face emotionally distressing situations head-on. (Elena, 34 years old)
  • Random people ask rude questions. I get sick easily. I am always self-conscious: “Am I flaking?” “Should I just cover up?” (Christine, 37 years old)
  • The embarrassment, not feeling good about yourself, and, worst of all, trying to keep it under control. I would love to be able to wear shorts again. (Melissa, 43 years old)
  • Stress affects breakouts. I have more breakouts in cold wintery months. (Stacy, 43 years old)
  • Nervous system damage. (Bessy, 46 years old)
  • Pain. (Anonymous, 48 years old)
  • Others staring because of their lack of education. (Lisa, 51 years old)
  • Getting people to understand what it is like living with it. (Gregory, 54 years old)
  • Flare-ups, itchiness, and psoriatic arthritis. (Olga, 56 years old)
  • How people react. (Teresa, 60 years old)
  • Itchiness. (Emelita, 69 years old)

Psoriasis Advice

What encouragement/advice can you give others who experience Psoriasis?

  • It takes time, discipline, and perseverance but you will overcome it. It forces us to be the best we can be and eventually it clears up. It makes us take care of ourselves and then we can do our best for others. (Elena, 34 years old)
  • Take control of your symptoms with an anti-inflammatory diet. This has made such a huge difference in my pain, flare-ups and immunity. (Christine, 37 years old)
  • Just keep trying different methods until you find one that finally helps. (Melissa, 43 years old)
  • It could be worse. It’s not something I worry about too much, just something I have. (Stacy, 43 years old)
  • There’s always someone that has it worse than you. (Bessy, 46 years old)
  • See a dermatologist and rheumatologist. (Anonymous, 48 years old)
  • As the saying goes, keep moving forward! (Gregory, 54 years old)
  • Honestly, I am the only one in my family and among my friends who has it. Find a support group. (Olga, 56 years old)
  • I may have psoriasis, but I don’t let it control me. (Teresa, 60 years old)
  • Believe in God’s power. Trust that you can be healed. (Emelita, 69 years old)

 

Psoriasis Diet and Exercise

What’s been your experience with diet and exercise?

  • Choosing a vegan diet and doing yoga have helped me tremendously. (Christine, 37 years old)
  • Keeping my weight down has helped. (Melissa, 43 years old)
  • Can’t exercise due to nerve damage. (Bessy, 46 years old)
  • Changing my diet helps me feel like I have control in some aspect. (Lisa, 51 years old)
  • I have been the same weight the whole time, diet changes haven’t really made a difference for me. (Gregory, 54 years old)
  • I have a poor diet; many foods upset my stomach. Due to chronic pain (fibromyalgia, arthritis, nephropathy in feet) and psoriatic arthritis my exercise is minimal. (Olga, 56 years old)
  • It helps. (Teresa, 60 years old)
  • Refrain from food that cause itchiness, spend at least 5 minutes under the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., take a walk or get daily exercise. (Emelita, 69 years old)

Psoriasis Treatments

What’s been your experience with treatments (medication, diet, etc.)?

  • Acupuncture has helped a lot. Topical meds are helpful but are not long-term. (Elena, 34 years old)
  • Creams are a pain. I am now trying more natural approaches just to see what happens. (Melissa, 43 years old)
  • Medicated shampoo helps against scalp flare-ups.  Sunlight helps clear skin. (Stacy, 43 years old)
  • Topical medication has helped. (Bessy, 46 years old)
  • A lot of creams and spending time in the sun. (Lisa, 51 years old)
  • CBD oils and Earth Living have been the most helpful. I don’t do medications because of the side effects. My diet hasn’t made a difference. (Gregory, 54 years old)
  • I have been able to manage the number of flare-ups with Methotrexate and Enbrel. I had an RFA in July and it cleared up my psoriasis for 6 months. (Olga, 56 years old)
  • I have had good results with Biologics. (Teresa, 60 years old)
  • I took a food intolerance test to find what I ought not to eat- refrain from eating what you ought not to, relax, meditate and pray. Ask God to heal you and strengthen your faith in him. (Emelita, 69 years old)

Psoriasis Recommendations

Anything you’d recommend for someone with Psoriasis?

  • Acupuncture. (Elena, 34 years old)
  • Change your diet. Reduce stress with meditation. No smoking. Avoid products with dyes and fragrances. (Christine, 37 years old)
  • Warm weather climate. (Stacy, 43 years old)
  • Biologics. (Bessy, 46 years old)
  • Find others you can talk with, so you don’t feel all alone. (Lisa, 51 years old)
  • Keep moving forward. (Gregory, 54 years old)
  • I’m just getting by, maybe the RFA treatment for the neck; it cleared me up for 6 months.             (Olga, 56 years old)
  • Hang in there. Your life is not over. (Teresa, 60 years old)
  • Don’t scratch to remove the scaly parts on your skin. Use moisturizing lotion, antibacterial soap (Cetaphil antibacterial soap is good on me), refrain from eating foods that cause itchiness, meditate, 5 minutes under the sun from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., relax, enjoy life and above all have faith in God. Believe, trust and obey God. (Emelita, 69 years old)

Psoriasis Resources

What specific resources have you found most helpful?

  • I really haven’t found any resources that helped me. (Christine, 37 years old)
  • Light therapy was the only source I found helpful. (Melissa, 43 years old)
  • Forums. (Bessy, 46 years old)
  • Support groups. (Lisa, 51 years old)
  • Social media support groups. (Gregory, 54 years old)
  • I haven’t really investigated any, other than one Facebook group I am a part of. (Olga, 56 years old)
  • Networking. (Teresa, 60 years old)

Psoriasis Stories

Share an experience you’ve had related to living with Psoriasis.

  • I was first diagnosed when I was 16. There was hardly anything out there to help. I was sitting in class when 2 girls noticed my pant leg up. They got a glimpse of my skin and actually moved their desks away from me. They thought I had something contagious. My teacher made them stay after class and she let them have it. I felt so low when they did that to me. It was a horrible feeling. (Melissa, 43 years old)
  • I wouldn’t wish it on anybody. (Lisa, 51 years old)
  • Being tolerant to stupid questions. (Gregory, 54 years old)
  • I just deal with it and now I go to Counseling. (Olga, 56 years old)
  • I don’t worry if others see me with my psoriasis. (Emelita, 69 years old)