Patient Insider: Alisha's Journey
Patient InsiderHey,I’m AlishaPsoriasis can be so misunderstood.Agree?
![](https://plaquepsoriasis.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Feature-PortraitAlisha.png)
Psoriasis was a family affair
I was 7 years old when I was diagnosed with plaque psoriasis. The details are a little foggy, but I remember it being a fairly quick diagnosis. Being diagnosed at such a young age, there wasn’t a close person in my life that my psoriasis didn’t affect. My retired grandparents took the responsibility of helping me manage my condition – and I'm grateful. They didn't wait around trying to find me a semblance of relief. Sometimes they drove up to 2 hours for a phototherapy appointment. Spoiler: it didn’t work in clearing my skin.
I was 10 years old when I began lying about my skin.
My skin was stubborn
And so were my doctors. During those early days, my skin wouldn't respond to treatment and because of that, every doctor I saw tried to label my psoriasis as something else. When I saw my first Black dermatologist, I was confident I would feel validated. She looked at my skin and stated assuringly, “I don’t think you have psoriasis.” I felt like a fraud. My first skin biopsy confirmed psoriasis and a sense of relief came over me. So much unpredictability requires us to advocate for ourselves at these appointments. If we don’t, who will?
![Plaque psoriasis on black skin](https://plaquepsoriasis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Spot-plaques_rash_v2.png)
People take clear skin for granted.
![](https://plaquepsoriasis.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Reco-PortraitAlisha.png)
My Reading List
You're not alone in your psoriasis journey. I promise.
- Building a Psoriasis Community: Pso Family
- Getting Involved: Starting My Advocacy Journey
- Advocating For Yourself With Doctors
- That's Pso Psoriasis: Dermatologist Appointments
Oh, and follow more of my story.