Do You Feel at War with Your Skin?

I have been at war with my skin for over 50 years. The goal for most people in life is to achieve success and peace or some variation of that.

It’s safe to say that the end goal for most people is happiness and that’s hard to obtain if you feel like you’re constantly fighting a war. It’s even worse if you’re at war with yourself, more specifically your skin, which is the largest organ of the body.

Every day can feel like a battle

Why am I asking if you feel at war with your skin? Because every day is different and every day can feel like a battle. Just because you’ve managed to get the plaque under control on one day, doesn’t mean you’re not battling other things.

Fatigue, emotions, pain and depression are just a few of the causalities of war when you battle psoriasis. But why does it feel like war and why am I referring to everything as a battle?

There are triggers, bombs, and landmines in everyone’s life who has psoriasis. Case and point one can be food, food can trigger inflammation and that can trigger an outbreak. Outbreaks are battles on their own.

Landmine after landmine

Another point, psoriatic arthritis can feel like a bomb just went off in your body, in some cases it is completely debilitating. The last somebody who doesn’t understand psoriasis looked at you like you’re a leper and that feels like a landmine blowing a barrage of emotions up all in your face.

There are days I want to just throw my hands up and say, “I’m done with this whole thing called psoriasis!” Great, then let’s cry this out. I can understand not wanting to refer to this whole scenario as a war but let’s be honest, psoriasis is a battle but the good news is you can easily be victorious in every battle psoriasis throws your way.

Here are my tips for when you feel at war with your skin.

Sympathy

Have sympathy for your skin. I don’t mean feel sorry for yourself but, love your enemy. We look at our skin as the enemy but it’s not, it’s psoriasis that is the enemy. Your skin is not the enemy, so care for it, hydrate and moisturize it and develop a system for treatment. Love yourself and love your skin.

Formulate a plan

Anytime someone goes to war their leaders create a battle plan and so should you. When you feel pain have a list of things to do to relieve it ready and when you feel an outbreak have lotions, creams, and essential oils ready for your skin. Have emotional care packages ready to deploy at the first sign you need them. Be prepared for every stage of war.

Stay positive

Keeping a good attitude and outlook is essential to overcoming bad times in our lives. It’s not easy but it’s key. Make a list of things that make you laugh and have them on standby and positive affirmations at your side.

Support

Family, friends who understand the battle of psoriasis. This support is one of the best things you can have. Additionally, you need to be a part of someone else’s support team. Giving back to others is a great way to get your mind off your own issues and it feels good to lend support.

Fight the battle, win the war

With psoriasis, war will come but hopefully, with continued efforts and education, it will come less often. Your skin is not the enemy and neglecting it will only lead to other issues. You are not at war with your skin, the battle is with your psoriasis.