A Psoriasis Diagnosis: What I Wish Someone Had Told Me

I was only 14 years old when I began my journey with psoriasis and looking back I wish I had someone to talk to that was experiencing the same thing I was going through. This would have been extremely helpful because I went through so much trial and error trying to find what worked for me.

Starting out on my journey with psoriasis, a word of advice from another person already battling with this disease would have made a big impact on my life. Here is a list of things I wish someone had told me:

With psoriasis, you are not alone

Ten years ago when I was newly diagnosed, I had no idea there were so many other people living with this disease. I was shocked when I finally learned this. Knowing this at 14 years old would've helped me feel more supported especially if I had been able to get in contact with other people just like me.

I now know there are support groups for people living with psoriatic disease. There is also an annual walk dedicated to psoriatic disease sponsored by the National Psoriasis Foundation to raise money to find a cure. Knowing this ten years ago would have prompted me to become more involved with volunteering early on in my diagnosis.

Take my advice, psoriasis is unpredictable

Sometimes my skin is 80% clear and sometimes my skin is 80% covered. Sometimes I do things to try to avoid a flare and it seems to work, while other times it doesn't work. I wish someone had told me psoriasis is like a roller coaster and you never know which way it will turn.

Knowing this early on would have helped me feel more reassured that I would be okay during a flare. I wouldn't have felt so defeated when my skin was severely broken out because I would’ve known that eventually, it would become clear again.

Psoriasis skin advice

In my early years of psoriasis, I was not aware that the products I used on my skin were further drying my skin. I used highly fragranced lotion sometimes. I also used lighter lotions instead of heavy creams like cocoa butter. My skin would get very dry and flaky and I always wondered why and what I could do to help it stop flaking.

I learned through trial and error that highly fragranced lotions and detergents were not good for my psoriasis. Instead, I tried using thicker products like shea butter and cocoa butter to find that my skin stayed moisturized longer.

Sugar will impact your psoriasis

Like most people, I enjoy fruit punch, soda, and candy from time to time. However, I noticed through the years how much my skin would tend to flare when I consumed too many sweetened drinks and sugary snacks. I have also always known that it is important to drink water every day but what I did not know was how much drinking water helped hydrate the skin.

When I decided to increase my water intake and cut down on the sugar, I slowly noticed a difference in my skin. Drinking more water helped my skin not look as dull and dry anymore and reducing my sugar intake helped my skin not flare as often.

Find comfort in your psoriasis

I was diagnosed with psoriasis ten years ago. I must say that with each day that has passed, I learned something new about my psoriasis. When I was diagnosed I suffered alone for a long time. I was ashamed to talk to anyone outside of my mother about my disease.

Living with psoriasis is definitely challenging. However, if I knew ten years ago what I know now about psoriasis, I think I would have become more comfortable with my disease early on.