Discovering psoriasis on my hands

Every year my psoriasis comes bearing gifts, bringing me something new that I have never had before. It could be something as small as a new ache or pain, or a new nail that now sports the telltale signs that something is not right.

I would not go as far as to say I am thankful, you know I would prefer they stayed where they were. But Alas like clockwork with every flare season, which is autumn and winter for me. They arrive.

This year the new addition to the family is psoriasis on my hands. 14 years in and now you want to come on to my hands. I mean come on, is that really necessary?

The beginning of nail and hand psoriasis

My hands have until now, been exempt from the psoriasis that adorns the rest of my body. I mean totally exempt, my wrists to my fingertips clear, year in and year out.

Come to think of it - I will gladly exchange another part if it would kindly migrate from my hands to say, my left butt cheek. Those spots are feeling a little lonely and could do with the company.

Grateful is all that I have ever felt about this, as I see what some people go through on a daily basis and I shudder at the thought of that ever being me. So many times in winter my mom would say, "oh my girl your skin looks so sore." More often than not my reply would be, "It is mom, but you know what? I am so grateful it is not on my hands and feet."

Pain and bleeding on the wrist and hand

One morning while performing a simple task at home, I moved my right hand and a red hot pain shot through my wrist area. The blood dripped slightly and I thought to myself (so naively) that is so odd. I did not feel anything bump or scratch but man that is sore.

I twist my wrist around, as its coming from the other side, kind of where I can’t see. Lo and behold guys, a big long red and a really annoying patch of psoriasis. Cracked open through the middle and dripping blood.

I just stared in disbelief and thought there is NO way that I am getting psoriasis on my hands. Guess what, yes way. A few weeks later, there are now distinct spots on the tops of my hands. It is unmistakable in shape form and feeling.

The plagues on my hand are here to stay

They are small patches at the moment and there are a few creeping onto the insides of my hands. I will admit to being rather upset about these. They are pretty painful, more so that you would expect from such a little itty bitty spot. Learning to live with these ones is going to prove to be a challenge.

The blessing that is our hands

We use our hands for so much every day, in our homes, and at work. They are the tools to help us get through everything, pick up our children, prepare our family’s meals, and stroke the arm of our lovers. 

They carry and they create, they mend, and the idea of them not working at the absolute optimum scares the daylights out of me. I have started using some of my script creams to treat the spots. Also, I am trying to be careful with the amount of hand sanitizer that goes on there.

Having psoriasis on your hands is scary and painful. This is all pretty new to me. But as always, I will find a path to acceptance and makes ways around it. If you have any tips for managing this, please feel free to share this with me.