“I see my disease as something to fight as well as something to live in harmony with,” says Alisha B from Alabama. “I fight this disease every day by going to the doctor and trying to get different treatments. I fight psoriasis by exposing myself despite negativity that might come with it. I live in harmony with it because whether or not I have psoriasis for the rest of my life I will continue to love myself, feel beautiful, and take a stand against it.”
Another way to fight this skin disease is to heal it naturally! Some say it’s possible – read Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative for more information.
Alisha didn’t recommend this book – I read the 114 positive reviews on Amazon, and thought it’d be a good book to suggest.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes scaling and inflammation (pain, swelling, heat, and redness). Skin cells grow deep in the skin and slowly rise to the surface. This process is called cell turnover, and it takes about a month. With psoriasis, it can happen in just a few days because the cells rise too fast and pile up on the surface.
Most psoriasis causes patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales. These patches can itch or feel sore. They are often found on the elbows, knees, other parts of the legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet. But they can show up other places such as fingernails, toenails, genitals, and inside the mouth. – from The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
How Alisha Copes With the Symptoms of Psoriasis
I was diagnosis with psoriasis at 7 years old, after a bad case of chicken pox triggered my disease. I’ve never been in remission, but I do have periods that are better than others, depending on the medicine. What surprises people about my illness is that my breakouts are due to an over reactive immune system. This disease is far from just a “skin disease.”
I keep psoriasis from taking over my life my not thinking about it all the time, by doing as much as I’m comfortable with whether the psoriasis is here or not. I surround myself with positive people who don’t judge me, love, and accept me for who I am.
Tips for Living With Psoriasis
When I was first diagnosed, I wish I knew that The National Psoriasis Foundation existed. They’ve been around since the day I was born, and for the last 23 years I had no idea!
When you’re first diagnosed with psoriasis, it’s imperative that you surround yourself with people who understand you and that’s what The National Psoriasis Foundation provides. It has been such a blessing to have that in my life! I know my battle with this skin disease would have been so much easier if I would have known about them sooner.
Do NOT allow psoriasis to consume you. If there are things you feel like you can’t do with the disease comfortably, find ways to do it any how! It’s easy to say it’s just a disease and you show the world your skin with or without the psoriasis, but I live with this skin disease so I know that’s easier said than done.
For example, I love to dress up and look cute, but it’s often hard to find clothes to be comfortable in. So if I decide to wear a dress for a night out, I wear flesh tone stockings, with a pair of black or net stockings. It’s a great fashion statement, and you can give the illusion that you have clear skin.
I’m not encouraging any one to hide or be ashamed, but what I am saying is if you’re not in the mental place where you can be completely free with your disease, do things that make you comfortable until you get there.
Advice for Friends and Family Members
Ignore it until the sufferer brings it up. Here’s why I say this: my family and friends never made my psoriasis a big deal, ever. I never felt different or like an outcast with people who loved me.
I remember crying to my grandmother about my disease, and she would just hug, kiss, and love me. She would tell me that people would love me regardless and I was still beautiful. I would wear shorts and tank tops around the house with my younger cousin, and he never said anything, not one time. That really helped me through my struggle with psoriasis.
In this case, ignoring my psoriasis was actually helpful because it made me feel like I was actually normal.
Alisha’s Psoriasis Blog
My illness has motivated me to speak out, I started a blog called Beingmeinmyownskin.com. There, I make my life and psoriasis an open book for all to read and understand!
If you have any questions for Alisha, please visit her blog or ask her below. Feel free to share your experiences with this skin disease – because you will give others strength and hope!
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