Living with Psoriasis
Psoriasis can affect people in many ways at a physiological, emotional and physical level. Much depends on the way an individual copes with the problem.
Self-image is crucial to the way you project yourself. If a few small plaques of psoriasis seem to you to be a major problem, this will come across to other people. Nasty comments are frequently made in changing rooms, swimming pools or just in the street and only those who can brush it off as stupid ignorance will continue to feel any degree of self-confidence.
However, the appearance of psoriasis on the face or hands may interfere with employment. A lot of skin scale may fall like a cloud of dust from involved scalps or legs onto the floor and be a social handicap. The feel of the skin may interfere when forming relationships with the opposite sex.
Most people treat their own psoriasis by using creams from the doctor. The longer you have psoriasis and the more interest you take in treatment, the more you can do for yourself. There are some important basic principles, which are worth discussion and for these you do not need a doctor’s help. The Psoriasis Association is an organization run by sufferers, and they have many experienced advisers.
Holidays and Sun
Many people find their psoriasis improves in the summer, particularly when on holiday. The beneficial side effects of ultraviolet light contribute to this improvement as do relaxation, exercise and decreased stress. Take all the holidays you are allowed.
General Skin Care
It may help to use a bath oil to get a film of oil onto your skin. Moisturizers help – E45, emulsifying ointment, aqueous creams are all good. Something stickier like Vaseline may be useful on plaques at times. Scalp involvement is a nuisance and frequent hair-washing may be necessary – a short style makes this easier to cope with.
Clothing has to satisfy conflicting interests
Anything too thick and heavy will make you hot and may irritate the psoriasis. Most sufferers wear clothes that will cover the plaques, but you have to choose materials which do not become stained or greasy from contact with ointments.
Ultraviolet light or UV is divided into A, B, and C but only the first two are important here. UVA and UVB can have harmful effects, but here we look at the beneficial ones. Many psoriasis sufferers notice an improvement in the sun, and this effect can be reproduced by artificial UVB sources at home or in the hospital. The effects are not readily explained.
A low dose is given initially and gradually increased over a four to six week period. Slight redness may develop but is not essential for a good result.
UVA is less effective by itself but is usually combined with some pills called psoralens and the treatment is then named PUVA. The pills are taken two hours before exposure to UVA, and this is repeated two or three times a week. Polaroid glasses must be worn for twenty-four hours after taking the pills to avoid damage to the eyes.
This form of treatment is popular because it gets away from all the messy ointments. Caution is necessary whenever UV is used over a long period of time as it is known to age the skin and possibly increase the risk of developing a skin cancer later in life.
Admission to the hospital
Most people with psoriasis never attend the hospital outpatient department and only very few ever require an admission to a hospital. If, however, you have had psoriasis for a long time and simply cannot clear it at home despite intense efforts and feel uncomfortable and miserable, then admission may be a welcome relief.
The treatment is intensive, changes can be made on a day-to-day basis and the kind, knowledgeable approach of the nurses and doctors all help to speed up the clearance of the skin problems. It is possible to learn a lot about the treatment of psoriasis in a few weeks and this knowledge can stand you in good stead for years to come. Another reason for going into the hospital is the very acute onset of sore psoriasis all over the body.
