Living with Psoriasis

If you have psoriasis, then you know your symptoms can sometimes be troubling and frustrating. You may feel they interfere with every aspect of your life. This can be stressful and may cause you to feel depressed. Yet it is important to remember that your struggles are shared by millions of people who deal with psoriasis every day.

While things like diet, exercise, and proper treatment can help you manage your symptoms better, there are other areas of your life that are affected by your condition on a daily basis. Psoriasis may affect the way you dress or whether you decide to pursue a relationship. It may make you feel uncomfortable at work or alienated in social settings. It may be helpful to read about your condition or talk about it.

Clothing and cosmetic cover-ups
Dating and relationships
Physical intimacy
At work

Clothing and cosmetic cover-ups

Since psoriasis is a condition that affects the way you look, you may feel embarrassed or worried about how people will react to your skin symptoms. Psoriasis symptoms can appear on any skin surface — even those that are normally exposed, such as the face, arms, and hands. But there are ways to improve your symptoms or simply camouflage them. Using moisturizers regularly can help improve the appearance of skin. And wearing long sleeves, pants, turtlenecks, or hats can cover up your symptoms.

You may also want to experiment with cosmetic cover-ups. Cosmetic cover-ups are specially formulated to give the appearance of unblemished skin and can be used on any skin surface. A sales clerk or cosmetic representative can help you find the right color for your skin, as well as teach you how to properly apply it.

Some people with psoriasis find that using a cosmetic cover-up can be time-consuming and expensive, so you may choose to use it for special occasions only. Also, while such cosmetics can be used for most types of psoriasis, they can cause further irritation and redness in severe forms of psoriasis, such as pustular or erythrodermic psoriasis. Remember to check with your doctor before applying any cosmetic cover-ups to your skin.

Dating and relationships

A disease like psoriasis may make it difficult to maintain or even start romantic relationships. Red, irritated, and shedding skin can be embarrassing, and you may be afraid to get close to a partner for fear that he or she will find you unattractive or undesirable.

You are not alone. A survey conducted by the National Psoriasis Foundation of 502 psoriasis sufferers between ages 18 and 35 shows that one-quarter of those surveyed report that the disease interferes with their ability to get emotionally close to a partner.

Whether you are in a new or a long-term relationship, it is important to be open and honest about your psoriasis from the beginning. You may want to mention it casually or bring it up before your partner has a chance to be surprised by it. First, make sure you explain that psoriasis is not contagious. Being as direct as possible early on may help ease your partner's fears or misunderstandings about your condition.

If you still feel that you can't share your feelings with your partner, join a support group, talk with a close friend you trust, or write your feelings in a journal. Hiding your symptoms and your feelings will only cause you unwanted stress and frustration.

Physical intimacy

The embarrassment over skin symptoms may make it difficult to become physically intimate with a partner. Certain forms of psoriasis, especially genital psoriasis, can even cause physical discomfort during sex. Based on a survey by the National Psoriasis Foundation of 502 psoriasis sufferers between ages 18 and 35, over one-third (38%) of respondents agreed that the disease affects their sex life/intimacy. About the same number complained that psoriasis also inhibits their ability to become emotionally intimate with a partner.

The key to healthy intimacy is communication, and this includes being open and honest with your partner. Remind your partner that psoriasis is not contagious and that you understand if he or she is uncomfortable with it. Also be sure to let your partner talk about his or her own thoughts, feelings, and fears about psoriasis. He or she may need some time to get used to it. Talking about your condition might be difficult but may make you feel less uncomfortable and self-conscious. Your partner will appreciate your honesty.

At work

The skin symptoms of psoriasis are often visible, and co-workers may be curious, confused, or even troubled by them. Your employer may think your condition will interfere with your performance. Therefore, when it comes to dealing with psoriasis at work, communication is key.

There are steps you can take to make sure that both you and your co-workers are comfortable in the workplace. Plan to discuss your condition and its symptoms with your employer and co-workers. Meet with your employer to talk about ways your disease could affect your performance, as well as how you plan to work around any obstacles. Make sure you pay attention to your body, since stress and overworking can trigger exhaustion and worsen your condition. Finally, understand your disease as well as your rights as an employee.

It is important that you set priorities at work and pace yourself. Always try to keep a positive attitude. If there are others in your place of employment who have psoriasis, talk to them and share ideas for ways to deal with challenges in the workplace.

Click here to find helpful suggestions for talking with your doctor.