Understanding Psoriasis From A Patient Perspective

Psoriasis is more than a skin disease. It’s a disease that makes sufferers feel isolated, embarrassed, and frustrated. Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects more than 125 million people worldwide, three times as many as HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis combined. It occurs when your immune system sends faulty signals causing skin cells to grow at an accelerated pace. Over time, new skin cells form too quickly, which leads to scaling, redness, and irritation. The emotional effects of psoriasis can be just as distressing as the physical ones. Some patients feel isolated because they don’t know anyone else who has psoriasis or feel like no one will understand what they are going through. Psoriasis is a disease that impacts people’s everyday lives and requires daily treatment. When patients don’t feel like they look their best, they may avoid social interactions or become anxious about others’ perceptions. Let’s know psoriasis as per the patient’s view:

The physical impact of psoriasis on patients:

The physical symptoms of psoriasis can vary from person to person and can cause adverse emotional effects for some adults. Patients may feel embarrassed, frustrated, and isolated by the following symptoms.

Patients may experience:

> Red, scaly skin that is often thick and uncomfortable

> Patches of dry skin that crack and bleed, causing pain and irritation

> Small, raised bumps called pustular psoriasis – this causes natural areas on the skin that may ooze or have a whitehead appearance.

> Peeling skin that can’t be controlled with lotion or creams.

> Patches of thick, scaly skin that are darker than their normal skin tone. This can lead to a lack of confidence when going out in public.

Psoriasis patches mainly appear on the scalp, knees, and elbows but can affect various body parts. Some sufferers have even reported psoriasis occurring inside the mouth and genital area.

Social impact of psoriasis on patients: 

Many people find it difficult to talk about their psoriasis because they feel like they aren’t taken seriously or don’t know how to explain their condition to others. There are many reasons why people may not talk about psoriasis, especially in the early stages of diagnosis.

> They have lost confidence due to their condition.

>They think no one else will understand what they are going through.

> People assume that psoriasis is contagious when it isn’t.

Effects on patients’ lifestyles: 

Psoriasis can impact a patient’s life in many ways, including physically, socially, and emotionally. Depending on where the patches are located, some activities can become complex or unmanageable for different patients with varying severity. Some patients with severe psoriasis may find it hard to do certain things in public or with their family because of embarrassment or discomfort with how they look.

> Some sufferers may avoid socializing, communicating, and going outside. They might also feel nervous about participating in certain activities because psoriasis patches could be visible or uncomfortable to wear clothes over them.

> Patients with severe psoriasis can become very frustrated when trying to treat it. If they don’t get the treatment they need, their condition could worsen and cause further damage to the skin, which can affect patients’ self-esteem even more.

The emotional impact of psoriasis on patients: 

The emotional impact of psoriasis is genuine for many adults. Patients experience adverse effects on their mental health because of how it makes them feel about themselves.

> Some young people with psoriasis may be bullied by classmates at school, leading to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

> Patients may have low self-esteem or confidence because of how their skin looks. They can also feel less attractive than they used to, lowering their sex drive/interest in relationships.

Patients often think that no one else will understand what they are going through when living with a chronic skin condition. Some patients may not want to sit next to someone on public transport or even attend family social occasions.

Patients may also find going to work difficult as they don’t want people, they work with asking intrusive questions about their condition. It can be exhausting explaining it repeatedly or getting an adverse reaction from people who don’t understand what psoriasis is, which is why some patients choose to stay at home rather than socialize.

What is the impact of psoriasis on patient’s family life? 

Psoriasis has been shown to affect relationships between patient and spouse or caregiver. When a person struggles with feeling confident in themselves because of psoriasis, it could have a knock-on effect on other aspects of their life, including their relationship. It can be frustrating if you try your best to keep your skin clean and your clothes on, but your partner’s love for you isn’t enough to make you feel better about yourself. Some patients may not want to go out with their spouses or be intimate with them.

What makes it difficult as per patients to deal with psoriasis?

1. Psoriasis is unpredictable: 

It is difficult to live with a skin condition that changes and worsens without warning. It can be challenging to understand why your body is behaving this way. Patients often feel helpless and frustrated with their condition because it’s not always treated as quickly as they would like or don’t know how long the treatment will take. They also worry that if they stop using particular treatment, psoriasis may come back worse than before, even after years of managing their symptoms.

2. It can be challenging to live with a chronic skin condition: 

People who don’t have psoriasis often underestimate how difficult it is to live with a chronic skin condition. It’s not always easy to keep your clothes away from your skin or choose outfits that cover up where the patches are. It can be exhausting explaining your condition repeatedly, which is why some people don’t like to socialize with others. Patients often feel self-conscious about how psoriasis affects their appearance, leading to anxiety, frustration, and low self-esteem.

3. It isn’t easy trying to find the proper treatment: 

Patients often try many different types of treatment to see if it helps reduce the appearance of psoriasis. It can be difficult for patients to know whether or not they are using the correct type of treatment. Patients may feel like they aren’t getting anywhere even after years of treating their symptoms which is why some people become depressed and anxious about their condition

4. Patients feel alone in their battle: 

Patients think that no one would understand what they are going through when living with psoriasis. No one around them understands how it affects their everyday lives and its toll on their mental health. This can feel like an uphill battle, especially if patients feel like they have no support.

5. Psoriasis treatment requires a commitment: 

Psoriasis treatment often involves long-term commitments. Many patients require daily care and self-management to treat the condition. They may need to see their doctor regularly, consistently take medication, apply ointments regularly and change bandages if they’re experiencing an active flare. These life-long commitments can feel like a burden, and it isn’t always easy to stick with them.

6. It can be exhausting trying to explain psoriasis to others: 

Patients sometimes feel like they are fighting an uphill battle when it comes to explaining their condition. They may need to explain what psoriasis is many times before people understand what it’s all about, which can become tiring and frustrating for them. This is why some patients prefer not to socialize or go out in public because they worry about explaining psoriasis again.

7. It can be socially isolating living with a chronic skin condition:

People who don’t have to deal with psoriasis on a day-to-day basis may underestimate how difficult it is to live with a chronic skin condition. It can be difficult for patients to socialize or go out in public without people staring at their patches, so some patients become socially anxious about their condition.

8. Living with psoriasis can lead to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem: 

People who don’t have to live with psoriasis may underestimate the toll it can take on a person’s mental health. Patients may become anxious about how other people perceive them, so some people feel depressed or develop low self-esteem about their condition.

How to prevent psoriasis?  

People who have family members with psoriasis may want to do everything in their power to prevent the condition from occurring. There’s no known way of avoiding the illness, but you can make lifestyle changes that lower your risk of developing it.

1. Patients are often advised not to smoke if they have psoriasis:

Smoking increases a patient’s risk of developing psoriasis, which is why doctors recommend their patients stop smoking. Smoking can cause redness and irritation on the skin, which can worsen a patient’s symptoms. Smokers with psoriasis may also experience a faster development of new patches compared to non -smokers.

2. Not getting enough sleep can trigger psoriasis symptoms:

Getting enough sleep can help reduce the risk of a flare-up. A person’s immune system functions more effectively when they get enough shut-eye. Patients who don’t get a good night’s rest may find themselves dealing with more severe symptoms, including redness and irritation on the skin, which can lead to plaque build-up.

3. Too much alcohol can trigger psoriasis symptoms:

Drinking too much alcohol may cause redness and irritation on your skin, which can have a negative impact on your health. Patients are encouraged not to drink excessive amounts of alcohol because consuming too much can lead to plaque build-up on the skin.

4. Having psoriasis doesn’t mean you’re destined to live a sedentary lifestyle: 

While some patients are advised to avoid strenuous exercise, others can benefit from exercising their joints. Those who have joint pain due to their condition may want to try low-impact aerobics and high-intensity interval training.

5. A balanced diet can help prevent psoriasis flare-ups:

Doctors advise their patients to maintain a healthy, nutritious diet to control the symptoms of psoriasis. A person’s immune system functions more effectively when they eat various fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals. By eating a well-balanced diet, a patient can control the symptoms of their condition and prevent any future outbreaks.

6. People who have psoriasis may avoid gluten: 

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that aggravates psoriasis symptoms. If a person has a hard time digesting gluten, their immune system may go into overdrive and release cytokines, which are compounds that play a role in psoriasis development.

These can help psoriasis patients to feel better. If you have psoriasis, there are several things you can do to feel more at ease. Skin doctors advise their patients to take medicines and get enough rest, eat a healthy diet, and avoid too much alcohol. In addition, many patients who have psoriasis say that having a positive attitude can help them feel better about their condition. Additionally, you can consider taking homeopathic treatment for psoriasis.

Homeopathic treatment for psoriasis:

Homeopathic treatment for psoriasis is an excellent way to reduce the severity of your symptoms. Homeopathy treatment can help patients to manage their symptoms by stimulating their body’s healing processes. Psoriasis patients should only consider taking homeopathic treatment after consulting with a reliable doctor. Homeopathic treatment is a gentle but effective way to relieve your psoriasis symptoms.

Homeopathy for psoriasis works by stimulating the immune system’s natural defence mechanisms, allowing the body to take care of inflammation and other problems that trigger psoriasis flare-ups. If you are looking for the best psoriasis treatment, you can book an appointment through OHO Homeopathy now!