What Psoriasis taught me about life

Everything about us is the way it is for a reason, a lesson or a season.

Psoriasis is an unpredictable immune- skin disorder, it is not contagious. It is characterised by skin cells that multiply 3 to 10 times faster than normal cells. As underlying cells reach the skin surface and die, many cells forms raised red plaques covered with silver-white scales. It is extremely itchy and gets worse in winter due to less exposure to the sun. The more you scratch the scales, the worse the condition can become.

Psoriasis flare-ups are not fun to deal with. Some of the other side effects I experience include a lack of energy. Psoriasis is aggravated by stress and emotional problems, ill health and anything that influence’s your immune system I have suffered from embarrassment 100 of time’s. People mistaking the flakes on my shoulders for dandruff. Psoriasis causes sleepless nights due to the itching. I have tried almost everything medical and non-medical treatment to treat it. I will share what worked for me below.

One afternoon, while feeling depressed, I was trying to absorb some much-needed winter sun. I remembered that yesterday I had the best day. No psoriasis problems, no lack of energy and I felt beautiful and wonderful. So why is my skin disorder (and immune) affecting me so badly today? I realised that Psoriasis is teaching me a wonderful lesson about life.

Psoriasis taught me to be grateful for the good days and to accept and adapt to bad days. When I have a bad day, I tell myself that tomorrow will be better, I adapt and I even take a nap to regain energy. Or I plainly tell people I am having a bad day. (most people who don’t have psoriasis do understand what a bad day means) When I have a good day, I celebrate it. I tell myself to be thankful for the sunshine, the great good looks, the energy and the optimism I am feeling. In short, Psoriasis taught me to be grateful for good days.

Okay, so, what worked for me? Avoid caffeine and sugar, drink lots of water, try to sleep enough and take your vitamins. Don’t use too much vitamin C, it aggravated my Psoriasis. I eat a spoon full of coconut oil every day. I use peppermint essential oils in my Psoriasis cream I bought at Dischem. This recipe only works if you are diligent, one slip up and I am back to square one. I don’t think it is healthy to be too healthy so I cheat my own system. I don’t let it become out of control, before taking health actions again. At the best of non-itch time’s I have the raised red skin plaques- but it’s easier to cover up than the scaly plaques.