Psoriasis effects 7.5 million people, and I’m one of them. Ugh.

This autoimmune disease is uncurable and uncomfortable, to say the least. I began showing symptoms of psoriasis after moving to South Florida in 2015 and was diagnosed with psoriasis in the summer of 2016. I was so sad.

Leading up to the diagnosis, I tried for months to relieve or rid my skin of what was

ailing it. I did research for weeks and tried essential oils, epsom salt, coconut oil treatments, and more. Nothing touched it and it was getting worse. It itched, hurt, looked terrible and I had had it. I tried lots of OTC remedies and finally went to my dermatologist.

At the time, I didn’t know that much about psoriasis. In my mind, I could get rid of anything with my natural “cures,” but no. My dermatologist recommended a steroid cream and I left that day, but never got it. I  ended up back in her office less than 4 months later, with bigger worse patches, and a left forearm that was raw after weeks of scratching.

She told me to get the cream, again. I got the cream. I used it as instructed for over a month and it didn’t helped. I was miserable. No one I know has psoriasis so I didn’t have anyone to go to for advice. And looking on the internet just made me realize that everyone who has psoriasis was as miserable as I was.

I made another appointment and went back to my dermatologist. This time, she gave me a steroid shot and finally! Some relief. But the thing is, I don’t want to have to get shots for the rest of my life to feel less of my psoriasis. I don’t want to use steroid creams and OTC products forever. So, I’m not.

For about a year, I went in every three months for my shots.  I had two shots in the leg, two shots in my armpits, and probably almost 10 shots in my elbows. At present, I have psoriasis on my face and scalp.

But NONE on my elbows?!?!? How amazing is that? Praise God! My last shots were towards the end of last year (2017) and I don’t have to schedule another appointment anytime soon. So happy!

But I still have it. I don’t do anything “medically” for my face or scalp. But it’s there and it’s real.

I took a step back and accepted it. Also, I forced myself to think of the other side. In all reality, my psoriasis effects me negatively, everyday, but most people would have no idea because they can’t see it.

I am so blessed. My psoriasis covers maybe 10% of my skin (in this moment) and a huge

part of that is my scalp. Some people have the opposite and deal with 90% coverage and huge red and scaling patches that hurt and itch, covering nearly every inch of their bodies.

The reality of it all is that I have it. I need to deal with it the best I can and I want to do it as naturally as I can. So this is my story. It’s not pretty but it’s real. And if you have psoriasis, I want to help you in anyway I can. Because #psoriasissucks.

Watch for more posts about psoriasis, especially pertaining to what I do for mine, how I eat because of it, and more.

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