World Psoriasis Day: 5 Ways to Feel Confident with Psoriasis
World Psoriasis Day arrives on Sunday 29th October. This annual day was created by psoriasis sufferers for psoriasis sufferers to raise awareness of the estimated 125 million people across the globe who are affected by the skin disease. Up to 1.8 million of these sufferers are from the UK alone. Not only does the condition have an impact on their lives physically, but it also touches them socially, emotionally and financially.
So much so that 20 % of those in the UK with severe psoriasis take antidepressants, showing how deeply the skin condition can affect someone.
World Psoriasis Day aims to dispel the misconceptions and increase understanding of the condition as well as making sure sufferers themselves have the information and care they need and deserve.
If you’re one of the 3% of the population in the UK and Ireland who suffer from psoriasis, you may not feel very positive about it, but one of the aims of World Psoriasis Day is to empower sufferers. To change attitudes towards the disease from misinformed and embarrassed to knowledgeable and confident.
Here are our top ways to feel confident with psoriasis:
Educate yourself
Learn as much as you can about psoriasis. The more you know about the skin condition, the more you can try and reduce the symptoms. Typically, psoriasis is a long-lasting autoimmune disease that shows itself as red, itchy, and scaly patches of skin. Psoriasis can often be triggered by stress and other emotions so identifying what feelings start it off can help you avoid future rashes.
A great online resource is the Psoriasis Association. With lots of facts, treatment idea, research and forums for support, the PA website is a must for all psoriasis sufferers.
Avoid stress
Many people with psoriasis experience severe flare-ups during and after periods of great stress. The human body is very reactive to emotions, as well as the environment, so if there is something really worrying you like an unpaid bill, a driving test or moving home, try and look at ways to ease the stress to minimise your psoriasis symptoms.
You'll also enjoy this!
Targeted treatment
For targeting other areas affected by psoriasis, you should explore our PS.T. care line that has been especially created to give effective treatment for psoriasis – they remove flakes and hydrate the skin. The products in this innovative range can be used in combination with medication or during periods when symptoms are in remission.
Heads up
As all sufferers will know, skin prone to psoriasis is often very dry and flaky. This can be especially true on the scalp, leaving angry, itchy red skin. To keep your skin well-behaved, it’s essential to use products with a balanced, neutral Ph. Our Sebum Control Shampoo is gentle enough to use alongside prescribed medication, effectively treating scalp psoriasis and the associated irritation and itching.
Dress to impress
How you look can have a big effect on how you feel. With very bad psoriasis you might feel like covering up. But with acceptance comes confidence. Wear whatever you like, as long as it makes you feel good. Maybe some bright colours or bold patterns are the way to go, lifting your mood to a wonderfully, positive state.
Keep clear of fabrics or materials that may irritate your skin. Materials such as wool and synthetic fabrics can trigger a flare-up, so avoid these if you can.
The most important thing to wear? A smile! If you look positive, you’ll soon start to feel more positive and confident.
