Over this last year I’ve been able to meet lots of students and I'm often asked 'why is your skin RED some days and not the next?'
Over this last year I've been able to meet lots of students from many different walks of life, but something I find myself being asked more and more is, why is your skin RED some days and not the next?
Well, that's an interesting question. I often feel like a chameleon, as my skin changes so regularly. But why is my skin red somedays and “normal” on others? The simple answer is Psoriasis!
According to the NHS Psoriasis & Psoriatic arthritis is…
“A skin condition that causes flaky patches of skin which form scales.
On brown, black and white skin the patches can look pink or red, and the scales white or silvery. On brown and black skin, the patches can also look purple or dark brown, and the scales may look grey.
These patches normally appear on your elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, but can appear anywhere on your body. Most people are only affected with small patches. In some cases, the patches can be itchy or sore. Psoriasis affects around 2 in 100 people in the UK. It can start at any age, but most often develops in adults between 20 and 30 years old and between 50 and 60 years old. It affects men and women equally.
The severity of psoriasis varies greatly from person to person. For some it's just a minor irritation, but for others it can have a big impact on their quality of life. Psoriasis is a long-lasting (chronic) disease that usually involves periods when you have no symptoms or mild symptoms, followed by periods when symptoms are more severe.
Like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is a long-term condition that can get progressively worse. If it's severe, there's a risk of the joints becoming permanently damaged or deformed, and surgery may be needed. But if psoriatic arthritis is diagnosed and treated early, its progression can be slowed down and permanent joint damage can be prevented or minimised.”
I have personally dealt with the condition for a little over 10 years and have been very fortunate to of been treated by a team of very supportive professionals at Queens Hospital (Burton upon Trent) and Sir Robert Peel Hospital (Tamworth).
As well as my GP, I am cared for by:
- A specialist derma nurse – who is often my first point of contact with my specialist care team.
- A dermatology Consultant (skin specialist) – who is responsible for treating my psoriasis symptoms.
- A physiotherapist – who creates an exercise plan to help keep my joints mobile.
- An occupational therapist – who identifies any problems I might have with everyday activities and finds ways to overcome or manage these.
- A Rheumatology Consultant (musculoskeletal specialist) - who is responsible for treating my joints.
My health is something I have always been somewhat open with, but since starting my role as VP Activities, I have been propelled into the spotlight of cameras and videos. When your most visibly affected area is your face, it makes it a condition that’s difficult to hide, especially during flare ups. But being in this role has allowed me to share my experience with others. These conversations often lead to the question of, what causes it?
Once again, according to our NHS,
“People with psoriasis have an increased production of skin cells. Skin cells are normally made and replaced every 3 to 4 weeks, but in psoriasis this process only takes about 3 to 7 days. The resulting build-up of skin cells is what creates the patches associated with psoriasis. Although the process is not fully understood, it's thought to be related to a problem with the immune system. The immune system is your body's defence against disease and infection, but it attacks healthy skin cells by mistake in people with psoriasis. Psoriasis can run in families, although the exact role genetics plays in causing psoriasis is unclear.
Many people's psoriasis symptoms start or become worse because of a certain event, known as a trigger. Possible triggers of psoriasis include an injury to your skin, throat infections and using certain medicines or even stressful situations. The condition is not contagious, so it cannot be spread from person to person.”
Additionally,
“Almost 1 in 3 people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.
It tends to develop 5 to 10 years after psoriasis is diagnosed, although some people may have problems with their joints before they notice any skin-related symptoms. Like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is thought to happen as a result of the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy tissue.”
Having a semi-invisible disability can often be frustrating, hearing people say, “it’s okay some E45 cream will clear that right up” and “ouch! That sun burn looks bad!” or “why can’t you walk up the stairs today? Using the lift is lazy.” Whilst I can laugh about it now, my conditions remind me to never judge a book by its cover and to always meet ignorance or honest lack of understanding with an opportunity to help someone learn.