Back toAyesha, a psoriasis patient, has learned to manage her condition through years of flare-ups.
Transcript
The worst flare-up I've ever had in my life had to be at the top of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I was covered all over. My scalp, I lost a ton of hair and I suffered tremendously. [MUSIC PLAYING]
During the pandemic, I was only able to get treatment via telehealth. I wasn't able to actually see my provider until June of 2020.
Psoriasis affects my entire body from the crown of my head to the bottom of my feet. I have scalp psoriasis, inverse guttate and plaque psoriasis.
I also have mild psoriatic arthritis. When I get a flare-up, I'm in pain.
I'm itching constantly. I'm bleeding sometimes. It's very, very difficult and can be embarrassing.
As a person of color, it's very difficult finding someone that understands how to, first, diagnose, and then treat my skin,
because I am different. Treatment is, first, very difficult, because we're often misdiagnosed.
But once we have the right provider that does understand how to, first, diagnose and then
manage our symptoms, it becomes something that we become accustomed to.
A patient can best prepare for a dermatology appointment by researching. But don't overdo it.
Don't drive yourself crazy. Research, learn about your condition, and make sure that you just ask a lot of questions.
I myself have kept a symptom diary to document if I eat a certain food if I flare up,
or what my day looks like if I flare up. So it's very important to be able to track what you do.
By keeping a diary of your symptoms, whether you notice a new plaque or if you experience
itchiness in a certain area is very important so that when you see the doctor, you'll have something
to go back and check up on. The best advice I can give to other psoriasis patients
is to just give yourself grace, understand that it takes time, and to be patient.
