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My Story: Living with Psoriasis as a Black Woman

Ayesha, a psoriasis patient, has learned to manage her condition through years of flare-ups.

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Transcript

00:00
The worst flare-up I've ever had in my life had to be at the top of the COVID-19 pandemic.
00:07
I was covered all over. My scalp, I lost a ton of hair and I suffered tremendously. [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:19
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.
00:29
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.
00:40
I also have mild psoriatic arthritis. When I get a flare-up, I'm in pain.
00:48
I'm itching constantly. I'm bleeding sometimes. It's very, very difficult and can be embarrassing.
00:56
As a person of color, it's very difficult finding someone that understands how to, first, diagnose, and then treat my skin,
01:04
because I am different. Treatment is, first, very difficult, because we're often misdiagnosed.
01:11
But once we have the right provider that does understand how to, first, diagnose and then
01:17
manage our symptoms, it becomes something that we become accustomed to.
01:23
A patient can best prepare for a dermatology appointment by researching. But don't overdo it.
01:30
Don't drive yourself crazy. Research, learn about your condition, and make sure that you just ask a lot of questions.
01:39
I myself have kept a symptom diary to document if I eat a certain food if I flare up,
01:47
or what my day looks like if I flare up. So it's very important to be able to track what you do.
01:53
By keeping a diary of your symptoms, whether you notice a new plaque or if you experience
02:00
itchiness in a certain area is very important so that when you see the doctor, you'll have something
02:06
to go back and check up on. The best advice I can give to other psoriasis patients
02:14
is to just give yourself grace, understand that it takes time, and to be patient.

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