Living with Psoriasis: 3 People Share Their Emotional Journeys

From people.com

From visible symptoms and painful flares to unexpected lessons in self-care, three people share the realities of living with psoriasis 

NEED TO KNOW

• Psoriasis affects 7.5 million people in the U.S. and can impact skin, nails, and joints differently for everyone
• Three individuals share their journeys with psoriasis, from delayed diagnoses to managing triggers and emotional challenges
• Experts and patients emphasize the importance of mental health, stress management, and personalized care in treatment approaches

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the immune system that affects nearly 7.5 million people in the U.S. While it’s known for causing visible patches and plaques on the skin, the condition can also affect nails and joints, with symptoms varying widely from person to person.

PEOPLE spoke with three people about their own experiences with psoriasis, including childhood diagnoses, years-long searches for answers, tips for managing triggers, and learning to live more comfortably in their skin.

Megan Ixim Was Diagnosed With Psoriasis at 13. Now 35, She Says ‘There Was Nothing to Be Ashamed Of’

Credit :

Megan Ixim

When Megan Ixim was 13, her entire scalp developed flaky patches of skin that would bleed when she brushed her hair. Her doctors suspected she could have multiple autoimmune disorders, and her mother eventually brought her to a dermatologist, where Ixim was diagnosed with psoriasis. But having an answer didn’t make growing up with the condition any easier. 

As a teenager, Ixim says she had flakes in her hair and on her clothes, “almost leaving a trail behind me.” She was constantly grooming herself and treating her psoriasis, yet “it felt like I was never fully ‘clean,’ ” the social strategist tells PEOPLE. She also had visible patches across her arms and knees, which made getting dressed difficult. Then came the questions from other people, who would point to the scales on her skin and ask, “What is that?” making Ixim feel as though her skin was something “contagious or to be feared.”

More than two decades after her diagnosis, Ixim, now 35, says her biggest challenge is her psoriatic arthritis, which can make her feel like she has “the joints of a 70-year-old.” Some days, she says, it hurts to even write with a pen for an extended period of time. She still deals with psoriasis on her scalp and ears and has learned that stress and weather can contribute to her flares. 

While living in Jersey City, she remembers walking along the water during a cold, windy winter day, when the sensation on her exposed skin was “comparable to holding a lighter to your skin when the wind would hit any uncovered spots on my body.” For relief, Ixim keeps her skincare routine simple, avoids fragrances and harsh ingredients, takes olive oil baths and swears by Neutrogena T/Gel. 

But after more than 20 years of living with psoriasis, perhaps the biggest lesson she’s learned is that the condition doesn’t diminish her. She wishes she’d understood sooner how closely her mental and physical health were connected, and that her diet could either relieve or exacerbate her symptoms. Most of all, she wishes she’d known sooner that she had nothing to be ashamed of. “Having flakes and redness and patches did not make me any less than,” she says. And now, she has a message for anyone who encounters someone with a visible skin condition: “People with visible skin conditions already know they’re visible. They don’t need your staring, your advice, or your questions.”

Travis Plotkin Spent Years Being Told He Had Eczema. A Biopsy at 38 Finally Revealed Psoriasis

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Travis Plotkin

For most of his life, Travis Plotkin was told he had eczema. From childhood through his early 30s, the 40-year-old entrepreneur says he saw more than 20 dermatologists, and every one reached essentially the same conclusion. He’d get “a steroid shot, some creams, and be sent on my way — over and over,” he says. The treatments helped manage the severe itching at best, but “it never actually treated what I had.” 

It wasn’t until 2018, after Plotkin finally had access to specialists, that a dermatologist at California Coastal Dermatology asked him a question no doctor had asked before: Had he ever had a biopsy? He hadn’t. The biopsy came back as psoriasis, finally giving Plotkin the right answer after years of being treated for the wrong conditions. During his follow-up, his dermatologist also connected the joint and spinal pain he’d experienced for most of his life to psoriatic arthritis — pain Plotkin had always chalked up to his weight, which at its highest reached 330 lbs.. By then, the physical toll had been immense. The itching was so severe that he says he would “literally tear off layers of skin,” while years of struggling with his health took an emotional toll, too. 

At that point, Plotkin says, he was deeply depressed and broke down to his wife and parents more than once, telling them, “I don’t know how much longer I can live with the pain.” Even after finding the right specialists and starting a biologic medication that gave him “about three good weeks a month,” he says, “one week was still brutal.”

He kept telling his family how hard he was working (seeing specialists and nutritionists and going to the gym) while still dealing with pain. Then his father pointed out something Plotkin hadn’t fully confronted: Stress was one of his known psoriasis triggers, yet he’d never talked about how he was actually managing that stress. His dad asked why he hadn’t tried therapy. “It was like a light bulb went off,” Plotkin tells PEOPLE. About a year after starting therapy, and 145 lbs. lighter, he says he is now pain-free and flare-free.

Plotkin’s experience has changed the way he thinks about treating psoriasis, and about asking for help. “As a man, it’s hard to admit you need mental help, especially when your own mind can trigger a flare-up,” he says. Looking back, he wishes he’d been properly diagnosed as a child and started therapy much sooner. “I wish I’d started therapy the day I was diagnosed instead of years later,” he says. 

Plotkin also wishes his doctors had been more willing to question the original diagnosis. “Doctors should check their egos at the door, lean into modern medicine, and treat patients like people,” he says, emphasizing that a biopsy could have given him the right answer much earlier. Now, he wants other people with psoriasis who are still struggling to know that a difficult treatment journey doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve run out of options.

“Treatment keeps improving,” he says, adding that he remains on the medication as well. “Even if you have the right diagnosis and you’re still struggling, better options are coming. That’s the message I’d want other people to hold onto.”

Nicole Cruz Says Her Psoriasis Taught Her to Listen to Her Body: ‘It’s Annoying as Hell, But [There’s a] Silver Lining’

Credit: Nicole Cruz

Nicole Cruz first noticed something was off with her skin during her junior year of college, when an itchy patch appeared behind her ear and simply wouldn’t go away. “I just thought it’ll go away eventually,” Cruz, now a speaker and executive coach, tells PEOPLE. But during a particularly stressful period in college — including a serious health scare that left her bedridden for a month — her symptoms became harder to ignore. 

Cruz, 42, eventually learned in her 30s that she had Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune condition, and says psoriasis is how her condition primarily manifests externally. Her skin tends to become more irritated during stressful periods, though there have been some unexpected bright spots along the way. During a year living in Italy, for instance, Cruz says her skin “quieted down.” She can’t pinpoint exactly why, but suspects it may have been “a combination of the walking, the food, and a lifestyle pace that was slower and less demanding.” 

Her psoriasis also eased during pregnancy, only to become more persistent after she gave birth. When she’s experiencing symptoms, Cruz uses Aquaphor to help with the dryness and itchiness, particularly after showering. She also found significant relief after following a restrictive anti-inflammatory diet for about six months, eliminating sugar, caffeine, gluten and nightshades. “All my symptoms went away,” she shares with PEOPLE, though maintaining the diet proved difficult. These days, Cruz focuses on managing stress through practices including yoga, which she’s done for more than a decade, and daily meditation. “Ninety-five percent of my day is spent giving myself to another human being,” she says. “So it’s nice to take a breather somehow.”

After years of living with psoriasis, Cruz says the condition has changed the way she thinks about the connection between her mental and physical health, something she’s learned through her trauma-informed training about the relationship between emotions and the body, as well as research she has encountered on chronic stress, systemic racism and autoimmune disease. For Cruz, that connection has become something she actively pays attention to. 

“It’s like, oh, it’s not just a thing I can ignore,” she says. “It’s there. And it’s visible, and I deal with it every day.” When her skin starts itching, she now sees it as a cue to check in with herself: “Okay, it’s really itchy today. What’s going on? How can I take care of myself?” Looking back, Cruz wishes she’d seen a dermatologist sooner instead of spending a year assuming the patch behind her ear would disappear on its own. 

She also wishes she’d known earlier that psoriasis doesn’t necessarily have one simple cause or solution. “The thing that’s most frustrating with psoriasis sometimes is that there’s like, people like, ‘Oh, it could be caused by this, it could be caused by that,’” she says. Still, Cruz has found an unexpected benefit in having to pay closer attention to what her body is telling her. “The psoriasis and my autoimmune has really encouraged me to make the mind-body connection more,” she says — the “silver lining” to her “annoying as hell” condition, she says with a laugh.

https://people.com/people-living-with-psoriasis-stories-12041626

Psoriasis vs. Eczema: How to Tell the Difference

From newbeauty.com

By Marisa Petrarca

Here's how dermatologists tell these two conditions apart 

Type “psoriasis vs...” into the search bar, and it’s instantly met with its most common pairing: eczema. It’s a small but telling sign of how many people are trying to make sense of these two conditions, and how much confusion still surrounds them.

And the confusion is understandable: both conditions can cause red, inflamed, itchy skin, and both are far more common than most people realize. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis affects roughly 3 percent of U.S. adults, while the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that eczema affects about 7.3 percent.

Ahead, we’re diving into the differences between the two conditions, including how to recognize whether you have one, the other or both, what triggers and treats each and more.

Featured Experts

• Dendy Engelman, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
• Kristina Collins, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Austin, TX
• Shira Y. Wieder, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York

Psoriasis vs. Eczema

Getty Images / ipopba

Both are chronic skin conditions that stem from different underlying causes, says New York dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD. “Psoriasis is an immune-triggered condition that accelerates skin cell turnover, often creating thicker plaques with scale,” she explains. “Eczema, particularly atopic dermatitis, is closely tied to both immune dysregulation and a weakened skin barrier, which allows moisture to escape and irritants to enter more easily.”

The two can look similar, but not to a trained eye. “Eczema tends to be intensely itchy and may appear dry, cracked, weepy or inflamed, whereas psoriasis classically produces more sharply demarcated, scaly plaques,” says Dr. Engelman. Location is another clue: psoriasis favours the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back, per Austin dermatologist Kristina Collins, MD, while eczema tends toward the face, neck, hands and elbow and knee creases—though either can appear anywhere.

Skin tone changes how both conditions present, too. “On lighter skin, psoriasis and eczema may appear pink or red, while on deeper skin tones, inflammation can look purple, violet, gray, dark brown or even subtle enough to be missed,” says Dr. Collins. Both conditions can also leave behind lingering pigmentation changes after a flare resolves.

As if telling the two apart wasn't hard enough, neither condition even comes in just one form. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form, showing up in up to 80 percent of cases, but guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic psoriasis are also recognized subtypes—and it’s possible to have more than one at once, or develop a new type later.

Eczema covers even more ground: the National Eczema Association recognizes seven types, including atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis (a reaction to something touching your skin) and dyshidrotic eczema (itchy blisters, usually on the hands or feet).

Is Psoriasis or Eczema Contagious? Are They Genetic?

Good news for the germaphobes among us: neither is contagious, confirms Dr. Collins. Genetics are a different story; both conditions can run in families, though not in quite the same way. Psoriasis tends to be more genetically driven, says New York dermatologist Shira Y. Wieder, while eczema comes down more to skin-barrier dysfunction.

Environment plays a role, too. For psoriasis, common culprits include strep infections, obesity, alcohol, smoking and certain medications, says Dr. Wieder. Eczema is less about exposure and more about how well the skin barrier holds up, with triggers such as fragrance, preservatives, dyes, irritants, microbes, weather changes and stress.

Are They Linked to Other Health Conditions?

Both conditions can extend well beyond the skin. About 20 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, according to Dr. Wieder—a range that lines up with the National Psoriasis Foundation's own research on the condition. Left untreated, psoriatic arthritis can cause irreversible joint damage. Psoriasis has also been associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Eczema, meanwhile, is tied to what dermatologists call the "atopic march:" patients who develop it, often in childhood, may go on to develop asthma and seasonal or food allergies. Dr. Collins recommends flagging any symptoms beyond the skin to a doctor so the condition can be managed as part of a bigger picture rather than in isolation.

Does Diet Play a Role in Flare-Ups?

Modestly, and differently for each condition. For psoriasis, Dr. Wieder points to research on Mediterranean-style anti-inflammatory eating and weight loss as supports to standard treatment; a gluten-free diet only tends to help if you also have celiac disease. For eczema, current guidelines actually advise against elimination diets, as the benefits are typically small and restriction can worsen allergies or lead to malnutrition.

Dr. Collins takes a similar stance: there's no single "psoriasis diet" or "eczema diet" that works universally, and she cautions against cutting out entire food groups without a clear, personal reason to do so.

Can You Have Both Psoriasis and Eczema at Once—and How Are They Treated?

Yes, it’s possible to have both psoriasis and eczema at once, or one after the other at different life stages. That’s why it’s worth getting a diagnosis confirmed before assuming a new flare years later is just the same old condition coming back.

As for treatment, it “depends on the diagnosis, location and severity, but both conditions benefit from consistent skin-barrier support and targeted control of inflammation,” explains Dr. Engelman. “Moisturizers and gentle fragrance-free skin care are particularly important for eczema, while prescription topical medications, phototherapy and systemic or biologic therapies may be used for either condition depending on severity.”

When Should You See a Dermatologist?

“I recommend seeing a dermatologist when a rash is persistent, recurrent, spreading, interfering with sleep or daily life, or not improving with basic skin care and over-the-counter measures,” Dr. Engelman advises. “You should also seek medical attention if the skin becomes painful, warm, increasingly swollen, crusted or otherwise concerning for infection.” Or, maybe you just want a clear-as-day answer that doesn't involve a search engine or a group chat diagnosis.

https://www.newbeauty.com/view/psoriasis-vs-eczema

6 Surprising Things That Can Trigger a Psoriasis Flare, According to a Dermatologist

From people.com

From “good” stress to your skincare routine, a dermatologist breaks down the unexpected factors that may make psoriasis worse 

NEED TO KNOW

• Psoriasis is a chronic condition linked to immune system overactivity that can worsen with lifestyle and environmental factors
• Dermatologist Dr. Adrienne Rencic emphasizes the importance of managing stress, sleep and diet to reduce the frequency of flare-ups
• Psoriasis can be triggered by skin trauma including scrubbing or irritation from skincare products, according to experts

If you have psoriasis, you may already know flares seem to come out of nowhere, no matter how well you’re managing the condition. But some of the things that can trigger or worsen psoriasis may be counterintuitive, or possibly not on your radar at all.

Psoriasis is a chronic disease in which the immune system becomes overactive, causing inflamed, scaly patches of skin. Symptoms can cycle between flares and periods of improvement, and common triggers can include stress and skin injuries, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).

Get to know six surprising factors that may contribute to a psoriasis flare.

1. “Good” stress

Turns out you don’t necessarily have to feel anxious or upset for your body to experience stress. Even positive events can put physiological stress on the body. 

“People understand stress as working too long or experiencing ‘bad’ stress,” says Dr. Adrienne Rencic, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical investigator with more than 25 years of experience, who consults for RELAB, a new psoriasis-focused skincare brand. “But what people don’t understand is ‘good’ stress.”

“You could be staying up all night for two weeks preparing for your sister’s wedding, and that’s stress on your body,” she explains. “You can get flare-ups when you don’t necessarily feel stressed in a bad way.”

The takeaway: Pay attention to periods when your routine is disrupted, you’re not sleeping enough or your body is under unusual strain — even if you’re having a great time.

2. Lack of sleep

Sleep is another lifestyle factor that can contribute to psoriasis, Rencic says, along with stress, diet, smoking and alcohol. And the connection can become a frustrating cycle. Psoriasis can cause itching, burning and discomfort that interferes with sleep. 

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3. Scrubbing away your scales

When psoriasis leaves behind thick, flaky skin, aggressively scrubbing it away might seem like a logical solution. But it can backfire.

“Some people use a loofah or scrub their skin to try to remove the scale, and that’s actually trauma to the skin,” Rencic says. “That can make things worse.”

That’s because people with psoriasis can experience what’s known as the Koebner phenomenon or reaction, in which trauma to the skin can trigger psoriasis in that area. So when it comes to removing scale, more aggressive isn’t necessarily better.

4. A skincare product that irritates your skin

A reaction to a new skincare product and a psoriasis flare can sometimes look similar and, according to Rencic, one can actually trigger the other. “In a patient with psoriasis, there is a phenomenon called the Koebner reaction,” she explains. “Any trauma to the skin can trigger a psoriasis flare-up.”

A product reaction will generally affect the area where the product was applied, while psoriasis may appear as a distinct patch within that area. “You may have one or both going on at the same time,” Rencic says.

If you’re unsure whether a rash is an irritation or psoriasis, it’s best to have a dermatologist evaluate it rather than repeatedly applying products that could further irritate the skin.

5. Smoking and alcohol

Smoking and alcohol may not be the first things that come to mind when you think about psoriasis, but Rencic says they’re worth paying attention to. “These things can contribute, even though people don’t necessarily think of them as triggers,” she adds.

That doesn’t mean an occasional drink will automatically cause a flare, Rencic clarifies, but rather that the use of alcohol or nicotine can contribute to the disease, particularly when it’s part of a broader pattern of lifestyle factors. NIAMS concurs, noting that smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can worsen psoriasis symptoms.

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6. Your overall diet

One candy bar isn’t going to give you psoriasis, and Rencic is careful to make that distinction.

“It’s not that eating a candy bar causes psoriasis,” she tells PEOPLE. But she does note that “consistently eating a diet that’s high in sugar and saturated fat and low in fibre is bad for psoriasis.”

Rencic points to the Mediterranean diet as an example of an eating pattern that may be beneficial. Most importantly, she says people shouldn’t feel as though they’re powerless when it comes to managing their disease. 

“This is simply something they live with,” she says, adding that people with psoriasis “aren’t doing anything wrong.” But she does note that there are factors — diet, activity, stress relief — that can help reduce flares.

“All of those things can be modified,” Rencic says, suggesting stress-reducing activities such as exercise, meditation, spending time with friends and being in nature.

(And if your psoriasis is widespread, isn’t responding to your usual treatment or is accompanied by joint pain, stiffness or swelling, talk to a doctor. Psoriasis is associated with other health conditions, including psoriatic arthritis and cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, and NIAMS recommends medical evaluation when joint symptoms occur.)

https://people.com/6-surprising-things-that-can-trigger-a-psoriasis-flare-12060302