Learning to Live With Psoriasis
- Aside from being a legendary pop star, 69-year-old Cyndi Lauper faces uncomfortable health issues just like the rest of us. The "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" singer has struggled with a skin condition called psoriasis.
- Psoriasis, a chronic skin disease that unfortunately has no cure, can cause itchy, scaly red patches to develop on the skin, which can be embarrassing and uncomfortable.
- There are several medications available to treat it and lifestyle adjustments may help with outbreaks for some people as well.
The American singer, activist, and mom of two was diagnosed with a serious form of psoriasis in 2010, accompanied by aggressive outbreaksincluding one where she felt like “someone threw boiling water” on her.
Read More“When psoriasis gets really bad, it's really hard to get up again," she said, recounting it “looked like someone threw boiling water” after one of her toughest moments with the disease.”
But Lauper urged others to know they are not alone, adding, "It's important to know that you're not alone. In the United States, 7.5 million people live with psoriasis. If you don't want to talk with anyone, go online. Get information. Read personal stories. You don’t have to suffer.”
A few weeks ago, Lauper announced the upcoming season 3 of her podcast series #PsOintheKnow. The podcast, which is set to release in the fall will feature a variety of guests opening up about their experiences with the condition.
“To listen to previous episodes, visit PsOintheKnow.com or download them where you get your favorite podcasts,” Lauper said as she announced the news on social media.
The talk show is described on Apple Podcasts as “a podcast that shines a light on the experiences the more than 8 million Americans living with psoriasis (PsO) may have.”
“Hosted by Grammy, Tony, and Emmy award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, and PsO advocate, Cyndi Lauper, the episodes feature interviews with a diverse mix of celebrities, advocates and everyday patients living with PsO about the impact the condition has on their day-to-day life,” the summary concludes.
Back in 2017, Lauper talked about her psoriasis struggle which began on her scalp and eventually spread on all parts of her body except her face.
“It’s funny – you start wearing gloves, or this and that, hoping that [psoriasis] is invisible, but it’s not. I wasn’t wearing it like, ‘Woo-hoo, check this out!’ Doesn’t everyone hide it?” Lauper told HealthDay. “You’d be surprised how many people have it and don’t talk about it. It’s one of those things that’s kind of invisible, so it’s good to talk about it.”
She noted that psoriasis is “not a rash, it’s an inflammatory disease and could lead to other problems” and solutions to the condition can vary.
“You’ve got to really do your research,” Lauper explained. “One thing I’ve found from others who had it was that they didn’t give up. They didn’t stop questioning and researching until they found something that works.”
Learning More About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, itchy patches to develop on the skin. It is a chronic disease, which means that it does not have a cure. Fortunately, symptoms can often by managed with different treatments and, for some, even lifestyle adjustments. The disease is rare; only about 3.2% of the U.S. population has it, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Still, there have been major developments when it comes to treating psoriasis in recent years.
What is Psoriasis? Understanding the Different Types and Symptoms of This Rare Skin Condition
"Psoriasis is a chronic, auto-immune skin condition where you have red, scaly patches on the skin," Dr. Saakshi Khattri, a dermatologist/rheumatologist at Mount Sinai Health System, tells SurvivorNet. "It is a chronic condition, which can ebb and flow. You can have good days and bad days."
Dr. Saakshi notes that while anyone can develop psoriasis, the disease is more common in people between the ages of 30 and 50. Researchers believe genetics, as well as environmental factors, may play a role in the development of psoriasis.
Treating Psoriasis
If lifestyle changes are not doing the trick, or if you are unable to incorporate them during a highly stressful time, some psoriasis patients can reduce the severity of their flare-ups by using a topical solution. Still, many times treatments applied to the skin's surface just aren't enough to clear stubborn psoriasis. That's where systemic treatment treatment that travels through your entire body rather than being aimed at one area can be beneficial for patients. Systemic treatments are available via oral medication and injections. Some have been around since the early '70s, while others are relatively new to the landscape.
"I have patients who come in after having been to many other medical practices and not really getting much hope or really good treatments for their psoriasis," Dr. George Han, a dermatologist at Northwell Health/Lenox Hill Hospital, explains to SurvivorNet. "And we'll give the patient a systemic medicine that these days are very effective. We have treatments where over half of the patients who have moderate to severe psoriasis are getting 100% clear."
Related: Psoriasis: Frequently Asked Questions for the Newly Diagnosed
"I have patients who come in after having been to many other medical practices and not really getting much hope or really good treatments for their psoriasis," Dr. George Han, a dermatologist at Northwell Health/Lenox Hill Hospital, explains to SurvivorNet. "And we'll give the patient a systemic medicine that these days are very effective. We have treatments where over half of the patients who have moderate to severe psoriasis are getting 100% clear."
Another form of treatment is phototherapy (using UVB light to treat the disease). This therapy is generally used when medications applied to the skin alone do not work and alternative options are needed. It can also be used for patients who wish to avoid medications that can affect their entire body (system medications). Phototherapy can also be used in conjunction with topical and/or systemic psoriasis treatments.
Dr. Saakshi Khattri Explains How Systemic Treatments Can Be Used To Treat Psoriasis
Psoriasis Triggers
Managing stress and relaxing your body is important, but certain types of food and drink, along with tobacco, can be huge culprits for triggering autoimmune conditions. For some, the sun will exacerbate symptoms. Salt water from the ocean, however, can be good for clearing up skin conditions.
Also, eating an anti-inflammatory diet can reportedly help immensely for controlling flare-ups. Some people with psoriasis try to combat its distressing effects by following a paleo diet. A paleo diet, by definition, mainly consists of meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit, and excludes dairy or grain products and processed food.
Related: Managing The Emotional Burden Even The Shame That Can Come With Psoriasis
According to the Paleo Diet website, "Foods that cause inflammation include refined carbohydrates, wheat and other cereal grains, soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages, margarine, shortening and lard, and processed meats."
These types of foods can cause insulin (a hormone that controls our blood sugar) to spike in our bodies, which can contribute to inflammation and also alter our gut health, meaning change the ration of good bacteria vs. bad bacteria, which can wreak havoc on the body.
Overall, getting an adequate amount of rest and 7-8 hours of sleep every night is a tried and true method of putting less stress on your body, therefore lessening the severity of certain conditions like psoriasis.
Understanding How to Cope with Psoriasis
People with psoriasis often report increased stress and anxiety. In most cases, psoriasis causes more than just cosmetic symptoms. The majority of people with psoriasis report that the condition negatively impacts their quality of everyday living. Patients should be reminded that psoriasis is a very common condition. There are a variety of treatment options available to ease the burden of the disease, as well as support groups to emotionally connect with others who also struggle with the disease.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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