‘Scandal’ Star Katie Lowes, 42, On Coping With ‘Embarrassing’ Psoriasis For More Than a Decade: ‘I Can’t Hide It & I No Longer Want To Hide It’

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, which is when the body’s immune system becomes overactive and attacks normal tissues. Although psoriasis is incurable, treatment options to manage symptoms include topical ointments and creams.

RELATED: What is Psoriasis Rash? Descriptions, Causes, & More

To further help manage symptoms, people diagnosed should discuss with their doctor to learn what could trigger flare-ups, such as foods or environmental factors—something which Lowes understands too well.

Speaking to FIRST for Women about her psoriasis journey, which began when she was diagnosed at 28 years old, and how she copes with it, she said, “I was getting these ugly red patches on my body, which were embarrassing.

“I tried everything to hide them, such as wearing turtlenecks, because I was so uncomfortable letting anyone see my condition, especially in Hollywood where you are under the watchful eye of everyone.”

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A post shared by Katie Lowes (@ktqlowes)

Lowes, who was diagnosed the same year she got booked for “Scandal,” explained, “My flare-ups or flare-downs played a big role in my wardrobe decisions. My stylist always had to have back-up outfits for appearances, such as jackets and high-neck clothing, and then when my character on Scandal became a badass, I was thinking I’d have a ponytail but I had to rethink that too.

“There were a lot of modifications made to accommodate what my symptoms were doing in the moment.”

Since Lowes couldn’t avoid the celebrity spotlight during her struggle with psoriasis, she praises her husband for helping her get through times she felt insecure.

She recalled, “Not only did he get me to laugh, but he was by my side when I was trying different lotions recommended by the dermatologist.

“He also helped me apply the medicine and take pictures in places I could not see or reach for the doctor to review. He was so wonderful.”

Lowes, who teamed up with Psoriasis Speaks last year to raise awareness for the condition she thankfully manages well, she said, “I can’t hide it and I no longer want to hide it.

“In fact, I now walk into fittings where I want to talk about it, because I have a public platform where I can help others. This is 2024, no one is perfect and I can tell you, everyone has their stuff, whatever it may be.”

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A post shared by Katie Lowes (@ktqlowes)

Lowes also said in a 2024 Instagram post, “In 2010, I discovered red, itchy patches of psoriasis on my scalp and neck. This started a long road filled with challenging emotions and many ups and downs.

“But thanks to the unwavering support of my husband Adam, friends, family and my awesome dermatologist, I was able to advocate for the care I deserve!”

She concluded, “By sharing my experience, I hope to inspire others living with psoriasis to reclaim their confidence.”

Psoriasis is Chronic, But Can Be Managed

According to the National Institute of Health, “Many people with psoriasis have a family history of the disorder. Researchers have identified certain genes linked to the disease but still don’t fully understand the disease process. They do know that it isn’t contagious.”

Dr. Saakshi Khattri, a dermatologist/rheumatologist at Mount Sinai Health System, told SurvivorNet. “It is a chronic condition, which can ebb and flow. You can have good days and bad days.”

WATCH: Understanding the various types of psoriasis.

Dr. Saakshi explained that while anyone can develop psoriasis, the disease is more common in people between 30 and 50. Researchers believe genetics and environmental factors may play a role in the development of psoriasis.

Common symptoms often include:

• Red patches of skin covered with silvery-like scales
• Small scaling spots
• Dry, cracked skin that may bleed or itch
• Itching, burning sensation, or soreness
• Thickened or ridged nails
• Swollen or stiff joints

Topical medicines like skin creams are considered mainstays in treating psoriasis symptoms. The topical you take depends on the kind of psoriasis you’re dealing with and its related symptoms.

The seven different types of psoriasis include:

• Plaque psoriasis: The most common form of the disease causes dry, raised skin patches that may be covered in scales. The patches may be itchy and tender.
• Nail psoriasis: This disease can affect fingernails and toenails and might cause nails to loosen from the nail bed.
• Guttate psoriasis: This disease typically affects young adults and children and is often caused by a bacterial infection like strep throat.
• Inverse psoriasis: This type of psoriasis mainly affects skin folds, so it will often present in areas such as the groin, buttocks, or breasts and can worsen with friction or sweating.
• Pustular psoriasis: This rare form of psoriasis causes pus-filled blisters to develop in widespread patches across the body.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis: This is another rare form of the disease. It can involve the entire body and cause a red, peeling rash that may itch or burn intensely.
• Psoriatic arthritis: With this form of the disease, joints may become swollen and painful. Sometimes, joint pain is the first or only symptom, while other symptoms, like nail changes, occur.

How is Psoriasis Treated?

Sometimes, psoriasis is treated with oral drugs, which may include:

• Methotrexate: This medication was approved for psoriasis in 1972 and can be administered orally or intravenously. It works as an immunosuppressant that inhibits rapidly dividing cells. According to the American Academy of Dermatology and National Psoriasis Foundation guidelines, methotrexate is typically administered in doses ranging from 7.5 mg to 25 mg weekly as one dose or divided into three dosages over 24 hours. Common side effects include fatigue and nausea.
• Apremilast (Otezla): This medication suppresses an enzyme inside inflammation cells. The most common side effects are diarrhea, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, and headache.
• Cyclosporine: This drug isn’t used for long-term psoriasis treatment due to potentially serious adverse effects. However, it does have a role “as a rapid-acting medication for severe, recalcitrant disease, acute flares, and erythroderma.” Nephrotoxicity (kidney issues) and hypertension (high blood pressure) are cyclosporine’s most common adverse side effects.

Other systemic treatment options for psoriasis include Biologic drugs or biologics, which are given by injection or intravenous (IV) infusion (a slow drip of medicine into your vein).

These drugs target only specific parts of the immune system, while other systemic drugs target the whole system.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Taking care of your mental health, especially during a health battle, is of the utmost importance, but it’s not always easy. One place to start is to be aware of the following signs that there may be something affecting your mind:

• A change in eating or sleeping habits
• Losing interest in people or usual activities
• Experiencing little or no energy
• Numb and/or hopeless feelings
• Turning to drinking or drugs more than usual
• Non-typical angry, upset or on-edge feelings
• Yelling/fighting with loved ones
• Experiencing mood swings
• Intrusive thoughts
• Trouble getting through daily tasks

Symptoms of a mental health disease or issue can vary from person to person, so it’s always crucial to promptly speak with a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing any changes to your physical or mental health. There are many treatment options available and many different healthy ways to help you cope.

How to Be Realistically Optimistic: Coping With Mental Health Long-Term

One such option is therapy. In a previous conversation with SurvivorNet, ovarian cancer survivor Ni Guttenfelder talked about how finding the right counselor helped her process the feelings that came after her diagnosis.

“One of the things that my counselor has taught me from the very beginning that has helped me is the concept of acceptance,” she says. “Acceptance is a process. It’s like downloading a computer file in increments. Visualizing it in that way has really helped me.”

In addition to therapy, meditation and practicing mindfulness can also be used to cope with a mental health struggle. Dr. Deepak Chopra, acclaimed author and pioneer of mindfulness movement, spoke with SurvivorNet about how asking yourself who you really are is the first step down the path to practicing mindfulness.

“If we can combine our actions in the world with reflective self inquiry, love and compassion, and a state of secure, stable, ornamental, peaceful being without the addictions that humans have, then we can begin our journey of healing,” Dr. Chopra explained.

Dr. Brian Berman, director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at University of Maryland, takes SurvivorNet through a guided meditation

Medicating isn’t the right choice for everyone when it comes to addressing a mental health issue, but there should be no shame in turning to medication when you need it. That being said, it can be hard to find the right one. These days, however, there is a form of genetic testing that has shown the ability to match people with the best medication for mental health treatment.

We’ve seen genetic testing used for treatment plans for other diseases, such as certain types of cancer, but the ability to use it to help people who are suffering from things like anxiety and depression is relatively new.

How Can Genetic Testing Help Determine the Right Form of Mental Health Treatment?

“Doing the genetic testing has absolutely transformed the landscape of psycho-pharmacology,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik told SurvivorNet. “It’s something that I highly recommend for anybody that is taking medication, whether they are being treated for cancer, or not … I recommend it for children who are taking medication. I recommend it for elderly people. Anybody who is taking medication, I think, can greatly benefit from genetic testing.”

Genetic testing can give a profile of how a person is likely to respond to different types of psychiatric medications, Dr. Plutchik explained. Testing is also available to create a profile of how patients will likely respond to different sorts of pain medications, which can be really beneficial for those going through some other sort of health issue.

Genetic testing “gives me information about which medications are likely to work without having problematic side effects. It also gives information about interactions between any of the psych medications that we choose,” and other medications a patient may be taking, Dr. Plutchik said.

The genetic test that Dr. Plutchik was discussing, Genomind, looks at multiple factors before determining which treatment is likely to have successful results and minimal side-effects. The test examines certain genes that are associated with responses to medications commonly prescribed for mental health issues and then looks into the patient’s ability to metabolize medication.

If you’re considering going on medication for mental health treatment, consider asking your doctor if genetic testing might be helpful for you.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are not feeling your usual self and are facing a diagnosis or some other traumatic event, you should consider contacting your doctor to see if your mental health needs a boost.

• Should I consider going on medication to help with mental health struggles?
• Would genetic testing help determine the best treatment for me?
• What is the likelihood that the test will recommend the proper treatment?
• What can we do if I don’t succeed with the recommended treatment?

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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