Some have seen this from me before in Private Messages, but I thought it was something worth posting on the forum for all to see.
It might help to get you through your day a little easier.
The following major points of consideration when dealing with psoriasis are a culmination of things that I have learned during my journey into, through, and out of the awful disease known as psoriasis. I would like to impart them to you, since I feel that they are of utmost importance.
In no particular order, I give you:
-THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF PSORIASIS
1.) Don't be ashamed of yourself.
Do not feel ashamed of your body. Feel free to go out in warm weather wearing short pants, shirts with short sleeves, bathing suits and other warm weather attire. You're still the same person you were prior to getting psoriasis, so why treat yourself differently now. Be proud of who you are. We are ALL special in our own way. Never forget that.
-Life is short, enjoy yourself.
2.) Educate yourself.
Read, read, read. Learn about every aspect of psoriasis. Learn all you can about the types of psoriasis, types of treatments used for it, side effects of various treatments, the functions of the various organs and systems in the human body, prescription medications, healing herbs, research being done, etc.. This forum is an invaluable source of information.
-Knowledge is Power.
3.) Be good to yourself.
Don't abuse your body with unhealthy habits and unhealthy food. If you simply focus on improving your overall health, there is an excellent chance that your symptoms of psoriasis will hit the road, since it no longer has an accommodating home to live in.
-Good Health is True Wealth.
4.) Manage your stress.
Try yoga, meditation, walking, visualization, music, hobbies, reading, yard work, prayer, etc. Do whatever it takes to get stress under control. Even if stress seems to have no adverse effect on your psoriasis, stress is not good for anyone's health, whether you have psoriasis or not.
-If you have a problem and there IS a solution, why worry about it. If you have a problem and there is NO solution, why worry about it.
5.) Keep a positive attitude.
Always try to look on the bright side of things. This takes on special importance when things seem to be at their worst.
-Every dark cloud has a silver lining.
6.) Beware of charlatans.
Be very skeptical of quick fixes. Steer clear of the snake oil salesmen. Be cautious about using harsh lotions, sprays and drugs on and in your body claiming that you will instantly be cured of psoriasis.
Do your homework before you purchase something from a questionable source.
Click on the link below for a long list of scam products. Some are unsafe and cannot be legally sold in the U.S. A.:
http://www.pinch.com/skin/pshame.htmlThis relates to Commandment #2 (educate yourself).
-If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
7.) Be careful not to sunburn.
Sunburns can be disastrous for anyone, particularly if you have a bad skin disease like psoriasis. A severe sunburn can send a person straight to the hospital psoriasis or no psoriasis. Take in the sun, but be careful.
-Less is More.
8.) Use caution with things that come in contact with your skin.
When bathing, showering or just washing your hands and face, always use lukewarm water, a little on the cool side. Be careful when using a soap or lotion that you are not familiar with. Some types of soap can have an adverse effect on your psoriasis. This also applies to moisturizers, sun tan lotion, chemicals used in swimming pools, the ink used in tattoos, household cleansers and detergents, cosmetics, hair dyes and sprays, deodorants, shaving creams and gels, and even fabrics used in articles of clothing.
-Caution is key.
9.) Moisturize often.
When you find a moisturizer that works well for you, use it often.
-Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.
10.) Consider alternative treatments.
You do have other options besides traditional drug and light treatments. There are books available and a wealth of information throughout this forum that addresses natural treatments for psoriasis. Besides a very effective way of treating the disease, a natural treatment will give you the added bonuses of:
- A sense of self-empowerment. You will feel great that you conquered psoriasis on your own.
- No harmful side effects.
- Your overall health will improve. Better health = longer lifespan = more time to enjoy the grandchildren.
- A natural treatment is about as close to a REAL cure as you will ever get with any treatment. Reason: Those who choose it and rid themselves of the disease are usually those who learn how to keep it away for good.
(healing + permanence = cure)
- Inexpensive.
- It will not disrupt your home life or work life.
- Interesting. You will learn about healing foods, oils, vitamins, enzymes, herbs, stress management techniques, and all things pertaining to a natural treatment.
- You will not get a feeling that you're being experimented on. A natural treatment for psoriasis is, for all practical purposes, pretty standard among most people.
- No need to worry about losing your favorite physician due to moving or the physician leaving the practice and then trying to find another one that you like. You are your own physician. If you move, your physician moves.
- No needles. Some prescription medications are administered by needle. Who likes needles?
-You are the captain of your own ship. There's the wheel, take hold of it.
NOTE: It might be a good idea to print out this list of ten and post it on your refrigerator.
