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Housecall, our weekly general-interest e-newsletter, keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics with timely, reliable, practical information, recipes, blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts and more. Our biweekly topic-specific e-newsletters also include blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts, and other useful information that will help you manage your health.
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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffCoping with psoriasis can be a challenge, especially if the disease covers large areas of your body or is in places readily seen by other people, such as your face or hands. The ongoing, persistent nature of the disease and the treatment challenges only add to the burden.
Here are some ways to help you cope and to feel more in control:
- Get educated. Find out as much as you can about the disease and research your treatment options. Understand possible triggers of the disease, so you can better prevent flare-ups. Educate those around you — including family and friends — so they can recognize, acknowledge and support your efforts in dealing with the disease.
- Follow your doctor's recommendations. If your doctor recommends certain treatments and lifestyle changes, be sure to follow them. Ask questions if anything is unclear.
- Find a support group. Consider joining a support group with other members who have the disease and know what you're going through. You may find comfort in sharing your experience and struggles and meeting people who face similar challenges. Ask your doctor for information on psoriasis support groups in your area or online.
- Use cover-ups when you feel it necessary. On those days when you feel particularly self-conscious, cover the psoriasis with clothing or use cosmetic cover-up products, such as body makeup or a concealer. These products can mask redness and psoriasis plaques. They can irritate the skin, however, and shouldn't be used on open sores, cuts or unhealed lesions.
References
- Gudjonsson JE, et al. Psoriasis. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aID=2983781. Accessed Jan. 26, 2009.
- Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/common_psoriasis.html. Accessed Jan. 26, 2009.
- Bodemer AA. Psoriasis. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/117935134-4/796383039/1494/116.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50073-9_3554. Accessed Jan. 26, 2009.
- Questions and answers about psoriasis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/psoriasis/psoriasis.htm. Accessed Jan. 26, 2009.
- Fluhr JW, et al. Emollients, moisturizers, and keratolytic agents in psoriasis. Clinics in Dermatology. 2008;26:380.
- Feldman SR, et al. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of psoriasis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 26, 2009.
- Feldman SR, et al. Treatment of psoriasis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 26, 2009.
- Aloe. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
- Capsicum. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
- Fish oil. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Jan. 28, 2009.
- Traub M, et al. Psoriasis: Pathophysiology, conventional and alternative approaches to treatment. Alternative medicine review. 2007;12:319.
- Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 29, 2009.
- FDA statement on the voluntary withdrawal of Raptiva from the U.S. market. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01992.html. Accessed April 9, 2009.
- FDA approves new drug to treat psoriasis. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm183851.htm. Accessed Oct. 27, 2009.
