I have been living with psoriasis for the past 15 years since my symptoms began when I was nine. My family was unaware of the condition and assumed the patches were caused by mosquito bites. My grandma was also diagnosed with psoriasis four years ago at the age of 73, and unfortunately, I am the only one in my family who has inherited it.
However, I was only accurately diagnosed with psoriasis when I was 12 after seeing a dermatologist upon my parents’ insistence, "just to be cautious." Thanks to the prescribed treatment, I was able to keep my psoriasis under control.
Due to financial constraints, I had to stop treatment and decided to opt for traditional Chinese healing methods. It helped for a while, but later my condition came back. It got so bad that my skin flared up with open wounds and large spots on my hands and feet. I couldn’t flex my fingers and my skin would burn when I took a shower. It was such a painful experience. Then, I went to another dermatologist who prescribed new medications that finally helped, and my condition got better.
My skin is now 50% clear. The majority of my lesions have now become smaller. This is all thanks to a combination of therapy as well as adopting a healthy diet, drinking a lot of water, and regular exercise.
Fortunately, throughout my journey with psoriasis I have never been teased and tormented. It may be due to me attending an all-girls school and my family has been loving and supporting. However, there was an incident on the school bus when I heard some students from another school laughing at me in Chinese, which shocked me.
Nevertheless, my psoriasis has affected my self-esteem and my confidence. I am very particular about what I wear because of the patches on my skin. I usually wear long sleeves and long pants, even on hot days. I am grateful that now I am able to manage my condition and I know this is not the end but a lifelong journey. By sharing my story, I hope that other people with psoriasis know that they are not alone.
Maribelle
By True Complexion
Approval Code: MY2207143315
