Sunday, August 18, 2013

Talking About Your Psoriasis to Others

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Track your way to weight loss success Manage your family's vaccinations Join the conversation See more benefits Sign Up Why WebMD? My WebMD Show Menu My Tools My WebMD Pages My Account Sign Out FacebookTwitterPinterest WebMD Home next page Skin Problems & Treatments Health Center next page Psoriasis Treatments: Now and in the Future Email a Friend Print Article if (pf_param == "true") {printElements();} Psoriasis Treatments: Now and in the Future This content is selected and controlled by WebMD's editorial staff and is funded by Amgen/Pfizer. Next Article: Skip to Article Content Psoriasis Treatments: Now and in the Future 10 Common Psoriasis Triggers See what may be causing your psoriasis flare-ups – and what to do about them. State-of-the-Art Psoriasis Treatments Do you know about the latest psoriasis treatments? How to Get Help During Treatment You need support while treating your psoriasis. Did Your Parents Give You Psoriasis? What causes psoriasis? What researchers know -- and still don't know -- about psoriasis. Conquering Psoriasis of the Scalp Find out what treatments can help you get on top of an itchy, scaly scalp. Treating Psoriasis on the Face Facial skin is thinner and sensitive. Try these medication tips. Tips for Psoriasis on Hands or Feet Psoriasis on hands and feet can be hard to treat, but these tips may help. Treating Psoriasis on the Groin Find out how to deal with inverse psoriasis on sensitive skin folds. Psoriasis-Soothing Creams and Ointments See why psoriasis treatment often begins on your skin and scalp. Can Sunshine Reduce Psoriasis Symptoms? From supplements to stress reduction, alternative therapies that may help. Top Self-Care Tips for Psoriasis The best home strategies for reducing symptoms. Do you Need Advanced Treatment? Weighing your options when creams and ointments aren't enough. How Biologics Work Learn about the newest approach to treating psoriasis. Fighting Stubborn Psoriasis With DMARDs Get the facts on these powerful drugs that suppress the immune system. Phototherapy for Psoriasis How light therapy slows the growth of skin cells – and reduces psoriasis symptoms. Tracking Your Psoriasis Flare-ups Step-by-step tips that may help you discover your personal triggers. What to Say About Your Psoriasis Do people ever ask, What's that? Here's how to explain psoriasis to others. Coping With Psoriatic Arthritis What you should know about it and what you can do about it. Working With Your Doctor See how a doctor and patient work together to treat psoriasis. False Talking About Your Psoriasis to Others WebMD Feature

By Peter Jaret

Reviewed By Stephanie S. Gardner, MD

One of the challenges of psoriasis is having to explain your skin condition to others. Most people don't know much about psoriasis, and many fear it's contagious.

"That can make the job of explaining why your skin looks the way it does especially difficult," says Julie Nelligan, PhD, a Portland-based psychologist who specializes in counseling people with psoriasis and other chronic conditions. "There's something about skin conditions that make people uneasy."

It's important to know how to explain your psoriasis to others for your own health, as well. Managing psoriasis can be stressful, and stress can make your psoriasis worse. For better or worse, psoriasis can be an important part of your life.

"The more people around you know about it, the more support you'll get," says Linda Cornish, a dermatology nurse who works with psoriasis patients at Kaiser-Permanente Medical Center Oakland. "And being open and honest can make you feel less self-conscious."

Here are six tips to help you talk about your psoriasis to friends and coworkers.

1. Choose the right time to bring up psoriasis.

Because talking about psoriasis can be awkward, it's important to choose a time and place where you will feel most comfortable. "If you're relaxed and at ease, the person you're talking to is more likely to feel at ease," says Nelligan. The right setting is likely to depend in part on the person you're talking to. With a co-worker, you may want to bring up the subject during a work break or over lunch. If you're talking to someone you've begun dating, you may want to arrange a special time to talk.

2. Think through what you want to say about your psoriasis.

Preparing for your conversation can help make it easier to say exactly what you want to say. Chances are you'll also feel more relaxed. The amount of information you give will depend on who you're talking with. A co-worker may need to know only what psoriasis is and the fact that it's not contagious. Your boss might need to know about your treatments if that means taking time off from work. When talking to a date, you may want to explain what living with psoriasis is like for you.

For especially delicate conversations, try rehearsing what you plan to say with someone who already knows and cares about you, such as a parent or a spouse. "A loved one can help you choose the right words and decide on the appropriate amount of information," says Nelligan. "Having a loved one to turn to can also be helpful if the conversation you have doesn't go as smoothly as you'd hoped."

3. Address people's worries about psoriasis upfront.

Because a big concern people have is that psoriasis is contagious, start by reassuring them that it isn't. Explain that psoriasis is a chronic condition caused by an abnormal immune reaction. You may want to explain what psoriasis feels like and what the treatments involve. "Be sensitive to people's reactions," says Nelligan. "If the person you're talking to seems uneasy, tell them just what you think they need to know and move on to something else. You can always bring the subject up again later." In some cases, it may be helpful to refer people to good sources of information online.

1 2 Go to next page #url_reference {display: none};#url_reference { display: block; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 10px; }#logo_rdr img { visibility: visible; }.titleBar_rdr .titleBarMiddle_fmt { padding-top: 1.5em;} Psoriasis Treatment Slideshow: Triggers Treatment Advances Emotional Support Psoriasis Causes Scalp Psoriasis Psoriasis on Face Hands and Feet Psoriasis on Groin Topical Creams Alternatives Home Treatments Advanced Treatment Injectable Biologics DMARDs Phototherapy Tracking Flare-ups Explaining Psoriasis Psoriatic Arthritis Video: Treating Psoriasis Video: Related Illnesses Funded by: Amgen/Pfizer WebMD Video Series click to expand section Are Other Illnesses Linked to Psoriasis? Click to hide section Are Other Illnesses Linked to Psoriasis? Click here to wach video: Are Other Illnesses Linked to Psoriasis?

Evidence indicates that psoriasis is more than just a skin disease. See what people with psoriasis should know.

Click here to watch video: Are Other Illnesses Linked to Psoriasis?

click to expand section Working With Your Doctor to Ease Psoriasis Click to hide section Working With Your Doctor to Ease Psoriasis Click here to wach video: Working With Your Doctor to Ease Psoriasis

Find out how to help your doctor come up with the best psoriasis treatment plan for you.

Click here to watch video: Working With Your Doctor to Ease Psoriasis

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