Today I'm opening up and letting you in on my battle. I have psoriasis. No, that's not a BAD disease. It's an auto-immune disease that occurs on the skin. In other words, the skin reproduces itself too quickly. A recent study shows that 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis.
There are five different types of psoriasis, but the most common type is plaque psoriasis. This is characterized with red bumps. It can be very itchy and is most commonly found on the scalp, knees, elbows, and lower back.
Personally, mine is on both elbows, and in the back of my scalp. When I was younger I used to wonder what was "wrong" with me and why my scalp was always so itchy. Once my parents' took me to the doctor, we found out exactly what the problem was with me.
I'm 29 and I still deal with this in my life. I had to learn to not be so "self-conscious" about it and go on with my life. It really boils down to the fact that people who do not understand psoriasis, really are the ones ones "freaked out."
Yes, I do tend to get a little more nervous about my elbows in the summertime when my sleeves are short and the elbows are exposed, but at the same time the weather naturally makes the summer a better time for me. It is worst when the season changes and the air gets cold.
I've went through several tries to "get rid of it" but unfortunately psoriasis doesn't have a cure. However, there are several shampoos, creams, etc. you can try to help your situation.
I think it is different for every person, and I'm certainly not the worst case there is out there. I just felt like I wanted to touch base and spread a little word out there about psoriasis. For anyone interested, here is a link to a website that I keep up to date on often.