Psoriasis Psuperpower

I have often said that Psoriasis has a way of surprising you. Now into I think my 14th year with this condition I thought I had seen it all. I have also joked and written posts about being one of the X-Men as Psoriasis is my mutant power and recently, this bit of fiction seems to have a little bit of real life to it.

I’m not sure it comes across too much that I am a keen cook. My Twitter name is @Simonlovesfood, I have cooked with Michelin Star chefs (okay only twice and mostly prepping but still), have cooked in other professional kitchens (okay mostly prepping again, but still), and enjoy cooking for family and friends. So I cook a bit.

Oh, and to go back a bit further, my oven broke. A complete disaster in the My Skin and I household. As I refuse to own a microwave, all I had was a hob and a grill. Then again, the barbecue did come in to use even on the less warm or sunny days. Now, anyone reading is thinking “and how does this back up your belief that Psoriasis is a superpower Simon?” Well I’m getting to that.

So the oven is replaced and finding a real bargain in the sales we were able to purchase a very good oven and the little chef in side me started jumping up and down with excitement. Every night became an adventure, trying new dishes, using my much more efficient oven. Then I thought, the steak stone, I’ll get the steak stone out. If you don’t know what a steak stone is, it is a big flat stone you put in your oven and then place in it’s holder so you can cook at the table.

You need to get the stone up to it’s highest heat so basically whack the oven on full and leave it in there for a good couple of hours. As I was getting said steak stone out of the oven, with a thick cloth rather than the gloves they provide, my hand hit the rack above. Having a heavy slab of stone in your hands and a searing burning sensation is rather annoying. Somehow I managed to get the stone on the table and then treated my hand.

It had burnt so much it instantly blistered (yeah there’s a nice image for you). However it had almost done quite a bit of damage and removed several layers of skin. Now it was the kind of burn that should take weeks to heal unless you get it treated. Me being a man did not get it treated. It soon scabbed over and within a week the scab fell off (more lovely images) to reveal healthy skin. Outstandingly healthy skin in fact.

Apart from a bit of discolouring still in that part of my hand it is hard to notice. I now put this down to my super fast growing skin. Either that or I am Wolverine in his Logan days where he doesn’t heal quite fully or that quickly.  So I have found the plus side of psoriasis, quick healing skin and I am happy to say it is y Psuperpower. I’d rather be Wolverine though.

 

 

Guest Post – Can cognitive behavioural therapy help those with psoriasis?

It has long been recognised that psoriasis is a complex skin disease that has psychological associations as well as physical ones. It’s thought that stress can play a role in the flare-up of symptoms, and many sufferers can often trace their first outbreak back to a stressful event or period in their life.

With this in mind, the role of stress reduction has become an important part of psoriasis treatment. Stress releases a hormone called cortisol in the body, which can cause inflammation. In psoriasis, symptoms are triggered by an inflammatory response in the body, so it’s not hard to see how the two go hand in hand.

One approach that has been gaining traction in recent times, alongside conventional psoriasis treatment, is the use of cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT.

CBT is one of many so-called ‘talking’ therapies, and its aim is to change negative thought patterns in patients. By altering the way that you think or behave, it can help you to better manage your problems or health condition (http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cognitive-behavioural-therapy/Pages/Introduction.aspx).

CBT is most often used to treat anxiety or depression, but a number of studies have recently been carried out to see what effects it may have on treating skin diseases that have a psychological interaction, such as psoriasis. The results, so far, have proved quite enlightening.

Researchers have discovered that treatments such as CBT can prove beneficial in many ways, improving the quality of life of sufferers and reducing the severity of symptoms (http://psoriasisnewstoday.com/2016/06/14/efficacy-of-biofeedback-and-cognitive-behavioural-therapy-in-psoriatic-patientsa-single-blind-randomized-and-controlled-study-with-added-narrow-band-ultraviolet-b-therapy/).

Studies have found that CBT can help to ease the anxiety or depression that many sufferers of this skin disease experience. In fact, it’s thought that a third of people with psoriasis report feelings of anxiety or depression (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK327714/).

Research has also indicated that CBT can help to retrain the brain to think differently about this skin disease and can even improve physical symptoms. It can also help to reverse the bad habits associated with the disease, such as changing behaviour to reduce scratching and itching. Other relaxation techniques and meditation have also been shown to help ease symptoms, although not to the same extent as CBT (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/9499471/Skin-disease-hope-through-psychotherapy.html).

CBT and other talking or relaxation therapies are certainly beginning to gain recognition in their role managing symptoms of skin diseases such as psoriasis. With further research, it could be that sufferers rely more and more on these treatments as much as conventional methods.

 

This guest article has been written by Tania Godoy from HelloSkin.

 

 

Psoriasis and Mental Health

The week of 8th to 14th May is Mental Health Awareness week and there has been a lot of press about mental health lately. With our own Royal Family speaking out it seemed to once again bring mental health to the forefront. It is also apparent there is still a lot of stigma attached to mental health. I also read a comment from a well know journalist and presenter saying that men should just “man up”.

For me, my mental health issues have come about from the years I have spent with psoriasis. I often relate this to torture, it is that painful and difficult to live with. If you try to imagine what it would be like if you were woken up regularly, had itching powder put in your sheets, you skin made sore then purposely have something poured over it to make it sting, it will give you just a idea of what it can be like in the day of a psoriasis patient. Now think of that happening every day. Do you think your mental health may suffer just a little?

That’s just the surface of psoriasis, there’s a much deeper issue. Anxiety creeps in as you look in the mirror and see your face, the flakes from your scalp on your shoulders, you wonder what others think when they see you and that’s before even venturing outside and seeing people’s reactions. Feeling you are ugly or unsightly without anyone saying anything is your head playing tricks with you. Those feelings can grow though and when you’re tired from an extreme lack of sleep and having to fight this condition every day, those thoughts can easily take over.

I have been there, right to the very edge of despair and my skin and blood caked fingers somehow dragged me back. I am better, not fully recovered and every morning can bring a worry of “how will I feel today?”. Every single day is still a fight, some days are just easier than others. I find ways to cope, ways to release my feelings so I no longer bottle it all up. I find a way to live my life and enjoy as much of it as I can. So even if you see me smiling, it doesn’t necessarily mean I’m well. It could mean I’m just hiding.

Back the Mental Health Awareness week. For this I have linked back to a couple of blog posts from the past. One is about what started the fight, how close I was to ending it all, that was a Dark Night. The other is not quite as dark yet still highlights the mental health issues experienced, Faulty Switch.

Now begs the question how am I still going? Well that is much easier to answer. It is due to support from my family, friends and a GP who has somehow stopped me being diagnosed with depression. Of course there is my Cat, Bob who know just when I need a nose bump. With a love of food and cooking I have something I can escape to and focus on creating the perfect dish rather than over think how I’m feeling. That escape, even for a few minutes, can give me the strength to carry on fighting.

Overthinking Psoriasis

Psoriasis, the pain in the backside, the bane of my life. The physical side of it makes it difficult enough to cope with, the itching, flaking, sore and stinging skin which makes you uncomfortable and lose sleep. There’s the treatment too, often creamy or oily emollients which then stain clothes, feel uncomfortable wearing clothes over them. There are some better products out there but still not enough and most of the ones that are light enough to use under clothing only last about five minutes with psoriasis.

On top of all this there is the mental health issues that decide to come along for the ride. The thoughts in your head such as “I look awful”, “how can anyone like me?”, “I just want to hide”, “I don’t want to live with this anymore”. The now common phrase is that Psoriasis is more than skin deep and how true that is. It attacks every fibre of your being. Your body, your mind, your soul. It seeps into your brain and when you’ve had enough you can start to find yourself making like a snail and retreating into your shell for comfort. The only thing is, that shell is possibly the most dangerous place to be.

In my shell I am alone. It’s dark and gloomy and the world looks like it’s coming to an end. I still go there though when times are tough. Like I’m punishing myself for having this disease. It’s also where I start to think too much about it. I mull over all those disappointing consultations where the doctors have treated me as a number or as if I’m actually getting in the way of something more important. I think of how long I have lived with this condition and then feel guilty that others have had it longer and are not moaning as much as me.

Oh the guilt, that really hits you hard. Feeling guilty that I feel like I have the worst illness known to man whilst others are battling terminal illnesses, families are watching loved ones struggle for life or dealing with grief after losing them to other illnesses. What gives me the right to be unhappy with my life? I’m alive aren’t I?

And the thoughts go on. Especially recently as I’ve had a bit of extended time to myself. Have a break, it’s good for the soul, relax, rest up. That is another difficult one. I take time out and sit back, put my feet up and an itch comes along. I can’t rest, I can’t relax, I can only fidget and scratch and the thoughts that come along are dark and depressing. There is no let up from Psoriasis, it is constantly there, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I truly believe Psoriasis hates me.

Gone are the positive thoughts I had after my last clearance. Gone is the positivity a couple of years ago when I said “No more”. With me now are thoughts of “Did I just say that to hide that I can’t cope?”, “Was I just pretending I was positive or was I really just ignoring what was going on?”.

As I sit and think I wonder what is now the truth and what part of me is lying. Have I always been positive and been wallowing in self pity, using this illness as an excuse not to do things. Or have I always been struggling and lying to myself that I can fight, that I will win, that I am happy. It becomes blurry. The two sides of me fight each other and I am stuck in the middle thinking. Thinking about psoriasis, thinking about what I think about psoriasis, thinking if what I think is what I know or just what I think. Or am I just overthinking?

Psoriasis is my mutant power

Some time ago I wrote a piece about “Who Am I with Psoriasis” which was inspired by a certain Hugh Jackman as both Jean Valjean and Wolverine. Now I find myself going back to this as I fantasise about psoriasis a little more rather than deal with the real life side of it. I am sort of coping with keeping my psoriasis at a certain level, an ongoing battle to ensure it doesn’t worsen and at the same time reminding myself I must book up to see the doctor again.

I do like to remove psoriasis from the real world though and some would say that means I’m not facing up to it and ignoring it won’t make it go away. To me it is a coping mechanism. To not take it so seriously and to even laugh at psoriasis helps me get through the tougher days. I have written a couple of short stories in the past and as I sit here waiting to go into town and see the new X-Men film, Logan, my mind imagines what it would be like as one of the X-Men. Some do say that psoriasis is caused by a mutated gene after all so Psoriasis is my special power……..

Professor X, Storm, Jean and Cyclops are in the Professor’s study. They are talking to a man hunched up in a chair, his clothes, loose fitting, a baseball cap and hooded top attempting to cover his face. Storm eyes him over noticing every time someone looks at him he covers pulls the sleeves of his top over his hands, like he is trying to hide, trying not to be seen. The large wooden door to the study opens, all but the stranger look up as Logan walks in.

“Ah Logan, come in” says Charles Xavier and waves his hand ushering him in “And please shut the door”.

Logan walks in, looks round and immediately focuses on the man huddled in one of the leather chairs. “I’d like you to meet Simon, he’s just joined us he at the school.” Logan walks over and stands in front of the man.

“Hey, how you doing? I’m Logan.” He holds out his hand but the man only barley looks up, trying again to hide his hands and face. Logan huffs and steps back “So what’s his problem?” he asks turning to the Professor.

“He’s rather shy” replies Charles. “It’s okay you’re among friends here, we are all different, you can relax” he continues trying to coax the new arrival to look up. Slowly his hands rise, red scaled hands reach up to his cap and pull it off along with the hood. Drawn sunken eyes look at the team of X-Men stood in front of him. Each one stands there staring at the man trying not to react but the man can see it in there eyes. Not a look of horror but of pity as they see the blotches on his face, skin falling off.

“So what’s your power?” Logan asks breaking the silence. Simon looks up at him, eyeing Logan cautiously.

“I grow skin too quick” he says. Simon’s hand moves to his neck, scratching it and a flurry of silver scales drop to the floor. “I’m sorry, damn, I’ll clean that up” he says and goes to get up.

“Don’t worry about it, we’ve cleared up bigger messes here” Storm smiles and reaches out holding Simon’s shoulder. He looks at her hand and sees how smooth and healthy her skin is, the firs time he can remember someone has touched him without hesitation or recoiling. He relaxes, maybe he has finally found somewhere he can feel at home.

Logan goes to light a cigar, the professor coughs. Logan rises an eyebrow at the professor and puts the cigar back in his pocket. “So bud, let’s see what you can do.”

Simon looks up, “I….. I don’t know if I should, people don’t like it.” He turns away again, the Professor looks into Simon’s mind and can see the constant turmoil, changing from confident to shy in seconds.

“Let’s go to the training room” says the Professor and the team show Simon the way. Simon looks at the suits displayed along the corridor, wondering what it would be like to be an X-Man.

“Show us what you can do and we’ll give you one of those fancy suits” says Logan walking beside him. “I used to think I was alone, never wanted to talk to anyone or be part of anything. Don’t tell the others but they are the best thing that ever happened to me, you’re in a good place.” Hearing Logan say how he has changed since meeting Charles Xavier and his X-Men starts to sink in, his back straightens and his head seems to be held a little higher.

Once in the training room Jean assures Simon he can do anything here, to let loose and reveal his powers. Simon stands in the centre of the room as the others watch on. He lowers his head, takes a deep breath and then looks up. His arms stretch out and silver scales shoot from his hands, swirling around the room almost like a dust storm. The others step back, they can barely see, it is as if the flakes have caused a wall. “That will certainly be good for cover and diversion” Cyclops exclaims.

The swirls subside and Simon stands there shaking a little, never having revealed his true power to anyone before. The Professor smiles “I think we have a new team member”. The others walk over to Simon and shake his hand, pat him on the back and welcome him. “So what are we going to call you, everyone has to have a nickname.” Wolverine says as he gives Simon a hearty slap on the back. “How about the flaker or scaleman?”

Simon is handed a new uniform by Storm and goes off to change as the other discuss what he should be called. The doors slide open and Simon walks in, standing tall and proud, a different man to the one who entered the school earlier. “No more hiding” he says. “No longer will I deny who I am. I am Psoriasis”.

And so PsiRiasis became one of the X-Men, no more a menacing shadow controlling Simon. He now had control and PsiRiasis became a superhero.

Psoriasis in verse

Psoriasis, it makes you scream

So you put on cream.

The relief it brings

Dares you to dream.
You feel it clear

Healthy skin is near

Another flare up

Is what you fear.

 

You wish it would,

You wish it could

be cured forever.

That would be so good.

HelloSkin, Goodbye to Shopping Around.

It is difficult enough choosing the best prescription for your skin let alone searching the endless aisles of skincare products in the shops for the support products. I mean the moisturisers, bath emollients, shower gels, shampoos and everything else those with psoriasis or other dry skin conditions need to buy. I have spent so much time in the past going from one shop to another, looking on line to find the products I need. Wouldn’t it be great if you could go to one place and find them all…….. Well now you can at HelloSkin.

HelloSkin is one of the many successful projects from the Leo Innovation Lab. It is a site where you can buy all your skin care products in one and have them delivered to your door in super quick time. It isn’t just for those with psoriasis, it covers all dry skin conditions and allows you to read user reviews too so you can see what others think before trying something new. They do not claim to have every single product, in fact some would get rejected as they have the products assessed by expert dermatologists. If you have a favourite product you can’t find on the site, just drop them a line and they will look into having it added as  long as it brings proven relief to those with dry skin. I mentioned a product to them a while ago and had a response within the same day saying they had already started discussions with the manufacturer. They are that quick to respond.

I have recently had a couple of products from HelloSkin, two of my firm favourites. Aveeno Oil and Diprobase Cream Emollient. You will constantly find these in my bathroom and this is why:

Diprobase Cream is the first emollient I was eve given when I was diagnosed with Psoriasis. It layers on pretty thick and isn’t the quickest to soak in but it remains part of my regular products for moisturising. I like to layer it on really think before a bath or shower as it stops my skin drying out too much. If I have a lazy weekend, I can again use this quite liberally and give my skin a good moisturise whilst laying around in old clothes I don’t mind getting stained. You can even use it instead of soap or shower gel. I also use it in my shaving routine, putting a thin layer on before putting on the shaving gel.

Diprobase comes in 500g pump bottles and seems to last for ages. I have had the latest for two weeks now and have been using it daily. I think also there is something holistic about using such a creamy emollient, it just feels like it’s doing you good when you put it on. If you find your skin had a burning sensation or is warm form a flare up then keep this in the fridge and it helps cool you down, especially before going to sleep. It is just a great all round moisturiser.

Aveeno Oil is something I use in the bath mostly. I put some in a lukewarm bath, watch the water turn milky and then lay back and relax. It prevents you drying out like you would in a normal bath and is something you can combine with other products. You can put on a moisturiser before getting in the bath or add some dead sea salts. My tip here too is to keep the lights low, put on some music and just relax. This definitely has some holistic qualities and I know there is much debate on the effectiveness of oatmeal (the essential ingredient of Aveeno).

For me, Aveeno oil definitely helps. When I am having a flare up I find putting some in the bath and then using a little more direct to the skin to wash with soothes my skin and is very effective in relieving the itch.

So I have to thank HelloSkin as having had a few products from them now I can only say it is one task that has been made a lot easier. The products always arrive carefully packed and are received within a day or two depending what time you order.

HelloSkin would also like to thank you, their customers and if you wish to purchase from them we have a special discount code for my readers. Please quote HELLOSIMON at the checkout and you will receive 10% off your order, no minimum spend. It is only valid for one order though. So get online and say hello to HelloSkin.

To purchase Aveeno oil click here.

To purchase Diprobase click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Psoriasmas Carol

It was Christmas Eve and the house was silent.

“SCRATCHITT.” Ebenezer Psoriasis’ voice boomed out in the darkness as Tom Scratchitt tried to sleep. He awoke with a start, his hand automatically drawn to his leg, nails digging in to his skin and drawing blood.

“Why make me do this now?” He asked Ebenezer Psoriasis.

“Because it’s fun to see you suffer” Ebenezer sneered. He chuckled to himself and promptly went back to sleep leaving a tired Tom Scratchitt to clean up the mess of flakes and blood now caked on his hand.

Tom went to the bathroom, ran his hands under some cool water and gently dabbed his bleeding leg with damp flannel. It offered some relief and Tom closed his eyes, thinking he could sleep right there. “Why won’t he leave me alone, why does he keep tormenting me?” he asked himself. He opened his eyes, looked in the mirror and saw a face looking back that he barely recognised. A once confident face looking drawn and haggard and a noticeable lack of life in his eyes.

It wasn’t the best of night’s sleep for Ebenezer either though. He felt a presence, something else was in the room. “Ebenezer Psoriasis” a ghostly voice called. He looked around, saw nothing and closed his eyes again. “Ebenezer Psoriasis” the voice said louder “You are a wicked man Ebenezer”. This time he sat up and turned on the bedside light. A shape appeared in front of him.

“Who are you, what do you want?” He asked squinting as he tried to focus on the hazy floating vision.

“Who I am is no important, my reason for being here is” it said with a strange whispering voice. “You are being watched Ebenezer, your evil acts cannot continue”.

“Bah, Humbug” said Ebenezer. “I like being bad, it’s fun” he sniggered.

“Be warned Ebenezer, you will be visited by three ghosts to show you the error of your ways”.

“I’d rather not thanks” replied Ebenezer, “Unless they like scratching too?” He chuckled to himself.

The ghost eyed Ebenezer closely, well if it had eyes it would have done. It was more of just a mist than a person. “This is going to be a toughie” I thought to itself, “Oh well the others can deal with that bit”.

The ghost flew around the room “Three ghosts Ebenezer, the first will come at….”

“Midnight, the second at one and the third at two, yeah yeah I’ve read Christmas Carol” Ebenezer interrupted and then told the ghost to shove off. With that the ghost huffed, shrugged his shoulders and as he went to speak, thought better of it and with a small puff of smoke it disappeared.

Midnight arrived. No chiming of the clock, I mean this is the digital age after all. Ebenezer Psoriasis slept soundly, unlike Tom Scratchitt who tossed and turned, subconsciously scratching his skin. Tom’s smartphone suddenly lit up and then stood on the bedside table. Tom couldn’t see this but Ebenezer raised one eyebrow and looked at the phone curiously.

“Ebenezerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Psoriasissssssssssssssssssss” the phone whispered.

“What is it with you ghosts, can’t you just talk normally, I was expecting you so you don’t have to act all mysterious?” he snarled.

“Oh, erm, sorry” the phone said rather taken aback “We are told to speak like that in spirit school.” It continued. “Well, erm….” The spirit paused, finding it difficult to get back on track. It switched on it’s notes app. “Ah yes, shall we go back in time then to a Christmas past”.

“Whatever” Ebenezr said with a shrug of his shoulders and with that the room filled with light so bright Ebenezer couldn’t see anything but whiteness. As the light faded he found himself in a lounge of a house and there on the floor playing with his new Christmas toys was a young Tom Scratchitt. The boy made car sounds as he raced a toy car round the carpet by the Christmas tree.

“Who’s this then?” Ebenezer asked.

“What that is young Tom Scratchitt, long before you came into his life. See how happy and carefree he is. See how lovely his skin looks.”

“Hmmmmm, yes I do see, oh if only he knew the misery that is to come.” Ebenezer let out an evil laugh and rubbed his hands with glee. “Yes boy, you just wait, I’ll stop that smile on your face.” He chortled.

“Yes, look” the spirit said “See how happy, does it not fill you with remorse to know how unhappy you have made this once happy child?” It asked pleadingly.

“No not really…. Well apart from thinking I could have given him a few more years misery.” Ebenezer sneered. “Yes, maybe I should have found him in his late teens. Oh well, nothing I can do about that now.”

The spirit went silent, there is nothing in his online guide app about this. “Cortana, what do I do with an unrepentant soul?” It asked. Cortana’s ring span for what seemed like an age before answering.

“Sorry, I do not understand the question.” Cortana said.

“Right, I’ve seen enough, this is making me feel sick seeing all this happiness, I’m off back to bed.” Ebenezer turned and picked up the phone and licked the off switch. The screen faded to black and Ebenezer found himself back in bed with the still restless Tom Scratchitt.

1 a.m. arrived and in the next room a light glowed. “Oh joy, the ghost of Christmas present has arrived, let’s see what this one can do.” Ebenezer chuckled to himself. He ran into the room “I’m in to know you better man.” He boomed.

“C…… Oh, you know that bit” said a large tub of emollient.

“Really? Emollient?” Queried Ebnezer. “Could you not think of anything else, it’s not like that stuff even bothers me.”

“Well it had to be something you’d relate to and this is the UK so I can’t appear as a prescription product, you know we have laws about that kind of thing.” The tub replied.

“You should try living by your own rules, that’s what I do” Smiled Ebenezer. “One day I’ll be all nice and calm, even start to fade and for no reason I’ll come running back and jumping all over my victim the next day. Oh they’ll try to find a pattern, try to figure out what caused it. That’s part of the fun, they’ll never get it.”

“Really, you have no rules?” the Tub asked. “I get so bored of rules, I mean look at this paperwork the put in every carton and that’s just in this form. Don’t get me started on the spirit guide book… You shall Boom every word, makes bells jangle and lights flicker to get attention. I mean, what ever happened to just talking to someone to make them understand?”

Ebenezer walked over to the tub and put an arm round it “I hear you man, you need to pull away from the rulebook, be your own… erm… Spirit, as it were. You go tell them you are a free spirit and not to boss you around anymore.” Ebenezer said comfortingly and wondered how many more spirit puns he could find.

The tub lifted it’s head, well what resembled it’s head in its current form and proclaimed “Yes, thank you, I shall do just that, I’ll show ‘em.” And with that he was gone. Ebenezer chuckled to himself and wandered back to bed giving Tom Scratchitt a nudge just to make sure he wasn’t sleeping.

2 a.m. and the bed covers flew from atop the bed in a gush of wind and a blaze of lightning flashes. “Well that’s a bit more like it” said Ebenezer looking up at a dark apparition. “And I see you’ve gone for the classic look, I do like a bit of retro.”

The dark hooded figure raised one hand and pointed a finger at Ebenezer Psoriasis then curled it, beckoning him closer. Ebenezer got onto his knees and knelt in front of the sprit. “Dear Spirit, I know what you have come for. You have come to show me how bad life will be for Tom Scratchitt if I do not mend my ways. Dear spirit, I understand, I can see what misery I cause and I will make amends.”

The Spirit lifted its head and would have said “Huh?” in a surprised way if was able to speak. “I’ve only just got here and he’s already repenting” it thought to itself. “Yet the other spirits told me this wasn’t going well. Must be the good old hooded look.” The spirit straightened its back and stood proudly in front of Ebenezer, although little unsure what to do.

It held out a skeletal hand to Ebenezer as it thought it should at least go through the motions of showing him the Christmas yet to come. Ebenzer still knelt, looked up. “There is no need to take me on a journey Spirit. To prove to you I have changed I have something for you.”

The spirit was almost doing a jig inside his long dark robe. He thought he would at least give Ebenezer the chance to prove it and waited to see what he was to be given. Ebenezer took hold of the spirit’s bony hand and said “Happy i Christmas” with a smile that looked more evil than sincere but the spirit thought nothing of it as he knew Ebenzer probably hadn’t smiled genuinely for some time and would soon learn how to give a warm smile. The sprit looked down at his hand and saw skin start to form on its skeleton. The skin grew all over his body quickly and he could scarcely believe it. This was indeed a gift to no longer be shunned by his fellow spirits as they often cowered from his menacing look.

He nodded in appreciation towards Ebenezer and saw that Ebenezer was laughing. No, not laughing, he was sniggering and rubbing his hands. The spirit looked at his hands again, then rolled up his sleeves. The skin was still growing, growing so fast it was instantly peeling as more skin grew. The skin became cracked and started to weep. The spirit scratched at it as the itching started. It shook a fist at Ebenezer who just stood there laughing “Yes, a very merry itching Christmas” he sneered.

The spirit spun around the room, the itching was so intense it couldn’t think of anything else. It had thought it was being given the gift of skin and now saw Ebenezer for what he truly was. In despair it curled up and with a loud bang, a flash of light and a huge cloud of smoke it disappeared. “My work here is done” Ebenezer said to himself and got back into bed “Scratchitttttttttttttttttttttttttt.” He shouted one more time. Tom Scratchitt woke with a start, tired eyes looked round the room. His skin sore, his nails red with blood. He once again raised from the bed and headed to the bathroom. Ebenezer Psoriasis smiled as he slept peacefully. The End        

That is my Christmas story. Not a happy ending but I don’t think Psoriasis, if it were a person, would care about people’s welfare. Whether or not we find a cure for this condition or if you find a way to control it. Psoriasis itself remains the same, it will never stop trying to make our lives miserable so no spirits of Christmas can help it change its ways.

This Christmas spare a thought for those who suffer from chronic illnesses, not just psoriasis. There are millions of people around the world who need a little extra care and sometimes just to know you’re there. Give them your support, your understanding and be willing to listen. If you are Father Christmas and reading this though, a cure would be nice.

Happy Christmas one and all and I wish you an itch free New Year.

Product Trial – AproDerm Colloidal Oat Cream

Having Psoriasis I am always on the lookout for new products, whether that be prescribed treatments or emollients to help me through the day. Even though I have products I use which work well for me, this is an area that is constantly moving and improving with research and new technologies. You can never have too much choice.

I was asked to try AproDerm Colloidal Oat Cream, an emollient from Fontus Health. This was a product I had never come across until recently and I was instantly interested as it contained colloidal Oat, something which many psoriasis patients find helps ease their symptoms. The other reason I agreed to try it is that it is only sold as an aid to healthy skin, they make no claims it will cure you of Psoriasis.

The cream is SLS, Parabens, Halogen, Fragrance and colour free which is what I always look for as I find anything, especially with perfume, can irritate my skin when I am flaring up. I was not let down by my confidence and have had no problems with the cream when putting it on. In fact I had just had to stop using a different emollient due to becoming sore and itchy and AproDerm helped calm my skin from that reaction also.

With regard to applying to your skin, it is a cream rather than a lotion and feels quite thick which can be a bit off putting. However, when applying it actually spreads much more easily than many other creams and soaks in well. It doesn’t take too long to dry and I found there was no sticky or greasy feeling after. It was almost like using a light lotion whilst getting the added protection and lasting moisturising effect of a cream.

The trial took place during the height of summer and I am always wary of putting creams on during the heat due to them sweating back out or making me feel even hotter. AproDerm is one of the few creams I can honestly say actually helped. On those hot itchy nights I would even add more during the night to calm my skin down and kept it in the fridge to help. I never got any residue of cream either when sweating. Finding a cream that works in heat is pretty much a life saver, well a sleep saver at least.

As I said before, this is not a cure for psoriasis so it will not surprise you that my skin is not clear. What I did find is that my skin felt softer and remained feeling fairly moisturised overnight meaning it didn’t rub off on bedding. During the day it had the same affect, I could put it on in the morning and feel comfortable most of the day. I found it made me feel less itchy which is very important and also reduces redness. It is a very soothing, calming cream. This is an all round great cream to have in your cupboard to help you through each day as we continue to fight psoriasis. A good sidekick to us psoriasis super heroes.

You can find out more about AproDerm here.

PSeptember Psoriasis

I should start with an apology. I’ve been quiet on here for a bit and this has been mostly due to being either busy or downright lazy. Hey, we all need a break sometimes and rather than feel guilty about it, think about jacking in the whole blog writing thing, I just sat back and let life go on. I mean, it’s not like the world will stop spinning if I don’t write a blog post.

Now we’re half way through September and somehow it feels like the good old days. Back to having a holiday in September, making as many excuses to celebrate my birthday over as long a period as possible, having a flare up and most importantly, celebrating (again as much and often as possible) our wedding anniversary. Ten years, this September marks our anniversary and for my wife, that’s also ten years married to psoriasis for which I think she deserves a standing ovation. So where ever you are, please be upstanding to my wife for being always understanding, supportive and a good old nagger when I pick my skin. To you, my rock, I raise a glass and drop a bit of skin on the floor. Don’t worry I’ll vacuum that up in a mo.

Now as well as us getting back to the routine of our usual September hols, my psoriasis has got back to it’s routine, Yes you know it, psoriasis has decided to have a flare up. Good ol’ reliable psoriasis, you git. Now we need to have word. This holiday is meant for me, my wife and our friends. In case you didn’t realise dear psoriasis, you are not my friend. We are not pals, buddies or compadres and certainly not besties. I know I’m adorable and you can’t bear  to be without me. So this year, okay to hell with it, you can come along. We will drink, eat, explore and who knows, you might even learn something. You may learn that I will be paying you no attention at all, get used to that.

Trying to prepare for this holiday is the usual intensive treatment routine and actually it’s working a little (just don’t tell you know who). That routine is a dead sea salt bath every other night along with a bath emollient and moisturising. As far as prescribed treatment is concerned, I’m using Dovonex at the moment. Even though i’s a flare up, it’s not that bad, just a bit redder than usual.

September is always a bit of an excuse for me to let go as I’m also a fan of Jack Daniels and his work. I have a bit of a collection going and being that me and Jack share the same birthday month why not have a drink for him too. Now I know some will tut and tsk and be saying “Alcohol isn’t good for your skin.” No, it probably isn’t but why be devoid of life’s enjoyment because of this skin. I have said this many times now, it’s my life and psoriasis is just along for the ride. I have found a balance between having an enjoyable life and keeping psoriasis just about at a manageable level. As is always recommended though, I drink to moderation. Although there have been times when I am sure psoriasis could have turned me into an alcoholic. The fact remains there is no cure for psoriasis so I will always have it whether I cut out alcohol completely or not.

So this PSeptember normal service is resumed. My outlook remains positive, even if that is positive I dislike psoriasis, life is as it should be and I continue to have a supportive group of family and friends around me to help me through every day as it comes. Even if they don’t realise that they help every day. You don’t need them to say “keep going, it’ll be alright”, you don’t need to discuss psoriasis with them, it can be a night out or having people over fro dinner to help take your mind off it all, a smile, a like on facebook. There are lots of little things your family and friends probably do that let our know they are there and you are not alone. You may not even realise yourself the things they do to help you.

Pso here is to all my fellow patients, friends, family and oh why not, you too Psoriasis. It’s September, I have plenty of reason to celebrate, come join the party. Good health to you all.