I was diagnosed with psoriasis around the age of seven when I had a fairly major outbreak over my whole body.
When you're a child and you're diagnosed with a disease like psoriasis, you're carefree and so you don't realise the impact that it can have in relation to society, your close friends and family. It's afterwards, as you get older, that things get more complicated. For instance, although people do not realise that I suffer from psoriasis, I find it very difficult to involve myself in a relationship as I fear the judgement of others.
I work in the beauty and cosmetics industry, and in this kind of environment its especially important to be well presented. I need to make sure that the patches aren’t too visible, so I try to camouflage them with make-up.
Since my diagnosis, I’ve tried many treatments. I rely on moisturising creams for extra dry skin which give me a better sense of well-being - less itching, fewer visible patches, fewer scales, particularly on my face and scalp.
For me, the most important thing in raising awareness about psoriasis is for people to realise that psoriasis is not contagious. I hope that Psoriasis: The Naked Truth will help unite all isolated patients, raise awareness, get rid of misconceptions, facilitate access to information and further research in order to help people.
