(NewsUSA)
- By Matt Werbach for the National Psoriasis Foundation
If you are one of the 8 million people in the U.S. with psoriasis, no one needs to tell you about the challenges of living with the disease. You know the pain and itch. You know the social stigma and the judgmental stares. And if you’re like Brian, Ayesha, or Janene, you also carry the burden of various related diseases.
There are so many shared challenges related to living with psoriasis that it becomes easy to imagine a common solution. But each person impacted by this disease – all 125 million worldwide – has their own unique set of genetics, lifestyle considerations, luck, and personal history. Let’s hear from three of them.
Three Unique Journeys
Regaining Control
Brian Lehrschall spent 30 years managing his psoriasis with just about every treatment available. It was high blood sugar and the GLP-1 agonist he took to manage it that finally helped him improve his psoriasis symptoms, his treatment effectiveness, and his ability to enjoy life.
Losing it All
Ayesha Patrick’s hair was falling out in clumps. Psoriasis robbed her of her health, hair, and mental wellbeing. She regained her strength and persevered by helping other people of color feel supported through whatever psoriasis throws their way.
“Something is Not Right”
Janene Tirado was pouring margaritas for grateful golfers at a volunteer event when a rare form of psoriasis known as GPP appeared. Within hours, she was at the hospital with a fever, nausea, and small pustules spreading rapidly across her feet and lower legs. Proper treatment helped her move forward. Now, she shares her story so others might know the signs of GPP.
August is Psoriasis Action Month – an annual opportunity to galvanize and empower the community of people impacted by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Every person experiences psoriatic disease in their own unique way, but it is together that we drive progress toward the vision of a world free from the burdens of psoriasis and PsA.
For real stories, practical tips, and helpful tools to live your healthiest life with psoriasis or PsA, visit psoriasis.org/psoriasis-action-month.
