Psoriasis Awareness Week - Something personal

This week (1st - 8th Nov) is Psoriasis Awareness Week!!! I got PSORIASIS when I was 18 and it has been with me ever since. I’ve managed to reduce and stop it from spreading with diet restrictions and by keeping healthy but it is ALWAYS with me. When it comes to the rare occasion where I wear short sleeves or skirts, the patches are revealed and people ask questions like: “Uh, what happened there?” and this, I do not mind. However, having received hurtful comments like “EW!”, “What is that? That looks disgusting!”, calling me a snake (due to skin flakes), “Flecky” (which means spotty) or being told to get out of the gym pool because I might be contagious, have made me cover my body for many years even when it was 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit)!!! It kept me from swimming in pools with friends or going to the beach even wearing skirts or t-shirts felt impossible. SO I usually wear long sleeves, long jeans and prefer glamorous, long evening gowns to short cocktail dresses :) So here are a few facts: 1. Psoriasis is an auto-immune disease, it is genetic and can not be contracted. 2. It can spread all over your body – I have it on my elbows, thighs, knees, my back, ears and scalp. 3. It leaves most people very insecure about their body. 4. The red patches produce skin flakes which by no means look pretty and we know that! 5. I may be oversharing but I hope to make people aware and less prone to judge and insult those who might have stood in front of a mirror all day debating whether to wear a simple t-shirt. 6. Always remember to be kind and if you need to comment, be inquisitive rather than insulting. Share you experience with me! Xo Violeta ‪#‎psoaware‬ ‪#‎psoriasis‬ ‪#‎bekind‬ ‪#‎psoriasisawarenessweek‬