<![CDATA[Psoriasis]]> en daily 1 <![CDATA[Singer LeAnn Rimes Shares Her Struggle With Psoriasis and Hope for Other Sufferers]]>
LeAnn Rimes, 26, is a two-time Grammy Award winning singer and actress who has struggled with psoriasis since age 2. She became famous at 13 with her 1996 breakthrough single, "Blue," and has gone on to sell more than 37 million albums. Though she first kept her psoriasis under wraps, today Rimes is a spokesperson for StopHiding.org, a campaign sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology and the National Psoriasis Foundation. In December 2008, Rimes spoke with Health.com about the lifelong battle she’s winning against a skin condition that affects nearly seven million Americans.

Q: How long have you had psoriasis?

A: I was diagnosed with psoriasis when I was 2. I had a really bad bout with strep throat, and that's when I first had patches break out on my scalp. It's been an ongoing battle my whole life. I've been able to find a good dermatologist and get it under control. I've been clear for about five years now, which is pretty amazing, because when I was about 6, psoriasis covered 80% of my body.


Q: What was it like to have a skin condition as a child?

A: It felt very isolating. I was constantly in the doctor's office. My mom had to get me out of school to go to treatments. Kids didn't want to hang out with me or touch me. I remember being called "scaly girl," and never ever wanting to go out in a bathing suit.



Next Page: How psoriasis impacted her music career
Q: Did your psoriasis make it difficult to break into the music business?

A: No, my parents were great about helping me learn how to take care of it myself and how to cover it up. I would wear a pair of panty hose onstage to cover up the scales on my legs, so no one would see them.


Q: So you kept it a secret for a long time?

A: Yeah, for so long. On the red carpet I never wore short dresses; I would always wear long dresses or pants. My legs were my worst problem. I recently did a magazine shoot in a bikini. I never ever thought I would do that in my entire life. I never wanted to be seen in one—my dad had to drag me to the pool as a kid—and it was one of the highlights of my life to think, Oh my god, I can't believe that's me. To feel vibrant, to feel like a woman, to want to show off that I have clear skin, it's the happiest day of my life.


Q: What gave you the confidence to come out?

A: Once I found a great dermatologist, I felt like the disease wasn't controlling me anymore; I was controlling it. I started really taking care of myself, eating healthfully, and working out. I found great medication and a great doctor and began really living a healthy lifestyle. And once I saw the change in my life and my skin, I felt I had a responsibility to spread the word that there is help. It was something that was so negative in my life for so long; this is just a way to spin it into a positive for me and a lot of other people.


Q: How has it affected your personal life? Do you have any advice for people with psoriasis who want to be intimate and date?

A: You know, it's really hard. When my husband and I first met, my whole stomach was covered, and in the first 15 minutes that I met him, I told him, "I have this thing called psoriasis." He said, "Oh, one of my best friends actually has that." I got really lucky with someone who knew what it was. But number one, if you find the right person, they will accept you no matter what. Number two, you have to have the confidence within yourself to say, "This is who I am." You can't love someone else without being able to love yourself. That's where it starts, and if it's the right person, they'll get it. If not, it tells you it's time to move on.



Next Page: Therapy helped her cope
Q: Did you ever have counseling to deal with the emotional impact of psoriasis?

A: Absolutely. I've gone to therapy and dealt with it, because it is traumatizing, especially when you are a child going through it. Kids pick on you, and to not feel like you are a part of anything, you just feel alone. I'm a firm believer in having someone to talk to who's not a part of your everyday life. It definitely helped.

It has been incredibly traumatizing, it has taken a mental toll on me, but it is something that I am getting through day by day. I am slowly, slowly coming out of the hole that it puts you in.


Q: Is stress a trigger for you? How do you handle such a stressful job?

A: Stress is a huge trigger for me, and it is definitely hard. The beginning of my career was a whirlwind, and I went through lawsuits with my parents and my record label—that was a really tough time for me. Any kind of major stress like that instantly brings on a flare-up.

At the first sign of anything on my body, I know that I am too stressed out. I do yoga. I work out. I eat right. I try not to put too much on my plate and to get out and have some fun. The main thing is having friends and a great support group around me that I know loves me for me. Being physically active has been a huge help in my stress level.


Q: How long did it take you to find a treatment that worked?

A: Twenty-two years. I tried everything from topicals to orals to injections—all different things. The craziest treatment I did was one where they put coal tar all over your body and wrap you in plastic. I would have panic attacks; it became very claustrophobic.

Something would work for a while, and then it would wear off and I would break out again. Different treatments work for different people, so I think the most important thing is trial and error. But there are so many more things available than when I was a child.



Next Page: LeAnn's advice for coping with psoriasis
Q: What's the biggest piece of advice you have for people with psoriasis?

A: Find a dermatologist who you're comfortable with—someone who's willing to try different things with you and is looking out for your overall health. And then I tell people to go through a dermatologist to find great support groups.

At StopHiding.org, we are trying to educate not only people who have it, but also the general public on what the disease is. A lot of people who have it don't get treated because they think it's just a skin disorder. But psoriasis is linked to so many different things: depression, obesity, heart disease, psoriatic arthritis. So we are trying to help people to get a handle on it before it gets out of control.


Q: Have any fans talked to you about their psoriasis?

A: The best part of the whole thing is being able to bond on a completely different level with fans. They come up to me all the time, and say, "Thank you for speaking out about it." People who aren't even fans of mine are all of a sudden into my music, because they have a deep connection with me through something else. Not once have I regretted talking about it.


Q: Now that everyone knows about it, are you worried about having a breakout?

A: People expect you to always be pretty and womanly, and I always think, "Oh god, what happens if I break out again?" But I know I will. This is not going to last forever. I think about having kids and what hormones can do to psoriasis. I'm definitely going to have to deal with it then. I've been talking about it, so I can't hide it anymore; the great thing is that people know, so now I feel like I don't have to. It's a huge relief.


Q: What's next for you?

A: I just finished shooting a movie called Northern Lights in Calgary. It's a Nora Roberts book that Lifetime is turning into a film, and I started working on a new record in the studio recently. Other than that, I am getting ready for the holidays and am just excited to be at home.

LeAnn's skin-care routine
  • Don't take long, hot baths.
  • Use fragrance-free lotion.
  • Get 20 minutes of unprotected sun every day.
  • Wear sunscreen any other time you are in the sun.
Get more drug-free tips for managing psoriasis here
]]> (LEANN RIMES) <![CDATA[Indigo Ointment May Ease Psoriasis Symptoms, but More Research Is Needed]]>
psoriasis, a chronic disease that produces inflamed, painful, and itchy lesions on the skin. There are some things you should know about indigo naturalis and the limitations of the latest research.

In a 12-week study, 42 patients applied the ointment, made with a dark blue powder, which is used in Chinese medicine and derived from the Strobilanthes formosanus Moore plant, to a psoriasis plaque on one side of their body. They applied a mixture of petroleum jelly, wax, and olive oil to a corresponding plaque on the other side of their body. At the end of the study, the areas treated with indigo showed an 81% improvement and none of the patients reported serious side effects.

Those results, published in the November 2008 issue of Archives of Dermatology, are promising, but not unexpected, says Heather Zwickey, PhD, dean of research at the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Ore.

"It's pretty well known that indigo is a COX-2 inhibitor, which means it should decrease inflammation," says Zwickey. "The big advantage to this study is that [the treatment] was topical." The oral use of indigo has been associated with gastrointestinal irritation and liver side effects. A topical ointment may be a safer option, but the Taiwanese study isn’t conclusive on this point, says Zwickey.

"As far as a treatment of psoriasis symptoms, this is really promising," Zwickey says. But the results are very preliminary. Because the indigo ointment is dark blue, and petroleum jelly is not, patients were aware of which plaques received the indigo, a limitation of the study, the researchers note.

Zwickey says pesticides and other factors affecting the plant itself can also skew study results. The Taiwanese doctors suggest that future research should aim to develop a more potent and absorbable ointment.

"A long-term safety study definitely needs to be done," says Zwickey. "Most dermatologists would not recommend it for their psoriasis patients until more research has been done on it."
]]> The blue plant-derived powder works to decrease inflammation. (LIBPROJECT.HKBU.EDU/HK) <![CDATA[Michael Traub, ND, Answers Critical Questions About Alternative Treatments for Psoriasis]]>
Michael Traub, ND, operates a private practice at the Lokahi Health Center in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. He is the author of Essentials of Dermatological Diagnosis and Integrative Therapeutics.

Q: How effective are alternative therapies for psoriasis versus conventional treatments?

A: Conventional medicines can be quite effective in terms of taking down the inflammation quickly, but they are not effective in achieving a long-term cure. Natural medicines sometimes don’t work as fast, but when they are combined with dietary and lifestyle changes, they can take a person who has moderate to severe psoriasis and get them to the point where they just have mild psoriasis or are psoriasis-free.

Q: What natural remedies have proven to be effective in treating psoriasis?

A: Fish oil works, as does an anti-inflammatory diet. Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties, and while it doesn't have a rapid effect with psoriasis, it is helpful long-term.

Q: Are there natural remedies that definitely don't work, even though people seem to think they will help?

A: A lot of people think that essential fatty acids are helpful for a variety of skin conditions. In the case of psoriasis, fish oil has been proven effective. Some people will want to use other types of oils like flaxseed oil or primrose oil. As far as I know, those have not shown any effectiveness. People need to understand that if they are going to supplement essential fatty acids, they should use fish oil and not cod liver oil or flaxseed oil.

Many natural remedies are recommended for psoriasis, but they have no proven effectiveness. Things like vitamin E—I haven't seen any evidence of its effectiveness, but a lot of people think of it as a natural medicine that is helpful for skin problems. Zinc is something that I haven't seen work. Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease and there are a lot of anti-inflammatory herbs and supplements, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are going to be helpful for psoriasis.


Next Page: How the right diet can help
Q: Your research has shown that eating an anti-inflammatory diet helps alleviate psoriasis. But emphasizing whole grains, fruits, and vegetables is good advice for everyone, right?

A: Inflammation underlies a lot of health problems—from cancer to diabetes to migraines and arthritis. So it's basically a good diet for anybody. You might call it a whole-foods diet. But when you have an inflammatory condition, it's especially important to avoid fatty meats and fried foods, which promote inflammation. If you're eating them once a month, that's probably OK. But once a week is not.

Q: Should you stay away from processed foods and refined carbohydrates as well?

A: Yes. Carbohydrates and processed foods are usually full of sugar, and sugar certainly promotes inflammation in the body.

Q: You have also researched the effectiveness of spices in treating psoriasis. Which ones are the best?

A: Curcumin has probably been the most studied. It is the active ingredient in turmeric, which you find in curries. But any food that has a proven anti-inflammatory effect like garlic, onions, rosemary, ginger—those are all good for keeping outbreaks away.

Q: If you're not getting good fats through your diet, will supplements make up for that and help curb your psoriasis?

A: Yes. As long as you don't have too many inflammatory fats in the diet, the supplements can compensate.


Next Page: How to spot a scam
Q: How can you tell the difference between a supplement that will work for psoriasis and a scam?

A: You have to look at the evidence, that these things have been tested in humans and proven to be effective. One of the problems we have with natural products is that regulation is only beginning to come around. There's still a huge problem with things being marketed and claims being made that are fraudulent or unsubstantiated.

Q: Where can you safely buy natural products?

A: I would recommend that people buy supplements from health-food stores or naturopathic physicians or other integrated physicians that have them in their office so that the patient gets a higher quality product. I tell my patients they can purchase them through me or I'll give them the names of certain brands that they can look for in the natural-food store or online.

I think psoriasis is a tough condition to treat, and you really have to find a doctor who has more expertise than yourself, although some patients do become quite knowledgeable.

Q: What about topical treatments? What should you be looking for at your local drugstore or health store?

A: There's a cream made from an herb called Berberis aquifolium that is marketed under the name Psoriaflora, and it's been proven to be effective. That's available in most health-food stores. Aloe vera creams also work. Those are the two most common things you're going to find available. They're not very expensive, probably $10 to $15 for a tube or jar.

Overall it's really important to moisturize the skin, and the types of moisturizers and emollients you choose are important. If you're treating psoriasis, you're putting a lot of this stuff on your skin, so you want to use products that are free of harmful ingredients like parabens and other things that have been shown to pose health risks.

There is a new class of moisturizers that have a compound in them called ceramides, which help increase the water content of the skin and relieve dryness. Those have really shown effectiveness for psoriasis and I always recommend them. Some of them are over-the-counter and some are prescription.

Q: Are there any controversial natural topical treatments that you should avoid?

A: Most of them aren't available in health-food stores. But there might be some things online you should avoid. There is something called Skin-Cap that turned out to have a steroid in it, even though it was marketed as a nonprescription product.

You have to be extra careful online. You may think you're getting a deal, but you need to look at these products with a discerning eye.


Next Page: How a dip in the Dead Sea can help your psoriasis
Q: A lot of psoriatics have found relief through treatments at the Dead Sea and other types of climatotherapy. How does this work?

A: Ultraviolet light helps most people with psoriasis, so just being outdoors in the sun is definitely beneficial. Bathing in certain types of mineral baths or salt water can also be beneficial, but I'm not sure it's really been demonstrated how much of the effect is from the mineral or salt bath, compared to being outdoors. It's hard to separate the two unless you are bathing indoors in a dark room.

These types of treatments can be pretty expensive—but you can do it for free if you go to the ocean and expose yourself to the sunlight. Of course, in certain places, the sun is going to be more intense, depending how close you are to the equator. But whenever you expose your skin to the sun, you are taking the risk of causing skin to undergo mutations from the ultraviolet lights that may predispose you to skin cancer and aging, and it's something that people need to do judiciously and cautiously. The main thing is to not get overexposed and to not be in the sun to the point where your skin gets red. As long as you're careful, it can be done daily.

Q: Have meditation and acupuncture been proven to relieve psoriasis?

A: Meditation has; there was a 1998 study where they took a group of people and had them meditate while they were undergoing artificial ultraviolet light treatments. Their skin cleared four times faster than people who were not meditating but were getting the light treatments. Meditation and stress reduction are a very important part of natural treatment for psoriasis.

I really haven't studied the literature on acupuncture. I know that there is some evidence of the effectiveness of a Chinese herbal formula for psoriasis, but I'm not really sure how well psoriasis has responded to acupuncture treatment.

Q: Is artificial light as effective as natural UV light?

A: Both can be beneficial. Artificial light is a lot more controllable, but you can get overexposed doing that too. Usually the lights are intense and it's a shorter duration of time that you spend having the exposure, so it can be easier to control.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have for patients looking for alternative treatments for psoriasis?

A: Work with a naturopathic physician who has knowledge of the condition and experience with it. If not a naturopathic doctor, definitely another integrative physician who can incorporate natural approaches into the treatment plan.

This is a condition that takes patience to get under long-lasting control without using some of the stronger medications from conventional medicine. You can’t look for a quick cure for it. There are genetic contributions to psoriasis and it takes a long time to change a person's internal environment so these genes don't get expressed so much. I think it's a condition that does respond well to natural medicine. With the combination of a knowledgeable physician and patience, you can achieve really good results.

]]> "There are genetic contributions to psoriasis and it takes a long time to change a person's internal environment." (MICHAEL TRAUB) <![CDATA[How Managing Stress May Help Your Psoriasis]]>
psoriasis outbreaks]," says Mark Lebwohl, MD, chairman of the medical board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. In a 2004 survey conducted by Scandinavian researchers, more than two-thirds of the respondents reported that their psoriasis was exacerbated by stress, and 35% said that the onset of the disease had occurred during a time of worry and stress.

Though there is no research definitively showing that lowering stress can improve your psoriasis, many patients swear by the strategy. Lori Leyden, PhD, who has had psoriasis for 30 years and is the author of The Stress Management Handbook: Strategies for Health and Inner Peace, is one of them. "[My psoriasis] has been in control for the last 20 years, every since I started practicing stress management."

Try these techniques to see if reducing stress will reduce your flare-ups. View the slideshow.
]]> (ISTOCKPHOTO/HEALTH) <![CDATA[How to Have a Happy Sex Life When You Have Psoriasis]]>
psoriasis can be a sex-life killer. For most of us, sex drive ebbs and flows, but a psoriasis flare-up can dampen your desire further by ruining your self-confidence—and by making sex painful. Here's how to push past the roadblocks psoriasis throws up.

The first roadblock: Feeling unattractive
"Sometimes you’re in an intimate situation, and it's going through your mind that you must look horrible," says Anne Krolikowski, 35, of Milwaukee, Wis., who was diagnosed with psoriasis when she was a child.

In those moments, even if your partner understands your condition, thoughts like that can still intrude. "Being intimate can be hard," explains Victoria Gardner Nye, 35, from Cambridge, Mass., who has had psoriasis since she was a teenager. "Especially if they’re kissing you near your psoriasis. I know that my husband doesn’t care. But I worry he’s going to get a flake in his mouth."

Five steps to overcome it
Fighting the anxiety requires taking control, says Allan F. Chino, PhD, a psychologist in private practice with Functional Pain Solutions in Tigard, Ore., and an assistant clinical professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. "If the reason for not being into sex is because you’re self-conscious about your condition, the condition has power over you," he says. "It’s about taking power back. If they’re not feeling attractive and their partner is saying 'I disagree,' they have an opportunity to turn their feelings around."

1. Talk about it up front
Chino recommends telling your partner about the disease or flare-up before you get intimate. "Most people fear that the disease will take someone by surprise. By putting it out there, you’re taking control. You might say, 'I'm having an outbreak' with great confidence, or if you have the courage, show it to someone. The anxiety and stress around the disease will ease up."


Next Page: Focus on the pleasure
2. Focus on the pleasure
"Anytime you have distractions or competing thoughts, it's going to take away from your enjoyment of sex," Chino says. "It’s a matter of tuning into the situation, focusing on your partner and the joy you are creating together, and allowing any self-conscious thoughts to disappear." He says relaxation techniques—or just taking a deep breath when self-conscious thoughts arise—can be a reminder to stay focused.

Krolikowski agrees: "If you let your fear or anxiety take over, it could certainly shut you down. But when you’re in the moment, you just go with it. Once you get through that initial burst of anxiety, you’re fine."

3. Don't force yourself
Recognize the difference between anxiety holding you back and just not being in the mood. Chino recommends following your "primary feelings" (sexual attraction or arousal) and not your "conditioned feelings" (guilt, shame, or self-consciousness) when it comes to intimacy. "If you feel sexual and the conditions are right, go for it. But if you don’t feel like having sex, or it’s painful, don’t do it."

4. Find what works for you
John, 56, who has lived with psoriasis since the seventh grade, has found that his skin-care routine has even served as foreplay. "Asking her to smear a lotion or ointment on my body sometimes leads to sex," he says. Not only can this strategy increase the intimacy between two people, but it can also help your partner better understand the disease.

The second roadblock: Pain
Sometimes you're anxious about having sex, because you're in pain and worry it will hurt. On occasion, John's plaques are sensitive to the touch—even intimate touches. "If that area is encountered, you’ll react," he says. "And your partner will know to leave that area alone."

Psoriasis can also appear in intimate areas of your body, making sex uncomfortable. "Psoriasis in the vaginal area can be uncomfortable and bleed slightly," says Gardner Nye.


Next Page: 5. Start talking
Getting over it with communication and ground rules
If sex is painful, then there needs to be some understanding and communication, says Rebecca Ross, PhD, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. "Opening the dialogue gives partners the opportunity to problem-solve which behaviors are mutually pleasurable," she says. "If someone is still self-conscious, there are ways of making love without increasing the vulnerability."

Ross recommends laying ground rules about what your partner should or should not do before becoming intimate—especially if certain activities or areas of your body make you feel uncomfortable.

When to get help
If you've experienced pain or rejection during intimacy, you might decide to avoid the situation altogether, and that can become a vicious cycle. The more you abstain, the harder it is to get back in the saddle. If you find yourself avoiding sex for an extended period of time or feel unable to talk with your partner about it, consider seeking help from a friend, doctor, therapist, or support group.

Share Your Thoughts

How has psoriasis affected your sex life?
Post a Comment
Read Comments ()
"The red flag should go up, and you should start thinking about taking action," says Chino. "There is a potential for things to get worse and the avoidance could turn into a phobia. If it goes on long enough, it can become a part of your sense of self."

Talking to someone who understands your situation can help to validate your feelings. "People not only feel better when they have a therapist, close friend, or confidant they can open up to, but opening up to another person whom you trust and who cares about you has remarkable emotional and physical healing effects," says Chino.

If you don’t have health insurance or can’t afford a therapist, Chino recommends joining a support group or even writing your feelings down in a journal.
]]> Sex isn't always easy for people with psoriasis, but your condition shouldn't keep you from being intimate. (GETTY IMAGES) <![CDATA[Psoriasis Skin-Care Product Guide]]>
psoriasis. You don't need to stay away from any specific ingredients, but you should minimize the use of things that dry out the skin too much, says Mark Lebwohl, MD, chairman of the medical board of the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF).

After cleansing, your goal should be to keep your skin moisturized, which will reduce redness and allow it to heal. On the scalp, special treatment shampoos can help clear lesions. Here's a cheat sheet to the right products for you. View the slideshow.
]]> (GETTY IMAGES) <![CDATA[What's That Rash? A Visual Guide to Itch and Redness Relief]]>

"The skin is the largest organ in the body, and you need to moisturize it in the winter," advises Neera Agarwal-Antal, MD, a dermatologist in private practice at Hudson Dermatology in Hudson, Ohio.

It's no fun to play "What's That Rash?" but your fabulous prize can be finally finding relief. View the slideshow.

Warning: Graphic images ahead.
]]> (GETTY IMAGES) <![CDATA[The Best Websites for People Living With Psoriasis]]>
Psoriasis is often misunderstood, but a surprising amount of information and resources are available online—you just have to know where to look. We've combed the Web to create this guide for people who want to live happier, more comfortable lives with psoriasis. These sites cover the latest research breakthroughs, participation in clinical trials, tips for standing up to stigma, and places to connect with people who know what you're going through. Check out the links below and bookmark this useful page so you can refer back later.

National Psoriasis FoundationAnyone looking for more information about psoriasisThis comprehensive site has information about psoriasis news, treatment, research, and more. It also has a valuable search tool to help you locate support groups near you. Also, check out photos and videos of America’s Next Top Model winner CariDee English, who talks candidly about living with the disease.
DailyStrengthPeople with psoriasis who want to connect with othersThis site allows users to chat with more than 800 people with psoriasis. In the "Goals" section, members state an ambition and the site charts their progress, with support and input from other members.
WeArePsoriasis.orgPsoriasis patients and their family and friendsThis social-networking site brings together psoriasis patients with similar interests and goals. Members can chat by joining communities such as "I Love Someone With Psoriasis," "Single With Psoriasis," and "Tattoos."
PsorChatPsoriasis patients looking for supportThere are lots of online support groups, but this one, with the option to read messages online or by email, has more than 1,800 members who pride themselves on being part of a respectful, honest, and very active forum.
Murdough Family Center for PsoriasisPeople looking to participate in psoriasis researchThis site is heavily focused on cutting-edge research to improve patient treatment. Psoriasis patients are encouraged to contribute their personal and medical histories to a database to help the center’s researchers understand the disease better. You can also learn how to join a clinical trial, which can be a good way to get expensive treatments covered or try something new when other treatments have failed.
Stop HidingPsoriasis patients who have faced prejudice or discriminationThe Stop Hiding From Psoriasis campaign was launched by the American Academy of Dermatology and the National Psoriasis Foundation to educate the public about the disease and encourage those who have it to seek treatment. If you join the campaign, you’ll receive inspiring and informational emails from singer LeAnn Rimes, the campaign’s spokeswoman.
]]> <![CDATA[Doris J. Day, MD, Offers Tips on Using Makeup for Psoriasis]]>
Some people with psoriasis may want to use makeup to cover lesions on their faces and bodies. But apply the wrong products, or use the wrong techniques, and the camouflage can look worse than the psoriasis. Doris J. Day, MD, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the NYU Langone Medical Center and the author of Forget the Facelift: Dr. Day Turns Back the Clock with a Revolutionary Program for Ageless Skin, treats more than 50 psoriasis patients every month. Here, she answers some common questions about makeup.

Q: If I'm having an outbreak, do I have to avoid makeup altogether?

A: No, it's safe to use makeup anytime. Just look for makeup that says noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic.

Q: Are there specific ingredients or products I should avoid?

A: Go for fragrance-free products, as the fragrances in cosmetics are a common source of irritation.

Q: Do I need a heavy-duty concealer?

A: Instead of relying on a heavy product, use a yellow-based or green-based concealer, such as Prescriptives Illuminating Cream Potion in Red Neutralizer and Jane Iredale Amazing Base in Warm Sienna, Warm Silk, Amber, or Golden Glow, which help camouflage the red. Then you can put on your regular foundation. I also recommend mineral makeup for those who tend to break out but want good coverage.

Q: How should I apply it?

A: Take the focus away from the problem areas. Put a little bronzer on. Do up your eyes a little more so they pop, and put a little more color on your lips. If you're not sure what you're doing, make an appointment with a makeup artist to learn how to apply concealer skillfully.

Q: Is it OK to use self-tanner?

A: Yes, but self-tanner sometimes can make the lesions more pronounced, because skin affected by psoriasis is thicker. So do a test-run first in an inconspicuous place.

Q: Can I use makeup on my body?

A: Yes. Heavy-duty concealers such as Covermark or Dermablend is best for the body, as they're more opaque, so you'll get better cover. I also like Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs, a spray that "tans" legs instantly and helps cover lesions.

]]> "Take the focus away from the problem areas. Put a little bronzer on. Do up your eyes a little more so they pop, and put a little more color on your lips." Doris J. Day, MD <![CDATA[The 6 Types of Psoriasis]]>
]]>