We talked to a dermatologist about psoriasis management & here’s why young Canadians shouldn’t wait
There’s hope for people with this challenging condition.
Dr. Geeta Yadav. Right: Psoriasis patient Reena Ruparelia dances.
For many young Canadians, September brings the excitement of starting university for the first time or stepping into the workforce. For young Canadians living with psoriasis, however, it is an especially challenging time. The inflammatory skin condition, which causes raised, sore, scaly patches of skin called plaques, has both physical and psychological impacts1 and, frankly, is a real killjoy.
As exciting as taking a big step toward adult independence can be, from pursuing a university degree to tackling your first big job, it's also a nerve-wracking time with people to meet, new things to do and a growing list of responsibilities.
If you have psoriasis, getting in touch with a dermatologist and staying on top of your treatment plan is key to managing psoriasis 2 so you can confidently tackle the business of becoming a grown-up.
Experts say there’s no reason to lose hope
Narcity spoke with Dr. Geeta Yadav, board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology in Toronto, who says psoriasis patients have a lot to look forward to and that it doesn’t have to hold them back.
"There is still more we can learn about psoriasis," Dr. Yadav told Narcity. "But the available treatments have made it possible for many patients to reduce skin inflammation."
This is good news, particularly for young adults in Canada — an experience that patient Reena Ruparelia knows intimately.
Diagnosed at 14, Ruparelia has now spent over 20 years managing her condition, and she told Narcity that the early years were the toughest.
"I'd say a third of my journey, I was just defeated and victimized by kind of living with this condition," she said. "And I think, in many ways, not living for anything other than the day when this would go away."
The experience of feeling like life can't begin until the psoriasis is gone is a common one, explained Dr. Yadav.
"Psoriasis is not contagious 3, but many people believe that it is, and that can lead some psoriasis patients to feel as if they are pariahs4," she said. "Plaques that are in visible places or especially intimate areas can take a significant toll on patients' personal relationships5. It is common for those living with psoriasis to experience mental health conditions such as depression6."
While psoriasis is a skin condition, its impact can go far beyond the physical. But Dr. Yadav wants patients to know it doesn't have to feel so hopeless.
"All that time spent hiding and letting psoriasis negatively affect your personal and professional life could be spent managing your psoriasis," she said.
Today, Ruparelia is a patient of Dr. Yadav and the face behind @psoriasis_thoughts, a skin-positive community she built by sharing the highs and lows of her psoriasis journey.
"Reena and I worked together to manage her psoriasis and address the burden on her quality of life7," said Dr. Yadav. "And she's taken her experiences living with psoriasis to create an incredible support network and community on Instagram."
Treatment is key to better management8
Dr. Yadav and Ruparelia encourage young Canadians living with psoriasis not to delay seeing a dermatologist and to reach out for support.
"Treatment of psoriasis is important to help reduce skin inflammation," said Dr. Yadav.
"In addition to depression and other mental health conditions, psoriasis can lead to other issues or exacerbate conditions such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular issues, and psoriatic arthritis 9."
For Ruparelia, taking control of her psoriasis has been a game-changer, and she encourages young Canadians with psoriasis to remember that they deserve to feel better.
"We're worth the time it takes to take care of ourselves and worth the time to go to the dermatologist," she said.
"I'm like an older sister now to a lot of other folks who are going through this journey," she added. "So I hope people do know that they're not alone."
So often, young Canadians feel embarrassed by their psoriasis and face stigma 10. It's time to break through that and connect patients with dermatologists who can create treatment plans suitable for them.
"While there’s no cure for psoriasis11, it can be managed, and there are so many treatment options available to help you," Dr. Yadav told Narcity. "Dermatologists have seen it all — you have nothing to be ashamed of — and we are here to help."
And who knows? With proper psoriasis management, you just may be embracing the next chapter of your life, confident with the skin you’re in.
To access resources for psoriasis, visit the Patient Voice website.
The information in this article is not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your health care provider before making any health care decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.