I’m skin-shamed because of my psoriasis – strangers call me ‘disgusting’ & I spend days crying to my doctor for a cure
FOR mum- of-one Kirsty Jennings, 29, from Malvern, Worcestershire, the everyday chore of popping to the shops became crippling when she was trolled in public for her psoriasis.
Strangers called her 'disgusting' and would stare as she minded her own business and went about her day. She'd also have days where she'd cry down the phone to her doctor - desperate for a cure. Here Kirsty, who lives with her partner Rick, 33, tells her story...
"I was 17 when I first noticed some plaques on my elbows. At first, I thought it was dry skin as my dad and brother both suffer from eczema and so I just kept chucking moisturiser on the dry patch,” she said.
“But when it quickly spread further on my elbows and then appeared on my knees and scalp I realised it was something else.
“They say psoriasis is usually triggered by something, either physical trauma or emotional stress.
"Mine was triggered just as I was moving out of my parents’ house. I guess I was quite scared at the prospect of fending for myself as I was still quite young.
“Once the plaques spread to my knees and scalp I immediately went to the doctor who diagnosed psoriasis and prescribed me steroid ointments and a scalp treatment that was very greasy.
"I was given Dovobet and Cetraben for my skin and a Betamethasone scalp application for my head.
“When I was told I had psoriasis it hit me pretty hard, especially when I realised it was something that would never be cured.
“I wasn’t too bothered about using the steroid ointments as they were easy to apply and effective.
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"However, the ointment for my head was very greasy and thick, and because I worked every day I was reluctant to apply it.
“The first time I used it I couldn’t wash it out of my hair and I had to spend the day at work dodging glances from people wondering why my hair was so greasy. I remember crying on the phone to the doctor begging to be given something else.”
"However, you can’t use steroid treatments for long periods of time - so she entered the cycle of coming off steroids and experiencing my skin flaring up again almost immediately.
It was devastating for my self-confidence when my psoriasis appeared on my hands and face as you simply cannot cover that up.
Kirsty
"With more steroid applications over the years, my psoriasis spread and got worse when it came back.
“I experienced my worst flare-up ever this year without a doubt,” she continued. “We’ve all been suffering through the pandemic and had a lot of stress built up.
"At the start of this year, I also started a new job and my anxiety levels shot through the roof. In the space of two weeks, my psoriasis spread to my scalp, hands and finally my face, which was the most horrifying thing of all.
“At a total loss of what to use on my skin when I couldn’t use the steroids I tried just about every miracle cream advertised on the internet. At best all they did was keep my skin moisturised but other than that they did nothing at all.
“It was devastating for my self-confidence when my psoriasis appeared on my hands and face as you simply cannot cover that up. I found the endless staring very upsetting. People can be very cruel.
“During the early heatwave, we had this year I kept myself completely covered up in fear of comments and stares.
"There were no bikini beach days or shorts for me. Once I braved a pair of knee-length shorts and I had a woman in a shop comment on how disgusting I looked so I went back to wearing trousers despite the heat.
“In terms of my personal relationship, my psoriasis has really affected me as it’s got worse and spread.”
However, Rick is “amazing”, she added. “He knows how I feel about myself sometimes and always calls me beautiful and supports me. He will also happily help apply creams or run a saltwater bath for me.
"Even so, I often don’t feel confident in myself or my appearance and I often wonder how anyone could ever find me attractive.
“I know it sounds like a pity party, but psoriasis is much more than patchy skin. I would often just sit and cry when I saw my skin in the mirror.
"Suffering from this skin condition is emotionally very draining as well as being physically quite painful.
I braved a pair of knee-length shorts and I had a woman in a shop comment on how disgusting I looked
Kirsty
“Most days I’ll admit I feel depressed about my psoriasis. I feel that it's unfair that anyone should have to go through everything that I suffer.
"The only thing that has given me any hope of my skin improving without the use of steroids is a treatment I found two months ago through my Instagram.
"I follow a lot of psoriasis-related accounts and also share many of my own struggles with my skin on my account.
“I saw someone I follow making a comment about the effects of on their psoriasis, so I immediately investigated.
"The more I researched the more comments I found. They were not adverts but comments from real people with psoriasis so I decided to try the products to see if they helped me.
“Within a week the redness on my hands and forehead had dramatically reduced. Within a month the difference was incredible.”
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