My first flare up started back in 2006. Throughout summer during school, I wore nothing but long-sleeves and pants to cover my legs. Teachers would question me, tell me I am not wearing correct school uniform but I couldn't bare the thought of showing them what was underneath. They were oblivious to the stress and tears I endured everyday from bullying. Do you think I really wanted my skin shown to everyone at school, to just be bullied even more? To feed them more fire to their words, actions and satisfaction? No. I honestly remember sitting there in class stretching my sleeves to fit my hand up there, feeling for a scab that I could pick from being anxious and then shaking my arm at the ground watching flakes sprinkle out. You would have thought it was snowing. After numerous of doctors appointments and the testing of new steroid creams, Advantan Fatty Ointment saved the day. My skin was reacting well, the spots were flattening and my skin showed signs of remission. Research has shown for young females in particular, psoriasis symptoms may arise during the peak of puberty. Whether this was the case for my diagnosis, it remains unknown. 

2 YEARS LATER, 2008 to 2012 -

Well, here we are again. Arms, legs and scalp covered. At least this time around I had creams that helped me previously, all ready to go. The number one cause of this flare up was the same cause for my first one. Bullying. My body couldn't handle the stress and tears I was battling throughout high school. In particular, female b####s who once upon a time, were my best friends. I was alone, I was depressed and I started wagging school. I was honestly thinking what I had done to deserve this despicable behaviour once again. What were the reasons this time? For being Asian! (I am literally a half cast and more bogan than anything.) I would walk 20minutes to my sisters work and volunteer there. Bullying at school carried over to bullying online and affected my home life. I didn't like telling my parents my problems because I knew this would stress them out too. I remember driving my sister home one night and I had jumped onto Facebook and seen a post everyone was commenting on about me. I had just burst into tears, having no choice but to tell my parents. My flare up lasted for a good 12 months and on and off for 4 more years.

7 YEARS LATER, 2019 to 2022 - 

At the end of my last flare up, I had a few spots that never disappeared They never bothered me as they were rather small. I'd have to say though, my scalp is the only place that never fully went away for as long as I've had psoriasis. Sometimes my scalp can be clear for weeks and the next, be brushing my hair and it's like it's snowing. 

Once my skin came good, I still saw my dermatologist every 6 months and began laser hair removal treatment. Months of going to sessions, my skin was was really good and smooth. However, one particular spot that bothered me and would be irritated on and off (did not get lasered when this spot was flared), was at the top of my hooha below, under my belly. So, at one of my dermatologist appointments, I had raised this issue and thought I would try UV light therapy. Pretty much a stand up solarium. Light therapy based on conversations with my doctor, is good for treating severe cases and for people who don't get enough sun exposure. In this circumstance, just one spot couldn't see the sun. I started attending the clinic and received treatment only once a week. I remember being only 6 weeks in when I noticed new spots on my legs and bum. By week 7, my spots worsened and more started to appear. I quit after the 8th week and little did I know, it was my biggest mistake. BOOM! By what would have been week 10, I was covered from my arms to my legs again.

Could you imagine the frustration and disappointment I had felt? What hurt me the most was, my dermatologist had told me UV light therapy was GUARANTEED to help. WRONG! CHOICE! OF! WORDING! There are no guarantees when trialing new remedies. What works for some, doesn't work for others!

It took a long time to manage this inflamed era and to be able to accept that after so many years, I was in this position again. This flare up lasted me 3 years and by early 2022, I was in remission. 

2022 to April 2023 & now - 

In August 2022, I had found out I was pregnant. I was feeling good, my skin was good and I had exciting things to share. As always, I still had the occasional scalp flare but my skin overall had been steady.

In April 2023, I gave birth and with my hormones all over the place. Within two weeks, I was covered on my legs, my arms, my back, my stomach, my chest and my bum. It literally came without warning. Luckily for me, we were coming into winter and I knew I would be able to put on my safety blankets and hibernate for a while. The only reason I can think of for my psoriasis coming back, is due to an imbalance of hormones. There are some articles I have read that state, hormones can play a huge factor to psoriasis symptoms after giving birth, during pregnancy and when experiencing menopause. 

Now we are in November 2023. My arms and legs have gotten better and I'm not even sure what i have done to help except cut out hot coffee every morning. I will say though, this flare has been the worst I have ever had it. My psoriasis even affected my ability to breast feed. On top of my own s##t, mastitis hit me too! Anxiety soon kicked in as I feared and still fear, it has passed onto my son.