Sun

I am a sun lover. It is not just a crush either, I totally think the sun rocks my world. I feel better, have a nicer attitude and a positive out-look on life in general when the sun shines on me.

The bad thing, is that I am a sun layer outer. I know the dangers. I have read all about sun damage and cancers. I know it makes you look older. It is not a good thing.

What is a good thing is having psoriasis take a break for the summer. Living with an on-going aliment is hard work. You constantly have to juggle things. Do you take the drugs? or not? Do herbal remedies work? or are they a crack pot theory? Eating the right foods vs. what you want to eat. Exercising and maintaining a correct weight. Every day is another day of trying to factor in information into a life that is already crammed with crap to do.

Everyone gives you advice, from friends to doctors to total strangers. Even my doctors can't agree on the advice to give. My family doctor is different from my dermatologist. In the end it comes down to me, and what I feel comfortable with.

For years I did the prescription drug routine and it worked out fine. I had to have tests for liver and kidney problems and the drugs themselves were expensive. The side effects were hard to handle. At best, it kept it at bay but it never really disappeared. It can come and go, or so my doctor says. I have 4 spots that stay and if I get bruised or get a cut, a new spot will arrive but it doesn't stick around.

It is these 4 spots that I would like gone. For the last two years, I gave up the drugs. I switched to herbal remedies and sun. Not tanning booths, since they do not have the rays I need. For an hour a day I lay out side, in the sun. I use a high sunscreen on my face and lips. I wear a hat for my head and sunglasses for my eyes. This week I have done it three days and two of the spots are gone.

My elbows seem to be made of some sort of leather and I'm not sure I can get that to disappear. I can't begin to say how nice it feels. I feel better because I look better. My doctor is not fond of my decision, I am trading one problem for another. Skin cancer is very common and if I was any younger I may not make the same decision. The drugs carry side effects that are hard for me to handle. The sun carries a different set of bad side effects. I weighed the options and decided this was best for me.

I make my kid wear a heavy sun screen. I have never let him swim in the middle of the day. Up until he was 7 years old, he thought everyone had to wear a hat to swim. The dangers of the sun have been explained to him and in this instance, it is "do what I say, not as I do."

There is no cure for psoriasis. It could decide to leave on its own, and I for one would absolutely love that! I have done what I can to lessen the outbreaks. I have educated myself. I have lived with this this since I was 23 and have made great strides in keeping it toned down.

Tonight when I looked in the mirror, psoriasis didn't stare back at me. I for one am grateful for that.