These are the best Instagram accounts to follow if you have psoriasis
Many celebrities have spoken about their psoriasis diagnosis: Kim Kardashian was famously diagnosed with psoriasis during one episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and often posts a photo of an outfit where a patch of dry skin can be seen. Model and actress Cara Delevingne, another high profile psoriasis sufferer, doesn't shy away from exposing her flare ups on the runway or the red carpet.
It's commendable that celebrities are open about having psoriasis - or any skin condition for that matte - and it certainly help to raise awareness and normalise the condition. But they don't offer much insight into the daily experience or the raw realities of the skin condition, which can often be totally debilitating. As well as the physical symptoms, psoriasis can also affect confidence, self-esteem and become stressful to manage.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that affects 2% of people in the UK, and causes patches of incredibly itchy and dry skin. It's due to an overproduction of skin cells - normally, the skin cells are created and replaced every 3-4 weeks, but in those who suffer from psoriasis, this process only tends to take 3-7 days. This creates the scale-like bumps across affected areas, and is especially common on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, although it can affect other areas too.
There are other forms of psoriasis, as well as the most commonly-known manifestation. There's plaque (large lesions covered by silvery scales), guttate (smaller spots covered by a fine scale), inverse (covering joints in smooth patches of red skin), nail (found under the nail which can cause the nails to loosen from the nail bed), pustular (pus-filled blisters), erythrodermic (can cover your entire body in a peeling rash) or psoriatic arthritis (causes painful swollen joints). Plus, the medication used to treat the condition can have a number of difficult side effects.
It's for this reason why it can be particularly helpful to anyone with psoriasis to have access to a candid yet caring account of another person's experience. Here, we round up the very best Instagram accounts to follow for a show of solidarity, tips for treatment and words of wisdom to help you through a flare up...
@beautifullyspottedGlobe-trotter Janelle describes herself as a 'psoriasis warrior', and calls for fewer filters and more authenticity. As well as stunning travel shots, Janelle posts helpful treatment suggestions and encouraging, motivational words of advice.
@cienaraeCiena documents her experience of psoriasis and eczema, sharing the lifestyle changes she has found useful and the skincare products she swears by.
@chloegracelawsGLAMOUR Social Media Editor Chloe was first diagnosed with psoriasis as a teenager and, though her journey hasn't been easy, she has now come to terms with her condition and embraces her skin in all its beauty.
@lordmichAs well as posting some serious fashion inspiration, Michelle Nyasha posts helpful advice and honest accounts of her experiences, from the side effects of her medication to the lack of representation of Black women within the conversation around psoriasis.
@psoautySine's inspiring account of her journey with psoriasis, from the flair ups to the times where she was symptom free, serves to empower everyone who follows her.
@wee_red_spotsTeacher and writer Linzi offers followers a heart-warming account of psoriasis both during pregnancy and how motherhood has changed her mentality.
@psoriasis_thoughtsAs well as documenting her own journey, Reena teams up with other psoriasis suffers and experts to explore a number of topics from the root causes of skin rashes to CBD to self-compassion.
