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Not really loving my actual skin right now...


I am glad that the summer is coming to an end.  Don’t get me wrong, I have really enjoyed the summer; we have had an unusual amount of sunny and dry days mixed in with the wet and windy.  I have been out in it more than ever and have loved playing with the boys at the park and in the garden.  I even loved taking part in the nursery’s big toddle.
This year, I allowed my skin to get some sunshine.  Being a chilly pale-fanatic (as in I love being a bit pale and freckly), I usually still wear trousers, or a cardigan in the sunshine, if I manage to get out in it at all.  But I have actually donned shorts and vests, did a lot of gardening and have loved watching my usually peach-coloured arms turn, well, a darker shade of peach.

So, what’s the problem?  It is me.  Me and Psoriasis.  Around 10 years ago, I had a breakout of guttate psoriasis.  My elbows (which have never properly cleared up anyway) and arms had tiny round red patched of dryness and after several appointments at the RVI, UVA-B light therapy and ointments later, including one that hospitalised me (and ironically the one that actually worked!), it cleared up.  Now and again, I’ve had one or two small patches that appear and then within weeks, they would disappear again.  But, I have never had it quite as bad as I have it now.
It started around a month or so ago – a couple of patches appeared on my arms and legs.  My knees got a bit dry too but I could live with that.  Then all of a sudden, around Seth’s birthday, my arms erupted.  Burning, dry, itchy, sore, unsightly.  It’s a little heartbreaking if I am honest.

Am I stressed or anxious?  Kind of, although I couldn’t pin point a reason, other than the usual, that everyone deals with on a day-to-day basis.
Have I changed shampoos or shower gels?  Well, yes, but to nothing I haven’t used before.

Do I use an oilatum?  Yes, I frequently pinch my boys’ oilatum too.
So what has caused this breakout?  I recently read that if you’ve had a streptococcal infection or tonsillitis, it could encourage a breakout.  I did have tonsillitis but I just suffered for a few days with it rather than go to the GP.  Very stupid considering the state of my throat, but I just didn’t have the time to make an appointment, nor could I drag two young ones with me.  I wish I had now though.

Also, any immune deficiency or being run down could cause this too.  What with the other problems I’ve been having recently (more blog post fodder for another time), maybe it is just one of those things I should have seen coming.
Whatever it is, it has made its point and has me really frustrated and very self-conscious.  Maybe it is the sunshine; supposedly good for you but maybe just not for me??

I have resorted to Aloe Vera gel.  So far, it seems to be helping to tighten the skin up, which makes me think it is helping to heal it.  I must remember to bring it to work tomorrow though;  I currently want to writhe my skin off.
HLW x

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