My Journey With Psoriasis

My Journey With Psoriasis: From Fear and Shame to Healing and Hope

Psoriasis has been part of my life for more than ten years. It affected my skin, confidence, and emotional health.

Today, I want to share my journey so that anyone in the world who is living with psoriasis can feel less alone. If you are struggling with this skin condition, I hope my experience gives you strength and encourages you to explore a path that may help you heal—physically and emotionally.

When It All Began

I was 16–17 years old when psoriasis first appeared on my scalp. At that time, I didn’t even know the name of the disease. I thought it was just dandruff and ignored it. Slowly, it started spreading to other parts of my body, and that was when I became truly scared, seeing my own skin.

I didn’t understand the seriousness of the condition. I visited local doctors who prescribed ointments and medicines to control itching. The relief was temporary. If I skipped even one dose, the flare-ups returned. Over time, the continuous use of ointments made my skin thinner, and emotionally, I felt exhausted.

Trying Every System of Medicine

In search of a cure, I tried allopathy, homeopathy, and Unani treatments. Allopathy caused side effects. Homeopathy came with strict food restrictions that were difficult to follow in daily life. In 2016, I finally turned to Ayurveda and decided to undergo Panchakarma therapy.

Understanding Panchakarma

Panchakarma is a traditional Ayurvedic detoxification therapy designed to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit. It focuses on removing toxins (ama) and balancing the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

The preparation stage involved consuming medicated ghee every morning on an empty stomach. The quantity increased daily until it reached 300 ml on the seventh day. This process was physically and mentally challenging.

Giving Up and Facing Flare-Ups

Due to the strong smell and difficulty digesting the ghee, I stopped the treatment midway. Within days, the flare-ups returned. I lost hope and accepted that I might have to live with this disease forever.

Living With Shame and Silent Pain

During college, flare-ups on my face made me feel ashamed. I tried to hide myself and relied on ointments just to face people. I couldn’t wear the clothes I liked and often felt trapped in my own body.

There were moments when my emotional pain became unbearable. I felt trapped in my own body. I had thoughts of ending my life because I couldn’t see a future without this disease. Those were dark times that I rarely spoke about.

Marriage and Emotional Breakdown

After marriage, my psoriasis flared up again. Despite believing I would be accepted, my marriage ended within 40 days because he asked me for a guarantee that this disease would not affect our future children. I couldn’t guarantee that the disease wouldn’t affect future generations. He chose to dissolve the marriage, saying he didn’t want to risk passing the condition to the next generation.

I was completely shattered—mentally and emotionally. I started believing that I didn’t deserve to be a mother, that my child might suffer because of me. My husband stopped speaking to me. People around me made hurtful comments about my body. I felt broken, isolated, and worthless.

A Turning Point

My doctor reminded me that psoriasis is not purely genetic and cannot be predicted. Those words gave me strength. I decided to try Ayurveda again—with complete dedication.

Choosing Healing

I rejoined an Ayurvedic center with a completely different mindset. This time, I was determined to heal—not just my skin, but my life. The doctors created a strict diet plan, monitored my blood pressure, and restarted medicated ghee therapy.

Earlier, when I tried this treatment at home, I vomited the ghee and didn’t follow the diet seriously. But this time, I made a promise to myself: I will do everything for my healing.

That determination helped me tolerate the smell of the ghee, digest it, and follow a very light, disciplined diet exactly as advised. I eliminated milk, all-purpose flour, half-cooked food, and wrong food combinations from my life.

Avoid vs Healthy Alternatives

Healing is not just about treatment, but also about daily lifestyle choices. Below are some things I consciously avoided and the healthier alternatives I adopted.

General Avoid (My Personal Observations)

Based on my personal experience and how my body reacted, I noticed flare‑ups when consuming the following items. This may vary from person to person.

• Mushroom
• Soya
• Brinjal
• Vinegar

Garbage In, Garbage Out

What you put inside your body reflects on the outside. Be mindful of what you eat, drink, and apply on your skin. Clearing toxins internally plays a major role in skin healing.

A Natural Remedy That Worked for Me (Personal Experience)

One thing that worked almost like magic for me was sandalwood powder mixed with holy water.

How I Used It Apply only on affected areas at night and rinse with plain water the next morning.

Very Important Rule No soap, no oil, no cream, no chemicals on the affected area while using this.

How This Fits Into Daily Life

It may seem like a daunting list, but it becomes simple once it becomes a daily habit.

Morning Exercise (yoga, gym, or walking), coconut water or vegetable juice, shower, gratitude, and breakfast.

Day Time Choose simple food with rice, wheat, and vegetables. Avoid packaged food.

Evening & Night Return home, early light dinner, and good quality sleep.

The Three Pillars I Focused On

Diet What and how you eat every day.

Hygiene What you apply to your skin and how you care for it.

Stress Mental peace, gratitude, and emotional balance.