I got turned down from a job because of painful skin condition – but now I’ve healed it naturally
A MUM who was once turned down from a job because of her painful skin condition says she's shunned medicine to heal it naturally.
Laura Parish, 37, was first diagnosed with psoriasis when she was just two and by the time she was a teen it covered most of her body and face.
The primary school teacher, from Reading, Berks, has been prescribed every type of cream but nothing was able to soothe her sore skin.
Laura has tried elimination diets, UVB light therapy, creams, oils and took ciclosporin for three years.
After her daughter Eva was born in May 2016 Laura’s psoriasis spread all over her neck and chest and as a new mum she found it difficult as people would ask her if she was sunburnt.
Eight months after giving birth Laura was diagnosed with a type of arthritis that develops in people with psoriasis which can get worse over time.
Despite doctors urging her to start taking medication orally and through injections, she decided to heal her skin naturally.
She went back on her elimination diet and decided to only use natural products on her skin.
This move saw Laura’s confidence skyrocket and her arthritic pain disappeared.
She started sharing her journey on Instagram under the handle, @morethanskindeep1 and didn’t let her skin stop her from wearing bikinis on holiday.
In June this year, Laura gave birth to her son Bernie in June and has continued spreading skin positivity online.
Recalling her experience, she said: “I don’t remember being diagnosed, but I remember it getting progressively worse the older I got.
"I used creams, ointments, lotions and anything the doctors prescribed.
"I remember sitting there every night while my mum covered my body and scalp in these.
“My hair and clothes would be greasy and it would sting until I cried. I’d scratch until I bled at night and everything was covered in flakes.
The older I got, the more depressing it got, it really started to get me very down
Laura Parish
“My teenage years were filled with oils which ruined my clothes and smelt, salt solutions which continued to make me cry with pain and a diet which was so intense that it was very hard to lead a normal life.
"I couldn’t eat so many things over the years; dairy, sugar, nightshades, alcohol, caffeine, meat, gluten.
“There was a point a few years ago where all I was eating was fish, certain veg and sweet potato.
"The older I got, the more depressing it got, it really started to get me very down.
"There were points when I stopped doing it for these reasons.
“I couldn’t dress as I always wanted, I couldn’t use beauty products like other teenage girls and I grew a fringe to cover my face as much as I could.
"There was no hiding my psoriasis, it covered me head to toe, but I don’t recall hearing many negative or nasty comments.
“I was turned down for a Saturday job at a hairdresser because the psoriasis wasn’t the image they wanted.
"Looking back now I should have done something about it, there’s no way anyone could get away with that these days, but this was 20 years ago now and things were different.
There was no hiding my psoriasis, it covered me head to toe
Laura Parish
"I think I was shocked but didn’t question it.
“Over the years, my psoriasis calmed down a lot and it roller-coastered between good and bad times.
"After having my daughter, it was a time when I was meeting lots of new people through NCT and baby groups and I was so conscious of my skin.
“Even more so I was conscious of my diet and how I couldn’t just go for a coffee without feeling guilty or having to resist.
"Finding clothes was miserable, I needed clothes I could breastfeed in, I had a totally new figure to get used to and on top of that, wanted clothes that covered me as much as possible and it was summer.
“The psoriasis was creeping up my chest and down my neck so totally hiding it was impossible.
"Psoriasis also causes fatigue so I’d always been tired anyway then add a baby to that it was exhausting.
"I would see eyes glance at it all the time, but no one ever really said anything. Shopkeepers would ask if I was sunburnt or had an allergy.
“Eight months after my daughter was born, I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. This terrified me and I found it very hard to accept to begin with.
"I had visions of me being totally disabled and bed ridden in horrendous pain for the rest of my life.
Shopkeepers would ask if I was sunburnt or had an allergy
Laura Parish
“I didn’t want to get out of bed, I definitely didn’t want to face the world. But I had no choice.
"I had a daughter and a job as a teacher so I’d have my breakdowns in private then go and face the world like nothing was wrong. But I didn’t cave to medication.”
Laura has sometimes struggled with the unpredictability of her skin flares but tiredness and stress can cause her psoriasis to appear, but she never lets it stop her from living her life.
The mum-of-two is also an ambassador for skincare company, Tropic and sells natural beauty products despite having psoriasis, something she never thought would be possible.
Fearing the flares
She credits the fact that her psoriasis has always been visible with giving herself no option but to embrace the skin she is in.
“I think I was helped by the fact that it was pretty much impossible to cover much of mine as it was on my face and neck as well as everywhere else," she said.
"Also, I hate being uncomfortable so would never cover up properly in hot weather.
"I spent a winter wearing scarves but actually found they made the psoriasis more sore.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales.
These patches normally appear on your elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but can appear anywhere on your body.
Most people are only affected with small patches. In some cases, the patches can be itchy or sore.
It affects around two per cent of the UK population.
Why does it happen?
People with psoriasis have an increased production of skin cells.
Skin cells are normally made and replaced every three to four weeks, but in psoriasis this process only lasts about three to seven days.
The resulting build-up of skin cells is what creates the patches associated with psoriasis.
It is thought to be a problem with the immune system and can run in families.
How is it treated?
There's no cure for psoriasis, but a range of treatments can improve symptoms and the appearance of skin patches.
In most cases, the first treatment used will be a topical treatment, such as vitamin D analogues or topical corticosteroids.
Topical treatments are creams and ointments applied to the skin.
If these aren't effective, or your condition is more severe, a treatment called phototherapy may be used.
Phototherapy involves exposing your skin to certain types of ultraviolet light.
In severe cases, where the above treatments are ineffective, systemic treatments may be used. These are oral or injected medicines that work throughout the whole body.
Source: NHS
“My hair used to get greasy from treatments so I’d tie it up which meant the psoriasis was on show but it was necessary and practical.
"I think I unconsciously thought I shouldn’t have to cover up any more than anyone else should.
“I fear the flares. When it’s calmer I forget how horrific the flares are but when it starts coming back, I remember and panic.
"But ultimately all I can do is ride the wave and get through it. I just have to be strong with myself to not let it get me down.
“I have my moments of tears and feeling very down, but I’ve always made myself get on with life, whether it be work or children.
"I’ve never missed work due to my psoriasis as I never felt it was something that warranted time off.”
Finally, Laura shared her words of advice to other psoriasis sufferers.
More on psoriasis
“I’d say not to let psoriasis define them. Don’t let it control what they choose to do in life. I always say I have it but it doesn’t have me, I have to really remind myself of this sometimes though, I’d say don’t cover up because of what others might think, cover up if you want to but not for anyone else,” she said.
“I’d also say get online and join the huge community out there on Instagram. I thought I’d be the first to start a psoriasis account and couldn’t believe there’s thousands of others like me. It’s a huge support network.
“The more people who share and show their skin will help raise awareness and make it more normal, then no one would have to hide it.”
For more information see www.instagram.com/morethanskindeep1
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