Alisha Bridges, 33, was diagnosed withpsoriasisat the age of seven, during her first dermatology appointment.
Some doctors believed psoriasis was the wrong diagnosis, Bridges, whoblogs about life with psoriasis, tells SELF.
Some assumed I had a fungus or another skin condition.
Nhung Le
When Bridges was 24, she had a skin biopsy, which finally confirmed that she had psoriasis.
Misdiagnosis is unfortunately common.
The most common misdiagnosis iseczema, Dr. Klein says.
While psoriasis is anautoimmune disease, eczema is believed to be due to genetic and environmental factors.
The location of the patches is a great source of direction while making the diagnosis, Dr. Klein says.
For people of color with psoriasis, getting a diagnosis can come with unique and frustrating challenges.
First, its been proven that people of color have less access to dermatologic care, he says.
One of the primary features of psoriasis is a finding called erythemaa sign of inflammation in the skin.
In white skin, erythema is typically pink to redoften referred to as salmon pink.
However, erythema can manifest differently in more melanin-rich skin tones.
My plaques have never been red, Bridges says.
My flares are dark brown to purple.
Trial and error is a phrase familiar to many psoriasis patients.
Carina Linnane, 25, knows all about trial and error.
I still have some patches on my legs, but its improving.
Dr. Psomadakis doesnt entirely agree that psoriasis treatment is all trial and error.
There are scientifically backed ingredients and treatments that are effective in the majority of people, she says.
Bridges currently manages her psoriasis symptoms with a combination of abiologicand topicals.
Never in a million years would I have thought I would achieve clear skin, she says.
Many factors can affect whether a particular psoriasis treatment works for someone.
The National Psoriasis Foundation estimatesthat up to 30% of people with psoriasis developpsoriatic arthritis.
Psoriasis patients are also at greater risk of developingdepressionand other health conditions.
Severity is also a factor, Dr. Klein says.
If you havent found the right treatment plan yet, have a go at stay hopeful.
Going to your dermatologist appointment with this information can make it a more productive experience, she adds.
Remember, you might play an important role in your own health care.
She also recommends finding apsoriasis support groupto make connections and see what treatments other people are using.
