I think I have psoriasis. Well, I'm not positive, but I have a feeling I do. Of course, I won't know until I go to the dermatologist. My mom keeps saying it's nothing...for 10 years she's said this. And for 10 years, I've lived with the skin disorder on my bottom, back and stomach. I was 9 when this thing, whatever it is, first appeared. Everytime I mention that I need to go to the dermatologist about it, she makes me feel like a moron because it hasn't bothered me in the past....which was only because when I was a child I thought it would go away one day.
It's affected me emotionally. The ugly skin! It may be fairly mild, but I'm ashamed of it. I usually act like it's not there whenever I can because it's thankfully hidden by my clothing. But whenever there is some pool party or something like that I make up some lame excuse not to go. Life sucks...
Anyway...I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Elizabeth.

Hi Elizabeth!
I had psoriasis for a while before I actually got diagnosed because every time I got it, the scabby thing would go away after a few months. I think it first singularly appeared on my stomach when I was about 9 (I'm 16 now) and cleared up later, and that same kind of thing recurred about 3 times. Last year, I got one on my leg that didn't go away, and the family doctor said it was warts and gave me this wart medication that didn't help at all. After it spread over the summer, I finally looked it up online and pretty much knew that I had p before I went to the derm - the derm just gave me a prescription. Anyway, long story short, if it hasn't really bothered you, then I think it's ok to go without treatment. If it itches, there's always cortisone (my saving grace!). However, I'd still get to a derm asap, esp. if it continues.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
-Cindy

Hello Elizabeth!
Welcome to the boards! I was 25 before I started getitng any symptoms of P. I was ashamed at 25 so I am sure it was even harder to be younger. You have come to a VERY supportive place and there are a lot of treatment options out there. Let me know if I can help!

Hi Elizabeth!
I had psoriasis for a while before I actually got diagnosed because every time I got it, the scabby thing would go away after a few months. I think it first singularly appeared on my stomach when I was about 9 (I'm 16 now) and cleared up later, and that same kind of thing recurred about 3 times. Last year, I got one on my leg that didn't go away, and the family doctor said it was warts and gave me this wart medication that didn't help at all. After it spread over the summer, I finally looked it up online and pretty much knew that I had p before I went to the derm - the derm just gave me a prescription. Anyway, long story short, if it hasn't really bothered you, then I think it's ok to go without treatment. If it itches, there's always cortisone (my saving grace!). However, I'd still get to a derm asap, esp. if it continues.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
-Cindy
Well, mine hasn't ever gone away. It used to be on my legs and upper arms, but they disappeared a few years ago. No clue why it just decided to disappear, perhaps because I started excercise out in the sun now. It also used to itch pretty badly, but I think I've just gotten used to it over the years. Well, except for the areas on my bottom. Like now...feels itchy, but when I scratch it, it hurts and starts to feel raw.
But I really don't care about treatment, well, a little bit. It'd be nice to be able to swim again. Mostly just want to know what is going on. I've been lying to my boyfriend about it by saying I think I have allergies and need to go see about it to the dermatologist. Of course, he probably knows somethings up, since he's not that stupid. It's like he can read my mind. O_o But, I'm so curious, and I want to finally be able to tell him exactly what's going on.