La La Anthony talks honestly about how plaque psoriasis has affected her life – essence

La La Anthony is continuously within the highlight, whether she’s taping certainly one of her hit TV shows or performing in Los Angeles or New York.

But there’s more to it than that, because the many years-old entertainment personality has been quietly affected by plaque psoriasis, which is a chronic, non-infectious autoimmune disease that causes raised, inflamed and scaly patches on the skin. While there is no such thing as a specific cure for this autoimmune disease, there are treatments available to enable you manage your symptoms, which include changing lifestyle habits and coping strategies.

Amgen began cooperation multi-talented actress, producer and entrepreneur La La Anthony to share her journey living with plaque psoriasis and encourage people to speak openly with their doctors about the impact the disease has on their each day lives. As certainly one of the greater than 6 million people within the United States that suffer from plaque psoriasis, La La understands the frustrations of living with this disease. Symptoms can distract you from on a regular basis moments, big and small, affecting your alternative of clothing or makeup. Anthony talks about it in a brand new way interactive videowhich offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes take a look at how plaque psoriasis has impacted her personal and skilled life and the importance of promoting treatment options that can work for her and helping others do the identical.

“I spent a lot of time and energy trying different treatments for plaque psoriasis that were often cumbersome or uncomfortable to use, such as prescription shampoo for scalp psoriasis. This required washing my hair every day, which is not practical for my hair,” La La said. “I used to be hesitant to inform my doctor that some treatments didn’t work for my lifestyle, but I spotted that doctors can only help in the event that they know the complete picture. “I want to encourage people suffering from plaque psoriasis to speak out loud about the impact of the disease and treatment on their everyday lives.”

Although plaque psoriasis is typical, it’s an often misunderstood disease. Many people think it’s a skin disease, but it surely is an autoimmune disease that begins with inflammation within the body. Inflammation manifests itself as itchy, scaly patches which will cover large parts of the skin or simply just a few areas. Many people prescribe topical medications for plaque psoriasis, resembling creams or ointments. Although these topical medications can provide relief, they only treat the symptoms of the disease, not the foundation reason behind the inflammation, and are sometimes perceived by patients as cumbersome to make use of.

“Plaque psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease and each patient’s experience is unique,” ​​said board-certified dermatologist Meagen McCusker, MD, MS, FAAD. “The good news is that advances in this field have given us many treatment options. For many patients who struggle with topical therapy or feel like their symptoms are not well controlled by their current routine, I suggest talking to your doctor about a treatment option that will help reduce the underlying inflammation. Disease severity and lifestyle are key factors influencing a patient’s choice of treatment – there is no one-size-fits-all approach.”

We talked to Anthony and Dr. McCusker about plaque psoriasis, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

ESSENCE: La La, could you describe your experience with plaque? psoriasis?

La LaAnthony: Of course I can. So about ten years ago it might appear on my skin as itchy patches, mainly on my scalp, behind my ears, eyebrows and scalp. It was visible. I washed my hair, but it surely was still itchy and flaky afterwards. So, very first thing, what’s it? What’s happening? And I’m attempting to figure it out. However, through education, research, and conversations with my doctor, I spotted that it was plaque psoriasis and that it was manageable. I used to be very excited to work with Amgen and have the chance to let people know that they will not be alone and that in the event that they can deal with this, it’s doable. You can still be glad and assured and live your life there. This shouldn’t stop you. So I believed it was essential to make use of my platform and my voice and say, “Hey, I’ve got this. I’m good. Your life will go on and you may find a way to be confident and glad.

This can affect your self-confidence, especially in the event you do not know what it’s. Once what it’s and find something that works for you, that is key.

What are common misconceptions about this disease?

Dr. McCusker: First of all, it’s just an accurate diagnosis, right? I feel people see a rash on their skin and are not sure what it’s. I at all times ask for help from a health care provider who knows what he’s taking a look at. I also think that, , there are numerous problems with psoriasis. So, it normally lasts a lifetime. So it’s chronic. We do not know exactly what causes this. We do not know exactly. We do not have a cure for this. Certain things make the situation worse, resembling lack of exposure to light, unhealthy lifestyle, obesity, alcoholism, all of which may make patients more more likely to suffer from psoriasis and stress.

La La, are you able to tell me about among the ways you’re currently prioritizing your holistic health given your diagnosis?

I concentrate to what I would like. For an extended time, we were focused on just pushing through. This is how you achieve success, but it surely’s more about taking good care of your mental health and listening to it. If you wish a time without work, it’s okay. Don’t feel guilty, do not feel bad. Take part in a mental health day, calm down, collect your thoughts and confer with a specialist. For me, it’s really about taking good care of yourself and your mental health, and I feel like that is where all of it starts. I also wish to exercise, which is a type of self-look after me. It’s my time alone, without my phone, where I can calm down and do something that makes me feel good.

How do you encourage women of color to maintain their holistic well-being and confer with knowledgeable?

It’s about removing the stigma. The more we talked about it, the more I knew I needed to do it myself. It wasn’t until my close friend, Kelly Rowland, talked to me about the advantages of therapy and its importance. So I needed someone I trust and who may be very near me to encourage me.