I THOUGHT IT WAS DANDRUFF - I'VE GONE MY WHOLE LIFE HIDING <br />WITH VID AND PIX <br />BY SHANNON PICKETT<br />This mum has opened up about the daily torment of living with psoriasis, a skin condition that’s left her battling embarrassment and years of insecurity.<br />Ellena George, 37, from Hertfordshire, UK, first noticed symptoms at just 11-years-old when she spotted white flakes on her school jumper.<br />She said: “At first Mum thought it was dandruff. But then I started getting scales of white at the back of my neck. <br />"They finally diagnosed me with psoriasis – and my journey just kind of started from there.”<br />Ellena told how the condition has plagued her ever since with comments only making things worse when a friend of her cousin’s told her she looked like she had “paint” behind her neck.<br />She told how the condition affects her everyday life since she admits she doesn't wear dark colours and is worried to tie her hair back as her flakes would be on display. <br />Ellena has endured creams, shampoos, tablets and light therapies, but the problem always returns, and she says it has even taken a toll on her relationship with her family due to the stress it causes her. <br />However, the mum told how her worries may soon be over as she is starting a new biologic treatment which she prays will be the change she needs. <br />She said: "I was so embarrassed, mainly at school. I was just a 12-year-old kid starting secondary school and now had to learn to cope with psoriasis.<br />“The embarrassment, I can’t even begin. I’ve literally gone through my life hiding my psoriasis.<br /> “I can’t wear black clothes; I can’t wear brown clothes. I avoid tying my hair back. I hate going to the gym because I have to tie my hair back. I hate my psoriasis for that.<br />“There are flakes everywhere – in my bed, in my car, on my coat, even on the sofa at friends’ houses. It interferes with my relationship with my husband and even my kids. I hate it.<br /> “Psoriasis flares up when you’re stressed, but my psoriasis stresses me out. So, I’m forever living with a flare.<br />“It’s the worst it’s been in a long time, but we’ve got the approval guys! I’m praying this biologic does good for me. Fingers crossed.<br />“I go to work – it’s on the back of my chair. I sit in my car – it’s in the back of my chair. In my bed, on my pillow, on my cardigans. I’m not going to lie; I still really struggle with my psoriasis.<br />“There’s times where I’ll be around my friends and I’ll be wiping the sofa so she doesn’t see the psoriasis on the couch. I still live with embarrassment for my psoriasis.<br />“Over the years, I’ve learnt to accept it. I’ve learnt to love myself for what I am and cope with my psoriasis. I’ve now got creams that I know work for me. If I do go to the gym, I might tie my hair up more on one side to hide the worst patches. I’ve just learnt how to live with it.”<br />ENDS
