Tuesday, 30 June 2015

Holiday post: Mallorca....

Hope everyone is well. I thought it would be nice to share some of my holiday stories and pictures here. I certainly took my own advice when it came to suncare and thankfully didn't managed to get burned which seems like a first for me. Two days before the holiday I took my second Stelara injection and didn't feel any side effects bar a scratchy throat, which didn't last too long.

Myself and my boyfriend booked a week away in Mallorca in June as we were invited to a family wedding there and decided we'd make a holiday out of it. We booked back in January and got a good deal on flights and hotel, travel from Palma airport to Santa Ponsa only cost €40 each way which wasn't too bad.

Our flight was 6am on a Monday morning, which was found was the best way to go as we had a full first day of exploring. we found that we were less than a five minute walk from the beach and had plenty of choice nearby with pubs and restaurants. We strolled around and found our bearings. Being the first day and still being self conscious, i wore 3/4 shorts, so as to cover up most of my psoriasis.

We had a small pool at the hotel with sun loungers. We found it to be quiet there the first few days so did spend a bit of time sunning ourselves here. The first day, I sat on the side and dipped my legs in. I haven't been in a swimming pool in about 15 years and so was a little cautious as to how it might affect my skin. On top of that, I should mention I can't swim! Luckily the pool was shallow enough.

(Our pool shaded by the neighbouring hotel on the evenings)

From the second day on, it was all about shorts. I forgot about what people could see on my skin and thought about the positives the sun would have on my skin. I even threw on a swimsuit and joyed himself in the pool. It felt good to be out of my comfort zone and since then I've been thinking about getting swimming lessons to conquer my fear.

We spent most evenings eating out, which is cheaper compared to home. It was nice to experience different restaurants, especially in such beautiful settings near the beach.

Everytime I did head out into the sunshine, I used my factor 50, topping it up as the day went on. In the evenings it was a bit cooler so there wasn't a need. Later in the week, I switched to factor 30. After using the pool, I would always shower and use moisturiser especially as the chlorine in the water is quite drying on the skin. I also managed to keep up a usual twice daily moisturising routine while there.

We went to a wedding on the Thursday in beautiful surroundings, all of which was outside bar the disco. It was lovely to catch up with some family I had not seen in years. We all organised to meet up again before the holiday was over.

Overall it was really enjoyable and relaxing, a nice break from the daily routine of work. We are already hoping to go back again next year, hopefully for two weeks. 


 (Only slight pink colouration left on my skin after the week of sun :O)

It was amazing to see my skin go from bad to almost completely clear in the space of a week, i could run my hand over my skin and feel complete smoothness, its a feeling I had missed. It is two weeks since we returned and two days after I had already felt little spots coming back on my skin, I think it is missing the sun! I had a check up with my rheumatologist last week who said it would be a combination of climate change but also being relaxed on holiday and going back into everyday life...after all I did return to work the day after I got back.

I can only hope the sun will make a return to Ireland, it supposed to be good during the week so the shorts will make a return appearance so that I can try and get some natural goodness on my skin.

Hope the sun shines wherever you are. Until next time....

Sarah x

Friday, 26 June 2015

My experience with Topical treatment and Tonsillectomy.....

Welcome to the first of this new series. I thought it best to bundle these two topics together as they were treatments I first experienced. Before I dive in, a little bit of background; 

I first developed Psoriasis when I was 17 years old. I remember it was Christmas and a thick patch appeared behind my ear. I thought nothing of it at the time, until it started to appear all over my body within a few short months. My doctor was baffled and I was then referred to a dermatologist. He knew straight away, it was Psoriasis. 

This brings us to topical creams/ ointments. In 2005, I was prescribed Dovobet and Dovonex which were used in routine with each other. Dovobet ointment was a thicker consistency and contained steroids so is not recommended for prolonged use. Dovonex is a creamy consistency and not as harsh on the skin as Dovobet. 

At the start it did find it helped. My plaques were thick, white patches and like many I had the urge to pick the scabs, I'm not going to lie. Upon doing so they would bleed, but they didn't need to be picked to bleed either. As I was still in school at the time, we had a school uniform, consisting of a skirt, tights, shirt, tie and jumper. There were many days where the tights would rub off my skin, causing irritation and cracking and not to sound too graphic, the tights sticking to the blood.


My scalp was also covered in what felt like one big thick helmet. My hair would not be the thickest anyway, so it was visible around the hairline. For that I tried others like Dovobet gel which did nothing for me, and coal tar which stunk so bad but did have a soothing effect.

Over the months of using the treatments I found it did and it didn't help. As I said, it helped with the thickness of the patches but it was never truly going away. Towards the end of 2005, I was told the option of Tonsillectomy (getting my tonsils removed). It seemed to make sense because I had always suffered with my throat growing up, sometimes missing school for weeks at a time because it would be so bad. I had consultations, and the date was set, January 9th 2006. At this stage I was in my final year of secondary school and state exams were looming in June of the same year, stress probably did play a factor in it all. 

I was in hospital for 7.30am and brought to where I would rest up for the next few days. My operation was scheduled for around 9am and last thing I remember was the anesthesia injected into my hand and counting back from 10. After that, I woke up back in the room which I shared with two others, one of which was going through the same. My throat was quite sore, it was sore to talk and especially to eat. My doctor advised me that all went well and to keep hydrated and foods such as toast and crisps (yes, crisps!) were good as they helped to scrape the throat and help in the healing process.

I was in hospital for another day and a half, so I was home again come Wednesday afternoon. I was definitely glad to be back in my own bed again. I was out of school for two weeks in total. I was given a liquid to drink a few times a day to help with healing, and it did not taste nice at all, can still think of the taste of it today, yuck! But whatever helps! I was also given tablets for pain, which thankfully was minimal.

In the months after the tonsillectomy, I sat my state exams and enjoyed a good summer of sun including a two week holiday to Spain with friends. By August I had returned and my skin at almost completely cleared and then went on to proudly wear a dress to my debs for the first time in years.

In my eyes, I believe the tonsillectomy played a big part in my Psoriasis clear up back then. Even to this day, I don't get sore throats half as bad as I did when I was younger. I did use the topicals after my surgery but have felt the effects of them years on after stopping them. They tend to have an effect of thinning the skin and also find the hairs on my arms grew with this treatment. The advice I do have is if you do use these creams, use them very sparingly and not for long periods of time. If anyone was to ask me is a tonsillectomy a good step towards better skin, I would say absolutely, 100%. 

If anyone wants to know any other details about my experience with either treatment, ask away.

Until next time....

Sarah x
















Sunday, 21 June 2015

My experience with.....


So this past Monday I returned from a week in the sun in Mallorca and I think I am only now readjusting back into normal life again. The weather was beautiful and my skin cleared up nicely as I wore shorts most days, and thankfully made sure I didn't get burned (check out my previous post for some tips). Unfortunately the last few days of being back, my skin has been starting to feel grainy again *fingers crossed* the sun shows itself here in Ireland a bit more.

Anyway I've come up with some fresh ideas with the blog, as you probably can guess from the title 'My experience with....' Is a going to be a series about the different types of treatment I have used from the time I first developed Psoriasis and Psoriatic arthritis, listed below;

- Topical creams/ointments
- Tonsillectomy
- Methotrexate
- Phototherapy (light treatment)
- Enbrel
- Cimzia
- Stelara (current treatment)

I've already written in detail about phototherapy, two of the three different times I did go through it so it is one topic I will touch on briefly over the series. As always, if I don't add something about any treatment that you do wish to know about, don't hesitate to ask, either in the comments below or privately.

I'll be starting through the above list in the next day or two, so keep your eyes peeled for that. I'll also post other bits In-between, any ideas again, do let me know :)

Until next time.....

Sarah x









Saturday, 6 June 2015

Sun Care....

We are coming into that time of year where the sun is making an appearance (...or so we hope anyway!) as well as people jetting off to sunnier climates. I wanted to share a few bits and pieces on how I look after my skin in the sun, a few bits of which I've picked up for my own holidays as well as work.

 Sun care Lotion: 


Something that is very important to remember is that the suns rays (UV rays) tend to be more intense during 10am and 4pm so it is important to use sun factor creams to protect your skin. I tend to use a high factor of 50, which has been recommended by doctors and nurse due to my psoriasis, especially after the effects of light treatment.

-Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50 'on the go size' a handy size which I carry around in my bag for work and another in my handbag. I tend to use this a lot at work on a sunny day as there isn't many places to hide in the shade.

-Nivea Sun Protect Lip Balm SPF 30, again another item I use at work to protect from blisters or cold sores. It tends to be quite moisturising on the lips. Only downside is it is a thick white texture so is best rubbed in well to the lips.

-Soltan Sun care lotion SPF 50, this is a recent purchase for my holidays next week, just to upscale from a smaller sized bottle to take along with me. Only €5.50 in Boots so not going to break the bank.

-Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 30, This is another recent purchase for holidays as I'm hoping to scale down on the SPF as the week progresses. All Sun Protection is currently half price in Sam McCauley's chemists so might be worth popping in to stock up if you live near one.



Cover Ups:

 Its only natural to show a bit of skin once the sun decides to show itself, and covering up doesn't need to be a case of looking mummified to cover your skin, here are a few stylish pieces to help keep your skin protected

-Hats - It can be something as simple as a baseball hat or something bigger and bouncier to keep the suns rays at bay. The Hat picture above is from Penneys (also known as Primark) and cost only €4! Bargain! I have had the misfortune in past years of getting sunburned on my scalp, not pleasent at all! This type also keeps the rays off your face, so added bonus. There are plenty to suit everyone; straw hat, cowboy hat, bucket hat, whatever takes your fancy, just be sure and keep protected.

-Sunglasses - Sometimes they are simply used to look stylish, but if you're like me, and rather not be squinting away while someone is talking to the point your eyes are watering (ok, maybe thats a bit much) then sunglasses are essential. I have bought a few pairs, ranging from €1.50, to €5.00 from Penneys and New Look.

-Scarves - Multifunctional when it comes to the sun, can be used as normal around the neck, to cover shoulder or even as a sarong on the beach. The one pictured above was from Accessorize and was given to me as a present from my brother's girlfriend. I love this one as is quite colourful but also has the images of skull so quite contrasting. Scarves really are cheap as chips when there are some lovely ones in Penneys from as little as €2 (I know this as I was tempted by a few on a recent shopping trip).




-Maxi Dress, perfect for summer, especially if like myself, you don't want your skin on show all the time. I have purchased the above dress for holidays from BooHoo.com back in February. Its simple but adds a bit of colour and is a lovely light material so it handy for the heat on holidays. There are so many varieties of these dresses around, perfect to suit every shape and size.

Other ideas when trying to cover up from the sun are Kimonos, I think these are a lovely addition to your holiday wardrobe especially when something like a cardigan seems to heavy to wear in hotter climates. Also on the plus side, they are super light and not irritating on the skin.
 
What are your summer essentials when it comes to protecting your skin? Leave them in the comments below.

Until next time....

Sarah x



*Disclaimer: All products mentioned above are purchased by myself. I have not been asked to mention stores, I just want to give an insight into where I have purchased these items*





 

Wednesday, 3 June 2015

Psoriasis Beauty....

Time for something a little different. While we all like to feel comfortable in our own skin, sometime we need a bit of help if we don't want to have everything on show. Don't get me wrong, I'm not embarrassed about my Psoriasis for the most part, sometimes it's nice if you have a special occasion or even just a day to feel better about yourself. Check out these products I use to treat my skin or just pamper myself a little bit;

Moisturisers:
 
 (E45, Elave and Emulsifying Oinment)

As you may know from previous posts, I have been moisturising religiously, more so due to doing light treatment during the first half of the year. E45 is a lighter lotion which I use in the mornings. It can be used all over the body and face. I can be very picky when it comes to anything on my skin, not only because of my Psoriasis, but also due the fact I have sensitive skin also. This in perfume free and dermatologically tested so causes no skin irritation and is even suitable for babies skin. Emulsifying Ointment is a moisturiser I use at night. It has a thicker consistancy and therefore is great to sink into the skin overnight. I find it does help, especially for those tricky thicker patches.

Makeup is not a everyday thing for me, I wear it for nights out, special occasions, if my skin is acting up, or if I just feel like getting a bit dressed up. For such occasions, I start with Elave intensive cream and as the bottle says "clinically proven to be kind and mild to dry sensitive skin"...I was sold! It really does what it says and on top of that, is free from parabens, alcohol and sulfates. It is a bit thicker than some day creams but it sinks into the skin nicely and has a nice soothing and cooling effect.

 Primers and Concealers:

(Pictured: Maybelline Concealer and Rimmel Primer)

After moisturing, I find a good primer helps to smooth out my skin especially when I have had bad facial Psoriasis. Rimmel Lasting Finish Primer is my primer of choice, and I have found it does a great job. I tend to apply it on my nose, cheeks and forehead and any areas I find I need evening out. It feels very lightweight and very silky on the skin and creates a lovely base for my foundation.

When it comes to concealing, I never did much of it, bar the bags under my eyes when I've needed it. Earlier in the year when I flared on my face, myself and the boyfriend decided to go on a night out to relax and catch up with some friends. It was then I realised, I didn't have any proper concealer with me, eek! A trip to Boots, which happened to be closed as it was the evening. Tesco it was, for limited choice. I spotted Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Concealer, so I bought it on a whim. I didn't think it would do much, but it is fantastic. It really helped to conceal the blemishes on my forehead and around my nose. A dab of powder over it and I was good to go. Another handy thing about it is it is a 11ml tube, so it takes up no room in the handbag to bring out for any little touch ups.

BB (Beauty Balms) Creams

 (Pictured: Lancome BB and NYC BB)

 When you don't need a heavy duty feel of a foundation, I love the option of a BB cream. The two I use are completely different prices on the scale but both work well. Lancome Hydra Zen Beauty Balm is one I bought when it was used on my face when I got my makeup done professionally for a friends wedding. I liked the look of it so much, I bought it there and then. It comes in 3 shades, thanks to being tanned at the time, I got the darkest shade which is perfect everytime summertime comes around. NYC Creme 5 in 1 is a more recent purchase. It claims to 1. protect skin, 2. pore minimizer, 3. erase skin imperfections, 4. smooths skin, and 5. brighten skin. I can vouch that it does do all of the above. I sometime found I had better coverage with this BB cream when my skin was at its worse and definately one I would reach for when I don't feel my best.

 Foundations:
 (Pictured: Collection, Bourjois and Revlon)

I have 3 different foundations which I rotate between depending on my mood and where I'm going. Collection Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Foundation is my latest purchase of the lot. I have worn this 3 or 4 times out and I am loving the application of this. The colour is really nice, I picked up Ivory which I believe is the second lightest shade. I find some foundations tend to highlight dry patches but this gives me a lovely dewy finish. Another plus, it contains SPF 20! Can protect your skin and look fabulous, all at once :D

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum was my first holy grail foundation when I first started getting into makeup more so. It is very lightweight, not at all drying and a light but buildable application. It does have a strong enough smell, not of chemicals though, which doesn't bother me but it's not for everyone.

Another addition to my collection before Christmas Revlon Colorstay. These foundations come in two different formulations, one for dry skin, one for oily/combination skin which has a plain black cap. Pictured above is the dry skin version, which has a clear outer shell over the black, which are handy indications. I find this to be quite runny, so it does need a good shake before applying. It gives a lovely flawless finish and again as the others above, quite lightweight on the skin.

 Tools:

(Pictured: BCC F22 Brush and Real Techniques Sponge)

While its all well and good applying anything on your face with your fingers (after washing of course) its always handy to have the right tools to apply foundation to give a nice finish. I find for dry skin, once its preped with moisturiser and primer, that the Real Techniques Miracle Complextion Sponge really helps to give a flawless finish on the skin when used damp. Another plus is you use less product when it is damp, and once one layer has been applied it is easy to build up your foundation if needed. I've really purchased and started using the Black Canvas Cosmetics F22 Brush which is a nice alternative. I was never a fan of foundation brushes as I have found they can irritate or dry out already sensitive skin so I invested in this from an Irish company. I have found it gives a nice even coverage and the bristles are nice and soft on the skin. I am hoping to purchase from this company, including their eye brushes I've heard so much about.



Extras


When it comes to removing my makeup, I have recently purchased Waterwipes which are great for sensitive skin due to them containing 99.9% purified water! I find some wipes can leave my skin feeling so dried out, even after cleansing and moisturising they can still sometimes leave a sting. These leave my skin feeling so soft and smooth. Again its another Irish product, and is available in Tesco stores.


Those are pretty much my essentials, let me know if you would like to see more of these types of posts and feel free to comment which what products you like to use :)

Until next time....

Sarah x






Monday, 1 June 2015

Here comes the Summer....

Life yet again has proven to be busy. In the past few weeks, work has been pretty busy (and sometimes stressful), I became a year older as I celebrated my 28th birthday and I have completed a course in Occupational First Aid. Just this past weekend we had approx. 1000 people visiting at work which has been amazing and I've earned 3 days in a row off in the process.

To update on my psoriasis, it has been behaving well lately, every area has become very smooth. I have less of an itch also. I have kept up my moisturising routine, E45 in the morning and Emulsifying ointment at night and I believe it has played a big part. As for Stelara, I am due to take my second injection next weekend. I can't say I experienced any side effects, other than a sore throat/symptoms of a cold, which seems to be common.

I had felt a bit run down this past week with how busy work and the course had been, which is plenty of reason to enjoy my few days off. This time next week I'll be in sunnier climates which makes a nice change from the horrible weather we are experiences today, with weather warnings in place.

I hope the weather has been better wherever you may be. Do you find your skin is better in the summer?

Until next time....

Sarah x