"Coming Out"

[wjd]

Hi Everyone,

This thread is about disclosing P to the people around you.

Firstly, I know everyone's P is different, and mine is a lot less embarrassing than others, so I hope no-one feels belittled by this.

I am a solicitor working with business clients and I meet a lot of people as part of my job.  My PPP is manifested currently in two nasty patches on my left hand and left foot.  Obviously the foot no-one sees!  I suppose its the same if you have body patches covered by your normal clothes.  I can happily shake hands with my right hand, but my left hand patch is very nasty and this last week I have not had a dressing or anything on, and just "let it out".

Practically everyone has asked about it, saying it looks like a burn.  I have told everyone what it is, and that I have some treatment for it.  Some people have been very sympathetic, and a couple have actually said "its not catching is it?"  I have to grit my teeth!

Anyway, I am telling anyone who asks what it is, as I have to live with it now, so might as well deal with it, and hope that the people around me get used to dealing with it too.  Its quite liberating, not hiding it any more, and everyone else will just have to take it or leave it!

I just wondered what your experiences were, have you "come out", how did you feel, and what were the reactions?

Thanks

[Shreena]

Hi there-

I came out after I went to the Dead Sea-baring all was the most liberating thing in the world for me! I went to an indian festival in a shot sleeved sari with P patches all up my arms-people were quite nasty about the whole thing but I found myself not caring at all. Makes a change to the year previously where I was in tears in M&S because one of the sales assisstants refused to do a bra fitting because "she didnt want to be infected" (direct quote).

[wjd]

Shreena thats awful!

I hope you complained, sounds like discrimination to me.
It is funny how when you are feeling mentally strong, the not giving a fig what other people think makes you feel great.

[TrishR]

When I stopped hiding mine it was a real relief,  more so than I ever thought it could be.   My arms and hands I don;t mind showing,  but I still hide my legs when there bad?  I've no idea why they bother me more!   Obviously anywhere else is rarely on show anyway, so you don't have to worry about them.

I haven't really had (or noticed) any negative responses,  maybe I'm just thick skined or not interested enough to notice (which is more like it).   Hope you find the same 

[Lianne]

Hi wjd

I have PPP too. My feet aren't too bad at the moment but you know when summer comes around and I want to wear open shoes it'll be a different story (s*ds law I think its called) 

My hands are totally clear, and have been for a few years now (purely through luck, nothing to do with treatment) but I remember when they were quite bad, handing money over in a shop or whatever was really embarrassing - especially if you saw the assistant looking at the skin.

You have the right attitude though, bare your PPP to everyone, and if they don't like it, then tough! Well done! 

[Scruff]

Hello and welcome along. I usually have p on my face and hands, so I can't really hide. I answer peeps quaetions when they ask, as I can't see any point in hiding what is there for all to see. Some peeps reactions are nasty, but some people are like that about anything. Ho hum.

Scruff

[claretandblue]

Hello and welcome along. I usually have p on my face and hands, so I can't really hide. I answer peeps questions when they ask, as I can't see any point in hiding what is there for all to see. Some peeps reactions are nasty, but some people are like that about anything. Ho hum.

Scruff

They are Scruff, they are  but of course, they are the really sad ones 
When people look out of the 'norm' these people tend to run for cover. We get this with
the disabled children that we look after. Some of these people can be really nasty with
their comments. You just have to treat it like 'water of a duck's back'.....

[SueB]

Although I always wear trousers Ive never not told anyone about my Psoriasis if they dont understand or want to its there problem and I put it down to ignorance in truth 
I have the ooh its not catching is it and thats just pure ignorance and nothing else!

Rant over welcome to Pho 

[Frog]

I came out years ago and yes the stares are inevitable.

Like now as it is flaring one lady at work said, 'Oh, what have you done to your skin it looks bad today'.

Reply, well, I wanted additional attention so I poured boiling water on it.......subject changed instantly.

Frog

[margurita_simpson]

me to i tell every one that cares to know i wont carry a bell for anyone people that reacted bad just dont understand so the more we talk about it the more they will understand  maggie