I live just outside of Coventry in a village, I work in Business Continuity at the moment, but previously spent 8 years designing childrenswear.
I'm seeing someone who also has p which is great as he completely understands how I feel, although he doesn't let his bother him at all.
My p started with what the doctor described as contact dermatitus on my hands. When I was 18 I started working in a pub and that was when it started.
Shortly after that I noticed a patch on my leg, and little bits on my elbows. One of my good friends had p so I realised what it was without any diagnosis.
I have had various creams over the years, but my GP was very much "it's not life threatening so you'll have to live with it" kind of guy.
It's come and gone from various places - usually going from one and re-appearing somewhere else straight away.
Covering the backs of my hands and fingers, elbows, from my knees down to my ankles, around my hairline and ear lobes and behind ears. With guttate all up my arms too.
Successful treatments are sunlight, exorex and diet for me. I also think that after I've stopped working in textiles with fabric my skin is better. I'm wondering if the fibres in the fabric were aggravating my skin. It was also a very stressful environment.
At the beginning of this year I was almost 100% clear, but as it does it gradually re-appeared (but not as bad) and I'm currently just about winning the battle to control it again.
I only get conscious of it on my legs and hands - it doesn't bother me on my arms and I quite happily wear short sleeves!
I've never seen a derm, my doctors never thought it necessary, and now I've found things that help I'm not too bothered.
Will keep up with what I'm doing while it continues to work - know it won't be forever, but I'll move onto something else then!
Em.xx
*oupz*
