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So...A few weeks ago I was asked if I would like to interview LeAnn Rimes about her struggles with psoriasis and her awareness campaign Stop Hiding & Start Living. I think it's a great campaign and I was happy to help bring more awareness to this physically and emotionally debilitating skin condition. **Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that is NOT contagious.
As women we so often feel bad about ourselves because of the way we look. We might be having a bad hair day, or have a bit of acne on our face, or feel like we could stand to lose a few more pounds...It's really a vicious cycle and sometimes even a pit of despair that we never seem to quite be able to climb out of. I think that's why stories like the one LeAnn Rimes will share with us in this interview are so empowering.
The American Academy of Dermatology and the National Psoriasis Foundation have joined together to form the Stop Hiding from Psoriasis public education campaign. This campaign is dedicated to:
- Educating the general public about how this chronic immune disorder affects nearly 7 million Americans.
- Motivating patients suffering from psoriasis to Stop Hiding and
Start Living.- Encouraging patients to see a dermatologist and discuss appropriate ways to manage
their disease.LeAnn Rimes stands up to psoriasis...
The spotlight has followed singer LeAnn Rimes for most of her life. Unfortunately, so has the embarrassment of her psoriasis. But not anymore. LeAnn is taking a stand to Stop Hiding from her psoriasis and wants you to Stop Hiding and Start Living too.
Earlier this week I spoke with LeAnn...
How difficult was it growing up with psoriasis and at such a young age?
Well yes, I was diagnosed when I was two, so I pretty much don’t know anything other than having it...by the time I was six I was 80% covered, everything but my hands, feet and face. It was very debilitating physically and mentally. Even as a child having people really not understanding what the disease is and thinking it was contagious and trying to stay away from me. My parents really did a good job of covering it up, especially my mom, [with] the way she dressed me. And it was hard, it was hard being in the public eye. 'Til the time I was 13 I wasn't really able to wear dresses (short dresses) on the red carpet, or shorts in the middle of the summer…I would always wear jeans. It was really tough; it took a toll on my self esteem for a long time.
Did other children tease you when you were a child?
Yes, I would sometimes miss out on pool parties and things because I would never want to be around other girls with my bathing suite on – because they really didn’t understand what it was.
Was this before there were effective treatments?
There were effective treatments, but not as many as there are now. When I was six and I was really badly covered, I did a treatment where they literally take coal tar and wrap you in saran wrap for six hours, for two in a half weeks, five days a week. You sit there, and it’s just the most excruciating thing I think I’ve ever been through – but it works for like two and a half months, and then it comes right back.
Are some of the treatments worth the trouble of side effects?
If I wasn’t on the medicine that I am on now (which has kept me clear for the last five years), I would be completely covered.
