Psoriasis

doi:10.1136/bmj.39184.615150.802

BMJ 2007;334:953-954 (5 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.39184.615150.802

Practice

Psoriasis

Ray Jobling, chairman

Psoriasis Association, 7 Milton Street, Northampton NN2 7JG

rgj1000@cam.ac.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Introduction

In 1955, I was 14 years old and just diagnosed with psoriasis.I didn't know it then of course, but it would never go away.Psoriasis and its treatment were to be part of my life for thenext 50 years and more.

My general practitioner gave it no name, but said it was commonand could just go away. He said I might "grow out of it" andthat I should get used to it, "learn to live with it." Thisattitude scarcely prompted confidence in his prescribed tarointments and baths—as noxious and loathsome in use asthey were ineffective in action. He seemed unsurprised thatI returned worse rather than better. By now the pink patcheswere large, numerous, and widespread. My body looked like anold map of the British Empire. The lesions grew fiery, scaledprofusely, and crumbled messily. They bled; I looked and felt. . . [Full text of this article]