Cyndi Lauper has been entertaining fans for more than 40 years. Known for her chart-topping songs like ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’, the singer has made millions of people feel good with her music.
But the 80s icon wants to make other people feel good or at least better – those with psoriasis.
Lauper has spoken openly about having the condition that causes flaky patches of skin which form scales. These patches can appear anywhere on the body and can be itchy and sore.
The severity of psoriasis can vary from person to person – for some it’s a minor irritation, but for others it can have a big impact on their quality of life.
In a bid to help others with the condition, she revealed three ways she helps manage her symptoms with the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
Her three tips are:
- Manage stress (a common psoriasis trigger)
- Find time to take care of yourself
- Pick yourself up about bouts with severe psoriasis
Managing stress
While Lauper confessed she’s never been able to really manage stress, she said she has many go-to techniques for stress relief, including reiki, a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation.
She also revealed yoga and walking helps. She said: “When everything seems to go haywire, taking a walk in the fresh air.”
Meditation and breathing are also key, she said. When she feels upset, she tells herself, “Okay, just breathe”.
Making time for yourself
Encouraging people with psoriasis to make time for themselves, she said: “It’s a busy, busy world we live in, but how long does it take to put on cream [moisturiser or medicine] or take a bath?”
And you don’t need to carve out a large chunk of time. “How about five minutes for you,” she added.
Picking yourself up after a bad bout with psoriasis
“When psoriasis gets really bad, it’s really hard to get up again,” said Lauper.
At one point psoriasis covered most of her body. She said: “It looked like someone threw boiling water on me.”
She couldn’t regulate her body temperature, so she felt cold all the time, and she was exhausted so stayed in bed to rest. But the psoriasis worsened.
Lauper said she understands how awful psoriasis can make someone feel, and that many others wouldn’t understand.
But she said: “It’s important to know you’re not alone…you don’t have to suffer.”
Most people can be treated by their GP for psoriasis, says the NHS.
If your symptoms are particularly severe or not responding well to treatment, your GP may refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist).
Treatments may include topical creams and appointments, phototherapy, or oral and infected medications.
