This story was published on The Mighty by Erin Migdol , a platform for people facing health challenges to share their stories and connect.
For many people with psoriasis , a flare-up means going outside in shorts or a swimsuit seems out of the question. But take it from five-time Olympic swimmer Dara Torres, whos been forced to confront this dilemma over and over since her diagnosis with psoriasis 25 years ago you can show off your beach body in the summer, and you should if you want to.
Torres, 50, is advocating for psoriatic disease this summer as part of the sponsored [Show More of You](http://www.showmoreofyou.com( campaign. She told The Mighty she first began noticing red, itchy patches while she was training for her third Olympics, the 1992 games in Barcelona. I was in a swimsuit and everyone could see everything, she said. I was embarrassed by it and put lotion on it and thought it would go away, but it got worse.
She was soon diagnosed with plaque psoriasis, which flares up when she gets stressed. Back then, she said people werent as educated about psoriasis and psoriatic diseases as they are today, and she felt self-conscious knowing it could flare when she was stressed about an upcoming meet.
No one had [the] nerve to come up and say anything. But you can tell when people are looking at you, and I felt like people were looking at me. Back then, people thought they would get it, Torres said. People thought if they touched me and it hit their skin they would get it or if they were in the pool with me, then they would get it, too.
But those misconceptions simply arent true psoriasis is not contagious and is actually common (approximately 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, and up to 30 percent of those may also eventually develop psoriatic arthritis ). Its also treatable with the help of a dermatologist.
Thats why Torres is partnering with Celgenes Show More of You campaign, which seeks to raise awareness of psoriatic disease and show people with psoriasis they can still be their true selves this summer. Torres said she became more confident in her body when she realized, as she says, my business suit is my swimsuit.
I couldnt not be confident, I had to follow my dreams and continue swimming. I couldnt not go to the Olympics because I had psoriasis, Torres said.
And she has a message for others who might feel embarrassed or ashamed of their psoriasis this summer: talk with a dermatologist about treatment options, and get out there.
[The campaign] is sharing other people with psoriasis stories and saying hey, its OK. We want to give them confidence to know that they can go out show more of you is really a great name, Torres said. Everyone in the world knows bodies come in all shapes and sizes and you shouldnt be discriminated against for that.
Related: When a Hairdresser Refused to Cut My Hair Because I Have Psoriasis
The rest is here:
Olympic Swimmer Dara Torres Offers Advice to People With Psoriasis - TeenVogue.com
- Why Jews With Psoriasis Might Think Twice About Seeking Treatment in Jordan - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Skin conditions leave emotional scars - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis Free Forever Review | How This Program Helps People Treat The Root Causes Of Their Psoriasis Symptoms ... - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis | University of Maryland Medical Center - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis Treatment, Symptoms, Pictures, Types, Prognosis ... - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis: MedlinePlus - U.S. National Library of Medicine - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis Symptoms, Treatment, Causes, Medication Information ... - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Psoriasis Free For Life Review - Watch This Before You Buy - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Natural Psoriasis Relief in Seattle, Washington - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- PSORIASIS VULGARIS - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Top 5 Powerful Home Remedies For Psoriasis - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Psoriasis feedback after hijama - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- 9 Home Remedies For Scalp Psoriasis - Video - December 22nd, 2013 [December 22nd, 2013]
- Manga - Psoriasis - Video - December 22nd, 2013 [December 22nd, 2013]
- How to treat psoriasis | In Good Shape - Interview - Video - December 22nd, 2013 [December 22nd, 2013]
- Best Scalp Psoriasis Treatment - Video - December 22nd, 2013 [December 22nd, 2013]
- Sandoz begins Phase III clinical trial for biosimilar adalimumab - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Psoriasis - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- What Is Psoriasis? - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Psoriasis Treatment Medical Course - Video - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Healing Psoriasis Hypnosis Session - Video - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Natural Farm cure for Skin Problems like Psoriasis - Video - December 26th, 2013 [December 26th, 2013]
- Psoriasis - 100% Natural Treatment Shivax® - December 27th, 2013 [December 27th, 2013]
- Psoriasis Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What is psoriasis ... - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- 79 PSORIASIS SYMPTOMS HOMEOPATHY TREATMENT K N SRIDHAR P3 - Video - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- 79 PSORIASIS SYMPTOMS HOMEOPATHY TREATMENT K N SRIDHAR P2 - Video - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- 79 PSORIASIS SYMPTOMS HOMEOPATHY TREATMENT K N SRIDHAR P1 - Video - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- Can Acupuncture treat psoriasis and other scalp disorders? - Video - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- Psoriasis - Wikipédia - December 31st, 2013 [December 31st, 2013]
- Psoriatic nails - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - December 31st, 2013 [December 31st, 2013]
- How to Cure Psoriasis - Psoriasis Symptoms, Treatment, Causes, Medication Information - Video - December 31st, 2013 [December 31st, 2013]
- Psoriasis Chronicles - Dealing with Depression, Anxiety and Anger - Video - January 2nd, 2014 [January 2nd, 2014]
- How to Prevent Psoriasis Flare-Ups - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- Psoriasis Treatment | Health Plus | Studio N - Video - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- Ayurvedic Remedy for Psoriasis - By Panditha Elchuri - Video - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- Silica Gel For Psoriasis / Neurodermatitis - Video - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- comment traiter son psoriasis détail oubliés - Video - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- Psoriasis tends to relapse after stopping Methotrexate, shown in a case at Life Force - Video - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- hiking nevada Health and Wellness Enthusiast Dawn Talks About Managing Plaque Psoriasis hiking watch - Video - January 5th, 2014 [January 5th, 2014]
- Guttate psoriasis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - January 7th, 2014 [January 7th, 2014]
- Biofeedback May Help Control Stress-Related Diseases - January 8th, 2014 [January 8th, 2014]
- Psoriasis can be managed with proper treatment - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- CNN anchor: How I fight psoriasis - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- Psoriasis - My Home Remedies - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- Psoriasis: MedlinePlus en español - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- Psoriatic arthritis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- CNN anchor Zain Verjee: How I fight psoriasis - January 11th, 2014 [January 11th, 2014]
- Testimonio psoriasis - Video - January 14th, 2014 [January 14th, 2014]
- Heroin addict with severe Psoriasis - Video - January 15th, 2014 [January 15th, 2014]
- biospray for Psoriasis - Video - January 15th, 2014 [January 15th, 2014]
- Psoriasis - Psoriasis Free For Life - Video - January 15th, 2014 [January 15th, 2014]
- 8 Cure For Scalp Psoriasis - Video - January 15th, 2014 [January 15th, 2014]
- Learn about plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, inverse ... - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Psoriasis - Symptoms, Triggers, and Causes of Psoriasis on WebMD - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Psoriasis Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, Home Remedies - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Psoriasis Treatment - Dermasis Psoriasis Cream - My Honest Review - Video - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- TV Commercial Psoriasis Speaks Couple Looking At Rings In Jewelery Store Emotional - Video - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- TV Commercial Humira Psoriasis Medication Salon Clearer Skin is Possible - Video - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Psoriasis Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Pictures Slideshow - Video - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Psoriasis - Medscape Reference - January 19th, 2014 [January 19th, 2014]
- 5 Home Remedies For Scalp Psoriasis - Video - January 19th, 2014 [January 19th, 2014]
- Ikonsulta Mo: Medical Advise on Psoriasis - Video - January 19th, 2014 [January 19th, 2014]
- Patient Recruitment: Television Campaign for Severe Psoriasis - Video - January 23rd, 2014 [January 23rd, 2014]
- Patient Recruitment: Television Campaign for resistant, summertime Mild to Moderate Psoriasis - Video - January 23rd, 2014 [January 23rd, 2014]
- Dr stephen ferguson ND PhD chronic fatigue psoriasis cured - Video - January 23rd, 2014 [January 23rd, 2014]
- Noir Naturals Age of Innocence (Unscented) Goat's Milk Lotion for Psoriasis Relief - Video - January 23rd, 2014 [January 23rd, 2014]
- New biologic drugs offer relief for psoriasis sufferers - January 24th, 2014 [January 24th, 2014]
- Psoriasis traitement appliquer le lait pour le corps ISO UREA MD Vidéo La Roche Posay INFO PSO - Video - January 24th, 2014 [January 24th, 2014]
- Psoriasis - Video - January 24th, 2014 [January 24th, 2014]
- Coping with psoriasis - Video - January 26th, 2014 [January 26th, 2014]
- Exfoliative Dermatitis/Psoriasis Vulgaris with Psoriatic Arthritis with English Subtitles - Video - January 26th, 2014 [January 26th, 2014]
- Psoriasis skin care routine 2014 - Video - January 27th, 2014 [January 27th, 2014]
- How to treat psoriasis effectively - By Franziska Ringpfeil, Board Certified Dermatologist - Video - January 28th, 2014 [January 28th, 2014]
- My Psoriasis 411: Apple Cider Vinegar Tutorial for Scalp Treatment - Video - January 29th, 2014 [January 29th, 2014]
- 12 Best and Worst Foods for Psoriasis - January 31st, 2014 [January 31st, 2014]
- Psocial Psoriasis en radio Tagoror - Video - January 31st, 2014 [January 31st, 2014]
- Psocial Psoriasis en Canarias Hoy - Video - January 31st, 2014 [January 31st, 2014]
- Psoriasis Natural Treatment that Workswww savevid com - Video - January 31st, 2014 [January 31st, 2014]