It ain’t easy living with skin issues. If you’re scratching and itching and feeling like you wanna yank your skin off, you’ve probably got more than just a normal problem. The question is, what is it? Because oftentimes, darker skin tones can make it harder to diagnose!
Many times, Black folks with constant skin irritation and inflammation don’t even know it’s more than just a temporary inconvenience. In the case of psoriasis, it’s actually a full-blown autoimmune disorder.
And if you’re trying to shed those pesky pounds, improve your health, and get your body looking something special (or at least better), the problem can get even worse…
Exercising with psoriasis, as it turns out, can be a double-edged sword. The type of exercise, intensity of exercise, and your unique lifestyle habits can all make or break that workout routine.
Sweating up a storm? Let’s cover what you need to know about psoriasis and exercise.
RELATED: If I Have Psoriasis, Am I Going To Get Psoriatic Arthritis?
A Quick Rundown on Psoriasis
First, you’ve gotta know what you’re working with. While white folks usually get psoriasis ‘plaques’ that are pink or red, psoriasis shows up on Black folks as anything from darker brown to gray or even a purplish color. Heck, sometimes you can’t even see it.
That said, some areas on your body may stay discolored for a year (but don’t worry, it isn’t permanent). You’ll usually spot these little buggers on your knees, scalp, back, and elbows. Your fingernails may also have thick ‘ridges.’
So much for Black don’t crack, huh?
But here’s the good news. Most of the time you can manage your flare-ups with creams, lotions, and shampoos, and if need be, with more powerful medicines and even ‘immune therapies.’
With your psoriasis under control, you can worry about getting other aspects of your health on lockdown. Such as…
