But even sisters can view their psoriasis differently, as can be seen below. We asked both of them to write us their impressions of life with psoriasis. Holly’s optimism, and Grace’s frustration, are both common reactions for children with psoriasis, and both are understandable. This is not a ‘test’ with a ‘correct’ answer. 
In fact, their opinions may well flip over time. But how the children feel is important as their parents grapple with their own difficult question: How aggressively should one treat psoriasis in children?
“We’re not looking for a treatment that has been proven safe for twelve weeks,” says mom. “My girls need treatments safe to use for 80 years.”
HOLLY'S STORY "There are both pros and cons growing up with psoriasis. I’ve had psoriasis since I was 18 months old, and I’m now 12 (I’ve had it 10 years and 6 months). My grandmother has it, and my dad has it. I have a moderate case of psoriasis; there are red patches all over my arms and legs. Those patches itch and sting when I haven’t put lotion on, that’s the only type of physical pain psoriasis has caused me. I can still do everything that I want to do. I participate in gym and play soccer, lacrosse, basketball, and am on the swim team.
I think that a good attitude can really go a long way with psoriasis, because it doesn’t go away.
At school I feel like the normal kid I am. No one really ever looks at it. Both girls and guys act like it’s not even there; sometimes I even forget I have it!
Whenever I come across someone I don’t know, they usually ask questions like, how did you get burned or do you have poison ivy. I reply, “No, it’s psoriasis, dry skin.” They say, “Oh” and return back to what they are doing. I don’t mind it because I know that they are curious.
Then there are times when people are just flat out rude. Kids my age say, “EW WHAT’S THAT.” I say, “Oh, it’s psoriasis,” and they rudely reply, “That’s disgusting,” then I say, “Be glad that you don’t have to live with it.” Sometimes I tell people that it’s not contagious so that they will go near me. At camp one girl wouldn’t hold my hand because of my psoriasis and we were ten. That’s what hurts my feelings.
In stores sometimes the checkout lady will say, “What’s that gross stuff on your hands?” I don’t want to reply, but I know that they deserve an answer so I say, “It’s psoriasis, dry skin.” It always makes me feel self-conscious because then I know that people are looking at my skin.
Whenever people say that kind of stuff and my friends are with me they usually say something in my defense, and I think it makes the person realize that what they said was hurtful and rude. My friends don’t know how much I appreciate it, but it really means a lot to me.
Putting on lotion has now become part of my morning and nightly routines. At school sometimes I go down to the nurse to put lotion on because my psoriasis really hurts. My teachers always let me go and get lotion when I need it.
When it comes to treating my psoriasis, I've tried lots of topical steroids and other prescription and non-prescription creams and ointments, and besides that my parents are always trying new things. They include: mud from the Dead Sea, Holy Water, Pomegranate Juice, laying in the sun, and lots more. None of it has worked, at least not yet. I hope that they will find a cure, but not for me, for the other people that have it who want it to go away.
I think it’s pretty neat to be one of the people that have psoriasis; it’s what makes me special."
GRACE'S STORY "Having psoriasis is really not fun! It means putting lotion on every night! Which is annoying. I just want normal skin like everybody else!! Sometimes I have to put on special creams. I have psoriasis on my legs, arms and even my face!! People look at it like it’s weird, and some point. I hope that there will be a cure soon so that my psoriasis will go away. I've tried everything -- even putting mud from the Dead Sea all over me -- and a lot of times I almost give up."
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