Comorbidities of skin conditions-rosacea, psoriasis and acne and how to love yourself
Our skin is the messenger and our body loves to heal.
These statements can feel hard to find trust in when you are suffering from eczema, rosacea, psoriasis or acne. Below, I will shed light on why changing the relationship with your inflammatory skin condition from one of utter frustration to a loving, symbiotic relationship can change your longterm health and wellbeing.
First the bad news….skin conditions are linked to higher risks for other issues within our body. The skin-gut-immune axis is a complex system working to protect us. The relationships are bi-directional, explaining why our skin may be the chosen exit route for something our body needs support in balancing (aka rashes, acne). This also explains why certain things can create a flareup for a specific skin condition. I will share a few of the comorbidities of rosacea, acne and psoriasis below as a way to ignite motivation to dive deeper into your nutrient/mineral levels, gut health, relationship to stress.
ROSACEA
Think of rosacea as a state of constant inflammation in the body, that overtime creates a hardening and constriction of oxygen within the skin itself. Increased risk of cardiovascular and neurological as well as a full spectrum of digestive issues are related to rosacea.
PSORIASIS
A body in overdrive experience. The skin is building and shedding rapidly and immune system is feeling chaos. Increased risk of cardiovascular and neurological issues, arthritis, osteoporosis, metabolic issues, as well as digestive issues can be related.
ACNE
An increase in inflammation and hormones creates a link to digestive issues as well as potential hormonal imbalance and metabolic issues.
All of the above can have a relationship to mental health.
OK, TAKE A BREATH. AND ANOTHER.
The healing approach for these skin conditions is a whole body approach and my reason for starting my busuiness. Knowing what it is like to experience both the suffering and the healing.
A vital part of healing is expanding our capacity to be with what is. When you have an inflammatory skin condition, this can feel like you may need to be able to hold eternity and all universes within your realm of patience. I feel you!! Utilizing reframing, love, trust and compassion will support your mental health, your immune health, gut health, and skin health. I will save the approach to healing for 1:1 connection and give you some ways you can reframe right now.
REFRAMING and LOVE and TRUST and COMPASSION
You can turn nasty thoughts into a deep connection to self believe it or not. If you find yourself thinking things like “What is wrong with me?”, “This makes me unattractive”, “My body is atttacking itself’, “I will have to deal with this forever”. These are invitations to turn into a mama bear for yourself. See what is underneath the hood here. What is valuable to you that you are feeling disconnected from?
For example-“This makes me unattractive.” Inquire about what attractiveness means to you, how you define it and where those definitions came from. What have you bought into? Is it 100% true? Attractiveness, looked at more closely can be a link to deep intimacy with another person and you feeling like you will not recieve that could be the real pain you feel. Now, it is time to step into mama bear mode and follow these steps:
You already have become aware being able to access these beliefs-great job.
Resource. Find something near or within you that feels comforting and grounding, keeping you in the present such as your seat, breath, a soft blanket or an internal image of a loved one.
Allow and accept. This means sitting with what happens in your body when you allow this hurt part to speak at the table, being listened to. You may verbalize what you are feeling, thinking, envisioning. “I feel hot, my heart area feels shaky, etc.” No judgment is key here-you are the loving observer just listening and being with.
Receive. Let mama bear and resource respond to this hurt part, offering co-regulation between all of these parts within you. “I am here with you, you are not alone.” “That really is hard, i see that.” And so on. Breath in, take it all in deeply. Do not rush this part,; especially if receiving is uncomfortable. Grab that blanket and take it all in.
Rewrite your truths. Forgiveness. Rewrite your sweet hurt part’s misunderstandings into truths. I forgive myself for buying into the misunderstanding that…
“Looks are not the only element of attractiveness. The truth is this is a complex, multi-faceted and ever-changing quality and experience.”
Sending love to anyone on the journey of an inflammatory skin condition. My message to you is that your body is always working to come to homeostasis and is always healing. You are not broken. You can feel better. Your skin condition is offering you a path to a longer, healthier life if you will open to it.
With love,
Karena