From being called a ‘spotted elephant’ and receiving death threats, this young woman found peace with her rare case of psoriasis and arthritis. She created a platform on social media to spread awareness about her tough journey with the hope to educate others.
India Rosa, 26, first noticed spots on the back of her legs when she was 18.
“I thought it was just bug bites. And then it spread to my face and my ears. So, I went and saw a dermatologist and they told me it was psoriasis.”
India’s psoriasis began only on her face and torso but then spread to the rest of her body.
“Last year I was covered from head to toe and also as of last year I developed inverse psoriasis and plaque psoriasis.”
According to India, guttate psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis that looks like tiny dots all over her body. Plaque psoriasis is big patches that are concentrated in the elbows and knees and inverse psoriasis is usually found under your armpits and breasts.
“At 18, you’re still a teenager. You’re in college and you’re trying to go out and have fun with your friends and party.” She says. “It kind of stinks when you have bright red dots all over your whole face and you’re like, ” my god, people are looking at me. People think I’m ugly.”
India began treating it with topical steroids, lotions and creams, however they eventually stopped working. She started mixing different treatments together when you are not supposed to.
“I was trying literally anything and everything. Although I’ve never done injections or pills, because of the side effects that they can cause. I’m super sensitive to meds.
“ Last year, I stopped all of the steroids after breaking out really badly and started a super strict anti-inflammatory diet and I did UVB laser therapy in a clinic where they give you medical burns and they burn it off basically,” she says.
Read more: Flare ups? Flaky skin? We don’t mind – #GetYourSkinOut – Radiance
India’s psoriasis gets a lot better in the sunny summer months and gets worse in the dry, dark winter, this is quite common with psoriasis.
“For my skincare I use special creams and salicylic acid for my face and the rest of my body. if I’m having a really bad flare, I’ll do an Epsom salt bath. That’s really helpful. I always use thick moisturizers.”
On top of India’s long journey with psoriasis she also developed arthritis four years ago.
“Having psoriasis is one thing, I just have the itchy scaly patches, but the arthritis is another.
“My right hip will hurt really bad and it sends radiating pain down my entire leg. I get super exhausted and I can’t sleep because I’m in pain and Tylenol or anything doesn’t really work. That’s really hard,” she says.
When she was pregnant at 21, they put her pain down to her pregnancy but postpartum they officially diagnosed her with arthritis. India says that many people also have psoriasis, often suffer with psoriatic arthritis, so the two often go hand in hand.
She says: “I am itchy sometimes, but for me, it’s more that my skin gets quite raw and cracks open. It feels like you have a cut. In the mornings my hands and hips are a bit sore.
“When it rains andis cold it gets really bad. It is bone deep aching. It feels like somebody has hit me with a hammer pretty much.”
Read more: What it’s like to live with Psoriasis and Eczema – Radiance
Struggling with this for so many years India has learned to not let her skin affect her but it’s been a long process.
“Between 18 and 22, it was tough, from 23 I don’t love it, but I’ve realised it’s not the end of the world,” she says.
“Last year though was the absolute worst it has ever been.” says India.“ Even worse than when I was 18 and first diagnosed. Navigating that definitely took a toll on my mental state. I didn’t even want to leave the house. I felt awful. I was so ashamed and embarrassed of myself. It was bad.”
India had a rough 2024, she juggled her psoriasis, arthritis, strep, two strains of flu, COVID and a pregnancy.
“My skin went nuts. I think that the boy hormones, and everything else definitely messed with me a little bit. Because my skin was so bad and my joints were really, really bad too because my whole body was just so inflamed.”
India is very open on social media and has received lots of encouragement and positive reactions and messages from all around the world. However, the negative comments are also present.
“The worst comment I ever got was, “Stop showing off this AIDS crap. I hope it kills you, attention seeker.” I’ve had people literally wish death upon me because of it.” She says. “ I’ve had people point at me and laugh. I’ve had people just make fun of me. I had a co-worker call me a spotted elephant one time. I’ve been called a contaminant.”
India says she doesn’t let the comments affect her, as she knows that being open about her skin has helped educate people and break the stigma.
“My message to those suffering is that your skin doesn’t define you.” She says. “You are not your autoimmune disease. It is a part of who you are, but you are so much more than that. You are capable and you can have such a happy, successful life with psoriasis or not.”
India’s resilience and motivation is her children.
She says: “My daughters see mom loves herself even though she has some issues. My kids have learned empathy and they know to treat other people that might look different with respect because of the way that mom looks and I really love that.”
