Sam's Story

Sam has lived with guttate psoriasis since childhood, facing years of physical discomfort and the quiet mental battles that come with it. Now, he’s choosing to take back control - refusing to let his skin define his life.

I’m Sam and I've lived with Guttate Psoriasis since I was 11.

It started as small spots across my torso and back, developed to cover a large proportion of my body, just before starting senior school. I remember hiding it straight away, making excuses. Telling people it was ant bites… anything but the truth.

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For years, Psoriasis has shaped how I showed up in the world. What I wore. How I felt and even whether I went out at all.

It’s not just the skin, it’s the constant internal noise:
“Can people see it?”
“Should I cover up?”
“Why is it flaring?”
“Why do I feel so low?”
"Why me?"

It’s so exhausting.

I’ve tried most of the treatments over the years, months in hospital covered in Coal Tar, PUVA light treatment and the dreaded Steroid creams. They might help short term, but for me, they were never the long term answer.

As life has a habit of doing, it threw something else in the mix, a rare form of skin cancer called DFSP. Another battle, another flare up, another test mentally & physically.

But here’s what it’s taught me - We are far more resilient than we think is even possible, and after 26 years, something’s finally shifted.

I’ve spent too long letting my skin control the narrative of my life and I’m done with that. Now, I focus on what I can control, my nutrition, habits, mindset, and getting outside.

Because the outdoors changed everything for me. When I’m hiking, especially out in the Peaks or by the sea, something lifts. I stop overthinking. I just focus on putting one foot in front of the other. I feel grounded and Free.

That’s not to say it’s easy. Hiking with psoriasis can hurt, boots rubbing on flared skin, sweat irritating skin, but it’s still worth every second, as the benefits out way the negatives.

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Because out there, I’m not hiding, I'm just Sam.

I started @psoriasisroams to be the person I needed growing up. Not someone “brave” just someone living, getting outside, and not letting their skin hold them back and define the narrative.

If you’re struggling with your skin, I see you. Your skin doesn’t define you and you deserve to feel free.

If this resonates, you’re not alone, I share more at @psoriasisroams.