Prepping for a music festival is one thing (hello, outfit planning!), but actually being there is something else entirely. Hearing your favorite artists live, feeling the crowd’s energy, and making shared core memories can bring out the most authentic version of you. But for people with plaque psoriasis, that sense of self-expression can be more challenging if they’re covering up their plaques, even if they’re small.
For those not in the know, plaque psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that starts with inflammation inside the body. This can lead to a buildup of skin cells, resulting in itchy, flaky patches called plaques. Plaques can commonly form on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back, though everyone’s experience is different. More than 8 million people in the U.S. live with plaque psoriasis. If you’re one of them, you may see your symptoms improve during the summer, but is it still on your mind? Many people who suffer from plaque psoriasis cover up during the summer months and may feel distracted from thinking about an outfit that covers their plaques for a big festival.
So if you’re preparing for your highly anticipated festival experience, check out these five relatable ways that itchy, flaky plaques may be cramping your festival style — then learn how to talk to your doctor about finding the right treatment option to help you manage your symptoms.
1. You Might Find Yourself Covering Up Your Perfect Outfit
Part of the thrill of festival season is getting to experiment with fun fashion choices you wouldn’t normally wear. Whether your style is more glowy fairycore or ‘90s pop star, you’ve probably already been thinking of a look that feels equal parts expressive and over-the-top (as you should!). But for people with plaque psoriasis, the focus might shift away from planning a festive look and toward finding an outfit that helps you hide your plaques.
2. The Body Glitter Might Not Stick
Festival style goes far beyond just your outfits. Makeup, body paint, and glitter have become more and more popular on the festival circuit, but when sticky, greasy topicals are part of your GRWM routine, it can feel more frustrating than fun when you’re putting together a full-body look.
3. You Might Feel Camera-Shy
If your camera roll isn’t 90% blurry crowd shots, did you even go to a festival? Snapping pictures of your favorite moments is a big part of the experience, and yes, you’ll probably be laser-focused on filming that one verse from your favorite artist — but don’t forget to get photos of you and your crew. Even if you feel embarrassed that a plaque will steal the spotlight in the group selfie, don’t miss your chance to capture a memory of you with your people.
4. Packing Your Fanny Pack Can Become A Thing
You found the perfect fanny pack to match your outfit — and bonus — it meets security size requirements! But squeezing in your lip gloss, portable fan, and the topical you need to manage plaques? That’s where things get tricky. Sometimes, you have to make the tough call of leaving the extra lip gloss behind to make room for your must-have tube of treatment to manage your plaques.
5. Plaque Psoriasis Could Be An Unwanted Guest At The Headliner
So you’ve made it through security and you’ve waited all year for this headliner. But instead enjoying the beat drop, you're wondering if the sweat is washing off your topical treatments — and whether you’ll need to duck out to reapply. The energy of the crowd is electric, but it can be embarrassing if you have to discreetly scratch those itchy plaques.
If any of these festival-season situations feel a little too relatable, it might be time to talk to your doctor about finding a treatment to help manage your plaque psoriasis symptoms. One option to explore with your doctor is Otezla® (apremilast) — a pill that treats plaque psoriasis from within. It’s approved for adults whether they have a little or a lot of plaque psoriasis. After just four months, people with plaque psoriasis can achieve clearer skin with reduced redness, itching, and flaking. It’s not right for everyone, but if you’re considering a different way to manage your symptoms, it might be worth asking your doctor about. Please see Important Safety Information for Otezla below.
Because at the end of the day, your pre-show ritual should feel the rhythm, with less plaques.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
You must not take Otezla® (apremilast) if you are allergic to apremilast or to any of the ingredients in Otezla.
Otezla can cause allergic reactions, sometimes severe. Stop using Otezla and call your healthcare provider or seek emergency help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: trouble breathing or swallowing, raised bumps (hives), rash or itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or arms.
Otezla can cause severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, especially within the first few weeks of treatment. Use in elderly patients and the use of certain medications with Otezla appears to increase the risk of complications from having severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Tell your doctor if any of these conditions occur.
Otezla is associated with an increase in depression. In clinical studies, some patients reported depression, or suicidal behavior while taking Otezla. Some patients stopped taking Otezla due to depression. Before starting Otezla, tell your doctor if you have had feelings of depression, or suicidal thoughts or behavior. Be sure to tell your doctor if any of these symptoms or other mood changes develop or worsen during treatment with Otezla.
Some patients taking Otezla lost body weight. Your doctor should monitor your weight regularly. If unexplained or significant weight loss occurs, your doctor will decide if you should continue taking Otezla. For children 6 years of age or older, their doctor should monitor their growth (height and weight). If they are not growing or gaining weight as expected, their doctor will decide if they should continue taking Otezla.
Some medicines may make Otezla less effective and should not be taken with Otezla. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines.
The most common side effects of Otezla include diarrhea, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, tension headache, and headache. These are not all the possible side effects with Otezla. Ask your doctor about other potential side effects. Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or planning to breastfeed.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-332-1088.
Please click here for the Full Prescribing Information for Otezla.
APPROVED USES
Otezla® (apremilast) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate.
- Pediatric patients 6 years of age and older and weighing at least 20 kg with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.
- Adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.
- Adult patients with oral ulcers associated with Behçet’s Disease.
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