Lifestyle

Are Itchy, Flaking Plaques Clashing With Your Festival Season Style? Let’s Talk About It

July 31, 2025

There’s nothing like the buildup to festival season. The group chats are firing off, your calendar ticks closer to show time, and your feeds are suddenly full of inspo for looks that are loud, layered, and fully you. Because let’s be real — music festivals are about more than music. They’re about self-expression. And whether your vibe is neon rave fairy, grunge revivalist, or desert glam minimalist, the right outfit can set the tone for your entire weekend.

But for people living with plaque psoriasis, that excitement can sometimes get tangled with other thoughts. Which top will cover my plaques? What fabrics will irritate my skin the least? What if I miss the header because I’m in the bathroom reapplying topicals? Even with the smallest plaque, those questions can linger — and thinking about them can distract you from the moment.

If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Keep reading to learn more about plaque psoriasis, plus get some intel about a treatment option you may want to talk to your doctor about.

What Is Plaque Psoriasis?

Plaque psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that starts inside the body. It’s caused by inflammation and accelerated skin cell turnover, which leads to a buildup of dry, itchy plaques on the surface of the skin. The condition affects more than 8 million people in the U.S., and symptoms can vary widely from person to person.

What makes it especially frustrating is whether you have a little or a lot, you may feel embarrassed and want to cover up your plaques — especially in social moments like festivals when you’d rather plan a look that shows off your style instead. And while symptoms may appear less intense in warmer months, the inflammation inside the body can still be active even when it’s not visible on the skin.

Having plaque psoriasis can make packing for festivals tricky. Even if you don’t have a lot of plaques, it can still make a big impact. Keep reading to see how itchy, flaky plaques could be clashing with your festival season style.

How Plaque Psoriasis Might Cramp Your Festival Style

Putting together a festival outfit is supposed to be the fun part — a chance to celebrate your style, your mood, and the artists who make you feel most alive. But for people living with plaque psoriasis, outfit planning can come with a few extra steps. Maybe you’ve stared at your closet, trying to psych yourself up to wear the outfit you really wanted — only to reach for long sleeves on a 90-degree day, just to hide your plaques. Maybe you’ve passed on the backless top, the crop tee, the shimmer body glitter, or the fun accessories that didn’t feel like a fit for your skin that day.

And it’s not just about what you wear. If you’re managing your plaque psoriasis with topical treatments, you might also be factoring in greasy textures, extra time in front of the mirror, or avoiding looks that could mess with your routine. That backless look you planned? Suddenly off-limits because of where you applied treatment. That bold, glittery makeup moment? Maybe too risky if your skin is feeling sensitive. You might even skip the themed outfit altogether — not because you don’t want to dress up, but because you would rather cover up.

It’s subtle, but it adds up. When you walk through the gates of a long-awaited music festival, the anticipation of seeing your favorite artists and dancing to your favorite songs should be exciting. But thinking about an itchy plaque that needs a topical reapplication can be distracting from the very moments you came for.

Talk To Your Doctor About A Treatment Option That Works From Within

If plaque psoriasis is disrupting your festival season style — or just getting in the way of your style — you might want to talk to your doctor about a treatment option like Otezla® (apremilast).

Otezla is a prescription pill for adults with plaque psoriasis, no matter how much of your skin is affected. Unlike topicals, Otezla treats plaque psoriasis from within your body to help manage symptoms like flaking, redness, and itching on the outside. After just four months, people with plaque psoriasis can achieve clearer skin with reduced redness, itching, and flaking.

It’s not right for everyone, and only your doctor can help you figure out if it’s a good fit for your lifestyle. But if you’re looking for a treatment that treats from within, it may be worth asking your doctor about. Please see Important Safety Information for Otezla below.

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.

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.
Adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.
Adult patients with oral ulcers associated with Behçet’s Disease.