How Tara Spreads the Truth About PsoriasisDiagnosed at age 11, Tara Tingle has to withstand stares and questions about her psoriasis. But instead of reacting in anger, this college student uses each situation as an opportunity to educate.
Tara Tingle knows firsthand the power of positive thinking. The 24-year-old college student has severe psoriasis, which in the past left her embarrassed and depressed. “I felt isolated and different — I didn’t know anyone my age with psoriasis," Tingle said. “But after awhile, I realized how unhappy I was and made the decision to change my outlook.”
Today, as a senior at Columbia College Chicago, Tingle is comfortable in her own skin and busy educating others about psoriasis.
Educating Others About Psoriasis
About 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, the most common autoimmune disease in the United States. “Psoriasis is a long-term chronic scaling of the skin which usually appears as red, raised, and scaly patches known as plaques,” said Susan Stuart, MD, a dermatologist and medical director of La Jolla Dermatology in San Diego. A big misconception about psoriasis is that it’s contagious, but "in fact, nothing could be further from the truth,” Dr. Stuart said. “This might be why people with psoriasis seem ostracized from society, are more socially isolated, and suffer from depression.”
Living with psoriasis means sometimes enduring rude comments from people who don’t know anything about the skin condition. “I’ve been asked more than once if I was in a fire," Tingle said. "I’ve been asked to wear a jacket in addition to my uniform at a previous job. I’ve had complete strangers tell me I don’t have psoriasis and that in fact something else was wrong with me. A student once thought it was an STD.”
The comments and stares put Tingle in a negative head space, which was debilitating. But she realized she needed to take her happiness into her own hands. “With a change of attitude and perspective, I no longer see negative comments as a means of attack but rather an opportunity to educate,” she said. “Now when someone makes a comment or asks, I try to take the time to explain that I have psoriasis and what that means.”
Tara Tingle: “Being Me in My Own Skin” Scholarship Winner
Tingle is active in the Chicago division of the National Psoriasis Foundation. She works to raise awareness and find a cure for the skin condition. Her activism, along with a winning essay, won her money for college through the “Being Me in My Own Skin” scholarship. It meant a $500 award for the spring 2014 semester.
Tingle recently participated as a junior ambassador in the Chicago Walk to Cure Psoriasis. Her good friend Meredith Walsh, an engineer from Memphis, Tenn., and a friend of Tingle's since elementary school, joined her in the event. Tingle was diagnosed when she was just 11, so Walsh has witnessed her friend’s struggle and learned about psoriasis along the way. “She has educated me about the disease simply by my being around her and watching her experience the various difficulties that come with an easily misunderstood disease,” Walsh said.
Walsh believes that participation in the foundation helps Tingle have more confidence and not feel as isolated and that it helps Tingle help others too. “It allows her through example to help other people see that they don’t have to constantly hide under long sleeves,” she said.
Psoriasis Management in College
Being a college student with psoriasis has not interfered with studies or activities, Tingle said. She treats her condition with topical treatments, moisturizes her skin with coconut oil, and takes vitamin D and allergy medication.
Tingle lives by herself this semester but has had roommates in the past. “Last year I had three roommates who I hadn’t met before," she said. "Shortly after we moved in I told them about my psoriasis up front to eliminate any questions or concerns they may have had later on." Skin flaking requires more frequent vacuuming, and Tingle said she kept on top of it so it would not become an issue.
It’s these everyday things that make living with psoriasis challenging, and Tingle wants to raise awareness about them. For instance, when dating someone, when is the right time to reveal your condition? Or when interviewing for jobs, what should you tell possible employers? “These are questions I’m personally looking for advice on," Tingle said. "I’ve asked teachers about interviews, and I was told I should cover up in the same way you would normally cover up any other distraction, such as a tattoo,” she said.
“Though it can be difficult at times," Tingle said, "I couldn’t be happier with my decision to accept a life with psoriasis, to venture out of seclusion, to work past the stares, and to truly live."