Heather Durocher
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Heather wrote for HealthCentral as a patient expert for Psoriasis.
Latest by Heather Durocher
10 Tips for Those Newly Diagnosed with Psoriasis
Diagnosed with psoriasis? Here are ten tips for you.
Summer Psoriasis Smarts: How to Avoid Flares
Some of us with psoriasis fare better in sunnier weather while others (like me) may experience more spots. Either way, being mindful of your sun exposure is always smart - not only do we want to feel good about our bodies now that we’re wearing short...
Psoriasis Management: What Your Dermatologist Wishes You Knew
The relationship you have with your dermatologist is a pretty important one when you’ve got a chronic disease like psoriasis. While you may go months without seeing your doctor, a flare or other change in your health could mean more frequent visits t...
Scalp Psoriasis: How to Treat this Tricky Area
When my scalp psoriasis has been at its worse, I know this for sure: avoiding wearing black, or any dark-colored clothing for that matter, is wise. White flakes covering my shoulders and back, after all, isn’t a look I’ll ever be going for. If you’re ...
Working Toward a Cure: Psoriasis Bill
Information about the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act of 2011.
Psoriasis Triggers
There’s no clear-cut answer to why exactly a person has psoriasis, but it is known that both the immune system and genetics are significant factors. When I received my plaque psoriasis diagnosis at age 14, I remember asking my parents if they knew an...
Psoriasis and Associated Health Risks
If your dermatologist is asking more questions about your overall health, and not just about your skin, consider yourself fortunate to have an especially informed doctor. I’m thankful to have found my dermatologist, who understands that psoriasis oft...
Choosing the Best Treatment for Your Psoriasis
While there’s no one-treatment-fits-all approach when it comes to psoriasis, the good news is that numerous options are available to help manage this autoimmune disease. My last post was about the five kinds of psoriasis - plaque, guttate, inverse, p...
Different Kinds of Psoriasis
The most common form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis - about 80 percent of us who have the disease experience this kind - and typically you only have one type at a time. But psoriasis can appear in a number of forms; I’ve personally had two kinds: p...
Pregnancy & Psoriasis: Your Treatment Before, During & After Having a Baby
At the times I became pregnant with my three children, my psoriasis wasn’t at its worst. I had spots here and there, though it definitely wasn’t widespread (that would come later). Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to have mild psoriasis at ...