To be extremely worried about going to university tomorrow

[Strawberryandbananasmoothie]

Im having a 1am crisis where I can’t sleep for worrying and over thinking. I’ve got university tomorrow and I’m really, really scared of going.

ive got psoriasis on my scalp, mainly towards the back of my head and round my hairline, it’s visible and obvious no matter how I style my hair. I also get big chunks and flakes coming off my head, sometimes they just fall out but moving my head at all makes them easily come off too. Sometimes it looks like it’s been snowing all over my shoulders and it makes me so self conscious. It’s awful looking.

at Uni, the rows in the lecture halls are so tightly squeezed together that the person behind is actually really close to you. Your head is almost directly above their desk. I know they’ll be able to see the obvious psoriasis on my head and all the flakes on my shoulders. It’s so embarrassing, and I can’t avoid it by sitting in the back row because me and my friends sit on the closer rows so we can hear the lecturer properly (plus the back row is always taken by the same people anyway) I can’t relax or focus properly in classes because I’m so anxious about the people behind me seeing the state of my head and hair. Sometimes the crusts come off and get stuck in my (dark) hair which looks hideous too. I try and sweep my shoulders and hair before the lecture but in a 2 hour class it will get back again
quickly

nobody at uni has ever said anything but I know they’ve seen it, there’s no real way of hiding it.

im trying a new treatment from the dermatologist (enstiller foam) and it is helping so far but it’s still pretty bad.

im so scared for tomorrow, I hate being this self conscious but I can’t help it, I’m miserable with it all

I understand the suggestions to cover up, equally, people at uni are usually very accepting of others. If you had a disability or a face disfigurement I think you'd get lots more comments that people need to get over it, they're more concerned with themselves and although they notice, they don't care, that they should be more accepting etc. It's the same imo. If I saw your psoriasis I'd just be sympathetic and think you poor thing that looks sore.

I don't know if you've tried it already but if not try body shop ginger shampoo (I imagine you've tried all sorts if you're under a dermatologist) My dm had severe psoriasis on her scalp. She tried loads of different medicated ones including on prescription but that was the only one that worked.

I had this and liquid betnovate made a huge difference very quickly.

My SIL used thé Bodyshops aloe Vera gel on hers

Why all the assumptions the uni wouldn’t let the op wear a hat?

Please don't worry you are in uni people are more mature

Do as the others have suggested

You can do this, don't let this ruin your education

I know, of course she can wear one!

Do you use the coal tar psoriasis shampoo. It sort it straight away. You don't need to put up with it.

You mean 'it might work'? because if it definitely did work we would be using it every day. The only thing coal tar shampoo ever did for me was bring on a migraine.

OP I try to wear light coloured tops in warmer weather and around this time of year I would drape a pale scarf over my shoulders. I have never found anything that helps mine so I just go with minimising what people can see.

I know it doesn’t solve the psoriasis problem but lots of people wore hats in lectures when I was in uni e.g beanie hats and woolly hats. Could also get a nice wrap headband that goes all the way round your hairline and is quite thick e.g:

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/922910475/velvet-twistband-welour-head-wrap?gbraid=0AAAAADutTMchRXUN-aoxxkFLiITF7h0Mp&gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_uk_en_gb_d-accessories-hair_accessories-headbands-other&utm_custom1=k_EAIaIQobChMI3Mr7gL7D-gIVArDtCh3GzgfiEAQYAiABEgKeX_D_BwE_k&utm_content=go_12583172766_119301819563_507890004454_pla-315321639769_m__922910475engb_142855155&utm_custom2=12583172766&gbraid=0AAAAADutTMchRXUN-aoxxkFLiITF7h0Mp&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3Mr7gL7D-gIVArDtCh3GzgfiEAQYAiABEgKeX_D_BwE

Yes loads of people at both my law undergrad and masters wore hats in lectures (berets or baseball caps)
Or sit on far right /left of the room but at front.

Agree with others that hats/scarves at uni are fine (I’m a lecturer). Especially in a big lecture hall setting, I barely notice what anyone is wearing!

If you need to sit towards the front, then try to sit at the end of a row. Many lecture halls are slightly angled so you wouldn’t have someone so close behind if you sat at the end, plus you can turn yourself so you’re looking more sideways and not have the back of your head as visible to those behind.

Good luck OP & I agree with many others, most will not really notice. Everyone is so wrapped up with themselves, particularly if it’s the first day.

Good luck today! Everyone in my days wore a hoody up, so that could be one option.

I’ve been there, and my advice would be to slick back your hair into a low bun to avoid hair movement and minimise yourself itching your scalp. Wear a headband around your hairline, so that front on people can’t see your hair and you also can’t get to your scalp to itch. My skin conditions always flare up when I’m stressed so long term try and come up with some habits that might help in that area. I’m looking into buying a fidget ring so avoid skin picking, this might also help with the urge to scratch your scalp if that’s something you struggle with.

Treatment wise the only thing that consistently works for me is Nizoral shampoo (a total lifesaver) or liquid Betnovate.

You have my sympathy. I've always kept my hair long for that reason. People are being kind saying "no one will notice" but people do notice. I used to wear scarves and polo-neck tops, but in the end I just though fuck it, if anyone has a problem with seeing my psoriasis then that's their problem, not mine. It's not your fault and you have nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about.

Enstiller foam is great and actually works really fast. When did you start the treatment? Some anti-dandruff shampoos are decent at scrubbing off the flakes, although they don't treat the psoriasis. T-gel, Nizoral and Polytar are my recommendations. You probably know this already. Good luck and keep your chin up!

I am sure it isn't as noticeable as you think it is. Could you tell your friends how you are feeling? They may reassure you, or at least be aware of how you are feeling and (hopefully) make you feel better. A problem shared is a problem halved! Hope your condition improves soon x

I really feel for you. I had it really bad when I was a teenager and spent ages shaking my hair out upside down in the bathroom before I went out. I also used to have to put my head over boiling water in the sink and peel skin off my face and scalp. Unfortunately I have no advice as to why mine is now so mild but when It does get a bit worse I wear my hair in a tight bun using one of those hair doughnuts and lots of dry shampoo. I hope you find something that works, remember your education is more important than you appearance x

@Strawberryandbananasmoothie I totally sympathise. After a really stressful summer my already bad psoriasis is positively awful (I think the worst it has been). Mine is stress triggered and after my husband having a stroke and seeing my son off to uni (his first lectures are today) it's not getting better quickly.

What treatment have you started? I have betnovate scalp lotion which is good, have to make sure I do it 2 times a day coupled with trying to reduce the stress.

I feel so self conscious even at the age of 41. A light top is good, black and dark are a no no for me. Do anything that makes you feel good about yourself today before your lecture. If you have good friends maybe they can spend some time helping you to find a hairstyle that make the psoriasis less visible. For me having my hair down is probably the best but not always practical.

I am trying not to care as much lately, bigger fish to fry. If you have tried your treatment for a while and it isnt working, please go back to your doctor and see if you can try something else. Im limited as im still breastfeeding my youngest so not as many things on offer.

Hopefully everyone will actually be concentrating on the lecture otherwise they wouldn't be there

For now stick a beanie on, it’s so cold in my lecture hall we all wear beanies/hats and coats!

That is the most useless post from someone who has never experienced this.

No coal tar soap, plus disgusting cream to be worn over night and another cream to wear after you have washed your hair in the morning will not 'sort it'.

Nor will it sort the bald patches that can develop.

I like that headband wrap posted or a woolly hat. It’s cold you’ll easily get away with a hat. My teen has a scalp condition and has tried most of suggestions and it’s not that easy to sort.

I use polytar shampoo, love it, my hair feels and smells amazing. Useless for my psoriasis though. Although it's great for getting out all the shitty creams I use on my scalp (none of which work either)

I've had psoriasis for 60 years now. It's a horrible disease which leaves you emotionally wrecked. It took a long time for me to not be bothered by it. Hats, scarves and white/light clothes are the way to go when it's bothering you.

How did it go OP?