Laughter Through Challenges
- Comedian Jon Lovitz has been living with psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, for more than 24 years—something he’s used his humor to cope with.
- He first noticed signs of the auto-immune condition when he spotted “red dots” on his arm, which returned after being given a steroid cream. After experiencing a flare-up of psoriasis which prompted him to get a rash on his scalp, he tried various forms of treatment until years later when he found something that worked for him.
- Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that is characterized by itchy, red, sometimes scaly patches that show up on the skin. It is a chronic disease, which means there is no cure for it.
- Stand-up comedian Jesus Trejo agrees laughter can heal pain, saying, “The effects of it just reverberate through your body, and can change an already bad situation into a better one.”
- And Dr. Dana Chase, a Gynecologic Oncologist at UCLA Health, says emotional health is associated with better quality of life through a health challenge.
The 67-year-old celebrity decided years ago to go public with his diagnosis of psoriasis, an auto-immune condition that can cause itchy, red patches to develop on the skin, to help others also struggling with the chronic condition.
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He continued, referring to what led to his diagnosis, “It all began with what I call ‘red dots’ on my arms, which looked like a rash at first, so I made an appointment with a dermatologist. I was prescribed a steroid cream that initially helped, but soon the red dots returned. It was terrible. At one point, my skin flared up so much so that the red dots started connecting (picture a human etch-a-sketch).
“Nearly half of my body was covered in red, scaly patches. And when psoriasis started appearing on my scalp, white flakes would fall from my hair and it looked like I had horrible dandruff — either that, or people thought my head was a snow-making special-effects machine. Seriously, it was embarrassing and I felt helpless.”
Lovitz explained further, “After all my years being a comedian, making audiences laugh, I was beginning to think the joke was on me? For several years I tried to get it under control with different treatments that had varying levels of success but could never quite get the level of clearance I was looking for.
“One night at a party, I happened to tell a friend about my psoriasis, and she recommended I talk to a dermatologist who specialized in treating it. I listened to her advice and sure enough, I found a dermatologist who understood what I was going through and prescribed a treatment that has helped me get full control my symptoms.”
Living With Psoriasis
- Beginning of Psoriasis: Early Stages
- Can Psoriasis Come and Go?
- ‘Can Psoriasis Cause Fertility Problems?’ And Other Psoriasis Myths Debunked; Understanding This Autoimmune Skin Condition
- Systemic Treatment Options for Psoriasis Target Triggers Within the Body to Alleviate Symptoms
- What is Psoriasis? Understanding the Different Types and Symptoms of This Rare Skin Condition
- Can Psoriasis Affect Your Eyes?
- Can Psoriasis Predispose You to Other Illnesses Like Covid-19?
As for how the condition has left him feeling conscious, he added, “On more than one occasion I felt the burden of my psoriasis. I was often invited to events or pool parties where I opted not to go because I felt too embarrassed to even unbutton my shirt. During the summer, I would be on-stage at my comedy club in Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles wearing long-sleeve shirts and jackets to cover my skin. You would think I would feel comfortable in my own club, right?
“Just the thought of how people would react made me dread leaving my house at times. Thank goodness I’m funny (and good looking, have I mentioned that yet?) because I often relied on my humor to get me through those hard times.”
In an effort to encourage others to talk with a dermatologist about psoriasis and it’s impact on one’s life, he pointed out how many people with the condition don’t push for answers or try to resolve their skin condition.
“I was lucky enough to find a dermatologist I trust and I encourage others to do the same. A lot of people don’t realize that there are lots of new treatments out there that can help,” he concluded.
“On a less serious note, why be embarrassed about psoriasis? Nobody is perfect, right? Trust me, I would know. I make fun of people for a living, remember?”
Psoriasis is Chronic, But Can Be Managed
According to the National Institute of Health, “Many people with psoriasis have a family history of the disorder. Researchers have identified certain genes linked to the disease but still don’t fully understand the disease process. They do know that it isn’t contagious.”
Dr. Saakshi Khattri, a dermatologist/rheumatologist at Mount Sinai Health System, told SurvivorNet. “It is a chronic condition, which can ebb and flow. You can have good days and bad days.”
WATCH: Understanding the various types of psoriasis.
Dr. Saakshi explained that while anyone can develop psoriasis, the disease is more common in people between 30 and 50. Researchers believe genetics and environmental factors may play a role in the development of psoriasis.
Common symptoms often include:
- Red patches of skin covered with silvery-like scales
- Small scaling spots
- Dry, cracked skin that may bleed or itch
- Itching, burning sensation, or soreness
- Thickened or ridged nails
- Swollen or stiff joints
Topical medicines like skin creams are considered mainstays in treating psoriasis symptoms. The topical you take depends on the kind of psoriasis you’re dealing with and its related symptoms.
The seven different types of psoriasis include:
- Plaque psoriasis: The most common form of the disease causes dry, raised skin patches that may be covered in scales. The patches may be itchy and tender.
- Nail psoriasis: This disease can affect fingernails and toenails and might cause nails to loosen from the nail bed.
- Guttate psoriasis: This disease typically affects young adults and children and is often caused by a bacterial infection like strep throat.
- Inverse psoriasis: This type of psoriasis mainly affects skin folds, so it will often present in areas such as the groin, buttocks, or breasts and can worsen with friction or sweating.
- Pustular psoriasis: This rare form of psoriasis causes pus-filled blisters to develop in widespread patches across the body.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis: This is another rare form of the disease. It can involve the entire body and cause a red, peeling rash that may itch or burn intensely.
- Psoriatic arthritis: With this form of the disease, joints may become swollen and painful. Sometimes, joint pain is the first or only symptom, while other symptoms, like nail changes, occur.
How is Psoriasis Treated?
Sometimes, psoriasis is treated with oral drugs, which may include:
- Methotrexate: This medication was approved for psoriasis in 1972 and can be administered orally or intravenously. It works as an immunosuppressant that inhibits rapidly dividing cells. According to the American Academy of Dermatology and National Psoriasis Foundation guidelines, methotrexate is typically administered in doses ranging from 7.5 mg to 25 mg weekly as one dose or divided into three dosages over 24 hours. Common side effects include fatigue and nausea.
- Apremilast (Otezla): This medication suppresses an enzyme inside inflammation cells. The most common side effects are diarrhea, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, and headache.
- Cyclosporine: This drug isn’t used for long-term psoriasis treatment due to potentially serious adverse effects. However, it does have a role “as a rapid-acting medication for severe, recalcitrant disease, acute flares, and erythroderma.” Nephrotoxicity (kidney issues) and hypertension (high blood pressure) are cyclosporine’s most common adverse side effects.
Other systemic treatment options for psoriasis include Biologic drugs or biologics, which are given by injection or intravenous (IV) infusion (a slow drip of medicine into your vein).
These drugs target only specific parts of the immune system, while other systemic drugs target the whole system.
Humor & Positivity Through Challenges
It’s interesting to note, that according to the National Library of Medicine, research has shown that the amount of pain medication needed for patients is reduced after they watch funny movies.
And perhaps humor, like Jon Lovitz makes sure to have in is life, could also help when someone is dealing with the pain that comes amid a health challenge, whether it’s psoriasis or even cancer.
The importance of positivity amid tough times has been seen through stand-up comedian Jesus Trejo in Long Beach, California.
Trejo became a caregiver for both of his parents after his mother was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor and his father was later faced with colon cancer. But instead of panicking and focusing on the devastating nature of the situation, the only child stepped up to care for his parents with love and laughter.
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Trejo opened up about how he put his career aside to care for his parents in their time of need while making time to smile along the way.
Stand-Up Comedian & Cancer Caregiver, Jesus Trejo Reminds Us That ‘Laughter is a Game-Changer’
“The only advice I have for anyone watching this is laugh, and laugh often, laugh at yourself. Don’t take yourself seriously. Things are already bad. Because once you do that, it’s a game-changer,””Trejo told SurvivorNet.
He also says the laughter itself might be brief, but “the effects of it just reverberate through your body, and can change an already bad situation into a better one.”
Focusing on hope, and maintaining a positive attitude amid a health battle can always be helpful.
Anecdotal evidence from SurvivorNet experts points to how a positive mindset can impact a cancer prognosis.
Dr. Zuri Murrell of Cedars-Sinai told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview, “My patients who thrive, even with stage 4 cancer, from the time that they, about a month after they’re diagnosed, I kind of am pretty good at seeing who is going to be OK. Now doesn’t that mean I’m good at saying that the cancer won’t grow.”
“But I’m pretty good at telling what kind of patient are going to still have this attitude and probably going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who, they have gratitude in life.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Dana Chase, a Gynecologic Oncologist at UCLA Health, also says it’s important to try to focus on the good, stay positive, and do things that bring you joy to the degree you’re able to do so amid battling a disease like cancer.
“We know, actually from good studies, that emotional health, quality of life is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better survival, better outcomes,” Dr. Chase said in an earlier interview.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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