For Teens: Off to College

While the health center staff may not be well versed in psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, they will understand that many medications for the disease may compromise your immune system, which may make your system more exposed to germs and viruses. Find out what the health center is like before you get sick. You may find yourself visiting more than you hoped, so it is good to check it out early.

If you do not have health insurance coverage you may be able to purchase a plan through your college or university. Most student health plans meet the same standards as private insurance plans. See if the plans meet your needs and what health care providers are available to you on and off campus. You may also be eligible to buy individual insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace at healthcare.gov.

Psoriasis alone brings many emotional challenges, such as how to tell new friends or roommates about your psoriasis, embarrassment about your plaques, and difficult daily treatment regimens. Add in the stress of college classes, being away from home, and perhaps a part-time job and it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Make an appointment with a mental health counselor early in your first semester or term. Once you have made the connection with a counselor, you are more likely to reach out for help if or when you need it.

Advisors and Disability Specialists can help set up a plan to give you a better school outcome. Contact Disability Services when you have been admitted to the college to start the process. If you had a previous 504 Plan or IEP this may help guide the development of your new plan. Most likely you will need to fill out forms documenting your disability and accommodations needs. Your health care provider may need to fill out a form with details of your diagnosis.

Make a list of all things that would make school easier to physically manage such as:

• Extensions for tests or projects when fatigue hits.

• Flexibility when scheduling for classes (maybe early morning is too difficult because of your psoriasis regime or psoriatic arthritis).

• Parking passes to be closer to classes.

You may not always be able to get what you ask for, but there is no harm in asking.

With so many students, it is easy for communication to get lost between Disability Services and your professor. On the first day of class ask the professor to schedule a time to meet you and get a better understanding of what you need. You can even email your professor ahead of time and then follow up on the first day of class.

Take steps to reduce your exposure to germs. Wash your hands often. Make a habit of keeping your distance from sick students and staff. Wear a mask. Disinfect your dorm room if a roommate is sick. Also, try to make healthy food choices. If you eat in a dining hall, look at the menus in advance to know what your choices are. Avoid heavy sauces and eat smaller portions. Keep a small refrigerator stocked with water, vegetables, fruit, and low-fat yogurt. For more tips on eating healthy at college visit MyPlate.gov. Now is the time to build healthy habits that will keep you healthy for life.

Build a circle of friends who support you and who you can lean on when you need help and who know you have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. If you have roommates and feel comfortable, tell them early on that you have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis and what your needs or boundaries are. Such as if you need to place medication in the refrigerator and why. Know that the friends you make in college are usually some of your closest for years to come.

Find more information about relationships and psoriasis.