For Nitika Chopra, 40, psoriasis has always been the biggest influence in her life; diagnosed with this chronic skin disease at the age of 10, Chopra spent years with scaly red spots covering about 98 percent of her body.

"When I was looking for work, the psoriasis made it very hard to put myself out there," says Chopra, founder and content creator of Chronicon (opens in new tab), a community platform for people with chronic diseases, who lives in New York City. Says Chopra.

"I felt depressed, ashamed, and completely isolated, making it difficult to pursue my dreams and even believe I was worthy of the work and opportunities I so desperately wanted."

Chopra is not alone. In fact, a study published in The Journal of Dermatological Treatment (opens in new tab) shows that moderate to severe plaque psoriasis affects patients' career choices, job performance, and workplace relationships and interactions.

In fact, one of the most influential parts of psoriasis is the psychological burden that comes from its impact on job prospects, says Geeta Patel, M.D., a dermatologist in Houston, Texas.

"This burden is exacerbated by the fact that psoriasis appears on the skin and that the condition itself is very misunderstood," she says. Many psoriasis sufferers are stigmatized because of their skin."

Ultimately, Dr. Patel adds, psoriasis can affect everything from the clothes you choose to how you interact with coworkers to your overall energy at work. Even with an aggressive approach to treatment, "the condition can take a heavy toll on your daily life.

Such was the case with Leena Ruparelia, 40. While working in the human resources department early in her career, she noticed that people were hesitant to shake her hand because of the scaly patches there (these patches were also found on her lower legs, feet, and arms).

"I used my hands a lot for conversations and presentations because the psoriasis on my hands was quite noticeable," says Ruparelia, a Toronto resident who was diagnosed at age 14. 'So much so that I was anxious and worried because I didn't want anyone to see my rough skin or my hands. I also sometimes felt that others were hesitant to work with me because they thought I was sick or contagious"

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In addition, Ruparelia, who now works as a mindfulness guide (opens in new tab) and wellness advocate specializing in supporting other women with psoriasis, was afraid of their judgment." I even had to wear plastic gloves to work when I had really bad symptoms," she says. 'It made me really uncomfortable to be at work.'

And there were days when I didn't feel well enough to go to work." When the anxiety and pain of psoriasis was too much, she would miss work or turn down opportunities because of her skin. This had a huge impact on my future."

Ruparelia says that for most of her career as a corporate employee, she was really nervous about interacting with people, especially new staff, vendors, and clients." I also thought that having visible symptoms might get in the way of me getting promoted," she says. But my skin never got in the way of my job." I didn't want my bosses and superiors to think I was less than competent. Looking back, I tell myself it's okay to have sick days and be human, but at the time I was really hard on myself."

The more you connect with healthcare professionals about current and new treatments, Dr. Patel says, the more you may be able to ensure that psoriasis does not interfere with your career. There are wonderful treatments available for psoriasis patients, depending on the severity of their condition. 'They range from topical medications to biologics. All of these are safe options that can be used during lactation and pregnancy, Dr. Patel adds.

Nevertheless, securing regular office visits when you work crazy hours can end up being a major challenge. Says Hadley King, MD, a New York City dermatologist, "Psoriasis is a chronic condition, so treatment and doctor appointments often have to be made during work hours."

"These problems can lead to discrimination in the workplace and restrictions on the career choices one wants to make."

Given these challenges, it may help to be open about psoriasis and discuss it with your boss and colleagues if you are comfortable sharing this information. Says Dr. King, "This may help increase understanding and dispel discomfort and prejudice."

"Also, flexible scheduling may allow you to accommodate medical appointments without antagonizing them."

Ultimately, work-related stress may contribute to psoriasis flare-ups, so it is important to find ways to manage your workload to minimize stress as much as possible, Dr. King says. After all, if the traditional path with a demanding boss is too stressful, it may be time to leave the corporate world, as Chopra did. [Because psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, my skin has been greatly affected, resulting in a lot of fatigue. My psoriasis can be really unpredictable in terms of my energy levels and when I actually feel better, so having my own schedule has saved me from having to work around other people's schedules."

As for Ruparelia, her new attitude toward psoriasis and her new career path have changed everything. 'I think I used to think that my condition was limiting what was possible for me, that I wasn't qualified to do certain kinds of work because of the way I looked. Now I think my body is meant for work that I can make time for."

As a result, she no longer allows her skin to get in the way of her professional plans. This means that she never works long hours or travels a lot.

"I no longer see my psoriasis as a disability. Instead, I see it as an invitation to be more compassionate with myself and to choose a job that best supports my health and desires."