LeAnn Rimes' Inspiring Journey Living with Psoriasis - Her Flares, Treatments, and Advocacy

LeAnn Rimes Opens Up About Living with Psoriasis

LeAnn Rimes is one of the biggest names in country music. With numerous hit songs and albums under her belt, she has solidified herself as a legend in the genre. However, in recent years, Rimes has also become known as a public advocate for those living with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes skin cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin. This buildup leads to itchy, painful patches that can crack and bleed. For many who live with psoriasis, the condition can have significant physical and emotional impacts.

Rimes' Psoriasis Journey Begins

Rimes first started developing symptoms of psoriasis when she was only two years old. However, she wasn't officially diagnosed until age 6. As a child, Rimes recalls dealing with painful, itchy red spots and scales that would crack and bleed. She also experienced psoriasis symptoms in her mouth and throat that made eating difficult at times.

Despite her young age, Rimes felt very self-conscious about her skin. She describes feeling isolated and alone in dealing with psoriasis as a child. At times, the physical pain and appearance of her skin would cause Rimes to feel depressed and anxious.

Hiding Her Psoriasis from the Public Eye

As Rimes' music career took off, her psoriasis remained largely hidden from the public eye. She shares that she went to great lengths to conceal her skin condition. Before performances or appearances, Rimes would cake on layers of makeup to try to cover up her psoriasis as much as possible.

However, the makeup did little to provide true relief. Underneath the layers of foundation and concealer, Rimes' skin remained inflamed and painful. The makeup likely made her skin even more aggravated. Additionally, sweating under the stage lights caused the makeup to wear off, revealing her psoriasis again.

A Major Psoriasis Flare

In 2011, Rimes experienced one of her most severe psoriasis flares ever while on a shoot for CMT's "Unplugged" TV special. She recalls waking up with intense redness and irritation covering her entire body.

As Rimes examined her inflamed skin, she came to the emotional realization that she could no longer hide what she was going through. She made the brave decision to go ahead with the CMT shoot, psoriasis and all. The footage shows her performing amazing vocals while covered in bright red splotches.

Sharing Her Journey Publicly

After the CMT shoot, Rimes realized she no longer wanted to keep her psoriasis struggles private. She appeared on national TV interviews opening up about living with psoriasis for the first time publicly. Rimes shared that she hoped to help others with psoriasis feel less alone.

Posting Photos on Social Media

One of Rimes' biggest public psoriasis reveals was in 2019 when she posted a no-makeup selfie on Instagram showcasing a psoriasis flare. The inspiring photo depicts Rimes smiling confidently in a red bikini, her skin covered in painful-looking bumps and redness.

Rimes' intention with the photo was to give others with psoriasis the courage to bare their own skin without shame or hiding. She paired the photo with an encouraging caption about self-love and self-acceptance.

Raising Awareness

Since publicly opening up about having psoriasis, Rimes has become an advocate for raising awareness about the skin condition. She wants to let others with psoriasis know they are not alone. Rimes also wants to reduce the stigma surrounding skin conditions.

Rimes has partnered with advocacy groups like the National Psoriasis Foundation to share her story and increase understanding about psoriasis. She also frequently posts psoriasis-related content on her social media pages, further normalizing the condition.

Advice for Others With Psoriasis

For others struggling with psoriasis, either physically or emotionally, Rimes offers encouragement and reassurance. She wants people to know that it's okay to have ups and downs in self-confidence when dealing with a visible skin condition.

Don't Hide Your Skin

Rimes emphasizes that hiding one's skin with makeup, baggy clothes, or isolation only leads to more shame and anxiety. While it's a process, learning to uncover your bare skin again without fear can be extremely liberating.

Find Supportive Community

It's important to find a supportive community that understands your experiences with psoriasis. Whether that's through in-person or online support groups, you don't have to handle psoriasis alone.

Work With Your Doctor

Make sure you have a great dermatologist who is up-to-date on the latest psoriasis treatments. Discuss all your options for managing flare-ups and reducing symptoms. There are more treatment choices now than ever before.

Rimes' Psoriasis Today

These days, Rimes keeps her psoriasis under control using both prescription creams and biologic medications that target the immune system imbalance underlying psoriasis. She also finds keeping stress low, exercising, and eating anti-inflammatory foods help her skin.

Rimes still gets psoriasis flares from time to time. When she does, she embraces them as part of her journey. By speaking out about her experience, Rimes hopes to empower others on their own psoriasis path.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.