Traveling to Japan with psoriasis

[IAmNotMySkin]

Does anyone have experience traveling in Japan with Psoriasis?

I was thinking of going, but read the Japanese see it as somewhat of a 'stigma.' Especially in the public baths, (not that I was considering that.)

I am concerned that it will become too much of a problem since I can't possibly cover-up all of it and I don't know just how much of a stigma it would be.

An feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Caroline]

Does anyone have experience traveling in Japan with Psoriasis?

I was thinking of going, but read the Japanese see it as somewhat of a 'stigma.' Especially in the public baths, (not that I was considering that.)

I am concerned that it will become too much of a problem since I can't possibly cover-up all of it and I don't know just how much of a stigma it would be.

An feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Hi Scott,

I have never been to Japan, so I did not know about that stigma. Just checked it with chatGPT, and indeed it seems to be so. It is a cultural thing that the Japanese associate a beautiful skin with overall health of the problem. Though due to better information, it is getting better.

If it is your dream to visit Japan. I think I would not let myself kept back, and go for it. Being prepared for the looks that are thrown at you and ignoring them. Avoiding public baths can be smart.

If it is your dream visiting other countries, then you could also consider to go to another part of the world, where the stigma and knowledge is less and better.

Cheers,
Caroline

[Kat]

I agree with Caroline. I wouldn't let it stop me from going if it's what I wanted to do, however if you expect to be uncomfortable, perhaps go somewhere else.

My husband was stationed in Japan, and his experience was that the people were friendly. He does not have psoriasis so no experience there.

[Fred]

Go for it and enjoy your visit, most people probably won't notice but if they do ........................ you're not going to end up in prison.

They do treat and study it, here are few examples.

Cosentyx approved in Japan for treating psoriasis

Psoriatic arthritis in Japan increasing

Adacolumn Japanese treatment study

Plus the people themselves are very polite.

[IAmNotMySkin]

Thanks all, for the replies and encouragement. I have traveled to other places around the world, (never Asia,) and haven't had any problems I wouldn't also encounter here in the US. But this is the first place I have researched where it actually appears to be something that could be an issue.

This trip is actually my wife's dream, (although I also very much want to go.) She has had a pen pal from Japan since the early 1970's and they have never met. I want it to go well and don't want it to become a source of worry for her. We're both used to the 'looks' I get and can live with it, but I am concerned more with denial of service in restaurants, hotels, etc. That's what type of information I am looking for. Just how much of a stigma is having psoriasis in Japan.

There seems to be very little information on the internet about it from what I can tell. But that by no means will stop me. It never has before.

[mataribot]

The language barrier and social norms is going to be more of problem then anything else, assuming you are avoiding the tourist trap. I wouldn’t worry about it.

[Kat]

Most everything I could find (online, and I'm sure you've looked) says not to expect discrimination and that psoriasis is treated and viewed similar to how it's viewed in the US.

Is there a reason you think you'd be denied service? Something you read? Just curious on that one.

Maybe consider the weather. Do you have more flares during a certain season? It's easier to cover up more during colder weather, but may not be the best psoriasis wise time to go plus travel could be more difficult.

[Forest Walker]

Most everything I could find (online, and I'm sure you've looked) says not to expect discrimination and that psoriasis is treated and viewed similar to how it's viewed in the US. 

Is there a reason you think you'd be denied service?  Something you read?  Just curious on that one.

Maybe consider the weather.  Do you have more flares during a certain season?  It's easier to cover up more during colder weather, but may not be the best psoriasis wise time to go plus travel could be more difficult.

Good point to think of clothing Scott might wear on the trip.  You can get clothing specific for travel, such as easy to pack and fold long-sleeve shirts made of light-weight material and with hidden pockets for essentials like passports and money.  

Scott, it's pretty wonderful that you want to help your wife meet a long-time pen pal friend.

[Fred]

I just remembered this thread Skin Camouflage not sure if there may be something in there that could help.

[Kat]

I should add that I know when looking online it's all about the wording.

As in I could put How is the flu viewed in Georgia and get people in Georgia are cautious about being around people with the flu or some such. But I could put Are people in Georgia paranoid about getting the flu and get no, they are about the same as everywhere else. (Made up! I did not search either of those!) So although I think the internet is a great source of information, it is easy to get conflicting results.

So, I'm not saying there isn't a difference made. Other cultures definitely can have different views and opinions but finding sites that say Japan is similar in views towards psoriasis as other countries I thought might be a bit reassuring.