Rosie Daniels said that her skin became so bad from living in the UK that she decided to move halfway around the world to live in a completely different country
A British woman has explained that she decided to move from the UK to Australia after her skin condition became so intolerable that relocation became the only option.
Rosie Daniels, 25, has lived with a skin condition known as plaque psoriasis since the age of 10. The condition causes dry skin lesions, the aforementioned plaques, that are covered in scales.
The condition can leave patients in agonising pain and discomfort, and can sometimes be treated through medicines and creams. However, some patients find these treatments don’t provide the long-term relief they seek.
Rosie said she had tried multiple treatments, including herbal medicines and steroid creams, but had had no luck until she moved to Australia from her home in Manchester with her 28-year-old fiancé, Harry Wilde, in January 2024.
On what the British weather did to her skin, Josie said bravely: “The cold, damp weather made my skin so bad – it was constantly dry, cracked and flaring. I was always covered up, trying to hide my skin.
“The grey, gloomy days added to that heaviness. It often felt like my skin — and the weather — was controlling every part of my life.”
Speaking about the impact Australia’s warmer weather had on her, Rosie said that whilst she still gets flare-ups, they are far less severe than in the UK.
She explained that the sun helps, although she has to limit exposure so she doesn’t burn her patches.
“The salt water is always so nice and really soothes my skin. The sunshine, ocean, and just being outside every day have changed so much for me.
“My skin still flares, but the warm and sunny climate has helped me manage it so much better.”
As well as the increased level of sunlight, Rosie said the more relaxed way of living in Australia helped, as stress can affect psoriasis. She explained: “Moving here has come with a huge lifestyle change.
“It’s positively impacted my mental health in ways I can’t explain. The way I’m able to live life now means I have so much less stress — and therefore, it has a positive impact on my skin.
“Psoriasis is connected to stress; choosing an environment where I feel calmer, happier and more at peace has been life-changing.
“In the UK, I felt like I was surviving. Now, I have a sense of freedom to embrace each day.”
Alongside highlighting the benefits of Australia’s weather, Rosie also touched on the role of her fiancé, Harry, who supports her on days when her skin is in so much pain it hurts to touch.
She said: “There are days when my skin hurts to touch, and when my confidence feels so low that I want to disappear.
“Harry has been a rock for me; he holds me when I feel broken and washes my hair when my skin is too raw for me to do it myself.
“I can be at my most vulnerable with him and still be seen as beautiful. The move has taught me that even though I can’t change my symptoms, I can create an environment that supports me.
“And emotionally, as well as physically, I am better for it. I hope that one day living with psoriasis will get easier and the pain will become lighter.”