Practically a decade in the past, Nate Berkus was visiting California to movie a tv present when he woke as much as pink patches throughout his face, instantly having a second of “sheer panic” whereas trying within the mirror.

“I used to be in a dermatologist’s workplace two hours later. I am not messing round with that,” he tells PEOPLE with fun. 

The inside designer, 51, just lately spoke to PEOPLE about being recognized with psoriasis 9 years in the past and why he’s waited till now to disclose his pores and skin situation. 

Psoriasis is a persistent and incurable pores and skin illness that causes a rash with itchy, scaly and generally painful patches, based on the Mayo Clinic. It may be painful and intervene with sleep and different on a regular basis duties. The situation additionally tends to undergo cycles, flaring for a number of weeks or months, then subsiding for some time. Whereas there isn’t any remedy, therapies can be found to assist handle signs.

When the rashes first appeared, Berkus initially thought he may be having an allergic response to a brand new cleaning soap or pores and skin product. Nonetheless, the HGTV star shortly acquired into problem-solving mode.

“I do not actually consider in self diagnosing,” he admits. “I’ve such an ideal relationship with my dermatologist — he’s actually on pace dial. I ship them images of issues that I see on myself. I am like, ‘Reside or die? Weigh in.’”

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After a chat together with his New York-based dermatologist, he was referred to a different physician whereas out of city, and had a go to and analysis inside hours.

“It’s kind of of a bummer and it may be miserable,” Berkus says of getting psoriasis. “I do all this stuff in life, attempt to be an excellent husband, attempt to be an excellent dad, attempt to eat effectively, I am going to my private trainers. I prefer to look good, I prefer to really feel good in my very own pores and skin. So, this isn’t one thing that is actually inside my management. It is a type of issues that I’ve to stay with and it may be actually irritating and the outbreaks come on the most inopportune instances, virtually all the time.” 

“For me, there was additionally a psychological influence,” he continues. “As any person that’s within the public eye — reality is, we’re all form of within the public eye now with social media — it has been actually difficult to not have the ability to depend on my look or the standard, the situation of my pores and skin. I believe folks that have persistent pores and skin points know precisely what I am speaking about.”

Regardless of the frustration, the Nate and Jeremiah House Venture star admits that he’s truly “fortunate” as a result of his flare ups aren’t painful like another individuals. Berkus says his rashes are usually “dry and uncomfortable” and might be stress induced, which makes him extra acutely aware at any time when he has high-stress occasions to attend. 

However as a result of Berkus says his relationship together with his dermatologist has developed right into a friendship over time, managing his psoriasis has been easy and the pair have mastered a “profitable” two-step therapy plan for him. 

After so a few years of residing with psoriasis, Berkus says he is revealing his analysis now after studying how many individuals navigate their pores and skin circumstances by themselves.

“It is irritating. It may be isolating. I used to be actually stunned that a few of my closest mates even have psoriasis or eczema and we had by no means mentioned it — and we talked about all the pieces,” the Oprah alum says, noting that it sparked his drive towards elevating consciousness by partnering with AbbVie for a brand new marketing campaign. 

On Aug. 15, Berkus shall be moderating the corporate’s roundtable occasion, “Science of Pores and skin: The Psychosocial Impression of Continual Pores and skin Illness,” which is able to characteristic a dialogue amongst eczema and psoriasis sufferers, healthcare professionals, and advocacy leaders. He hopes individuals coping with persistent pores and skin circumstances be taught to be extra proactive of their well being journey and construct a powerful relationship with their dermatologist like he has.

“Psoriasis is one thing that I have been navigating largely alone till now and this felt like an ideal alternative to sort of be public about it,” Berkus tells PEOPLE.

“I believe having a persistent pores and skin situation is one thing that lots of people simply do not speak about and do not feel snug sharing,” he provides. “I believe it is nice to only be open and ignite a dialog round it and get extra individuals to develop higher relationships with their very own dermatologist.” 

“That is one thing that folks ought to learn about. Why not? There’s sources,” Berkus says.