psoriasis and the PDF medical

pokerface92

Hi
I have psoriasis, very mild and I have even gotten treatment I.e light therapy ahead of the medical which I have coming up soon. It doesn't effect me on a day to day basis and only covers about 5-10% of body it's in remission. I'm wondering how will this effect my chances? The defence force website say that it depends on case by case.. Does anyone know someone who has passed a medical before with this condition? Thank you

tac foley

How might your condition react to irritants such as those used in CW training?

Or even the issue cam creams?

tac

pokerface92

tac foley wrote: »

How might your condition react to irritants such as those used in CW training?

Or even the issue cam creams?

tac

It doesn't react at all. The only way it effects me is the physical appearance which I've learned to live with

Jawgap

I don't want to put a downer on you, but watching that programme on the Royal Marines training on C4 the other night, they discharged a guy because of eczema which flared up during training, on the basis that its one of the few conditions that can't be managed, particularly in the field.

I'd suggest being honest about the condition and maybe as a pre-emptive move get a letter from your consultant (if you're under the care of one) outlining the nature, extent and history of the condition in medical terms for the examining doctor.

I should also point out I've no military experience so if one of the more experienced posters here comes up with an idea, it would be worth paying attention to them.

Good luck.

pablomakaveli

One of the lads in my battery has eczema and has no issues. I cant speak for the PDF however but hopefully if it isnt an issue if it doesn't give you any problems.

pokerface92

pablomakaveli wrote: »

One of the lads in my battery has eczema and has no issues. I cant speak for the PDF however but hopefully if it isnt an issue if it doesn't give you any problems.

Thanks for all your help guys! I have researched and the minister says it depends on the severity of the condition also I'm in the RDF and it hasn't caused me any problems what so ever even on my two week camp I just hope it isn't a problem now. Once again thanks for everyone's help!

IT_wannabe

I'm serving in the PDF for 10yrs now and trained with a guy who had eczema and psoriasis on his forearms, elbows and knees pretty bad and he's still serving today with no issues. The issue will start if it is on your face and it affects your ability to be clean shaven in the long term. If it doesn't stop you performing your duties as a soldier then you'll have no issues

gizmo555

IT_wannabe wrote: »

I'm serving in the PDF for 10yrs now and trained with a guy who had eczema and psoriasis on his forearms, elbows and knees pretty bad and he's still serving today with no issues. The issue will start if it is on your face and it affects your ability to be clean shaven in the long term. If it doesn't stop you performing your duties as a soldier then you'll have no issues

Before the whistleblower controversy broke, ex-Garda John Wilson was best known for his successful campaign to be allowed wear a beard, because his skin condition made it difficult for him to shave. I wonder if this has created a precedent for the Defence Forces?

THE Garda Representative Association has taken up the case of a member who has been told he must shave off his beard.

Garda John Wilson suffers from un unusual skin condition which is eased by growing a beard. But beause this breaches regulations, he has been confined to indoor duties at Monaghan Garda station. Now the case of the 38-year-old garda has been raised with Commissioner Pat Byrne. And Garda Wilson plans to take legal action, claiming that his consitutional rights are being infringed.

"I have done everything that I could to have these regulations repealed but I have been ignored," he said. "I am now confined to a radio room and the the instructions are that I am not to be allowed out in public."

Garda Wilson suffers from a skin condition which causes facial hair to grow inwards; growing a beard lessens the pain.

He was advised to stop shaving by a garda doctor.

Despite a Garda medical officer backing up this opinion, as a uniformed officer he was still ordered to shave.

Garda Wilson turned down an offer of a plain-clothes position and claims that he would have suffered financially if he had taken the job.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gra-bristle-over-garda-beard-ban-26083159.html

pokerface92

IT_wannabe wrote: »

I'm serving in the PDF for 10yrs now and trained with a guy who had eczema and psoriasis on his forearms, elbows and knees pretty bad and he's still serving today with no issues. The issue will start if it is on your face and it affects your ability to be clean shaven in the long term. If it doesn't stop you performing your duties as a soldier then you'll have no issues

Yeah I've seen some soldiers that are currently serving with pretty bad psoriasis. No I've never gotten it where I need to shave it's just always on my torso. I have my medical very soon so fingers crossed!

tac foley

pokerface92 wrote: »

Yeah I've seen some soldiers that are currently serving with pretty bad psoriasis. No I've never gotten it where I need to shave it's just always on my torso. I have my medical very soon so fingers crossed!

Hope all goes well for you.

tac

IT_wannabe

gizmo555 wrote:

Before the whistleblower controversy broke, ex-Garda John Wilson was best known for his successful campaign to be allowed wear a beard, because his skin condition made it difficult for him to shave. I wonder if this has created a precedent for the Defence Forces?

The PDF is very strict on facial hair. If you can't be clean shaven due to a medical condition then you are medically downgraded which will affect your contractual signing on, selection for career advancement courses and application for certain overseas missions with a gas threat because facial hair doesn't allow the respirator to form an airtight seal. To cut a long story short, they'll make it hard enough so that you will personally pay privately to see a specialist to sort it out, or run out your remaining contract term and they won't sign you back due to being "unable to perform your duties as a soldier". (quote from DFR's)

pokerface92

I did my medical and passed! According to the PDF doctor as long as it doesn't effect everyday duties they won't fail u

Jawgap

Well done and good luck.

5.11 Tactical

pokerface92 wrote: »

Hi
I have psoriasis, very mild and I have even gotten treatment I.e light therapy ahead of the medical which I have coming up soon. It doesn't effect me on a day to day basis and only covers about 5-10% of body it's in remission. I'm wondering how will this effect my chances? The defence force website say that it depends on case by case.. Does anyone know someone who has passed a medical before with this condition? Thank you

I had it when I joined, very mild on the back and the lower legs was never a problem.

I would suggest using diprosalic for around a month before a medical it will (hopefully) clear it up it worked for me.

pokerface92

5.11 Tactical wrote: »

I had it when I joined, very mild on the back and the lower legs was never a problem.

I would suggest using diprosalic for around a month before a medical it will (hopefully) clear it up it worked for me.

Do you mind me asking does it effect you when you do your yearly medical? I just wonder when I do my final medical before I pass out adn maybe get a different doctor will he/she think differently?

5.11 Tactical

There is no final medical when you pass out, not that I am aware of and was'nt in my time.

Unless you have your body or a large part covered in it, it wont be an issue.

Also if you go overseas to a hot country exposure to the sun will do the world of good for it or get rid of it for years.

My first trip to the leb was in the summer and I came out free of it.:)