Under the incandescent bathroom light, Lin Xia gently scraped the scales from her lower leg in front of the mirror. Silver-white flakes the size of a thumbnail sifted onto the tile, like a miniature snowstorm that never ends. This was the tenth year she had been wrestling with psoriasis, each morning repeating the same ritual — carefully clearing away those stubborn flakes, as if sweeping the ruins of a place that could never be fully cleaned.

Ten years ago, Lin Xia was still a college student with a ponytail. Back then, she loved running around campus in denim shorts, her legs smooth and flawless in the sunlight. However, after a sudden high fever, red patches quietly appeared on her knees. At first, she paid no attention, thinking it was just a common allergy. But as time went on, the erythema gradually spread, the surface became covered with thick scales, and the itching tortured her like ants biting. When the doctor diagnosed psoriasis, Lin Xia felt as if her whole world had collapsed.

"This disease cannot be cured, only controlled." The doctor's words were like a heavy hammer, shattering all her illusions. From then on, Lin Xia began a long and painful course of treatment. Herbal baths, ultraviolet irradiation, topical corticosteroid ointments… all kinds of therapies were tried in succession, yet none could eradicate it. Worse still, the condition always relapsed during periods of high stress, each time pushing her into the abyss of despair.

After starting work, Lin Xia had to wear long pants year-round, not daring to show her legs even in the hot summer. Coworkers' curious looks and clients' subtle disdain were like fine needles continuously pricking her self-esteem. She became increasingly reclusive, refusing all social activities and shutting herself in her small room.

A turning point came during a cold winter. Lin Xia happened to hear in a patient support group about an old traditional Chinese doctor reputed to be skilled in treating skin diseases with a family secret formula. With a "nothing to lose" mindset, she set out on a journey into the remote mountains to seek treatment. The mountain road was rugged and the wind biting, but a glimmer of hope burned in Lin Xia's heart.

The old traditional Chinese medicine doctor's clinic was located halfway up the mountain, surrounded by dense bamboo groves, like a paradise apart from the world. The old man had kind features; after carefully examining Lin Xia's condition, he wrote a special prescription: in addition to the usual Chinese herbs, he required her to bathe daily in the mountain hot spring. Lin Xia was skeptical but decided to give it a try.

The hot spring water was warm and gentle, softly enveloping her body. Miraculously, after a few soaks the skin itching was noticeably reduced. Lin Xia began to soak in the hot spring every day, combined with herbal treatment. Gradually, the scales began to fall off and the erythema subsided. Three months later, when she first wore a skirt on the street, tears involuntarily welled up in her eyes.

However, fate always likes to play tricks. A year later, due to a sudden increase in work stress, the psoriasis relapsed and was more severe than before. Lin Xia fell into deep despair and even had suicidal thoughts. At that moment, a newly acquainted fellow patient brought her hope — biological agents.

Biological agents are a new type of treatment that act through precise targeting to suppress inflammatory responses. Lin Xia consulted a large amount of material and several experts, and ultimately decided to try them. The treatment process was not easy; it required regular injections and was expensive. But to rid herself of the torment of the disease, she gritted her teeth and persisted.

With the support of doctors and family, Lin Xia underwent one injection after another, enduring the side effects of the medications. Finally, a miracle happened again. Her skin gradually smoothed, and the itching disappeared. This time, she did not rush to declare victory but carefully tended to her hard-won health.

Now, Lin Xia has been free of psoriasis for two years. She has begun to actively participate in charity activities, using her experience to encourage other patients. She knows that psoriasis may never be completely cured, but as long as she maintains an optimistic attitude and pursues active treatment, she can still have a good life.

Every morning, when Lin Xia stands before the mirror and looks at her smooth legs, she sincerely feels happy. Those days of battling the disease, though painful, also made her stronger. She understands that life is like a long journey, full of obstacles, but as long as there is hope in the heart, one will surely see the dawn.