Anyone had/got psoriasis
Discussion
I have had psoriasis on and off for a few years (im 25) I get it on my scalp ,I have very think hair so not noticeable but is annoying and I get a patch on my right arm.
My doctor has given me different creams and lotions over the years and i have managed to keep my psoriasis the little that I get on my face under control.Though with my scalp I havent been so successful.
Has anyone tried anything successful that works, like going to a nutrionist to see if they are allergic to anything?
thanks in advance
My doctor has given me different creams and lotions over the years and i have managed to keep my psoriasis the little that I get on my face under control.Though with my scalp I havent been so successful.
Has anyone tried anything successful that works, like going to a nutrionist to see if they are allergic to anything?
thanks in advance
I've had it for years including a period of time when it was severe enough to warrant multiple visits to the hospital to stand in a pod with a sock on my genitals as I was bombarded with UV-B.
There's a pretty standard treatment ladder a GP will use starting at various coal tar type substances which make you smell like a recently laid driveway, then you move into topical steriods, vitamin D analogues, more powerful steriods, UV-B, PUVA and if you're really unlucky you get to MTX before they start experimenting on you with biologics.
Over the years I've read the forums, tried the no tomatoes thing, eaten various strange herbal tablets, read the book that seriously suggests a colonic reintroduction of the "healthy" bacteria etc
The various alternative treatments all did diddly - they probably give you something else to focus on for a bit which may provide some mental help.
Having said all that first thing I'd do in your position is get a confirmation of the diagnosis (unless you already have done).
If you've tried topical steroids already and been impressed at the speed at which they work then disappointed at the speed which the psoriasis returns after stopping you may find that you've not been given the right information on how to wind down the regimen. They're not really a tenable long term treatment due to skin thinning concerns but can be very effective if you're careful in their usage.
Ultimately I gave up with all treatments, the UV-B was very good and really knocked it back and after that I just decided to deal with it. I get occasional flare ups in the typical locations but can always link them to stress events or illness. The challenge with it is often not the physical symptoms but the mental challenge of dealing with it - it can form an self-sustaining loop where the stress caused by it makes you think more about it which causes more stress yada yada.
Happy to provide additional info if I can.
There's a pretty standard treatment ladder a GP will use starting at various coal tar type substances which make you smell like a recently laid driveway, then you move into topical steriods, vitamin D analogues, more powerful steriods, UV-B, PUVA and if you're really unlucky you get to MTX before they start experimenting on you with biologics.
Over the years I've read the forums, tried the no tomatoes thing, eaten various strange herbal tablets, read the book that seriously suggests a colonic reintroduction of the "healthy" bacteria etc
The various alternative treatments all did diddly - they probably give you something else to focus on for a bit which may provide some mental help.
Having said all that first thing I'd do in your position is get a confirmation of the diagnosis (unless you already have done).
If you've tried topical steroids already and been impressed at the speed at which they work then disappointed at the speed which the psoriasis returns after stopping you may find that you've not been given the right information on how to wind down the regimen. They're not really a tenable long term treatment due to skin thinning concerns but can be very effective if you're careful in their usage.
Ultimately I gave up with all treatments, the UV-B was very good and really knocked it back and after that I just decided to deal with it. I get occasional flare ups in the typical locations but can always link them to stress events or illness. The challenge with it is often not the physical symptoms but the mental challenge of dealing with it - it can form an self-sustaining loop where the stress caused by it makes you think more about it which causes more stress yada yada.
Happy to provide additional info if I can.
Like above had it all over my body for the last 6 years. Also had light treatment which was extremely effective but recurrence occurred when stopped and as you can only have this treatment 4 or 5 times in your life time (if remembered correctly), is a bit of a waste of time really. currently on methotrexate and have had to up my dosage to 6 weekly, have seen slight reduction in scaliness but a bit underwhelmed as i was hopping it would have had a better effect by now. oh well.
I have it and it's also worst on my scalp, if I let it get bad then it's like bad dandruff x 1000 and will snow everywhere. I tried the medicated shampoos and they did absolutely bugger all. What I can recommend is a topical gel called either dovobet or xamiol (same thing), you apply it to affected areas of your scalp at night and then wash it off in the morning. It took about a week of using it every night for the psoriasis to disappear and now I just use it every three days to keep it at bay. Ask your doctor or dermatologist to prescribe you some, trust me it works a treat.
I don't believe my psoriasis is linked to any food allergies or intolerances, I've been on a very strict diet the past few months which has had zero effect. Sadly it's genetic and I don't think there is much I can do about it.
I don't believe my psoriasis is linked to any food allergies or intolerances, I've been on a very strict diet the past few months which has had zero effect. Sadly it's genetic and I don't think there is much I can do about it.
Edited by Scantily on Thursday 14th November 19:57
I don't seem to get it as bad as the OP.
But have found using T-Gel shampoo really helps. And if it gets really bad some Betnovate Solution that I got off Amazon (GSK send it to Thailand to send it back to the UK!). The Betnovate cream works well. Just once a week on my face usually does the trick...
But have found using T-Gel shampoo really helps. And if it gets really bad some Betnovate Solution that I got off Amazon (GSK send it to Thailand to send it back to the UK!). The Betnovate cream works well. Just once a week on my face usually does the trick...
Have had it on my scalp for about the past 10 years. Originally diagnosed as seborrhoeic dermatitis but re-diagnosed as psoriasis by a skin specialist (who I was seeing for a different skin thing). Skin specialist advised me I could get "serious" steroids to treat it but most GPs would only prescribe Betnovate and tar type shampoos, which is all they've done for me so far.
The tar shampoo does sod all except make me smell weird. The Betnovate scalp application helps in as much as it's a calmer down of the condition when it flares up, however it no longer makes anything disappear long term.
I know psoriasis has no real known cure so I just wait for those moments when it subsides, for whatever reason, and enjoy being "scratch-free" etc. I've tried all sorts of alternatives like change of diet, using oils on my scalp, trying aromatherapy oils (helped for a bit but came back) so I guess I'm stuck with this invisible, but very irritating, condition now.
My Mum, brother and a couple of cousins all suffer the same so I guess it's a genetic thing. PITA!!
The tar shampoo does sod all except make me smell weird. The Betnovate scalp application helps in as much as it's a calmer down of the condition when it flares up, however it no longer makes anything disappear long term.
I know psoriasis has no real known cure so I just wait for those moments when it subsides, for whatever reason, and enjoy being "scratch-free" etc. I've tried all sorts of alternatives like change of diet, using oils on my scalp, trying aromatherapy oils (helped for a bit but came back) so I guess I'm stuck with this invisible, but very irritating, condition now.
My Mum, brother and a couple of cousins all suffer the same so I guess it's a genetic thing. PITA!!
Had it pretty much all my life over my face, scalp now my legs and body.
Drinking and bad diet seems to make it worse along with cold weather and stress.
Gp pretty much useless, i have tried loads of treatments, steriods work but i don't want old people skin before my time so cut them out.
I have just started on dermelax and it is very expensive and a bit like snake oil in its claims, but it seems to work for me. Still itchy but my skin is very softer and much better than other creams, and is supposed to be steriod free, but only 2 weeks in. Going to see if i can get it on prescription.
The winter time is the worse for it for me. Exercise and diet also helps as well as any thing that cold irritate the skin, like washing powders. You need to combat it inside and out, but it seems i never get tried of wiping the flakes away, like xmas ever day...
Link to forum, a comment says that if you apply anything it might work
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cac...
Drinking and bad diet seems to make it worse along with cold weather and stress.
Gp pretty much useless, i have tried loads of treatments, steriods work but i don't want old people skin before my time so cut them out.
I have just started on dermelax and it is very expensive and a bit like snake oil in its claims, but it seems to work for me. Still itchy but my skin is very softer and much better than other creams, and is supposed to be steriod free, but only 2 weeks in. Going to see if i can get it on prescription.
The winter time is the worse for it for me. Exercise and diet also helps as well as any thing that cold irritate the skin, like washing powders. You need to combat it inside and out, but it seems i never get tried of wiping the flakes away, like xmas ever day...
Link to forum, a comment says that if you apply anything it might work
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cac...
Edited by The Spruce goose on Friday 15th November 00:46
I have this issue. Combating it is often as simple as not exposing yourself to nasty chemicals made by 'big pharma', who will then sell you expensive (and in my experience, ineffective) drugs to 'cure' that things that their chemicals already did to you. If you avoid washing in things that contain SLS (sodium laureth sulfate / sodium lauryl sulfate) it's a big help. Also have a food sensitivity test and see if there's something in your diet which is causing the problem. Your GP won't tell you to do this because they'll be on backhanders from big pharma to prescribe you their drugs. If you're anything like my ex who was cured of some serious issues when she changed her diet your GP will even sneer at you when you tell them how you fixed things. I cured my issues with a food sensitivity test and switching to shampoo and shower gel without SLS in. I still get a little psoriasis because, for me, caffeine seems to aggravate it and I'm not ready to give up coffee altogether.
SLS-free stuff isn't the easiest to find - all the things on the high street claiming to be 'natural' have it in, however, online stores Love Lula and Naturisimo sell loads of SLS-free stuff, while my chosen shower gel – Dr Bronner's Magic Soap – is available over the counter in American Apparel shops. Get the Peppermint one – if feels very 'refreshing' on your 'nether regions'
Basically, it's often what you've added to yourself that you shouldn't have, and stopping, that's key to fixing yourself, not adding even more stuff to try to cure the problems.
Finally, check out my OH's web site which offers all sorts of advice on natural living.
SLS-free stuff isn't the easiest to find - all the things on the high street claiming to be 'natural' have it in, however, online stores Love Lula and Naturisimo sell loads of SLS-free stuff, while my chosen shower gel – Dr Bronner's Magic Soap – is available over the counter in American Apparel shops. Get the Peppermint one – if feels very 'refreshing' on your 'nether regions'
Basically, it's often what you've added to yourself that you shouldn't have, and stopping, that's key to fixing yourself, not adding even more stuff to try to cure the problems.
Finally, check out my OH's web site which offers all sorts of advice on natural living.
At its worst, about 12 years ago, my psoriasis got so bad that I was unable to drive. I was covered shoulders down to feet. Could not drive as the skin on my wrists would crack open and bleed. This was the worst it had ever been.
I had had previous flare ups, always after tonsillitis, and had tried various creams and bath emollients. Strong oral steroids, not a pleasant drug to take, usually calmed things down by way of their side effect of thinning the skin. It always came back though.
So, during my worst attack I decided to turn my back on western medicine and GPs telling me they don't know what causes it.
Acupuncture has completely cured me of psoriasis. I went for just four sessions of having 12 tiny needles put in me and was completely clean. A couple of years later, after another bout of tonsillitis, I started getting the familiar red spots on my forearms, two acupuncture sessions and clean again. It has never come back.
All I will say is, it worked for me.
The feeling i got after an acupuncture session is difficult to describe. You feel very light. I would highly recommend to anyone.
I had had previous flare ups, always after tonsillitis, and had tried various creams and bath emollients. Strong oral steroids, not a pleasant drug to take, usually calmed things down by way of their side effect of thinning the skin. It always came back though.
So, during my worst attack I decided to turn my back on western medicine and GPs telling me they don't know what causes it.
Acupuncture has completely cured me of psoriasis. I went for just four sessions of having 12 tiny needles put in me and was completely clean. A couple of years later, after another bout of tonsillitis, I started getting the familiar red spots on my forearms, two acupuncture sessions and clean again. It has never come back.
All I will say is, it worked for me.
The feeling i got after an acupuncture session is difficult to describe. You feel very light. I would highly recommend to anyone.
MitchT said:
SLS-free stuff isn't the easiest to find - all the things on the high street claiming to be 'natural' have it in, however, online stores Love Lula and Naturisimo sell loads of SLS-free stuff, while my chosen shower gel – Dr Bronner's Magic Soap – is available over the counter in American Apparel shops. Get the Peppermint one – if feels very 'refreshing' on your 'nether regions'
I'm going to try the SLS free stuff and see how I get on.I found some shampoo in the baby/child section of Boots called "Halos n Horns" and it claims to be SLS free, along with free from lots of other nasty sounding stuff.
I've had/got psoriasis for many years now, but the last 1/2 weeks it has completely cleared up, and I've no idea why... There has been no major change in diet that I can think of (my diet remains terrible). The only thing major is that I've been DIY-ing and probably been exposed to various toxic chemicals..
Just had eight weeks of the sun booth and a sock. Best treatment I have had. Some steroid creams work, others no chance. Best reliever (not cure) has been a good moisturiser like E45 or baby oil. Chatting to the consultant and he reckoned it was still a dark art for treatment and the triggers not really understood but it was genetic.
One of the better prescribed ones for relief was like a grease but also an emollient. If it got on your cloths it would wash out OK.
Ongoing.
One of the better prescribed ones for relief was like a grease but also an emollient. If it got on your cloths it would wash out OK.
Ongoing.
I have suffered with this for a number of years and tried pretty much everything known to man in an attempt to control it, success was quite varied. I'll list below my experiences.
Topicals: Varied results, sort of worked short term but the P would always return.
UV: Mostly worked but it was only a short term fix. Started to come back as soon as the treatment had finished.
Acitretin: Took these for a number of months - didn't work.
Methotrexate: low dose of 5mg didn't work, 10mg worked quickly but started to show issues on blood tests.
Ciclosporin: Worked very well but again issues with blood tests after a number of months. Came off it and had a mahoosive flare up.
Adalimumab, Methotrexate and Folic acid: Combination of these resulted in 98% clear. Simple injection every two weeks, the Methotrexate is harder to take, tiny little pills that make me gag!
I started on Adalimumab after the Ciclosporin but the period of time between the two was about 8 weeks and the flare up was horrible. Luckily the Adalimumab worked quickly and I documented the process from burnt lizard to human. I have the photos but you probably don't want to see them!
Topicals: Varied results, sort of worked short term but the P would always return.
UV: Mostly worked but it was only a short term fix. Started to come back as soon as the treatment had finished.
Acitretin: Took these for a number of months - didn't work.
Methotrexate: low dose of 5mg didn't work, 10mg worked quickly but started to show issues on blood tests.
Ciclosporin: Worked very well but again issues with blood tests after a number of months. Came off it and had a mahoosive flare up.
Adalimumab, Methotrexate and Folic acid: Combination of these resulted in 98% clear. Simple injection every two weeks, the Methotrexate is harder to take, tiny little pills that make me gag!
I started on Adalimumab after the Ciclosporin but the period of time between the two was about 8 weeks and the flare up was horrible. Luckily the Adalimumab worked quickly and I documented the process from burnt lizard to human. I have the photos but you probably don't want to see them!
Myself and almost every member of my paternal family have severe (whole-body)psoriasis. Most developed after a traumatic event of some kind, puberty, pregnancy accident etc but my 56 yr old brother has had it very bad from birth. As such, he predominantly, has been used as a guinea pig for all kinds of treatments of one kind or another. Many have worked temporarily but none have ever been longlasting, however that said the last time we spoke he was undergoing some daily special UV or similar, treatment which he said was very successful.
Stress is a major factor I believe...I have been completely clear one day and covered the next for no apparent reason.....but it has been constant for the last 4 or 5 years since I have been having "other" health issues.
I will check with my brother and report back if his latest treatment has had a longer lasting effect.
Stress is a major factor I believe...I have been completely clear one day and covered the next for no apparent reason.....but it has been constant for the last 4 or 5 years since I have been having "other" health issues.
I will check with my brother and report back if his latest treatment has had a longer lasting effect.
steveT350C said:
At its worst, about 12 years ago, my psoriasis got so bad that I was unable to drive. I was covered shoulders down to feet. Could not drive as the skin on my wrists would crack open and bleed. This was the worst it had ever been.
I had had previous flare ups, always after tonsillitis, and had tried various creams and bath emollients. Strong oral steroids, not a pleasant drug to take, usually calmed things down by way of their side effect of thinning the skin. It always came back though.
So, during my worst attack I decided to turn my back on western medicine and GPs telling me they don't know what causes it.
Acupuncture has completely cured me of psoriasis. I went for just four sessions of having 12 tiny needles put in me and was completely clean. A couple of years later, after another bout of tonsillitis, I started getting the familiar red spots on my forearms, two acupuncture sessions and clean again. It has never come back.
All I will say is, it worked for me.
The feeling i got after an acupuncture session is difficult to describe. You feel very light. I would highly recommend to anyone.
ayup mate...my brother is a Steve as well....but he's not a PHerI had had previous flare ups, always after tonsillitis, and had tried various creams and bath emollients. Strong oral steroids, not a pleasant drug to take, usually calmed things down by way of their side effect of thinning the skin. It always came back though.
So, during my worst attack I decided to turn my back on western medicine and GPs telling me they don't know what causes it.
Acupuncture has completely cured me of psoriasis. I went for just four sessions of having 12 tiny needles put in me and was completely clean. A couple of years later, after another bout of tonsillitis, I started getting the familiar red spots on my forearms, two acupuncture sessions and clean again. It has never come back.
All I will say is, it worked for me.
The feeling i got after an acupuncture session is difficult to describe. You feel very light. I would highly recommend to anyone.
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