Psoriasis

LizG, I have psoriasis, and every couple of weeks or so my limbs, especially my arms and my hips become covered in a kind of rash. I also have a bit on my back and my scalp. The dermatologist diagnosed psoriasis. I've been prescribed Elocon cream for my body, which I really hate having to use, because it's a steroid, and have to use it for about 2 days before the rash subsids until the next time. My skin peels a bit after using the cream, and I've noticed that in the summer those areas stay white as my skin tans naturally. I really wish there was another answer to this, as well. I was also prescribed Oilatum for my bath, and always moisturise well after bath or shower, but the flare-ups happen just the same.

I have had psoriasis for 50+ years and I use Chickweed Cream on it now when it flares up. I buy it at my local farmer's market but I think you can also buy it online. You just need a tiny bit and needless to say it is all natural, no steroids!

I have had chickweed ccream recommended for psoriasis and bought some for the DDs (One has psoriasis, the other rosacea) It worked well on the rosacea but was less successful on the psoriasis(DD3) She also has psoriatic arthritis and (fortunately) has been accepted on a monoclonal antibody drugs trial which within the first few months has led to a marked improvement in the psoriasis. Hoping very much that it will help with the PA as it is a particualrly aggressive form and can cause a lot of joint damage. Seeing my "little" girl currently on a buying trip in Hong Kong, holding down a demanding job,doing up their little house and always cheerful while she limps along the London pavements breaks my heart. So while it means they cannot contemplate babies for at 3 years, possibly 5 plus a "wash out period" of 4 months I am happy that she is at least trialling something other than heavy duty steroids.

LizG - I have had psoriasis since i was about 17. A few years ago it became much worse as I had a reaction of drug treatment. I found advice from dermatology was brilliant. The advice was always to moisturise, even when the psoriasis was in abeyance. I was prescribed Hydromol Cream and ointment. I had hydromol bath/shower wash.

The advice regarding steroids was to put moisturiser onto clean skin. 10 minutes later, put on the steroid cream. I had various strengths of steroid cream over a period of months, because the flare up worsened initially, rather than responding well. The most useful advice was not to stop using the steroids as soon as the skin began to improve. If you just stop, a flare up is likely. Go from twice a day, to once a day, then to alternate days, then every 3 days, over 2 or 3 weeks, until you use the steroids twice a week, then once, then stop. Never stop moisturising.

Good luck with it - it's horrible isn't it.

Liz G

Me too. I don't find any creams cure the problem but when it is 'itchy' I use Malfki Dead Sea Soap for a while, it's available at Boots. I admit I bought a stash so I cannot say Boots still sell it. It does lather well and helps me a lot.

I`ve had psoriasis for over 50 years. The doctor prescribes Betnovate cream, but it isn`t as effective as it used to be. I also used to use Polytar shampoo, but as it`s no longer available the doctor prescribes T-Gel, but it doesn`t really have much effect. Right at the beginning, my then doctor gave me some very gooey yellow stuff mixed by the pharmacist, smelt a bit like glue, and very messy to use, but it worked a treat, don`t know what it was though.

Is Polytar no longer available, number? My DD has the same problem with her scalp as I do, and her GP prescribed Alphosyl shampoo, which has really helped her. I asked for and received it from my own GP and I think it's doing the trick slowly, along with Betnovate Scalp application. I didn't used to have any problems with my skin until after the menopause - but then that's also when more stressful situations also kicked in. Such is life!

I used to get plaque psoriasis in times of stress. For the scalp, my GP gave me Betamousse which worked like a charm and the condition never recurred. After I was made redundant I didn't get any more plaques.

My mother developed psoriasis in her late 50's. She never found any really effective remedies, but it disappeared almost over night when my father died. We realised it had been caused by the stress of worrying about his illness and once she didn't have to worry about him any more it stopped. A permanent cure, but not one I could recommend!

Thank you so much for your really helpful replies, it is so good to know I am not alone with this problem. I apologise for not replying earlier but I didn't expect to hear from anyone.

I am going to give the suggestions a try. Like you Marelli it seems to go in two weekly cycles and just when it seems to be improving back it comes. I wouldn't mind betting the Malfki Dead Sea Soap is available on the internet too POGS so I shall have a search.

Fortunately I have a little in my hair but not too much and now I realise what it is it is not so embarrassing with the hairdresser. At first I thought I had nits from the grandchildren. I was so worried about causing her problems that I asked her to check before starting to cut. At the time she didn't have children and was horrified. Still have the same hairdresser and we laugh about it now.

Definitely caused by stress Deedaa, mine started when DD2 parted from her husband so maybe when her life calms down mine will too. Glad redundancy helped you Annodomini* just shows how stressful your job must have been.

Yes, stress makes it much worse, for shampoo I know that Klorane peony shampoo is very good. We buy it online.

I used to have psoriasis on my elbows for years when in a very stressful job and when my son was being badly bullied at school. As soon as I left work and my son was in a safe school (Red Balloon) my psoriasis cleared.

My DD started to have psoriasis 30 years ago when she was four - she still has it now, particularly when she is stressed, but also very badly when she is pregnant. Back at the start of the summer I recommended that she tried Dove vanilla soap with shea butter - and I gave her a bar we had. Since then it has been much, much better; amazingly so, in view of the fact that it is just a bar of soap. I usually buy it in Wilkinson's.

When she was small she had a lot of psoriasis in her hair and I used to put melted down coconut oil on it, leave it for half an hour or so, and then wash it out - it worked really well and she has never had the problem since.

Another one to try, thank you GillieB I have not heard of that soap before.

that's a new one on me as well Gillie, though I've just bought some coconut oil to add to the dogs food as it's said to be brilliant for their coats. I have hairy dogs, and some other owners rub coconut oil into their dogs coats to help with knotting and keep their coats shiny.
There is a good site for people with psoriasis, easily found on the internet. When my skin was particularly bad, I found it very helpful. I don't know if anyone else has put treatments on their legs/feet/hands etc and then covered the area in cling film. I was advised to do this by the dermatologist at the point my legs were pretty much raw from my knees to my toes. It was not something you'd do by choice, but it really does work.

Marelli, my doctor told me a few months ago that Polytar was no more, but like I said, the T-Gel doesn`t help much at all. If I can remember to write it down, I`ll ask about Alphosyl shampoo next time I go.

I just saw an advert in the Sunday magazine for a new product for psoriasis.
'Clinically proven' Dermalex cream at Boots and Lloyds pharmacy.

You've possibly all seen it, but just in case................

Right enough, number, I haven't seen it on the shelves for a while. I'd tried T-Gel as well, and it made no difference whatsoever! 'Alphosyl 2in1' is the name of the shampoo you'd need to ask for. You don't need conditioner with it as it does contain this - and it's easy to comb afterwards, which isn't often the case when you use a combined shampoo/conditioner.
Lona, I'll look out for Dermalex. In fact I'll Google it just now!

REPORTED

Ad for a gaming site.