Psoriasis is causing pain and embarrassment, any help?

Thank you all for your kind words and helpful suggestions. I have bought coal tar soap for my DS in the past and also given him an Aloe Vera plant . My 12 yr old grandson (his nephew ) bought him coconut oil last week after seeing his large open sores and feeling dad for him.
Because my DS doesn't live with us I can't monitor what he does,but I can nag him in to asking to see a dermatologist Thank you once again, I'll research all suggestions, your help is much appreciated.

He needs to ask for a referral to a dermatologist. I'd had years of bad advice about moisturising and steroid creams and then developed even worse psoriasis after being prescribed medication. The dermatologist was brilliant. She arranged light treatment and during the wait period, gave me proper advice about emollients and and steroid cream, which was totally different to GP advice over the previous 30 years.

There may be a long waiting list. I confess to having been so desperate (bleeding legs from tip of toe to above knee and other huge patches, that I paid to see a dermatologist within 3 days. It's a horrible auto immune disease and I hope he gets some proper help.

my son has psorasis & since using his cream regularly ( he didn't use to becuase he though ti was not macho to apply cream) it has really improved & the patch on his hairline has gone completely

Needs to see a dermatologist get a referral there are different treatments they can offer creams etc good luck hope he can get something that helps

not Psoriasis but I suffer from Dermatitis on my hands (brown spots, breaking skin & peeling) Betnovate works on that , I also have Serbahhoic Dermatitis which affects my scalp (I use prescribed shampoo usually twice a week) & if not controlled my face - nightmare with flaking skin all over my face. Stress is my trigger & I'm very stressed at the moment over a different health problem.

I hope you find solution Solitaire.

I have had psoriasis all my life. Fortunately it was not the itchy variety but was very unsightly, mainly on my knees and elbows, but with occasional outbreaks over my body when stressed. I used creams for a few years and was also given light treatment, but to no avail. After I married we went to live overseas and it cleared up because of the sunshine. When I reached the menopause it disappeared almost completely except for a few spots when I get stressed. Your son really need to see a specialist who can hopefully give him a correct diagnosis and get him the treatment he needs for the type of psoriasis he has. I hope he gets the help he needs. Good luck!

I've had psoriasis since I was 11, so for nearly 50 years and the related psoriatic arthritis for 30 years. Been through numerous flare ups and remissions during that time. Definitely agree that a referral to a consultant dermatologist is needed. Creams only do so much and the condition returns as soon as you stop using them. Stress definitely plays a huge part, as does rest and sunshine, without getting burnt. Light treatment can help as well. But once the cream treatments have been exhausted, then you're onto various drug medications that suppress the immune system from attacking the skin cells, with all the related side effects as you're also susceptible to infections and viruses. I can understand how the condition can impact on your life and mood, but a good, understanding doctor is key. I'm now on the injections which are biologics, like etanacept or humera, which control it go a certain amount. Good luck.

My sympathy to your DS, it's awful to experience, and treatments that help some people have the opposite effect on others, this rarely seems to be taken into account by Dermatologists. Eg some sufferers are photosensitive and light treatment aggravates it. One of the major causes of suffering is not the psoriasis but others saying, "Oh well if you did/used such-and-such it would be better", the subtext of which very soon starts to feel like "it's your fault, you could stop it if you wanted to". Often the treatment is as bad as or worse than the disease but try saying that to a dermatologist. Worst is the expression on other people's faces when they look (stare) at you, especially if you are in a swimming pool or playing a contact sport. Remissions are spontaneous and often have no apparent cause. As has been said, it is an auto-immune disease and local (topical) treatments really can't cure it. Little research is done as no-one dies of it, though the suffering can be (and often is) extreme. One day . . . . . .

My brother suffers horrendously with psoriasis. Lots of external treatments were tried, with varying success. He now has regular injections, and these have worked wonders. I can't remember what the med is called, but could find out.

My husband uses a barrier cream for his skin condition which keeps it under control.

I have been told that Epsom salts are wonderful for easing skin conditions and that eczema improves dramatically after baths with half a cupful n the water.

psoriasis is an autoimmune disease apparently and has no cure - the latter we know.
i have psoriasis in my scalp - the back of my head going down to my neck like an inverted "T".
my doctor has prescribed betnovate scalp lotion and this seems to keep the itching at bay - i also take antihistimine tablets which also helps with the itching for some reason.
stress plays an important part in whether my psoriasis is more active or not.
and apparently psoriasis can also present when there are other autoimmune conditions suffered - fibromyalgia, chron's disease and hidradenitis suppurativa amongst them - and most of them are also stress related.

I started getting severe eczema on my face. Skin was sore and sometimes bled and skin continually flaked. I had tried all sorts of creams and potions but nothing helped. I eventually had testing...54 patched put on my back. It turned out to be an allergy to something called Balsam of Peru. Google it. Knowing the enemy allowed me to make changes in my diet and products I used. I am able to keep it under control now with only occasional attacks. Years ago I knew someone who suffered and she went back to basics...she started with just eating rice and every week added something. It turned out to be a simple biscuit that was causing her severe breakouts.

I agree the GP should refer him to a specialist. There are many types of psoriasis some more severe. I have a family member who has been treated for many years by various means including some mentioned above eg coal tar products, ultra violet light etc. They can not use any perfumed soap type products including bubble baths etc. There is also an arthritis that is specific to some psoriasis. I would definitely push for a referral.

My DGS has Psoriasis quite badly and was referred to a specialist and he has had " Light Treatment, which really helped but then after a while it comes back and again was bleeding and sore etc. This time they have actually prescribed " Aveeno " which is advertised on TV and we cannot believe the difference. It is amazing how quickly this cream has started to clear his Psoriasis. The Light treatment is usually only used for Adults but as he was so bad, they had made an exception. Unfortunately, it was maintenance afterwards that was the problem. Your DS definitely needs referral to a consultant first though Solitaire, but again we cannot believe the difference in such a short time this Aveeno has made.

I have been seeing a consultant dermatologist for 20 years with this condition, some ointments can only be prescribed by a consultant. I have found Diprosalic can be helpful. Have tried all the usual ointments and creams from Betnovate, Dermavate, Nerisone oily cream, but as previously said what works for one will not always work fir someone else.

I have found Aveeno cream is helpful to stop the itching, this can be bought or can be orescibed,

Blood Type Diet, of course.

I am fully aware that many people will rubbish this, but it does work for me..... If the person with the problem definitely knows their own blood group, then they might give the Blodd Type Diet a strict 3 month trial.
This will NOT cost any money; it is a matter of swapping "avoid" foods for "beneficial" foods according to the lists which can be found free on-line.
I can't urge people enough to give it a trial. Nothing lost if it does not help.

My son's girlfriend has psoriasis. Always has from a child. Now late 20s. Prescribed creams keep it under control and alleviates itching and discomfort sometimes. Regular appointments with consultants. There is no cure. All you can hope for is control.

I agree with Roses and HildajenniJ- he needs to see a specialist. It's not easy to find what might work for him, but definitely insist to be referred. Good luck.

MY DS has psoriasis as well, mainly on his legs and it isn't considered serious. Your DS could be referred for ultra violet light therapy if he is really suffering. DS also finds the skin shedding is helped by using Dead Sea salt in his bath occasionally. He is using Bepanthem a cream for babies at the moment, moisturising every day is vital. The sort of cream he uses changes as they seem to be less effective after some time. Stress is a contributory factor but that's something we all find difficult to manage. Good luck.

hildajennij my DGC also has ASD and has problems with clothing though, fortunately, not needing skin creams. I feel for you and your DD. It's not nice to see your children & DGC suffer.

Solitaire you pr DS needs to see a dermatologist. Ask the GP for a referral.

Not the same thing I know but, as I've mentioned before, I'm making a point of moisturising my legs and feet every day, having seen how many problems older people get in those areas. Current favourite is E45 Lotion; have never been a fan of E45 but the lotion seems a lot better than the cream.

Is that the Aloe Ever-Shield? I've used that for years and need to find a new supplier of it.

Met my friends daughter last week. I remarked that she was wearing a lovely dress which was unusual as she has psoriasis especially bad on her elbows and knees
She had been told by friend to rub aloe vera deodorant on the areas as well as to use on her under arms
It has cleared up considerably.
Early days to know if it will last
But perhaps your son could try on a small patch