Help! Can't shift psoriasis on hands & feet!

[JAB2012]

I have been suffering from psoriasis on the palms of my hands and the tops of my feet for several years now.

I have tried various prescribed steroid creams which help for a bit but never long term. I am using various emollient creams to relieve the dryness but their effectiveness seem to also lessen over time.

I appreciate there is no miracle cure, but does anyone have any recommendations of what worked for them? Tia

[LadyAntonella]

I don't have this, but was just discussing is last night with a friend who does. She has started using coal tar cream which seems to be helping a little. We were also discussing dietary changes she is planning on making - have no idea if it will help as she hasn't actually tried it yet, but she has been doing lots of research online about it and thinks it might help.

[WalkingZed]

Have you tried Apple cider vinegar?

I applied it topically for a week and now drink it every day.

I have no flakes at all now.

Cleared years of horrendous scalp problems in a week.

[LadyAntonella]

Oh yes that's another thing my friend is using - apple cider vinegar.

[ImperialBlether]

I get outbreaks of psoriasis and find a gel called Synalar gets rid of it. I get it through my doctor.

[Acopyofacopy]

Have you seen a dermatologist?
Ask for a prescription for Protopic, it's a non-steroid cream and very effective.

Are you using enough emollients? Ointment rather than cream or lotion? Are you wearing gloves/socks over night?
Guy's have a good guide on how to use emollients in their website.

Have you switched to products without SLS? The most purse friendly are Johnson's baby top to toe wash (yellow bottle) and Johnson's bubble bath in the orange bottle.

People rave about Moogoo products, I don't find them fatty enough, though. Once I finished my big pot of Epaderm I am going to give Cetraben a try.
Whatever you do, stay away from Aquaeous cream - it is a soap substitute and not a cream.

[JAB2012]

Thank you all for your advice. I have been to various dermatologists, but the prescribed creams don't seem to work on me any more. I am wearing cotton socks / gloves about once a week so that may not be enough. I haven't tried cider vinegar so will give that go! I will research this further. Do you apply it neat?
I haven't been paying attention Sls in products tbh. Just checked all my various shampoos & shower gels and they all have them in it!
I'd be interested to hear if a change in diet has helped anyone?

[HorridHamble]

I've recently discovered Sorien cream, which I found on Amazon. I have the odd flare up of guttate psoriasis and I bought the smallest tube available (as what works for one person may have little effect on the next). It cleared up the patches I had on my forehead in less than 2 weeks! Have ordered a larger tube to have on stand by.

With regards to diet, I definitely see an improvement in my skin when I eat less refined sugar. I read that avocados and oily fish such as mackerel can help reduce symptoms, so I try to incorporate them into my diet. I tend to eat on the healthy side anyway, but pay particular attention to what I eat when I'm under stress, as stress is my main contributing factor in having a flare up.

Hope you find something that helps you too.

[JAB2012]

Thank you Horrid. I agreed, diet plays a part and my diet is generally pretty good. I have had allergy tests and tried excluding certain foods with no long term success. The cream you mention definitely seems worth trying!

[squoosh]

Have you had your Vitamin D levels checked?

[JAB2012]

yes I'm actually deficient and am taking supplements when I remember! I didn't realise there is a link. Thanks sqoosh!

[Bigbiscuits]

Diprosalic ointment

This is the best thing when I get it on my feet. Works in days. Get it form your GP if you have not already tried it

[squoosh]

Aha! There you have it JAB. My psoriais cleared right up after I started taking my Vit D supplements regularly.

[TWOBANANAS]

This may sound silly but Cetaphil moisturising cream from Boots has done wonders for my psoriais. It was a last resort fluke buy and the difference is amazing.

[Changingagain]

I get it awful on my hands and steroid creams etc. never worked. For a couple of months now I've been using e-ra organic relief cream before bed and then wearing silk gloves over night. It's still there but is better than it has been for years. I bought both on amazon.

[MissMogwi]

Hi I've been taking Apple Cider Vinegar tablets for about 5/6 weeks and my psoriasis has cleared up plus the rosacea that had appeared on my cheeks (I'm a stunner )

My skin is really clear for the first time in years.

My teen DD has also been taking them and her spots have cleared up.

[Northernlurker]

If it won't clear with creams have they mentioned light therapy? It's a pain to do but worked wonders for my dd. Hers was widespread though - face :(, arms, abdomen and back, legs

[JAB2012]

Thanks all for the advice! Off to Boots tomorrow to stock up on the cider vinegar tablets and I will try the cetaphil! 😀

[TheDisreputableDog]

JAB I'd be interested to know how you get on. Mine is guttate and everywhere except hands and feet as it happens. Is there any improvement in the sun? Light therapy appeared to help me but then it started to come back towards the end of the treatment. Had 6 crap weeks but now clearing up (presumably because I have a dermatologist appointment next week ).
Hope the AVC tablets help

[Statelychangers]

I am on a low carb, low inflammatory - seed oils and chicken fat, no dairy, for my skin problems it's the only thing that works. Agree sls is an irritant that should be eliminated - I take Vits B6, D3, K2, Zinc, Magnesium - you could try turmeric with black pepper as an anti inflammatory. Exercise regularly. Feed your cells, liver, oily wild fish and lots of veg - 10 a day and try to have as many different types as you can. Expect dietary changes to take a month to start to your condition. You could also try the autoimmune protocol diet to help heal and then introduce more foods once you have healing.

[WottyMcWottFace]

I've used Epoch products to help psoriasis, There is a glacial mud mask available that draws out impurities, liquid body bar and hibiscus wash, I noticed a big change in inflammation immediately after the mud and massive improvement overall in 3 weeks

[Jojoanna]

I use sudocrem which works but need lots of moisturiser as well. Might try the aplle cider tablets for my scalp

[phoolani]

Dh has had psoriasis for years, never really bothered to do anything to treat it, then a pharmacist recommended Avene TriXera emollient cream and it's almost disappeared. His arms and legs were pretty much covered, now he has a few 10p sized bits here and there.

[Elleblue78]

Hi,

I'm the same as you and have suffered for 20 years now. I've used every prescribed drug known to man. Given up.

Till......I met a lovely lady who told me about Hemp cream from the body shop. Within a month by very sure, very red, raised scabby hands were 100% clear. I've not had to put any cream on now for 2 months...! It's a life changer and really does work

[JAB2012]

I started taking the cider vinegar tablets today. I'm also going to look into light therapy. When I am holiday I haven't really noticed a huge improvement though. I was trying to look for some Sls free products today. Really surprised by how hard that seems to be! I bought the johnsons baby one **copyofacopy suggested. Shampoo wise the choice in boots seemed very limited. They all seem to have them in it. As it's on my hands does anyone know of an Sls free hand wash? I have switched to acqueas cream for washing but would prefer something more soap like.
Hope the dermatologist is able to help you disreputabledog! It's such a persistent condition and so hard to manage.

[JAB2012]

Will add hemp cream to the list of things to try! Thank you!!