Help please- this really hurts.

[youaretheonethingonmymind]

I have psoriasis- over the years I’ve tried all sorts of creams, barriers, ointments- everything over the counter. I’ve also tried all sorts of steroids and prescribed medications- I’ve been using enstiller recently which has been helping more than the others but not great either.

I’m really, really struggling with a stubborn patch behind my ear. It’s red, angry and painful and getting bigger. It’s only on one side, the other side is completely clear. I’ve been avoiding getting it wet and drying it if it does, and I’ve been avoiding getting it irritated in the cold weather. Nothing is helping it and it’s agony. Has anyone ever had psoriasis or eczema here and have any advice on dealing with it? The whole side of my head hurts because of it and I’m really struggling with it. I’m under dermatology and due a review appointment soon but can’t get booked in for a sooner appointment unfortunately.

I’ll post a photograph below

Enstilar spray is magic.

Thanks everyone so much for the advice and help, I actually made a new thread about it because when I made this thread I was mostly worried about the psoriasis but now it’s changed and it’s more about how it’s infected so I thought it would be easier to start a new post asking for advice how to help the infection, hope that’s allowed x

I have dermatitis and the only thing that works is a 28day supply of Lymecycline and literally no soap/ shampoo/ moisturiser for four weeks.

The danger with having a diagnosed condition like psoriasis is that everything can be put down to that .other skin conditions can be overlooked .
Some skin conditions like cellulites can spread and get worse without the right antibiotic.
And cellulitis is particularly dangerous especially on the head ( and eyes)
Time to be seen by a doctor I think even if it means a&e .
If it was cellulitis ,leaving it till Tuesday would be very dangerous.
Phone nhs 24 and suggest that you think it is now infected .
Good luck

Hi, having posted on this 10bdays ago I just saw this update. Im not a Dr but lord you need one, you've got an infection there! Get an out of hours appointment ASAP. Don't take no for an answer, don't wait til Tuesday! Topical and oral antibiotics at least. I've had cellulitis in psoriasis it's horrid and you can be seriously ill from it. PP giving good advice that an infection like that on the head can be dangerous. Good luck hope you feel better soon.

@SinisterBumFacedCat sorry to ask a follow on question but how long did it take you to get a referral to Guys and didn’t you need to jump through increasingly high steroids/methotrexate first? I’m currently covered in a flare on my entire torso front and back, and inner thighs and arms and struggling to get a gp to even see me in person let alone get a referral 😭

In all honesty it took about a year, i first went down the route of allergy testing, which highlighted some allergies but nothing the correlated with the flare ups. But this was in the first lockdown and once I went through the motions I got referred by my hospital consultant. It’s worth perusing as it really worked for me.

I wasn’t offered steroids but I have asthma and reacted badly to steroids tablets before so they probably took that into account.

I changed my diet to exclude gluten due to stomach problems but noticed an improvement in my skin problems. It's worth cutting out all biscuits, cakes, pastry etc. Watch for 'hidden' gluten such as in e.g. breaded fish. You can get gluten-free pasta.