Psoriasis and post partrum

[lauren8910]

Im currently 4 months pp and my psoriasis seems to just keep getting worse and worse in the last couple of months. I have had it since I was a teen however my skin is clear most of the time.

I first flared up when I went through puberty but it seemed to clear on its own as I don't remember going to the Drs.

I had a major flare up in my early 20's after I had tonsillitis and was 90% covered. This took 6 months to go and my skin took a massive beating and so did my mental health 😫

Since then it has been manageable with the odd bit here and there.

But since giving birth to my DD it seems to have come back and very wide spread. I have UVB lamp at home but this is taking forever as there so many areas to cover. I use a Dead Sea salt mud bar soap in the shower and then cover myself in E45 cream.
Also take vit D, folic acid and a probiotic every morning.

It really gets me down and I know how bad it can get and it's just awful not feeling comfortable. I'm just wondering if anyone else had a flare up after birth? And how long did it last? Any tips on creams or anything I can try??

I am also breastfeeding so not sure what treatment is best.

I'd speak with a gp, you should be able to get a low dose steriod cream that might help see it off. Hormones are utter fucks and post birth for 2 years after is the total fuck storm. My asthma, allergies and skin when completely to hell for a while. Always make it known you're breastfeeding and see what they can suggest.

Also might just be me but E45 made my skin so much worse. Aveeno or vaseline intensive care are the only creams that have helped so far.

You should go to the doctor to get it diagnosed and treated. The treatments are different for the different types of psoriasis.

From what you've described it sounds to me like guttate psoriasis. Google it and see if that looks like yours. It is post viral and often goes away on its own once the virus has cleared, but can become chronic.

For general moisturiser, I'd recommend the aveeno body oil, it has really helped my plaque psoriasis. Hope you get it sorted

You need a referral.

@LucyLocketLovesPollyPocket
I will ring the drs tomorrow and see if they can suggest anything!
Strange because I never had a flare up when I had my son so I was hoping to get away with it this time again but unfortunately not 😩 I will have a look at those other moisturisers and see if any calm it down a bit more! Thank you.

@roseymoira yes its definitely guttate psoriasis and it's the exact same as when I had it after tonsillitis. I went to a private dermatologist back then as I wasn't getting anywhere with the NHS but I can't quite afford that this time. I will call the drs tomorrow and see they can suggest any creams

Sulphur cream is fabulous, or sulphur soap.

I had similar with mine which I have also had since childhood, had similar flares in late teens which also meant my mental health took a battering and I have a complex relationship with my body! When I had my first child my skin got better in pregnancy but with my second it started to get worse in late pregnancy and then continued not so great. It has also got worse after COVID vaccinations (not knocking them, it's just my experience) and also in peri menopause. I had a lot of steroid cream use in late teens with bad side effects so I don't use them now. How did you get on with your doctor?

@CheeseDreamsTonight I have ordered some to try. Hopefully it helps with the redness!

@Colourbrain it's so awful. I really try not to get stressed over it but the more patches I see appear the harder that is especially as there is nothing I can do to stop it.
I put a request in with the drs so hoping to hear back with an app soon.
Do you remember how long it lasted after your pregnancy? It's weird as I didn't flare up at all and when I had my DS but seemed to have this time 😫
What do you use to help?

I can't remember how long it lasted, a few months I think or possibly once my hormones settled down a bit. I felt like it was connected to hormones on that occasion. Right now I use natural oils and creams as I have had so many bad experiences with rebound flares with conventional stuff. I should perhaps go to see a dermatologist but I felt disheartened about the impact on the rest of my skin from all the steroid creams, vitamin d creams, cold tar baths and countless other stuff when I was young. I am currently following an anti inflammatory diet to see if that helps at all. Good luck with yours. I would love to wear short sleeves again one day but currently it is not looking likely

@Colourbrain yes I'm thinking hormones too however she will be 5 months soon and just seems to be getting worse.

Yes I'm cautious of using to much steroid cream but I can't stand looking at it!! It could be worth you seeing a dermatologist to get their opinion

I had my appointment today. They have prescribe an ointment and a low dose steroid cream and sent a referral over to the community dermatologist so at least I'm heading in the right direction. God knows how long the wait is though.

Just thankful that it's colder now so I can cover up more.

I had the exact same after Dd's birth (although I think mine is plaque psoriasis)

Eventually the GP referred me to a dermatologist who sent me to hospital for light treatment. They basically put you in a box and microwave you .... sounds mad but it really cleared up my skin after a dozen sessions or so. DD was about 1 by this time. It's never been half as bad since.