Using steroids for psoriasis

[westenddweller]

I've been reading lots of threads about using steroids on eczema during pregnancy and I'm still very confused and, I guess, am looking for reassurance.
I've suffered with psoriasis for 29 years (am 34 yrs and now 13 weeks PG). I've used loads of lotions and creams including betnovate, elocon, dermovate, hydrocortisone, exorex, curatoderm, dovonex, dovobet, dithranol and even had PUVA with psoralens. Sadly, it never, ever leaves me and the only thing that really keeps me looking OK-ish is elocon and lots of sunbathing.
Now I'm pregnant, I have asked my GP about using elocon and she said it was OK maybe once a week - I even have patches on the sides of my bump, also my wrists, knees, elbows, lower back, inside of knees, thighs etc. But when I told my midwife, she almost exclaimed in horror I was using a steroid.
I've read article after article about steroids when pregnant and am hopelessly confused as some say do not use at all (both potent and low potency), some say use sparingly and others say you'd have to lather yourself in it every day in order for damage to be done to a baby. I use elocon probably twice a week, including on the sides of my small bump, as I was led to believe this was OK. Am now obviously panicking as I've used it for the first 12 weeks and now think I've damaged the baby and caused cleft palate and all kinds of abnormalities! I even raced out and bought hydrocortisone and eumovate, both over the counter, as I read on various sites that lower potency would be OK in moderation and then I read on both tubes 'don't use in pregnancy'!
I am hiding my worries from my partner but I really would appreciate any views/info/reassurance on this. Has anyone else used elocon or similar during pregnancy and were advised to use it sparingly was OK? Thanks all.

just read the patient information leaflet on elocon cream and it doesnt say contra-indicated in pregnancy,it just says let you doctor know if you are pregnant or breast feeding.Go and see the doctor to get some reasssurance. I was wondering if you can use polytar as a shower gel as the coal tar helps reduce cell production. It is best to reduce steroid usage in the first trimester but ask some advice as it is not strong like the dermovate and fluorinated steroids.

thanks alypaly, think I will go back to doc and just get more reassurance as she did say I could use it once a week and even on my abdomen. Very concerned I had used this in the first trimester but there is little I can do about it now...

As for coal tar, nice idea, but it actually makes my skin worse - did in childhood - but I might try aveeno if anyone recommends that?

hi i suffer from Atopic Eczema & like you i was very worried about using these creams while pregnant , in the end i ended up with an infection in my skin & became very sickly , i booked an early appointment with the maternity hospital & was assured that it was OK to use low level steroid creams such as Hydrocortisyl (on face , neck , & hands) & i used betnovate rd (ready diluted) on my body , legs , arms etc . unfortunately my skin became worse during my first pregnancy with ds , but i lost my Eczema completely during my second pregnancy with dd .

yy Aveeno is great , i use that as my daily moisturiser , i find using oilatum in my baths also helps .

My doc said even she used elocon on her hand whilst pregnant, although I expect I use a fair amount more than her!

There's so much info out there that steroids are bad news whilst PG, yet there doesn't seem to be a conclusion because it sounds like the effects are actually unknown in humans. Guess the docs have to cover their backs, understandably.

I also thought betnovate RD was a fairly strong one too but here sounds like this has been passed as OK to use. Talk about confusing!

aveeno is a really good emollient but does not slow down the overproduction of cells in psoriasis. Other good emollients are Alpha Keri bath oil and lotion and lacticare is really good for very dry skin too. you could try tgel as a shower gel

Yes, even tho aveeno doesn't do a jot for my psoriasis, it sounds like a very good moisturiser so will defo go out and try it.

Has anyone tried exorex? I did once and it smelt of coal tar which I can't use as a rule, just wondered if anyone else has tried it and if it worked on their skin prob?

Also, what about dead sea products? They are meant to aid skin complaints and I use the soap but hasn't helped much so far, just smells really nice !

Hi westenddweller
I have psoriasis too. When I was pg with DS I couldn't use anything, the only thing that has ever worked for me was Dovonex, but I was told not to use it. So my skin flared up big time, all I could do was keep it moisturised. When I was bfing I was able to use betnovate, but it didn't really help. Just after I got pregnant with DC2 I started using emu oil. It seems to have worked, I had bad patches on my arms and elbows which have completly cleared. I'm 18wks now and skin is much better this time around.
Dead Sea products have never done much for me - though yes they do smell nice.
I've never heard of Elocon, is it any good?

Hi Kbear79

Firstly, were you told not to use anything whilst PG or just chose not to? I know that Dovonex is a bif no no and I was told not to either.

Elocon is classed as a potent steriod so apparently best to avoid or use once a week (my doc said that was OK if I simply HAD to use it) but I still feel very guilty every time I do. It's the one cream that basically clears my skin as it's so rapid, but at the end of the day it is a steriod and therefore need to be wary.

I've heard a few people say they've used betnovate too whilst PG but I agree it doesn't due a great deal.

I haven't heard of emu oil, is that what it's called? I'm nearly 18 weeks too so I might try that for the rest of the pregnancy!

Hi

I can't help with the steroid question , but
my partner has psoriasis so I know how bad it can get. He hasbeen on methotrexate (no, we couldn't have children then!) and ciclosporin and topical steroids but nothing really worked for him.

He is now on a trial drug - Stelara - it's fab, but I don't know if this can cross the placenta. You may want to ask about this one after you've had the baby.