Psoriasis - help

[GooseyLoosey]

Dd is 8 and has been diagnosed as having psoriasis. She is becomming increasingly upset about it as she feels it looks unsightly and there are 2 little patches on her face now. She cries every night about it.

What can I do. I took her to a consultant who prescribed vitamin E creams. They make no difference. Hydrocortisone creams do help but everyone says she should not use them for more than a day or so. I have used every emolient known to man. She takes oral vitamin E.

The consultant says she is too young for a light box and because her skin is very fair, says that should be a last resort any way.

Nothing is helping and I feel I am letting her down. The psoriasis is spreading and there seems to be nothing at all I can do. Does anyone have any suggestions at all?

Both my older dds have psoriasis. It sucks.
Dd2 (12) has struggled with very dry skin on her eye lids too. We used a lot of e45 and vaseline and then a little eumovate has cleared it up almost entirely.

Another Psoriasis sufferer here and I really do feel for you and your daughter.

Dead sea salt worked (briefly) for me but then did so many other creams/diet/etc - it felt like that I found something that would help but then would stop working a few months later. The key is to keep trying -but it never fully goes away. The winter months are also worse for me. I currently have it on my face, hair, hands, elbows, trunk and small of my back. It often cracks and bleeds. I also get small lesions that look like chicken pox scattered over my body too.

I think the key is to keep trying things, unfortunately there is no wonder cure just a case of trying to manage the flare ups. I am currently back on E45 after it stopped working for me about 6 years ago - it seems to be helping a little now

Just seen this thread. I wish I could offer lots of words of comfort but instead big unmnet hugs to you both.

I was 11 when I was diagnosed with psoriasis so I can really emphasise with your dd. Mine started gradually but rapidly turned to being chronic severe and sadly has been ever since.

You are most definately NOT letting her down. My mum always felt very guilty about my skin ( the family gene comes strongly genetically from her side of the family) and subsequently fought tooth and nail to get me treatment (this was 22 years ago). This included inpatient treatment (it was the 90's!) and she cried when she had to leave me on the ward. Lordy she followed the whole bloody palarver of dithrol (told you im ancient!) to a tee as well!

The best thing is you are under a dermatologist from a medical point of view. My experience would agree is 8 is too young for light treatment (i had my first dose at 13 and I have had an awful lot over the years which hasn't really been a good idea tbh - but I'm talking 8 courses that are in my notes and there are more in my notes that have since been destroyed)

Have you thought about holistic medicines? I don't know if 8 is too young but I tried Chinese medicines and homoepathy in my teenage years - neither of which really helped me but the Chinese herbs totally cured my mums.

My positives are:
Psoriasis has not ever, however bad, stopped me doing anything I wanted to do in my life. Mine is still very bad if untreated but I have a professional career, forged long lasting friendships (i was never bullied either at school) and have had too many very loving relationships where it was just accepted as part of me.

I do now take medication for mine (its that bad) but even then I took meds when pregnant and managed somehow to produce a bloody gorgeous ds.

This is now an epic post! Best wishes :)

Some lovely posts here.

Also, you mentioned her not sleeping well; stress is a huge factor as I'm sure you know. It might be worth trying a children's sleep/hypnosis tape as she's going to bed. Maybe set it up so she can turn it on herself if needs be if she wakes in the night/early morning.

I can't tell you all how much I appreciate all of your input. Even if there is no magic cure, it is good to know that it does not stand in your way. I really am very grateful for all your suggestions and stories.

What I have found astonshing is how little there is available in pharmacies. I have been to enormous Boots and asked what they have for psoriasis and the answer is almost nothing. No vitamin D creams, no coal tar. Absolutely nothing. Even the creams that the dematologist recommended have ceased to be manufactured.

Spent last night looking up Gluten free. Dd freaked when she saw no biscuits until I reassured here there were gluten free ones and chocolate was OK. One question on this, I couldn't quite work out if oats should be avoided. Do any of you know - I know they don't have gluten in but seems they are often processed alongside wheat. I would be much easier if they were OK.

Have ordered dead sea salt and other creams mentioned.

Oars are naturally gluten free but often processed with wheat, so contamination occurs.

There are some great recipes for gluten-free cakes and biscuits; commercial ones tend to dryness in my opinion.

It's not a widely-known condition and I dont know why.

Thinking of you and really, just by educating yourself, talking to her, listenubg and showing her you are trying to help is wonderful. Good for you!

PS meant to say gf oats widely available in supermarkets and will be labelled such.