poor dds - psoriasis help needed

[Northernlurker]

Dd1 started with psoriasis towards the end pf Primary school. It was quite bad at one point but then seemed to burn itself out when she was in Yr 7 except for the back of her neck. Since the beginning of thsi year (she is year 9 now) it has really flared up. Her scalp is agony, she has small patches on her forehead and is starting some on her leg. In addition dd2 (Yr 6) has started with a couple of scalp patches, a big patch at the bottom of her abdomen but above what she would describe as her front bottom - basically exactly where the front of her pants sits and very dry skin in the inner corners of both eyes. This latter is not scales as such but rather flaking. We have been moisturing assiduosly and I got some coal tar shampoo which has had some effect (but they hate using of course). I haven't taken them to the GP but we're going to get an appointment this week as they are both fed up. I think in both cases it is puberty related changes that's causing the flare. Dd2 is at the beginning stages and dd1 started her period recently.
I have vey little hope with the GP - with dd1 we tried the full range of treatment and saw a hospital consultant. Nothing worked. Nothing even slightly helped tbh. We just had to wait for it to burn itself out. The only thing that we hadn't tried was light therapy but that won't help poor dd1's head anyway. dd1 is also cheesed off as she's been under the weather with a few things recently and has a cough that's really hung around. i'm actually wondering (as of today) if that might be whooping cough as the symptoms in older dcs fits. She has been fully immunised but that isn't 100%. I don't think the flare and this bout of rotten health is unrelated.

So lovely mumsnetters - what have you tried/ seen tried?

Have also posted this in Chat as I could do with some quick help - feel like a crap mother for being unable to fix this.

I had lots of Light Therapy sessions which did slightly less than bugger all! You really have my sympathies - its a horrible condition. I've recently had to give up sugar and the difference in my skin is already very noticeable - since nothing else has ever worked might it be worth you giving this a try?

Get Alphosil shampoo - either OTC or on prescription, then you need betacap to apply daily - this is on prescription.

I can feel for your daughters, mine started as pustula and on my scalp so nice bald patches weeping gunk.

On your dds body - if you can get some soap made with lard it really helps - i know it sounds horrible but really works.

It does tend to flare up when I'm stressed or under the weather.

Its a horrilbe condition and I really feel for your daughter. I have had appalling (90%) psoriasis since I had my baby 2 years ago. I cut out nightshades (tomatoe, auergine, nicotine, spuds), and refined foods. Second, to heal the skin, I bought some She Butter, you melt it, rub it in, its very soothing and has started to heal my skin really well. The P has left my face and hands now, so Im hopeful this will clear it up. Third I just stopped worrying, harder to say than do I know, but so many people around me are going through a hard time right now - it made me count my blessings and about a month later it all started to clear. I have a blog on blogspot if you want more information ("the itchy and scratchy show").
Finally dont touch anything made with sodium lauryl sulphate or sodium laureth sulphate. use bars of soap instead, and change washing powder to something as delicate as possile - that had an immediate improvement on my psoriasis. Good luck.

Oh, and re the light treatments, I was offered that and refused it as I have a family history of skin cancer. You can buy vitamin D drops of the internet - taking that will have the same effect over eight weeks.

I would have them tested for cliac or maybe even try going gluten-free as a trial.
Eg, see here , also search for more as there seem to be a link.

My daughter has psoriasis which she started at age 4 - she had chickenpox (which came in odd places on her body) and then a few weeks' later everywhere she had had chickenpox she had psoriasis. I think the worst place was in her hair and I solved this by buying coconut oil from the chemist. It was in solid form and I had to melt it down before pasting it on her scalp with a pastry brush and leaving it on for half an hour or so. Then it was in the bath and shampooing it out, followed by a combing with a nit comb. Eventually it just cleared up and she has never had it in her hair since (she is now 33).

I do know that everytime she is stressed it gets worse on her body, so do bear that in mind. I could always tell when she started with a new teacher at school in September, for instance.

She copes ok with it now, although does have flare ups. I have every sympathy with you and your daughters, it can be so difficult for them.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. Dd and I will be working though them with a positive frame of mind!

I've had it since I was a child. It flares up when I'm stressed or after throat infections.

I use Dovonex and Alphosyl creams (prescription), one morning one night everywhere except my scalp. I don't have it on my scalp at present, but I've had various shampoos before that have worked, all on prescription and coal tar based.

The most successful treatment for me has been UVB light therapy, which I've had when it's flared up badly. I've just bought a hand held UVB machine so I can treat it myself when it starts to flare, rather than wait until the doctor agrees it's bad enough to refer me. The UVB machine I've bought also has a comb attachment which it says is for treating scalp psorasis, so might be worth considering for your DD?