Anyone suffer from psoriasis? Urgent help required...

[Hardrockhallelujah]

My DP is covered neck to feet in psoriasis and is in a lot of pain / misery with it. It seems to have been triggered by a bout of tonsillitis - internet search shows there's some kind of link although what is not clear. He is desperately worried as we are due to go on holiday next month and it just seems to get worse and worse...

He is using Dovobet gel, Diprobase, sun beds, Aveeno. Also been back and forwards to the doctors who have given him a dermatology referral but this won't be in time for our holiday.

Any other suggestions wise people?

He's been using sun beds too. Doesn't seem to be working. This is the worse he's had it since childhood when he was hospitalised

He could try an elimination diet, Mark Hyman claims fantastic results with his. It will be a tough three weeks (no gluten, sugar, dairy, eggs, processed food and more) but if he's desperate and doesn't want more medication then it's worth a go. After the 3 weeks is up you start reintroducing foods separately to see if you have any reaction or can eat it and be fine.

I wouldn't necessarily buy all the supplements by the way, just get hold of the book (the Ultra Simple Diet) and see what you think first.

YOur poor DP. My DH had a huge flare up just before we went on holiday about 7 year ago. He was covered. He was mortified. Resorted to lots of long sleeved t-shirts tbh to hide it.

Could you go for a private/speedier referral?

Diprosalic worked amazingly on my DH's psoriasis patches to clear them up - it is a diprobase/aspirin mix I think. And then also advised to stop using soap/showergel and use a big tub of moisturiser instead as a soap (Ceravet I think). THese have both worked wonders at clearing up the odd patches (dirposalic) and preventing too many appearing (soap free).

He was also (separately due to runny nose/hayfever symptoms) tested for allergies - came out with a massive dust-mite allergy. Since then we have hoovered under the bed weekly and got an Alprotec mattress cover & pillowcases too (could not be arse to hoover the mattress weekly too). Am not sure if they are linked but not only has his hayfever hugely gone - but also since then (5-6 years ago) his psoriosis has not been nearly as bad. May be co-incidence - got no idea.

I hope it calms down before your holiday.

I had a long thread about this awhile back. It can take a very long time to clear and go through phases.

From the list of fab suggestions I was offered, the following helped/helps: no booze, no fags, low sugar diet and exercise.
Plenty of sunshine (do wear sun lotion though), hospital uv lamps, loose cotton clothing - no poly mix fitted clothes.

I've had severe psoriasis for three years now and I'm sorry to say that it's a very difficult condition to manage and put into remission.

Best of luck- I always find being on holiday helps mine because I relax and get lots more sunshine, so fingers crossed for your dh too.

Thank you sleep - I will suggest that to him. A week would be awesome

Chinese doctor. I was sceptical but it got rid of mine.

Natural sunlight works for me pretty well. I can't wait for summer to come each year.

One thing I tried that really worked well is cutting out caffeine. It made a big difference.

Forgot to mention Chinese herbal stuff. I keep meaning to give it a go as even doctors say it works.

MyFirstName - had made a note of that one and he will ask for it tomorrow. We are not the hooveriest of people so that could be a factor. Thank you

Someone recommended that I should take large doses of vitamin D - I've just started this & a wheat free diet, as I'm riddled with guttate psoriasis as I keep getting tonsilitis (8 times in the last 16 months!).

I take 5 vitamin D tablets at 1000iu dose each - I don't intend to do it forever, just as a short term measure - maybe this will help too? I've only just started it so I can't comment on whether it's working yet or not. I also take fish oils (mega EPA), evening primrose, flaxseed etc - again, I'm waiting for it to take effect.

I honestly don't think you'll get it cleared up in time for your holiday though - sorry! It seems to take time for these things to work & it's trial & error.

Really sorry to hear that he's suffering so much - psoriasis is awful. I'm about to see a dermatologist about mine after a 3 month wait.

Thank you TheIncidental. I will see if I can find your thread. Thanks for the tips, will definitely pass them on

And I hope yours clears up soon

Thanks for all the replies. Will have a good look at them.

He has te same Guttate psoriasis

The GP may not prescribe it - it does say here it is not suitable for certain types of psoriasis....and as I said it may just be fluke about the hoovering thing too. www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Psoriasis/Pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?condition=Inflammatory%20skin%20conditions&medicine=Diprosalic&preparationDiprosalic%200.05%/3%%20ointment

I was going to repeat much of what has been said - Vit D, prescription strength, steroid cream as a short term measure. Getting out there in the sun as much as possible.

complete change of creams, dh comes resistant to anything that he uses for a few months best for him to chop and change regularly.

Hi hardrock, any success with anything so far ?

Also remove sodium lauryl sulphate from your lives. That's done more for me than anything else (except getting my underactive thyroid treated).

My psoriasis tends to need to run the course of a flare up. I just try to make life as bearable as possible for the duration.

Things that help - no orange juice - ever, folic acid supplementation, bathing in Dead Sea salts daily and as much sunshine as I can get.

Let us know how it goes on. Over the years I've become more laid back about it but I do know how tiresome and frustrating it can be.

dd is suffering consistantly with inverse psoriasis, basically constantly cracked skin between her buttocks

What have others found best on this sort of cracking as she is finding it very painful

A holiday will be the best thing for him, though I know he won't want to be out in the sunshine if he's covered in it.

Could he ask the hospital for advice? I've always found sunlight really helps and for small patches I use Synlar.

I feel for him and hope he's OK soon.

I think he could do with a short course of a more potent steroid ointment. The moisturising is terribly important but he needs to leave a good gap between moisturising then the ointment. I presume he had antibiotics, my derm said it was a must at the first sight of strep infection and emerging guttate. I was able to get my tonsils out on the basis that my frequent tonsillitis bouts were provoking my psoriasis. Having them out made a drastic difference.

As for being out and about, it is much better to be brave and leave it uncovered. If anyone looks at mine I just comment that it's got a bit flared.

My DH has suffered for the last 20 odd years and tried many many creams hospital uv treatment salt baths etc but now takes salmon oil tablets and they have had a huge effect - not completely gone but so so much better.

Hope your DP can find something effective.