psoriasis and cystic acne - nice!

[thalassa]

Help! I've suffered from psoriasis on and off since I was tiny; it tends to go away in the summer and come back in the winter. Last winter I didn't have a single scale. Three days ago, BOOM - trunk, boobs, hips are covered. It has coincided with an attack of nasty cysts on my face, mainly on my chin and jawline. Deep, red, and painful, not spots but it feels like my lower face is actually infected. The rest of the skin on my face feels raw and a bit rough and my lips are dry and cracked. I'm sure these things are related!

GP is useless. I can't have steroid cream any more as I've used it for so long since childhood. Exorex lotion works a bit but doesn't stop the cycle. He will not take the cysts seriously although they hurt so much they wake me at night. I've been given oral antiobiotics - AGAIN, but don't think they really work. I can't afford to see a dermatologist privately and there's a good five months wait on the NHS. I feel really run down and unhappy. Can anyone suggest anything at all?

Hi - I have v.mild psoriasis, and also cystic acne. I have completely got rid of the acne by taking spironolactone (100mg/day). The most common brand name is Aldactone. Mine is called Spiractin. I tried stopping after 3 years but the spots came back after around 6 months, so I have started again, and my GP said I should just take it until menopause (I am 42). I will lower the dose once my skin is perfectly clear again though. The only problem with it is that it takes a good 6 months to work, and most people find their skin gets much worse in the 2nd and 3rd months. I've been taking it again for 4 1/2 months and I'm still getting the odd spot but not very big, painful or unsightly. I'm confident I'll have perfect skin again in a month or so, apart from the scars of course which take a long time to go.

That doesn't help with the psoriasis, but taking spironolactone hasn't made it worse at all either for me so it might help you with part of the problem. Have you tried any natural products like coconut oil

I don't live in UK so have no idea whether a British GP would prescribe it for you, but you could go and ask. I had previously tried antibiotics, roaccutane and topical remedies but had found them all ineffective and with side effects too.