Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Any psoriasis sufferers out there?

45 replies

Stiller · 01/02/2007 17:16

I have fairly bad psoriasis on my scalp. I've got patches on my face and body too. It doesn't bother me too much on my body but the areas on my scalp (mainly around my hairline) and my face are really hide to cover up. Make up just makes the area dryer and I have to choose between a sore looking head or or a scaly scalp.

GP has prescribed Betnovate scalp application and Daktacort cream for my body. Neither seem to be working and I was told not to put either near my face.

I'm fed up with this now. I've had it for 10 years but it's so much worse now than it used to be. Any advice? I'm not actully 100% certain that it is psoriasis - my old GP said it could be and the new one has just taken my word for it that it is. I've looked at pictures online and it looks like it's psoriasis to me.

OP posts:

delllie · 01/02/2007 21:00

star1976, I had a 'episode' last year where it seemed to attack down below , The dr prescribed lotriderm? I seem to remember and he said it was linked to whatever was going on with my scalp,, Thankfully it did clear up and my scalp is better than it used to be but still flares up horribly from time to time.

Original poster

Stiller · 01/02/2007 21:00

Lol star - no, I haven't had itchy privates

OP posts:

Paddlechick666 · 01/02/2007 21:24

i get psoriasis on my hands and feet, it comes and goes.#

it was undiagnosed/untreated for 4 years then i had PUVA and went onto cylosporin which worked great.

but my kidneys reacted and i was taken off overnight - the rebound was terrible! nearly got admitted as my hands were so bad.

anyways, i found an enourmous support and loads of treatment info on a UK Psoriasis help site with a fab forum

you need to get your gp to refer you to a dermatologist and get some good advice asap.

i was lucky as i had private health insurance.

good luck, hope you feel better soon

essanel · 01/02/2007 21:27

hi stiller - i have had psorisas for years but got really bad after i had dd -evenutally had to give up bf as went all over body inc breast yuk! doc prescribed dovonex lotion for scalp and ointment for body - didn't do much to be honest really greasy - after ds 8 mths flared up major to point i was wearing polonecks and trousers all day. Went to see different doc as getting really depressed as didn't want to take kids swimming etc - he prescribed dovobet body and betamousse for head. After 3 days noticed huge difference on skin and head is under control. Finally have normal elbows and knees. Definately recommend fighting for new treatment till something works!!

essanel · 01/02/2007 21:29

just remembered that i vaseline intensive care derma care is excellent for all over mosituriser

Original poster

Stiller · 01/02/2007 21:33

Thanks paddiechick - I've bookmarked that forum.

Essanel - I sympathise. Mine isn't anywhere near enough to warrant covering up with polonecks, etc... I have a big patch between my bum cheeks (which looks embarrassingly disgusting, it REALLY does, and a different type (not plaque) under my right breast which my GP (male) told me was because my boobs are rubbing against my skin (I think he meant they are saggy) - if so, why isn't the area under my left breast affected.

Other than that I just have a few patches on my back, legs and upper arms - so nothing that shows when I'm dressed.

OP posts:

ThisTime · 01/02/2007 21:48

Hi Stiller - I have suffered for 21 years (and still only 30!) I have had everything from dovabet to PUVA (got a nice tan!). It pretty much covers 50% of my body when its in full force and a fullscalp and hairline like yourself.

When i get given a new treatment it works for about 3 months then my skin gets used to it and stops.Until last year I was given funding for an injection called Enbrel/Etanercept. I have to inject myself twice a week but it cleared within a month. I have had this for about 6 months but it is slowly returning . Other than emmigrating to a sunnier climate not sure what else they can give me.

PaddleChick - know what you mean about cyclosporin. I pretty much passed out within 24 hours of taking it. They moved me onto Methatrexate which again was great for a time - until I got pregnant while taking it. It specifically states do not get PG while on this mdeicine. My Dermatologist had me under Foetal Medicine for the whole pregnancy as unsure if this would cause any abnormalities - but luckily he was fine.

Original poster

Stiller · 01/02/2007 21:55

ThisTime - what a shame GP's can't prescribe 'moving to a sunnier climate' for all of us. Really sorry to hear that the injections are becoming less effective. I'm becoming more convinced that medical treatments are ineffective and natural alternatives are the way forward with this. I haven't paid that much attention to it but I think my psoriasis is more manageable when I eat healthier, but then again I tend to eat healthier when I am happier and everything else in life is hunkydory. I'm sure it's largely to do with stress.

OP posts:

ThisTime · 01/02/2007 22:03

Mine does flare up when a bit stressed out. I do believe it reacts with how you feel in yourself.

Does anyone else in your family have it as they says it is heredity. I was the first to be diagnosed in my family. Years later my Nan who always had bandages on her legs (under her tights!) later admitted that it was to cover up her 'sores' which was Psorissis.

They say to cut out dairy too.

essanel · 01/02/2007 22:05

I agree stiller - like on the new walkers ad lets move GB to nearer jamaica

I agree with the whole stress making it worse -problem was I would stress about not stressing and this was making it worse - vicious circle..

Original poster

Stiller · 01/02/2007 22:06

Really? Didn't know that about dairy products. I'm pretty sure my mum gets psoriasis on her scalp and in her ears but she won't have it. It looks exactly the same as what I get though and I know it gets worse when she's worried about things.

OP posts:

Original poster

Stiller · 01/02/2007 22:06

[grin[ essanael - you can't hide from stress.

OP posts:

Original poster

Stiller · 01/02/2007 22:07

Meant

OP posts:

Catbabymummy · 02/02/2007 07:11

My Dad has psoriasis as well, and so does one of his sisters. No-one else does afik.
Incidently, he blames me for it, it didn't start until he was 18 and I was rushed to hospital at 6 weeks old because I had stopped breathing, and he had to resuscitate me. Apparently the shock of me nearly dying (docs said it was lucky he just gone to check on me at the moment in time) brought it on. .
Definitely my friend would agree with the stress flaring it up, it was hardly noticable over the summer, then when I saw her for her birthday get together in November, I was shocked at how bad it had got. She still had to wait 2 months to see dermo . Believe me, she had a LOT of stress to deal with, in a very short space of time, a lesser person would have had a nervous breakdown.

nearlyfourbob · 02/02/2007 07:55

Dh has it on his hands and it got really bad around Christmas and New Year. It's only now that it's clearing up (with intensive treatment and now pills) that I realise how very bad it had got.

delllie · 02/02/2007 08:28

It is interesting how this seems to start after a period of intense stress, my Dh's started after he lost his dad too (he actually died in his arms ) and that was nearly 10 yrs ago and its never gone completeley.

Paddlechick666 · 02/02/2007 09:55

mine started on a year long trip I took from North America to South America and I wasn't stressed at all!

but, i was taking anti-malarials and apparently quinnine (sp?) can be a trigger. so stay off the G&Ts!!

actually, it cleared up 100% when pregnant and has never come back as bad tbh.

i went vegan for 9 months and had homeopathy to no effect. however, soy is also a trigger and i replaced all my dairy and animal protein with soy!

i also went dairy free for 3 months and this actually had a great effect. and i mean dairy free - no whey, no lactose etc. it wasn't as hard as i thought it would be. lost a bit of weight to LOL.

since being 6.5 months pg I have probably experienced the worst ever stress of my life (dd now 15 months). i wouldn't actually say it's made my hands/feet any worse tho.

i can definately say that chocolate affects me tho. also i had a patch test and found i am allergic to a chemical found in many cleaning (domestic and personal!) products.

so i try not to eat (much) chocolate and i never use cleaning products without gloves. i also only ever use 1 type of shampoo/conditioner and very rarely use soaps etc.

i find drinking plenty of water helps.

the site i linked to further down has an "alternatives" thread where people post their experiences with things like the Pagano diet etc.

I keep meaning to try a natropath but never have time these days..........

Original poster

Stiller · 02/02/2007 12:05

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Mine started when I was 20 and had just changed my job and wasn't coping with the extra work load very well. It was just a couple of patches on my scalp and a few on my upper arm - really mild compared to now.

OP posts:

ThisTime · 02/02/2007 19:34

Mine started when I was 9/10 they put it down to my body getting ready for puberty as I started my periods when I was 10 and it was the shock to my system. I was also told that it could go when my body receieved another shock to its system i.e. pregnancy but to be honest it was a lot worse.

Still awaiting that perfect prescription to the sunshine! I meant to say earlier that as soon as I go abroad the whole lot disapears in a couple of days

itsallabitmuch · 03/02/2007 13:01

This is webmd

Flip

1 2