Psoriasis in intimate area

[soreandfedup]

Name changed for this.

Ok so have psoriasis between buttocks and on skin around vagina. I've had it in varying degrees of intensity for years. Last time I went to the doctor she prescribed me a steroid cream that I couldn't get because it appeared to be out of supply. Also said she would refer me to a dermatologist but nothing came through.

The psoriasis doesn't quite present itself like it does elsewhere but I have been told that is what it is, poss may have a fungal element to it.

I will return to the gp but in the meantime has anyone had experience of this and successfully treated it?

Unfortunately your options are limited when it comes to genitals

1. Steriod cream
2. Light therapy / laser... which isn't suitable because really the idea of sending a hot light there isn't realistic
3. immune suppression medication e.g. Methotrexate or similar

I'm on option 3

Pani how are you getting on with it? I was all set to start a year or so ago but my skin improved a bit and the testing had revealed that my kidneys weren't 100% so I didn't pursue it. I'm really bad at the moment and it's especially bad down there, so wondering what to do.

soreandfedup I feel for you

Wow! I googled number 3, sounds seriously heavy duty.

I've bought some 1% hydrocortisone and thought I'd give that a go for a week. I've tried other creams i've been prescribed for general psoriasis and they've stung like hell.

The hydrocortisone isn't causing any pain.

I don't have psoriasis too badly over my whole body but I do have it in my nails, annoyingly.

Surprisingly it's ok. I do feel a bit queasy for a couple of hours afterwards, a little tired and a strange taste in my mouth, but it disappears. Most of my trunk was covered, hairline and feet, and now it's just under my boobs, and a spit behind one ear.
It's infinitely better than the permanent 'urinating through sharp glass' feeling, like I had a permanent UTI. DH was delighted as he'd been on a 'no sex' diet, so intimate relations were able to resume

PS I'm sure you know this already but if you haven't already done so, switch to non-bio laundry detergent, wear cotton briefs, avoid plastic sanitary pads (sweat aggravates it in my experience), and use sulfate / paraben body wash and shampoo. Oh, and plain white loo paper - no coloured scented loo roll.

• sulfate / paraben FREE body wash and shampoo

Oops

Actually I am using bio powder. So will stop that. Merina coil means no periods but towels did used to exacerbate it.

I use soap in the shower. Is that paraben free?

Your's sounds worse than mine, as in the all over body thing and also it sounds worse 'down there.' Mine is sort of smooth and red but can get scaly, is more between buttocks than front bum! It makes me feel dirty and unsexy even though, I am defo not the former. I only have tiny patches on elbow, scalp and knees but at same time I have the more unusual nail bed and private parts problem. My dad has it in his joints.

I go the gym a lot, so I suspect sweat contributes but I shower after, but then I think the frequent wet and dry isn't great.

Glad you are on the mend.

I think I would only want to go down that heavy drugs route though, if I end up like the singing detective. Though unpleasant it isn't quite debilitating enough at the moment.

But I am going to make a gp appt now though.

Yes do, i did a similar thread about my psoriasis recently, I have it in the nether regions too.
Ask about dovobet (steroid) I had to try a few
Pharmacies because there is low supply but I did find it and it does work. Hasn't completely gone away but much improved.

Do you find that it will flare right back up when you stop using it?

I think my dad has some dovobet so could ask him for his.

...and yes I know I shouldn't do that but half the time it is trial and error anyway.

If it's slightly fungal daktacort (sp) will probably be better and not as harsh as some of the other steroid creams so will not sting as much. Hope you get sorted op it's horrendous, I'm counting down until I can start methotrexate again as it's the only thing that controls mine.

In my case it has flared up elsewhere but is actually nearly gone now in the genital area where it first started.
Please don't use dovobet without consulting dr first though.

I have a feeling I've used dovobet before to no avail but if it stings I usually abandon. I don't know whether one should persist through the pain.

I have an appt to see gp. But the hydrocortisone does seem to be taking the redness it down a little.

I have been prescribed something similar to daktacort in the past but it had to be kept in the fridge. The fridge aspect made it impractical and i have to admit to not persisting. I just want to sort it out now.

Dovobet shouldn't sting. It is icky but doesn't hurt. Noticeable difference within 4-5 days

Try this. It clears up most fungal skin problems. You can buy it over the counter.

Thank you. I went to buy some daktacort yesterday and the pharmacist said it was out of supply in lots of places, so I bought daktarin. I already have the hydrocortisone, so I figure if I use both, then it is the same thing as daktacort??

Anyway, the hydrocortisone is defo working, as area is now pink instead of bright red. Just hope it completely goes and never comes back.