Would you see a doctor about psoriasis?

[KickAssAngel]

Background: I live in the US so easy enough to see a GP (and only cost me $30) but they tend to be a bit trigger happy about referring to specialists & prescribing things so I try to avoid them! Pharmacists don't tend to give advice so not really an option.

Anyway - Having had a look at doctor Google, I'm 99.9% sure that I have psoriasis. I also have a medical condition that can lead to psoriasis developing, so it isn't much of a surprise.

Currently I have one small patch on my elbow (although I often get some across my stomach). Although it's a small patch of skin the whole elbow area is quite hot, and actually pretty tender/sore. The joint aches as well.

We have 1% hydrocortisone in the house. Would that help it? I've just been putting loads of moisturizer on, but it's made no difference.

Any suggestions for things I can do to help myself, or should I go to the GP?

I would go to a GP. (Relative with psoriasis.)

This link might be helpful. www.psoriasis-association.org.uk/psoriasis-and-treatments/treatments/from-a-gp

I would definitely go, just to check it is only Psoriasis that you have. You can have a small patch and still suffer from auto immune issues such as arthritis, so its important to rule these things out.

You shouid see a doctor for first diagnosis

Especially as actually being hot/tender isn't really a feature (itching burning sensation yes, but not hot to the touch). Psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint, and I think that would be worth getting an opinion on at the outset.

OK - thank you!

Until this morning I ignorantly thought that it was just a skin ailment. As I already have osteoarthritis in both hips & knees I could have some real problems if this develops.

I have a crappy, crappy body that just doesn't seem to want to keep me up & running! Arses.

Once you have a diagnosis, you can probably ignore it unless you have a major flare up, or arthritis progresses.

I had treatment when younger during my two flare ups, but leave untreated the (mild) patches that I have more or less permanently. Scaly elbows are unsightly, and round hairline/ears can make you look scurfy, but that's minor (and not worth sticking betnovate on - it always comes back).

Yes, definitely worth going. If it’s psoriasis, steroid creams are generally not useful (compared to other skin conditions).

Moisturisers help the scales of psoriasis but not the redness. It could be one of many conditions so if they refer you onto a dermatologist it wouldn’t be a waste.

It's always better to have a diagnosis. You can get rebound phenomenon when using steroids on psoriasis, i.e. it improves but then comes back worse when you stop using them. If the diagnosis is psoriasis then you're best using lots of emollients initially but there are other drugs available if that doesn't keep things under control.

I’ve had psoriasis for ten years, it was triggered by a dreadful childbirth experience.

Go To the doctors to get a diagnosis.

They will probably give you dovabet which is a vitamin d cream. It works but you can’t usr it forever simply because it stops working after a few months. Also to really help yourself cut out processes food alcohol and sugar as much as you can manage.