Psoriasis! Help!

[FlorenceDaphne]

I have quite bad psoriasis all over ( legs, arms, back, stomach, scalp etc). I have always had a good deal of it coming down my forehead from my hairline as well, approaching my cheeks from my ears (God, I sound attractive) but most of the middle of my face has been clear.

Luckily, although it's bad, the psorisis has always been quite stable, so isn't inclined to fluctuate madly like I know happens with some people.

However, since last Monday there has been a horrid rash in the middle of my forehead and around my eyebrows. I think it's new psoriasis. Arrgh! Why has this happened?

I already use: Cocois, Polytar, Dovobet and Dovonex as well as intensive moisturiser. I've had light treatment in the past but stopped because I was concerned about skin cancer ( I have really olive skin and had to spend ages in the light machine).

I went to a pharmacy for advice and saw a twelve year old on work experience who told me not to get too stressed about it. For God's sake.

Honestly, most of the time it really doesn't bother me, but the thought of it appearing all over my face more than it is already is the final straw.

Please help me. I suppose the GP is the ost obviouys port of call, but apart from more light treatment, what else can he do?

I can truly recommend this. I have psioritic arthritis on my feet and the skin on my hands was in shreds.

Nothing from the doctor worked but I can swear to the wonderfulness of Soothe It!!

(one of the comments on the page is from me)

Soothe It is fab

Just been searching for psoriasis threads myself as I too have it and have had all the light treatment, used the creams and to no avail. It really cleared up about 4 moths ago and now it's creeping back and i very sore and angry. I have no idea why. I also have Crohn's Disease and I am convinced the two are linked. Do any of the sufferers on this thread have bowel problems?

Earthymama have ordered some Soothe it!!

Big sympathies for you tonysoprano. I guess its all auto-immune stuff?

My psoriasis is making a come back at the moment. Its odd - seems to be all over much of me but is kind of under the skin - erupting in some parts as proper psoriasis. I'm itching all over including parts I can't see.

Hi i have psoriasis too. my home life is getting difficult as a result. epaderm residue in the bath towels covered in it ,blood on the sheets epaderm on the towels etc.

Hi my Mum is a Dermatology nurse and she took me to The StJohns's Institute at Guys Hospital in London- wonderful -top experts and all the latest treatments.This is where they research skin in the UK. Psoriasis is coming back on a lot of people AT THE MOMENT -due to lack of the sun so be patient.Drink water -nb no alcohol as there is a proven link.I use Doublebass -it is like peppermint so cool on the skin Facial psoriasis is not common but St Johns were researching it .I never use hydrocortizone products neat on my face- I always mix with Aqueous cream-longterm use not recommended !! Lastly, join the Psoriasis Association in Northampton as they give you all thelatest info and have local groups

I clicked on this, thinking. ooh, psoriasis, only to discover that I was the OP from over two years ago!

For those interested, I was given ciclosporin and then methotrexate, whcih has helped a goodly amount, but it is still moderately bad. My face is a LOT clearer, which is a relief though. The dermatologist is talking about upping the dose once more and then starting on biologics.

Thanks for all the advice and support.

I don't suffer from Psoriasis and you have my sympathy but I do have a lot of experience of methotrexate and ciclosporin (used to treat it) as they also use them for rheumatoid arthritis. These are horrible drugs and you will not be prescribed them without seeing a specialist and some gps won't have anything to do with them so you may have to go to the hospital for monitoring / prescriptions (min once a month). The side effects can be horrible and shouldn't be taken lightly however Mtx gave me my life back (ciclosporin made me sicker ). Unfortunately it's no longer working as well as it should for me so I'm having to try biologics
The main thing I've learnt from my RA is 'shy bairns get nowt' , push for treatment that works for you and don't stop pushing til you're happy, and if circumstances change start making a fuss again til you are happy

Our family have had both exczema and psoriasis on and off for most of our lives,particularly my husband who thinks he inherited from his Dad.About 6 years ago our Doctor recommended a complete skin care program from www.skinsalveation.com .At first we used the whole course which in a matter of a few days started to get some improvement.After two weeks,clear!!.We now use the program in a modified fashion.We don't need to use the laundry powder all the time just every half a dozen washes to get the irritants out from our normal powder Bold.We use the soap all the time and the moisturizer and remain completely excma and psoriasis free.
Doctors don't normally recommend non prescribed products but they do seem to approve of these products as they were discovered by fellow Doctors,talk about 'keep it in the family!!'-anyway it works

what i am finding it hard to cope with is the day to day stuff can anyone tell me how they cope or does sverybody have no clothes as thet are too embarrassed to buy any. what about when you are so sore you cannot wear a bra ,how do you get epaderm out of the bath crem off of the clothes you do have when it comes off of you as you are getting dressed etc.

Beachesform- I have cotton leggings which I wear under trousers and long skirts so I can keep my ointments on all day. Ditto long sleeve teeshirts > I use cream cleaner on the bath tub

Hi all, me too. Have very large plaques on my back, butt and legs. Light treatment + caustic paste (can't remember its name) worked with me but now couldn't take the time off work to go to dermatology dept 3 days a week for 6 weeks. Chance would be a fine thing - GPs are dismissive & won't refer me. I just live with it but am lucky in comparison with some of you. Use lots of Aqueous cream (doesn't get rid but stops me feeling I have crocodile skin). Worst effect is psychological - feeling that it's no good trying to find a guy as one look at me naked and he would be off like a shot!

Fibreoptic, I have just ordered products from skinsalvation so thanks for the tip! On the beach I wear a one piece with leggings (hot but it hides the ugsome bits). If you are in Scotland,the Scottish Parliament has a Cross Party Group on Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (info on the Scottish Parliament website) which works to raise awareness and for better services for patients. There's also an organisation called PSALV (it has a website) which has piloted a self-management programme.

putthatbook down-has yours ever gone away?
wotabout-i have been disreferd? too as i could not get to the appointment and then they say stress is the the thing that you should avoid.
do you spend half your morning having a bath then cream then putting something on ,then taking it of then going to get something else then thats got cream on off of your arm ,then washing the bedding etc

Thats what i am trying to to work out .

I've gone from being covered with this stuff for the last 7 years to completely clear for the last 6 months - tried everything and to be fair got a lot of temporary relief from UV and decent sunshine - but what has done it for me is no booze, started to show signs of clearing up after a month and then got steadily better

Sunshine and UV - I developed it after a very stressful time about 5 years ago and every winter it comes back. Only thing guaranteed for me is having the sun on it, but some emollient creams can help too. Obv try not to itch it too much as it only makes it red and sore and the patches seem to get bigger (mine is on my back so hard to see it really!).

Oh yes, hydrocortisone cream was given to me by the doc, but as this just burns the skin off (because you are making cells to rapidly) i'd be very cautious about using it on the face.

Hi, I have had scalp psoriasis from the stress of my mum passing away in 2006 and it flares up regularly. I have tried a number of things from the doctor, and although I am looking for a natural solution, what is helping just now is lotion with the commercial name of Elocon.