Psoriasis sufferers, can you advise me please..

[eskimum]

I have psoriasis on my elbows and one knee, only had it for last 1-2 years. Never seen GP as it seems too minor to make a special appointment for it.

What moisturisers are best that I can get over the counter. Would GP be able to prescribe something better?

I use diprobase as a moisturiser - not sure if you can get it over the counter as have only ever had it on prescription (live in Wales, so all prescriptions free and use a kilo of the stuff every month). Have to use it every time I shower or my skin gets uncomfortable.

Have also had various steroids for the patches on my skin and special shampoo as I also have scalp psoriasis.I am unfortunate enough to have a very full-on version that's involved hospital stays and light therapy though.

Oats in the bath (put into a soup muslin style thing) can help, as it seems to prevent the strange drying affect that water has, as can hemp sticks (got mine from Bodyshop). I'm trying Oregano Grape Nut pills now too.

I don't feel comfortable about it, but if you can get sun on the affected areas that can help - I've noticed an improvement when I've been able to sunbathe somewhere private. However, some people have the opposite reaction and it can make it worse.

Would definitely recommend seeing a GP to find out what's on offer that would suit you(I specifically ask in my surgery for one of the doctors who has a particular interest in dermatology).

HTH, and let me know if you find something else that works wonders!

Hi my DD (2.7) developed it in the same places as you last year. For her the sun helps although for some reason iit flares up in early spring. Also she had coal tar prescribed, it smells terrible but the silvery bits came right off after one application, I have only used it a couple of times but it does seem to work. She also has various steroid creams and epiderm for moisturising.Oh and oilatum in the bath. Zorayda I will be trying the oats trick on her, thanks!

Thanks Zorayda, will try the oats too. Intersting about the hemp sticks, as I'm using bodyshop hemp moisturiser which seems to get rid of the scaly/silvery bits.

Used2bthin, is epiderm a moisturiser? Is that presecription?

Yes its an emoliant I think which means you can wash with it or moisturise. Comes in a huge tub like aqueous cream does but a nurse gave us a mini pot so I carry it around and put it on DD as often as I can. From talking to others about excema and psoriasis though (DD has possible excema on her face too) it seems that different emoliants suit different skins so it may be trial and error. Aqueous cream, for example seems to make Dds skin worse.

Zorayda - what shampoo do you use? Dd1 has psoriasis - it's been really stubborn for about 2 years - dermatologist at hospital has gone through everything barring light therapy and the nasty pills. Fortuntately she has coped wuite well and in the last two months we've had an almost complete remission. Her scalp is the only area which is still significant and even that is much better. I'd be glad to know what you use though as I dread it coming back. She had tonsillitis last August and it flared up hugely then I will invest in hemp and oats as well!

bump

Northern, have you tried T-Gel or Alphosyl for scalp psoriasis? I've had it since I was a teen and those are the shampoos I use, though I get immune to them from time to time and have to have a break with some normal shampoo or a bit of Vosene. The doc also prescried me Polytar liquid once, but it smells so chemical.

Basically you need anything with coal tar in it.

Hi Northernlurker - I use Neutrogena T-Gel, although I try and use baby shampoo occastionally to avoid becoming 'immune' to the T-gel. I had Capasyl (sp?) before, but it meant my hair smelled of newly-laid tarmac, which isn't the most attractive!
Sorry for the delay; no-one's ever responded to one of my posts before, so this comes as a bit of a surprise!

The other thing that I have done from time to time (it's messy!) is applying olive oil to the scalp for an hour before shampooing. Doesn't need to be extra-virgin or anything. Cover in clingfilm and wrap with an old towel to avoid staining furniture.

Just realised - obviously other people have responded to me (on this thread!); meant more that no-one's asked me a direct question - I'm not in the habit of checking threads I'm on as I'm a newbie and mostly lurking.

Will stop digging this hole now...

Aveeno oil is for the bath and has the oats in it. Costs about £7 a bottle.

Thanks for the suggestions - I will take note. Her scalp is not too bad at the moment but all the dermatologist suggested was Cocois - which is a pain in the neck to apply and smelt and then has to be washed out, or Betnovate scalp lotion which stung her head and couldn't be tolerated.

Ooh - I've had both of those! Cocois is an absolute nuisance to apply and to wash out (in addition to ponging), and Betnovate really smarts! A nurse suggested the olive oil treatment - it's less aggressive, so doesn't get quite the same results, but does improve things. As it's not so chemical, you don't have to worry about being site-specific and searching out the patches, but can just rub it into the scalp.

I use oil and leave it in overnight. Cocois stinks and is difficult to put on. Betnovate only stings cos of the alcohol in it and if you have open cuts on your head from picking/scratching!

Son just diagnosed. he has a 1% hydro cortizone cream. Prescribed by GP. He said that you can by it over the counter so no need to see GP. The early it is caught the less severe it gets. mention to GP next time there as might be affected by meds given for other things.