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Original poster

Psoriasis - your best tips.

28 replies

Snowkey · 13/12/2012 15:03

I have discovered I have Psoriasis on my knees, elbows and back, it doesn't respond to the oils and moisturiser I normally use on my eczema and I can't seem to get rid of it - I'm awaiting a prescription of steroid creams which hopefully will help but does anyone have any other trick or tips that might help the cold weather seems to be making it worse.

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 13/12/2012 15:05

Have you tried dabbing T Gel original shampoo in and leaving for as long as possible before washing off? It's meant to work really well.

IDismyname · 13/12/2012 15:07

I've had success with a twice daily application of Elizabeth Ardens 8 Hour Balm. It gave my skin such a shock that it improved immensely!

Maybe scoot around to your nearest cosmetic counter and try a bit on your hands. See how you get on...

Dereksmalls · 13/12/2012 21:45

Exorex lotion. Have had psoriasis since I was 12, am now 40 and feel like I don't have it any more. Get it on prescription though as it's £££ otherwise

Dereksmalls · 13/12/2012 21:48

I don't like steroids as they can thin the skin and I've a few blemishes as a result of using when I was a teenage. As for as I am aware Exorex doesn't have anything dodgy in it, main ingredient is coal tar

HermioneE · 13/12/2012 21:52

See if Lush will give you a free sample of Dream Cream to try. I used to work there and there seemed to be so many people saying this had worked when other creams/ prescriptions hadn't. Obviously not everything works for everyone, but they're usually happy to give a free sample of this, so little to lose. Xmas Wink

BigFairy · 13/12/2012 21:54

I've found cutting gluten out of my diet (as much as possible, am not 100% strict) has helped a lot and made it much more manageable, though unfortunately hasn't cleared it. I've never had much luck with prescription stuff and found the T-Gel shampoo very irritating on my scalp.

Hulababy · 13/12/2012 21:56

I went dirty free for a while and it cleared up. Now having dairy again and it's back. I'm going to try again and see if it was a one off.

ShangriLaLaLa · 13/12/2012 21:58

Supplement with some extra folic acid. Wonder stuff. My psoriasis reduces almost overnight. For moisturisation, try Dead Sea salt products. These really help to alleviate soreness. I have had the condition now for over 40 years and wouldn't do anything else in a flare up.

drmelons · 13/12/2012 21:59

Also- the manufactures have stopped making alphosyl shampoo. I NEED it!! Anybody got any alternatives?

ohfunnyface · 13/12/2012 22:02

Love the idea of going dirty free!

My OH has been prescribed light treatment- so sun beds essentially!

It has dried his skin out and he's applying lots and lots of the moisturiser, but it is definitely helping.

No magic solutions I'm afraid. For scalp, Aveda Scalp benefits is very good.

Dereksmalls · 13/12/2012 22:06

Has anyone here used Exorex and found it not to work? Am interested as everyone I know who uses it in RL has had amazing results but I've found lots have never heard of it

Maraki · 13/12/2012 22:14

Only dovonex and steroids work for me. Oh and avoiding stress but thats not always possible. Elizabeth Arden 8hr cream is good and keeps it stable, but only steroids clear it. You can get them without prescription from chemist

MrsRebeccaDanvers · 14/12/2012 10:52

I find that having a very healthy diet helps- no dairy, sugar or meat etc. but can never keep it up for very long.

squoosh · 14/12/2012 11:07

Creams and ointments will only treat the symptom and will do nothing to cure your psoriasis.

If you smoke, stop.

But my number one top tip which cleared my legs of psoriasis completely was taking Vitamin D supplements every day. I cannot rave about this enough. Psoriasis is an auto immune condition, many doctors now think that auto immune conditions are linked to chronically low levels of Vitamin D. The West of Scotland has one the highest incidences of MS in the world, MS is also an auto immune condition, there is no sunlight in Glasgow hence most people are Vit D deficient. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16255661

I took 10,000iu every morning with my breakfast and three months later my skin is clear.

VITAMIN D, VITAMIN D, VITAMIN D.

batteryhen · 14/12/2012 11:11

I used to drink aloe Vera juice. Worked a treat but tastes foul. Luckily you only have to drink a capful and not a whole glass!

YouCanCallMeBetty · 14/12/2012 11:18

Mine improved dramatically when we moved to a house with a water softener

TeacupTempest · 14/12/2012 12:01

Mine only responds to a trip to the Dead Sea or pregnancy!

I have tried most other options but nothing really helped. It's very hard, especially when well meaning people tell you to try some moisturiser!

It's an auto immune disease not simply dry skin!

Original poster
Snowkey · 14/12/2012 17:28

Loads of things to try, thank you all.

Unfortunately the water softener made no difference to my psoriasis...I think it's stress related - it was certainly the thing that triggered it.

OP posts:
Dereksmalls · 17/12/2012 21:04

Am very interested in the vitamin D suggestion, thanks for that, fascinating and makes perfect sense as it would tie into the coal tar/photosensitivity treatments. Am definitely going to try this.

But honestly, if you haven't tried Exorex PLEASE do before you buy various cosmetic body lotions. It has made such a big difference to me. I feel completely in control now and don't worry about having outbreaks at all now. When I was studying for my finals I suddenly had a flare up all over my forehead which isn't a typical place for psoriasis. It was pretty horrible having it all over my face and I spent loads of money on foundation until it cleared up. It has never happened since but wouldn't bother me all all now as I know I could just slap some Exorex on it and it would be away in a couple of days.

ATouchOfStuffing · 17/12/2012 21:12

Have you tried Diprobase? I use it on my shoulders twice a week if they flair up and they go down usually by the end of the day. Vit D too as I hear they treat it with UV rays for the intense vit D boost - yet to try that myself but some years seem worse than others, so maybe in the future I will!

ATouchOfStuffing · 17/12/2012 21:12

P.s I got diprobase from GP Smile

BOFingSanta · 17/12/2012 21:17

Go to the GP and get a dermatology referral if necessary. There are various effective treatments they can prescribe, and you won't be wasting your money on moisturisers which can't treat it.

Original poster
Snowkey · 17/12/2012 21:28

Since starting this thread, I haven't got round to following any of the advice yet but the psoriasis on my elbows and back has improved enormously but my eczema on my legs and arms has flared up again and it's more bloody itchy.

Have spent a lifetime going to dermatologists for my eczema, have found them to be pretty useless. They suggested emoliants, creams and methods that made my skin worse. So find it hard to drum up the enthusiasm to revisit.....depends how desperate I get though.

Thanks again for all your help.

OP posts:
BOFingSanta · 17/12/2012 21:39

I see a consultant for my psoriasis, and if has helped a lot. There really are many many treatment options- please don't be put off.

Hulababy · 18/12/2012 19:51

Ooops Blush Meant dairy free!

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