Psoriasis

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I have no doubt this has probably been covered on more than one occasion. But I desperately need help.
Has anyone had any success in combatting psoriasis? I'd be happy just with ideas to help reduce.
Thanks

Where is your psoriasis, body or scalp or both? I have psoriasis on my scalp and after years of trying different remedies/medications, I went to a dermatologist and she prescribed bettamousse which keeps it at bay. If you can, book an appt with a dermatologist. It's well worth the money imho. Hope you get it sorted soon.

I have psoriasis everywhere from the neck down.
I bathe in oats to help sooth it,shower with dermol and use oat moisturiser.
It doesn't combat it but makes it less itchy and scratchy.
I wear loose clothing also

Mine came on gradually although I suspect I've had it on my scalp since my teens but it was diagnosed as dandruff. I was eventually referred to a dermatologist. Went through everything from light treatment, creams, mousses to various tablets including Acetretin (a form of chemo which made me feel horribly sick amongst other awful symptoms) over a 2 year period. Finally, when nothing else worked, they prescribed me biologics. I inject once a fortnight. They are very expensive which is one reason why they try everything else first but I can honestly say it is life changing. My skin cleared up within a week or so and I've never looked back.

They say your immune system is weakened and you are more susceptible to illness, but I've had fewer illnesses since being on the biologics than ever before. But maybe it's all to do with the 'feel good' factor. I'm so much happier with my skin that is has a knock on effect.

Hello, I have had such bad psoriasis on my scalp and elbows over the years. Bettamouse is the only thing that works for my scalp and I use dovabet on my elbows which has worked a treat. Both are steroid based and if I'm honest I think my hair has thinned using the mousse but it is the only thing that worked xx

Diprosalic ointment works for me

This may seem a real far fetched one by DH suffered from it for years. He still has some - but no where near as badly. Two things happened that seemed to drastically reduce his suffering:

1. We found out he had a severe dust mite allergy (he just thought it was seasonal hayfever). Took steps to reduce that (specialised pillor and mattress protectors, hoovering under the bed, he douches his nose daily). This got rid of the rhinitis and as another result (as allergic reactions are an immune system response) also seemed to drastically reduce his psoriasis.

2. We moved to a really hardwater area and installed a water softener - this too seems to have helped (though it happened not long after 1) above so difficult to tell which one it is.

So this may be useless to you - but if you are an allergy sufferer as well it may be worth thinking about looking into dust mite allergies etc or maybe trying to work out if there is a seasonal (eg hayfever) connection. I am possibly talking out of my arse of course (correlation/causation etc etc - just all coincidence) but wanted to share.

I have had it very bad on my scalp. Ive arthritis which triggered it and I was losing my hair at one point.

If it's scalp, here is how I beat it finally.

First, baby oil and a comb to lift the scales.
I use selsun shampoo.
Then every second wash I alternate an additional shampoo. Men's head and shoulders or the loreal men's shampoo with the orange top.
Then, this is is important. Dry your hair with a hair dryer. Keeping it wet is not good for it at 'll.
Keep doing this religiously until clear.
Now I maintain by still alternating shampoos and only using selsun once a week.

This is has also helped clear it on my neck and ears prob because of the suds.

A good old fashioned wash cloth and any moisturiser with colloidal oatmeal in it has taken care of the rest.

I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. My diet makes a much bigger difference to me than any of the numerous treatments I've tried. I started the blood sugar diet about 8 weeks ago to lose weight and my skin virtually cleared within a fortnight. I had a huge patch from the top of my bum to my bra strap, thick scale and it just disappeared in a few days. My nails have never been so good.
This has happened twice before when I've been on low carb diets, so it's either wheat or sugar I think. When I lapse off the wagon it comes back.

Charlie that's so interesting . I know my diet is a major trigger but the blood sugar diet looks so restrictive. Do you mind me asking what a typical day looks like for you food wise?

I developed guttate psoriasis after a bad strep throat. I had what looked like measles all over my legs, stomach, hands and arms. The GP prescribed Dovobet which treated the symptoms but the plaques would re-appear as soon as I stopped applying it. In the end I took to Dr Google and cured my psoriasis by taking bumper doses of Vitamin D3 10,000IU.

Psorasis is an autoimmune condition and apparently many autoimmune conditions are triggered by a Vit D deficiency. Hence why hospitals use light therapy to treat extremely severe psoriasis and why lots of sufferers find their skin clears when in a hot climate.

If you're a smoker you may find giving up helps too.

Snip, it does look a bit daunting at first but I've found it a doddle and lost almost 2 stone as well. I take my breakfast to work, and I don't like eggs, so I have full fat Greek yogurt with raspberries, strawberries or blueberries and some toasted seeds. I have a small salad with chicken or tuna, or cottage cheese, pear and walnuts, or hummus with veg for lunch and then lean protein with veg for dinner. There are some great recipes in the book, a lovely red Thai curry, pork steaks in creme fraiche and mustard sauce, salmon.....just no bread, rice, pasta or cake. It would be easier to stick to without the weight loss component, I don't eat beans much because it's hard to stick to 800 calories but there are some great beany salads and veg dishes. Agree re vitamin D too, mine was low and I'm on supplements.

what is the blood sugar diet? I'm utterly desperate now.

I don't want to lose weight, just to not have my psoriasis being so awful.

BadKitten mine has cleared before when I've cut out starchy carbs and sugar. I don't think you need to follow the blood sugar diet specifically, but try eating mainly veg and salads, fruit, lean meat and fish and healthy fats. No bread, pasta, rice, sugar or crappy snacks and stuff. This is my third go at low carb dieting in 5 years and every time my skin has cleared as a side effect. If you don't need to lose weight you can eat some starchy veg, beans and be more generous with the olive oil.

worth a try I guess. Thanks. does this mean no alcohol?

Avoid nightshades too like tomatoes, aubergines, peppers, tobacco. Apparently nightshades and psoriasis do not get on.

I think alcohol is fine if your weight isn't a factor. Especially red wine. Strict autoimmune protocol eliminates pulses as well as nightshades I think, but I eat tomatoes and peppers/chillies and occasional pulses.

I suffer from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Got the skin condition about 10 years before the arthritis and it got to the point where I was pretty much covered all over my body.
I got a handheld uv lamp and had a routine of doing 30 secs per area every other day. Takes a while! But..I'm pretty much clear skinned now aside from the odd patch here and there.

I've had this all my life. I use Betacap scalp solution when it's too bad and Dovobet on my elbows.

A change in diet is supposed to help, it can be linked to a gluten or dairy intolerance.

Of interest?

Try a medical herbalist. vitamin d plus zinc to help with absorption. Turmeric tablets help. Buy food grade dried calendula which has 2 uses - tea and for bathing. consultation with a medical herbalist cost just £10 and was money well spent as have noticed a huge improvement.

Autumn, the UV lamp idea is v. interesting, thanks for mentioning...is it safe?
I have seb derm, so fairly similar to psoriasis, and control it with harsh medicated shampoos (like having an grumpy Rottweiler on a tight leash) and notice a real improvement in the sun.

Have also recently started trying nettle tea (leaves boiled in water) or ginger in hot water (with turmeric and black pepper) to calm down inflammation (heard spearmint also good), plus 10+ veg/fruit a day...getting a bit desperate and new age!

I also tried coating my scalp in olive oil once a week earlier this year - might help wrt to lifting scale?

I finding I have to keep changing my shampoo and conditioner regularly as nothing works long term but at the moment, I have started using my daughter's Child's Farm Shampoo and Conditioner and my head doesn't seem to itch as much at the moment!
I also take daily: Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc, odourless garlic, vitamin D3 and Omega 3 capsules and this keeps my scalp lesions down to only a few small ones (I stopped taking them when pregnant and breastfeeding and my lesions multiplied too much!)

My mum took epa fish oil capsules and that reduced the psoriasis long term.