Any Psoriasis Sufferers? **Updated in comments**

flyingfoxes

I've had it pretty much my whole life, but for the last 10+ years it was pretty mild.  My scalp is where it usually stays.  For some reason though this past year it's going nuts!  I've got like 10 tiny little spots on my body, plus one ON MY FACE.  Unacceptable...last year the derm asked if I wanted to go on the Enbrel shot for it, but I'm always hesitant with immune-suppressant talk. Plus I think if we TTC then that's out the window anyway until after the kid quit nursing. 

 

Anyway, anybody else afflicted, and what meds do you use for it?  Right now I've got a cream (can't remember the name) plus Clobetasol shampoo that I use.  This dry weather is making everything itch though so I gotta try something else!

MairePoppy

My mother and paternal grandmother had psoriasis. I have a mild case, just a patch on my ankle and a small patch on my shoulder. Sunshine clears mine up. For itch relief during the winter I use over the counter cortisone cream.

My mother's case was severe. She cleared hers with a combination of Epsom salt soaks in her bath and Dovonox cream.

cafarrie

http://www.seaweedbathco.com/

My husband has really severe psoriasis on his hands, feet, and legs.  He's had good luck with the powder bath products from the company above.  When it acts up, he soaks in a bath with the seaweed stuff every couple days and will moisturize like crazy with some combo of vaseline, almond oil, thick lotion.  It helps with the flakiness and itching. 

The website I posted also has hair care products that may work for you?  

He is no longer on medication - he actually developed the psoriasis as a side effect of ulcerative colitis treatment (Remicade) so he stopped medication completely.  

sarahufl

I (thankfully) only have it on my scalp, although it can get pretty nasty when it flares up.

I stopped using all the stuff I had for it because it made my hair so oily and greasy that it just looked even worse. Like PP said, sunlight helps mine. Also, in the winter, I try not to wash my hair as frequently because it is so dry.

glitter2015

I don't have Psoriasis, however a few years ago I developed Guttate Psoriasis, it was brought on by strep throat.  It was hundreds if not thousands of tiny 'dots' all over and they were terrible.  I sympathize so much for people with skin problems, it took about a year for them to clear up, I tried everything, from Tea Tree oils to Steroid creams.  Dovonex cream was what finally helped it go away.  I still will occasionally get one single 'dot' just to toy with me that it can come out again at any time.  :-(  

Sorry I don't have much advice, but I hope it calms down a bit for you soon!

KeptInStitches

I'll be lurking this thread - FI has psoriasis, and I think his meds have made it worse. He probably needs a dosage adjustment.

flyingfoxes

I have a good friend that has it really severe all over her body - she's shown me photos when hers flares up really badly - she's on Enbrel but I've been trying to avoid meds like that - I'm gonna look at some of these things you guys posted when I get home!  Thanks!!!

decembergrl2014

I have it, but a very mild case. It acts up when I'm stressed out, but only on my hands. It was really bad when I first was diagnosed, about 11 years ago. I took an injection called Raptiva, which worked out great! I understand about your TTC concerns, but if your doc doesn't think that it will be an issue, then I recommend it.

jimandpam87

I've had it most of my life.  My FI only recently developed it for some reason, but we've both been to the dermatologist for it.  I have pretty good luck with Clobetasol cream/lotion.  It's unfortunate that nothing really ever "cures" it, but the Clobetasol clears it up for a while.  You just have to use it twice a day consistently until it goes away, which FI doesn't do. 

I get it on my scalp here and there, and I just use the T-gel shampoo from the drugstore.  It's pricey and it strips my hair of moisture (not to mention it smells ridiculously bad) but it works really well if used consistently. 

I've always been interested in the injections/oral medicines used to treat psoriasis, but my doctor always seemed hesitant to put me on them.

Blergbot

I have it mostly on my scalp. It is combination psoriasis/eczema. So not only is there flaking, but it also itches like a son of a bitch. I was on a fairly ineffective steroid solution until I got pregnant. Now I do a coconut oil treatment once a week. It's not perfect, but I'm not in agony. Just buy a jar of coconut oil at trader joes or wherever and work a bunch into your scalp. Let sit for a half an hour or so. Then get in the shower an work it in like shampoo. Then work in your actual shampoo and rinse (repeat if necessary). Condition as usual (or not at all, as the coconut oil is pretty heavy stuff). I find my hair to be a little flatter than usual after this treatment, but the relief is worth it. I always airdry my hair, so I can't speak to styling with heat.

themuffinman16

I know this sounds crazy, but breast milk totally clears up psoriasis, in record time.  Nothing you take will get rid of psoriasis like breast milk.  The second best natural remedy is coconut oil. Also stress can increase the severity of psoriasis.  Try taking yoga, or whatever it is you like to do to decompress.

AlexisA01

The only thing that soothes mine is Tea Tree and Mint Oil.

NavyBlue143

SheaMoisture African black and tea tree oil soap, and then every few days I do a salt scrub with himalayan pink salt and almond oil, and a thick lotion after a shower. I also do not shower every day in winter because it aggravates it.

flyingfoxes

So...digging this old thread back up to update.  My new primary care doctor gave me a prescription for this stuff, and it is A-MAZ-ING.  There's no generic, so my copay on it was $50, but OMG so worth it.  Been using it since December 21st I think, twice a day, and FI can hardly see the red spots on my scalp now....and the itching is gone.  I have the same medicine in an ointment form for my body, but I haven't been that great at keeping up with it since those spots aren't that bad.  

I did try the coconut oil, but it made such a greasy mess of my hair that I couldn't stomach trying it again.  

KENALOG spray

britneydel

*waves*

Old thread.. but it seems to have a bit of life.

I've had psoriasis for about 5 years now. With the first onset it was very bad, spots all over my body and scalp. I tried about 3 different topical steroid creams/ointments but they only made it worse. So my derm finally referred me to UVB tanning which was a miracle. After a few months of going 3x a week my flare-ups were practically gone and stayed gone for a few years.

Just this past year I've started to flare up again though, and unfortunately the UVB tanning doesn't fit into my schedule.

I'm hoping to just start some regular tanning to at least help calm the flare-up a bit as it seems that nothing else helps me.

I'm really hoping that I can be spot-free by our wedding in September.