Psoriasis and my flakey skin

LegacyUser

I'm 18 and have recently been 'diagnosed' with psoriasis. I've suspected for sometime, was hoping it wouldnt be true though. The doctor prescribed me some coal tar crap which does nothing to ease the dandruff and flakey skin on my scalp. I was thinking of trying Nizoral, a friend uses it with good results. Before I waste anymore money, i wanna know if it actually works. Are there alternative treatments too?

Ta muchly.

Paddy20

I am surprised your GP did not refer you to a Dermatologist. For some real specialist tests and advice on your particular medication requirements

RuggieBear

Got2BeUnreggie wrote:

I'm 18 and have recently been 'diagnosed' with psoriasis. I've suspected for sometime, was hoping it wouldnt be true though. The doctor prescribed me some coal tar crap which does nothing to ease the dandruff and flakey skin on my scalp. I was thinking of trying Nizoral, a friend uses it with good results. Before I waste anymore money, i wanna know if it actually works. Are there alternative treatments too?

Ta muchly.

Well i use the polytar stuff and that clears up the majority of my psoraisis on my scalp but i have used Nizoral too and it works a treat. Try and get testers of your GP for it...

How long have you been using the Polytar for....it took about a week for it to work well for me....

Skud

i get a really bad flaky scalp too and polytar is better for me than nizoral. you could just try using a moisturiser on your scalp before you go to bed if you have short hair and wash it off in the morning then... Try mixing the polytar with head and shoulders, as in use head and shoulders a couple of times and then use polytar once or twice. Nizoral costs EUR18 a bottle though, polytar is at least EUR10 cheaper

billy the squid

Is the psoriasis only on your scalp.

Theres a good cream you should ask from your GP called Daubavate if you have it in other places i, e, elbows knees hands, back.

A cream which is not as strong can be applied to places like ears and face that one is called protopic

for scalp, then polytar is the right job, T-Gel with coal tar is worth trying too.

RE*AC*TOR

ask for this....

billy the squid

omega 3 suppliments wouldnt do any harm either, seven seas do them in capsules.

lizbeth

You might also look into Turmeric as an herbal remedy. My mother takes it for her condition (first diagnosed as psoriasis, but now as excema) and it does seem to take the edge off the flare-ups.

Imposter

My dad used the tar and when that had things almost clear he used T-Gel shampoo.

I'd trust what your doctor said though. Either that or ask to see a dermatologist.

meepmeep

Yeah Betnovate - thats the stuff

CathyMoran

meepmeep wrote:

Yeah Betnovate - thats the stuff

Sorry for being so overcareful on the Betnovate - it is just that a friend of mine used that for years and there are some major side effects, including redness of the skin (the least worse one), though it is fine if you do not over rely on it.

meepmeep

Really? I used it for ages and its been grand. I guess its the same with everything though - affects people in different ways.

HappyDude

I have tried a number of treatments over the years. You really should ask for a referral to a dermatologist, as they will be able to present you with all of your options. I have found that most gp's do not understand the condition, and will just prescribe any cream. There are some very effective treatments that can control the condition.

I have tried most steriod creams, but remission periods were very short. Neotigason tablets were a very rough treatment, but the side-efects were worse than the original symptoms.

I have found UVB light therapy to be the most effective. Not sure how widely it is available in Ireland, but it is a commonly prescribed treatment here in Canada. I have also used a fluocinonide cream (brand is Lyderm). I found the combination to be great. They are for non-scalp psoriasis.

Talk to your dermatologist. I have found gp prescribed topical treatments to be a waste of time. Good luck!

RE*AC*TOR

Dovabet and Dovanex are another two creams. Expensive though.

Paddy20

Do not forget that there is a drug refund scheme if your medication costs are beyond your personal means, and you would be surprised at just how many individuals qualify for a Medical card which entitles you to all medical care, perscriptions, and visits to your GP and specialists.

Check them out on the Irish web, a very good site is the largest voluntary health watchdog in Ireland, with many experts donating their advice for free, including a free Ask the Doctor confidential service, is click on this; www.irishhealth.com/

Good luck.


p.

MicraBoy

I've used Nizoral and Polytar successfully in the past. In fact the dermatologist said i could wash with it (the Nizoral) at the same time. i.e. after you lather up your hair, rub the lather on any other areas that may have psoriasis too. That combined with coal tar products (Exorex is my latest product) worked well during my last out break.

I've noticed that unfortunately usually it takes a while for things to work. Then you often have to keep a maintanence usage up as well. The final pain is that what worked before doesn't neccessarily work again. Luckily I seem to react well to coal tar type products rather than steroids like hydrocortisone.

I think you will have to accept that a certain amount of experimentation is inevitable with psoriasis.

Patients and perspective are also two important words when dealing with psoriasis. It's an ailment that can all too soon drag you down. Best of luck!

LegacyUser

I only get psoriasis on my scalp after i get my hair cut. I'm told that this should not happen as when hair is cut shorter the scalp can breathe more, get more sunlight and all that and be better for it, great help to me. I've tried Nizoral and Betnovate which alleviated symptoms for a while but nothing spectacular. Now i'm trying Hydrocortisyl and not a lot happening there either. Anyone ever heard of this happening after a haircut?

Victor

It might just be that its more noticeable when you get your hair cut.

Regarding asking for some better medication, the best way tot do this is "Doctor, this stuff isn't working, can you recommend a specialist or a different treatment?"

Go to doctor.

Tar.Aldarion

all ya need is T-gel shampoo,
and everybody needs a bit of Tar.

Quantum

Got2BeUnreggie wrote:

I'm 18 and have recently been 'diagnosed' with psoriasis. I've suspected for sometime, was hoping it wouldnt be true though. The doctor prescribed me some coal tar crap which does nothing to ease the dandruff and flakey skin on my scalp. I was thinking of trying Nizoral, a friend uses it with good results. Before I waste anymore money, i wanna know if it actually works. Are there alternative treatments too?

Been there - for years

Nizoral is good. Use it twice at a time, soak for 3-4 minutes.

But if you really want to reduce the virulance...look at your diet, it's the biggest contributory factor. Dairy or cereal allergies.... etc.

po0k

Sunlight, and lots of it.

And destress yourself, get a bit more sleep.

I just use head & shoulders for the scalp, and I comb my (long) hair with a fine-tooth comb.
Currently using Xerand skin repair scream on my hands - they were really bad during my exams.

Sarky

Got2BeUnreggie wrote:

I was thinking of trying Nizoral, a friend uses it with good results. Before I waste anymore money, i wanna know if it actually works. Are there alternative treatments too?

Ta muchly.

You'll have to try and see. Nizoral works fine for some people I know, but does buggerall for me. If it doesn't work too well, try another brand. I get good results from Selsun myself, yet it doesn't work as well for others. Odd, but true.

smileygal

A friend of mine gave up coffee and her psoriasis improved noticeably.

Zinc levels also connected

halkar

Sarky wrote:

You'll have to try and see. Nizoral works fine for some people I know, but does buggerall for me. If it doesn't work too well, try another brand. I get good results from Selsun myself, yet it doesn't work as well for others. Odd, but true.

Second that, does not work for me either, I don't have psoriasis but have dry scalp. There is something very similiar to Nizoral only available on prescription (can't remember the name) which worked fine for me. Check with your doctor. For psoriasis sunbeds are good but there are risks of cancer

towger

This might sound wierd but there is a link between Psoriasis and Tonsalitis and /or appendix problems. Can't remember the exact details but a good few years ago my GF ( now wife ) had really bad Psoriasis .... within a year she had both Tonsils and Appendix removed as they both acted up .... no more Psoriais since ( over 10 years now ).

Scruff

another thread on it here where ye might find some more suggestions.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=238498


I find stress and getting run down is a major trigger for my psoriasis.

Eve e

Once a week crush up a disprin mix with a bland shampoo leave on your scalp for a few mins then rinse off,its anti-inflammatory and will soothe your scalp.
Also selenium found in willow water and other foods is supposed to be good for scalp psoriasis.

mike65

May I recommend tea-tree oil. I'm using it myself and after 3 applications in conjunction with T-Gel its working fine.

Mike,

LegacyUser

I suffered from psoriasis for years and was at my wits end with the state of my scalp when a friend of mine (fellow sufferer) recommended the universal hair clinic on georges st to me. I went there for 10 sessions where the treat your scalp with a combination of cream, massage and UV light. It was a total miracle for me, my scalp cleared up completely. Now I go every 6 months or so if I ever feel it coming back, but mostly I am totally clear. I get so annoyed when I think of how many doctors I went to and none of them recommended this place. Even now, when I tell them about they don't want to know. The people in this clinic are qualified hair and scalp professionals (I'm not sure what the proper name is). Since I went, my father,brother and sister have all attended also. It's definitely worth giving them a call.

Supercell

I find keeping my hair very short (literally blade one) and moisturising my scalp with emulsifying ointment every morning keeps it under control . Longer hair seems to make it worse, dont know why, maybe the increased airflow accross the scalp helps somehow.

jackal

I have had pretty bad psoriasis for years now, scalp, face, body. None of the tar based products did anything for me. For the scalp, I found that keeping the hair fairly short - i.e. a blade3 - 4 and using blue brylcreem or similar kept my scalp moisterised enough to stop it flaking.

Sunlight is the only thing that seems to work - along with the UVB treatment in Hume street.

Psoriasis is a pain in the arse, putting stinking lotions on twice a day, yadda yadda...

black & white

I've had Psoriasis, along with Ankylosing Spondilitis and Psoriatic Arthritis ( excuse spelling, drinking Erdinger at moment) since 1987. Tried loads of creams etc and nothing made much of a difference. I always knew a few things that made the skin worse, hot spicy food ( Vindaloos) and too much booze over the weekend. I explored that further and came across a book by a guy called Jan de Vries. Can't remember exact name but has Arthritis and Psoriasis in the title, bought it in Easons Limerick for about a tenner.

It was all about the effect of diet and lifestyle on the Psoriasis. I followed it for a year and it made a big difference. I also drank a couple of bottles of Willow Water a week. All in all the P reduced greatly, enough to start wearing shorts and T shirts in the better weather.

My Spondilitis was getting worse so I went to a new Rheumy who introduced me to Enbrel. It's a new drug developed for Rheumatoid Arthritis but also given to people who have A.S. for a number of years. It greatly eases the Psoriatic Arthritis and the A.S. and has the brilliant side effect of virtually clearing up all signs of Psoriasis.

I went on Enbrel on 25th January 2005 and since that I wear short sleeves all the time except for work. I could wear short sleeves to work if I wanted but don't like short sleeves with a tie. I even wear short sleeves in the depth of winter. People think I'm mad but it's still a novelty to wear short sleeves without being self concious about it.

My Rheumy told me that Enbrel was being considered for people who had bad P. Not sure if this has happened yet but if it is, get in quick. The cost of Enbrel is in the region of Euro1,200 a month though the Drug refund scheme you only pay Euro 85. With the way the government is cutting back on Health they won't authorise everyone. Your best chance is if your older, have tried several meds that have either not worked or used to work but no longer.

Best of luck and if anyone want more info, feel free to PM me. Only check messages once or twice a week but I promise I will get back to everyone.

If anyone is in the Mid West area, there's a info evening on P in the Southcourt Hotel, Limerick next Thursday at 7.30. Won't be there myself cuz I've tickets for Hazel O'Connor but might be well worth attending. It's sponsored by one of the drug companies and so there might be some new products available.

Crimson...

I sufer from psoriasis too, stupid question but can u get it on a medical card?

Rogueish

I have to say that no two people I've met with Psorasis have been the same nor has the exact same treatment worked for them either.

I developed psorasis coming up to, during and after my leaving cert. It was mainly confined to the back of my head and hidden by my hair.

My doc prescribed dovonex and another medication but they didn't work either because the scales were so thick that the medication couldn't reach the skin to have an effect. Eventually the college doctor came up with a solution.

It was a .2% or 2% (not quite sure of the w/v I think it was .2%) of salycilic acid (ground asprin e.g. disprin) in 50:50 solution of peanut oil and oilve oil. It was applied to the scalp at night every second night over a week or so (under a swimming cap) to soften and dissolve the scales. Washing your hair in the morning with whatever shampoo the doc as recommemded and apply any medication then. It did the job. All the coal tar and tea tree shampoos on their own didn't do a thing for it. It eventually took a couple of asprin tablets (literally) and the dovonex to clear it up.

I am now 99% psorasis free. I've only two small patches inside my ears. My scalp has cleared up 100%. In my case it was all triggered by stress so long as that is controlled all is dinky.

Give the oil and asprin solution a go. Unless you have an allergy to any of the ingredients or nuts in general. It on the whole is harmless and will soften the scales so that the medication/shampoos can work can work.

kittenkiller

There's a dematologist in Donnybrook that's quite expensice but REALLY really good.
A friend of mine had been suffering for years & tried everything every other doctor had suggested but nothing worked.
He went to this woman & withing a matter of days the problem had almost dissappeared!
I don't have her details, but I can get hold of themif you want. Pm me if you do.

Best of luck.

Paddy20

I really suffered from this condition, which was raging, and effected my scalp, face etc.

After trying a number of 'dermatologist' prescribed medications. I was if anything !, in a much worse condition than ever, very flaky, very red patches, and very sore, particularly 'behind my ears'. It was driving me mad !.

Then I watched a TV documentary on the subject, they came to the conclusion that ' Washing powders ' and the soap we use can trigger this condition and if we stop using the usual ' Household name's brands ' that are full of chemicals including 'Bleach' the condition may well clear up, as even our towels are left with a residue of irritant chemicals after washing in a washing machine as normal rinse cycles simply do not do the job properly, and when you dry your hair or face the chemicals again irritate the skin.

So, I stopped using normal washing powders, and started using 'Oxi-Clean' powder along with 'Wash-it balls' for my laundry, after about 3 washes my towels etc, were softer and had a fresh 'like new' colour. I also changed my soap to Nivea cream soap, which also helped.

Now, my condition has practically vanished. It is unbelievable but true. I have now also discovered 'Micro-Fibre' towels, which dry your skin without rubbing, has also proven to be a great help.

Anyone, who has a problem obtaining these products, are welcome to PM me and I will let you know where I got mine.

Good luck.

P. :cool:

black & white

Crimson... wrote:

I sufer from psoriasis too, stupid question but can u get it on a medical card?

I'd say so, you need to go and see a Consultant in order to get prescribed. What part of Waterford are you in ? I spent 5 years there as a boarder in De La Salle in the late 70's.

arthur_dent

Kittykiller - tried to PM you about the dermathologist in Donnybrook but yhour mailbox was full. Could you PM me the details if you still have them??

darkflower

Treatments that work for others might not work for you so i suggest visit a dermatologist. I found this site and it might help you to understand more about psoriasis.
http://www.skincarephysicians.com/psoriasisnet/treatment.html