Psoriasis

Red Nissan · 30-10-2013 11:06pm

alie wrote: »

Hi all, I keep flaring up, the rash is now on my legs too, never had it here before. The doctor has me on Fusibet cream, one tube does not go far and at 20 euro its expensive, also on claritymicin. He wants me to try betnovate cream as opposed to the ointment , anybody on this and how effective is it, many thanks in advance.

Fusibet, I don't know.

Bernovate is pretty good, the cream is dry. It can be used on the face too so in this instance the cream is better.

Generally the ointments are more effective as already mentioned but they can stain clothes and they remain liquid and shine and get on things and some tend to leave whiter patches.

Betnovate is really pricy though, I've bought it on the drug scheme and in the last few year on a medical card.

alie · 31-10-2013 8:24am

ryanf1 wrote: »

I will give it a try for a few weeks and go back if I can't handle it. He said to use it in the shower in place of body wash so maybe in that case it won't be quite so greasy

I use it all the time , sometimes its easier to melt it gently in a cup and then pour it in to your bath as I don't have really hot baths and it tends to float otherwise. I will get the chemist to give me the ointment instead, thanks,

Gael23 · 31-10-2013 6:07pm

I used the emulsifying ointment in the shower today and I firstly wet my skin before I applied the ointment as I thought it might help soften it, which it did. I've just read an article which said to apply it to dry skin as a soap substitute so maybe I didn't do the right thing

michael999999 · 31-10-2013 7:13pm

ryanf1 wrote: »

I used the emulsifying ointment in the shower today and I firstly wet my skin before I applied the ointment as I thought it might help soften it, which it did. I've just read an article which said to apply it to dry skin as a soap substitute so maybe I didn't do the right thing

You can apply it straight on to your skin, leave it for a few hours before you go for your shower then just wash it off.

I use it at work and before going to bed.

Red Nissan · 31-10-2013 10:34pm

ryanf1 wrote: »

I used the emulsifying ointment in the shower today and I firstly wet my skin before I applied the ointment as I thought it might help soften it, which it did. I've just read an article which said to apply it to dry skin as a soap substitute so maybe I didn't do the right thing

There are many different ways to use it, it's all good.

I used to make up a mixture which I swore by, a cup of emulsifying ointment, one serving spoon of Dermovate and one Spoon of Coal Tar Oil ~ best of all worlds IMO.

You can mix the emulsifying ointment with almost anything, this ointment is mild and can be left on for a good bit, but I no longer agree with the long treatment times as I [for me] find it will soak to its maximum relatively quickly. Instead I've adopted shorter more frequent 'short' soaks.

wonga77 · 03-12-2013 11:40pm

What are peoples thoughts on uvb treatment. A cousin of mine suffered very badly, i would say 60% coverage, went for uvb treatment and 2 years later has never looked back, no outbreaks and just 1 visit a year for a few mins and he's sorted.
I have tried every single cream out there and no good. I asked for the docter to refer me to a specialist but there is a huge waiting list.
So to cut a long story short ive been looking at http://www.androv-medical.com/product/217/androv-3000-narrowband-uv-b-lamp-for-psoriasis--vitiligo-or-eczema and so on. Obviously I know the risks and would use carefully
Thoughts anyone?

Mountainsandh · 03-12-2013 11:52pm

It's brilliant, and every plaque simply goes... but it comes back. For me, pretty quickly (2/3 months back to a bad enough coverage, 6 months to initial coverage).
I doubt one visit a few minutes a year would be enough to keep it in check. And imo a few minutes without the build up to it, in one visit, would burn you pretty bad.*
More like several visits of one minute, and that's another treatment on top of the initial one.

I'm weary enough of it tbh, since for me it doesn't last long enough to pile up the treatments.

But I understand how one could be tempted to do it, and again, and again...

Have never done the home treatment.

* just realized I was thinking of UVA in PUVA. My first treatment was UVBs though, and I think again the hospital treatment was pretty gradual building up to minutes, not bluntly starting with that.

Call Me Jimmy · 03-12-2013 11:59pm

What are people's experiences with home treatment? I've found a pretty good natural regime which largely keeps it at bay but do get flare ups the odd time.

Is it a case of buying a light and...?

Mountainsandh · 04-12-2013 12:11am

I have to say long term, I am still enjoying the benefits of a week long course of oral steroids before the summer !
I never realized they could be that effective, and really, my hands have been the clearest (not fully clear but I can actually see my veins !) they have been in 20 years since the oral steroids. And legs better too.
It seems to have somewhat reprogrammed/reset my immune system, at least that's how it feels to me, that it's not going as much into overdrive.

If the lights were more affordable though, I would probably get one to give it a kick here and there.

Call Me Jimmy · 04-12-2013 12:25am

Is the oral steroids those metal-based ones? (No idea what I mean, just someone mentioned something like that).

Can you just ask your GP for them to try?

Gael23 · 04-12-2013 12:26am

I've only heard good things about it but i'm just not in a position to sign up to a course of treatment at the moment. It really does work and gets a good few months of relief. I would defintely consider it in the near future though

KwackerJack · 04-12-2013 12:32am

Mountainsandh wrote: »

I have to say long term, I am still enjoying the benefits of a week long course of oral steroids before the summer !
I never realized they could be that effective, and really, my hands have been the clearest (not fully clear but I can actually see my veins !) they have been in 20 years since the oral steroids. And legs better too.
It seems to have somewhat reprogrammed/reset my immune system, at least that's how it feels to me, that it's not going as much into overdrive.

If the lights were more affordable though, I would probably get one to give it a kick here and there.

Is there not a possibility of a more severe rebound by using oral steroids?

Mountainsandh · 04-12-2013 12:55am

Oh God please don't say that :eek::D
I haven't had a rebound yet and that was at the end of May so fingers crossed.

Call me Jimmy I don't know, I'm not very good at taking note of names or composition. I've no idea what it was, but it was steroids, I had to take I don't know, maybe 6 at once the first few days, then towards the end of treatment the dose went down.

They weren't intended to clear the skin psoriasis, that was a happy side effect in the long term though, I asked for a treatment for what I think is psoriatic arthritis, I get plantar fasciitis, back and neck pains, and sometimes knee pain. So before my holidays the plantar was so bad I really had difficulty functioning, and asked the GP if there was anything to be done so I could walk and exercise a bit, and enjoy my hols pain free.
He did warn me that the effect of the steroids on the arthritic pains would be very punctual (last for the length of treatment only), and that proved 100% true, it was lovely while it lasted !
But I did get that extra bonus that (probably helped with the punctual holiday sun), the skin pso cleared considerably (hands are the most spectacular), and as I said, the effect of this is still being felt now, even in winter.

I'm very very tempted to ask for another shot at that quick treatment some time.

edit : I have to say though, that most sites I've read online about PArthritis treatment do not establish it as a fact that PA treatment reduces skin psoriasis. They say it's not at all guaranteed to happen.

sligoface · 04-12-2013 4:56pm

wonga77 wrote: »

What are peoples thoughts on uvb treatment. A cousin of mine suffered very badly, i would say 60% coverage, went for uvb treatment and 2 years later has never looked back, no outbreaks and just 1 visit a year for a few mins and he's sorted.
I have tried every single cream out there and no good. I asked for the docter to refer me to a specialist but there is a huge waiting list.
So to cut a long story short ive been looking at http://www.androv-medical.com/product/217/androv-3000-narrowband-uv-b-lamp-for-psoriasis--vitiligo-or-eczema and so on. Obviously I know the risks and would use carefully
Thoughts anyone?

I have the dermfix 2000 from that company, i've been on the waiting list for a dermatologist for over two years, so while it is expensive i must say it works really well at diminishing plaques, looks a bit easier to hold than the one you posted. Im guessing that one is more powerful as it says 3000 but imo 2000 is enough, ive burnt myself slightly with just a minute and half with the 2000. The good thing is the burnt skin always cleared the plaques up, did not make them worse as i feared, but you should use short regular exposures and should not need to burn to see results. The unit comes with a timer and a plan and diary to keep track of your exposures and tells you how to find the right exposure for your skin type. Problem for me is finding the time to do it. But twice a week i take a bath with dead sea salts which are a great treatment for my plaques also, and when i dry off i use the uvb lamp. It really clear things up but as another poster said, they always come back.

These treatments do not get to the root of the problem obviously and are only palliativenand worknas long as the treatments are followed. Many docs will say diet has nothing to do with it, in my experience it does, as a change in diet has done wonders for me in just one month. I believe i have an issue that is internal, leaky gut and thinning of the intestinal walls and am trying to follow the diet outlined by dr. Pagano in his book Healing Psoriasis Naturally.

In this diet, you have to eliminate fried foods, red meat, alcohol, eat mostly fruit and veg except nightshades like tomatoes, and also avoid carbs like pasta and bread (brown rice is ok). Drink herbal teas, only one cup of coffee per day if you need it (i do!). Limit cows milk as much as possible, i just have one drop of lacose free in the coffee, i eat goats cheese with my salmon and avocado salads to get my cheese fix (i love cheese) along with natural omega3. Limit sugar as much as possible.

This seems to help with keeping the plaques from coming back. When my psoriasis was at its worst i was drinking pints and getting takeaways all the time. I also worked 12 hr nights so i didnt get enough sleep which i needed to heal. I lost my job because i couldnt do the 12 hr nights any more due to the psoriasis, so i decided to use this time off to heal it once and for all before i do anything else. Simply by cooking at home with only the allowed ingredients and not having the pints and takeaways (that i can't afford any more anyway), i've seen significant improvements in plaque size and thickness, some have disappeared completely (the newer ones) and they are overall less itchy and painful and it has only been one month.

This book says you must be patient and disciplined (which is hard, i love beer and pizza, two worst things for a psoriasis sufferer) and that you will see significant improvments after three months. I also started taking a few spoonfuls of lechithin granules and flaxseed oil and slippery elm bark capsules which the book recommended daily (actually recommends to make a tea from the slippery elm but i didn't like the tea.) Also, i eat much smaller portions as i am using organic ingredients which are more expensive (though not as expensive as steroid creams!) but they don't put so much strain on my digestive system, and overeating is also a no-no on the pagano program.

Steroid creams made my psoriasis much worse in the long run. One time i got a small patch of psoriasis on my face which stressed me out because i had a job interview coming up and my face had always been clear which was the only thing keeping me from totally avoiding socializing, dating, working, etc. I read the pamphlet for dovobet which said not to use on my face so i asked my dr. for an alternative, but she said it was okay to use the dovobet. I ended up with perioral dermatitis, due to steroid cream use, which covered my entire face with red bumps. It took ages to clear up and caused me a lot of embarrassment, and it was uncomfortable as well, and very noticeable because i had to be clean shaven at work and shaving made the bumps even angrier. I haven't used steroid creams at all in over a year and the uv light, dead sea salt, aveeno creams and vaseline are all i use. I really think that if i continue to improve my diet i can get better, and hopefully start exercising again, which i havent been able to do because of psoriasis on my legs, feet and bum, which are all clearing up. Once i get clear and fit i think my confidence will be back and hopefully i will be able for work again (though i will probably have to leave sligo to find one).

rubadub · 04-12-2013 5:27pm

^^great post there.

sligoface wrote: »

Im guessing that one is more powerful as it says 3000 but imo 2000 is enough,

The 3000 has 2 x PLL36 Watt UVB 311nm tubes fitted as standard (72 Watts total output)

The 2000 is Fitted with 2 x 9 Watt UVB 311nm tubes as standard.

Almost all of these UVB devices are using the same phillips range of bulbs, some charge stupid prices, androv has decent prices. I actually made my own, the smallest you get is the 9W, so the 2000 is just like having 2 of these. I am considering getting another 9W to use alongside my other, so cut treatment time in half.

The smaller units are good as they are handheld and can treat specific spots, mine is mainly on my scalp. I am up to 2-3mins on my scalp in 9 areas on the scalp, i.e. I shine it say in front of my 2 ears, behind 2 ears, further back behind 2 ears, central back, top of my head both sides, totting up to 9. So it takes about 25mins in all. The small ones can be held very close to the skin in awkward places like behind the ears.

The 3000 is pretty big Dimensions: 480mm x 340mm x 70mm (H x W x D) this is more suited to widespread areas. it is 72W vs my 9W, so 8 times the power but probably gives off 10 times the UVB light, since flourescent bulbs usually get more efficient as they go up.

Though androv have good prices, the items are still expensive for what they are. e.g. androv sell 2 bulbs for £130 http://www.androv-medical.com/product/248/2-x-pll36w-narrowband-311nm-bulbs

the unit with them is £358.80 so you are really paying €228.80 for a light fitting and glasses and timer. They would be made in low volumes so would cost more. I posted before about an office lamp which could take a single 9W bulb, it was one which could be moved about so you could position it and not have to hold it, and just read a book or watch tv while its working. Timer is essential of course, I got burned once or twice, but even a recent poster here got burnt in hospital which sounded more severe than my minor ones.

wonga77 · 04-12-2013 9:22pm

Great posts guys, thanks for the feedback. My main problem is most of my lower back (which doesnt bother me hugely) and my legs, front and back and shins which are bad and I am paranoid about them. I play alot of sport and usually have my socks pulled up to my knees (gaa) to cover it all. I was playing basketball last week in a crowded enough area with alot of people watching and I was extremely paranoid, on the way out of the court I passed a person who was quite obviously probably unintentionally staring at my psoriasis. I just felt bad, ive tried every single cream out there with zero results and like I said, my cousin had similar problems and uvb were the only thing that worked for him. If i only had one spot here and there i would try something like you sugested Rubadub. But I have it on my legs, front and back, knees, lower back, chest, shoulders and scalp which is why i feel i need something a bit bigger covering a larger area.
Ideally i would love to try http://www.androv-medical.com/product/214/androv-8000-full-body-uv-b-panel or something similar but financially thats out of my range. I wonder is it possible to put something together cheaper? Like you mentioned the bulbs can be got reasonable, your just paying for fitting frame and glasses and timer.

@ sligoface, re the diet, like yourself I find it so hard to cut out the foods you have mentioned. I do try and I do eat reasonably healthy but its almost impossible, i took an allergy test and took some things out of my diet, gradually i went back on some but cut out dairy for the most part, I use lactose free milk any time i need to, not sure if it helps me but ive got used to it. Dairy gave me other health problems anyway. I just love my beer and pizza though!

Docs always told me stress was a huge factor in psoriasis, I never felt overly stressed but my skin has got 10 times worse in the last 2 years. On the flipside in that timeframe ive never felt so stressfree, got a steady job, built a house mostly from finances from a past job when I was self employed so I have a very managable mortgage and no huge financial stress. Have 2 young smashing kids and a great wife to be. Life is good but yet my psoriasis is steadily getting worse so i often wonder where the stress theory comes from

Gael23 · 04-12-2013 9:35pm

Stress is without doubt a factor for me anyway. I've got exams next week and i'm already back on the steroid cream daily rather than the usual twice weekly.
wonga77, do you use dovobet or any type of ointment? These are really only going to treat the symptoms but it will help you in the short term. I know you can get phototherapy done through hospital so maybe look at that as you shouldn't have to pay.

wonga77 · 04-12-2013 10:04pm

Yeah I tried dovobet before, (not for a while i must admit) I just feel that i become immune to creams and ointments after a short term. Maybe i am stressed without knowing it but i honestly dont feel its a factor at the moment. I would wait for the hospital but there is a huge waiting list, 9 months or something silly, also im 50 miles from the nearest general hospital so its not an option to drive that far for a minute or two treatment every few days

Gael23 · 04-12-2013 10:13pm

I have been using the dovobet for nearly 10 years now and don't feel im developing any immunity to it. The way you use it is a factor too. I use it twice weekly for maintenance and then if I get a flare up I would use it daily.
Its only going to treat the symptoms but it does work.

wonga77 · 04-12-2013 10:29pm

I might just try that again. It cant hurt anyway

rubadub · 05-12-2013 3:01pm

wonga77 wrote: »

Ideally i would love to try http://www.androv-medical.com/product/214/androv-8000-full-body-uv-b-panel or something similar but financially thats out of my range. I wonder is it possible to put something together cheaper? Like you mentioned the bulbs can be got reasonable, your just paying for fitting frame and glasses and timer.

I read of a guy putting large bulbs into a sunbed. The bulbs come with different type endings so you have to match them to the fitting. The bulbs for that one are £540.

Some like the smaller bulbs since you are only treating the necessary areas, and not needlessly exposing yourself to the radiation which some would worry about for skin cancer reasons. After reading up many studies I do not worry about it myself. I was actually thinking of treating unaffected areas to boost my vitamin D levels.

I might just try that again. It cant hurt anyway

Many would not go near it as its a steroid. Its a steroid combined with vitamin D cream. I think Dovonex is the brand which just has the vitamin D cream with no steroids.

Gael23 · 05-12-2013 3:14pm

rubadub wrote: »

Many would not go near it as its a steroid. Its a steroid combined with vitamin D cream. I think Dovonex is the brand which just has the vitamin D cream with no steroids.

Yes your right but they work in different ways. The steroid in dovobet reduces the inflammation as well as reducing the production of skin cells.
The Dovonex only slows the production of skin cells so for it to work you must first use the dovobet for a while.
When I started the regime i'm on now, I used dovobet daily for a week. I followed that by 5 days of Dovonex and 2 Days of Dovobet weekly, so basically dovonex during the week and dovobet at weekends and the results are great.

Mountainsandh · 05-12-2013 6:07pm

I don't think it's stress related either.
When my father died, I thought "that's it, I'm in for a massive flare", but it didn't happen. Again in other stressful situations I thought "wait for it", and it never happened.
Then I'll just flare up at silly times when I'm all relaxed about everything and have no worries.

I've been trying to suss out if it was a delayed flare at these odd times, but it isn't that either.

I think the most obvious flare I get is the winter one, when it gets colder, I get hit with it (that's because the very exposed and thin top of hands skin is one of my week spots though). There's no escaping that one.
And the second most obvious is after I've had a drink, don't drink very often so it's pretty obvious then.

Amazingfun · 05-12-2013 6:18pm

I apologize if it's been mentioned already but I only recently learned that psoriasis is actually an autoimmune disorder.

I've had it since I was a child, and although I've never had it as bad as others, it's always been a source of shame and embarrassment for me as various times I had it bad on my elbows, etc.

I don't have it too bad at all anymore, but do get tiny patches still on my elbows and my scalp. I do however had a LOT of other autoimmune illnesses (alopecia, lichen planus), the most recent being Hashimotos Thyroiditius.

This is a path I am working towards committing to totally, might be worth checking out for some here too:

http://www.thepaleomom.com/2012/04/modifying-paleo-to-treat-psoriasis.html

Good luck to all, I know these illnesses can really cause a lot of problems in our lives, but there are new solutions emerging that, although tough in themselves, seem to bring a lot of relief once given a fair trial

rubadub · 05-12-2013 7:10pm

Mountainsandh wrote: »

I think the most obvious flare I get is the winter one, when it gets colder, I get hit with it (that's because the very exposed and thin top of hands skin is one of my week spots though)

Also less sunlight in winter, so a drop in vitamin D levels.

Mountainsandh wrote: »

And the second most obvious is after I've had a drink, don't drink very often so it's pretty obvious then.

I drink a lot. Its important to stay properly hydrated, I would put on moisturiser before going to bed to pre-empt it. I also take sodium bicarbonate (baking/bread soda) to try and neutralise acids produced. I started this so I would not wake up feeling sick from an over acidic stomach, but I have found if I do take it the flare ups are worse. I was reading that having an "alkaline system" helps and some foods are more prone to tip you one way or the other alkaline or acidic.

Baking soda is cheaper than most antacids which are stupidly overpriced, just like those lights, they lash a medical branding and charge a fortune. I mix a small bit in water, gulp it down like a shot and wash down with water right after. On its own its manky.

Mountainsandh · 05-12-2013 8:07pm

Will have to try that thanks !
Do you know, I think I have very acidic skin anyway, I've always thought that, I think in part because I kill pearls. Sounds bad

. The nacre part of pearls is not exactly "alive", but I was told by jewellers that it is maintaining its lustre by some process or other. Well my skin ph stops that, and every pearl I've ever had (cultured or natural, I've tried a few ear rings, pendants, and ring from various sources and various prices) gradually gets greyish, and loses all its lustre, and the nacre eventually just peels off in ... plaques. :rolleyes:
I've given up on real pearls forever. Some jewellers didn't understand it either, but just happened upon one that seemed to know a bit more about them.

Amazingfun, some day I might try the diets, but to be honest, the little trials of withdrawing one food or the other so far have yielded no results, so I'm not convinced. But a lot of these diets are healthier anyway, so don't know, some day if I feel up to it...

sheroman01 · 05-12-2013 10:00pm

I have a small bit of psoriasis on my forehead and knees (very dry scalp also). I'm a 22 year old male. I'd like to think i'm relatively fit (!) but I probably don't eat enough fuit and veg and I personally think this might be linked to it. After a night out on the beer I also find it gets a bit worse! Anyway...I use Dovobet gel (white bottle with red cap) and I find it unbelievably good!! I can see the effects of it overnight. I would definitley recommend it!

wonga77 · 05-12-2013 10:14pm

Went to the pharmacy today, didnt realise dovobet was so expensive

Gael23 · 05-12-2013 10:15pm

wonga77 wrote: »

Went to the pharmacy today, didnt realise dovobet was so expensive

I forgot to mention that bit! I think its like €100 a tube but a little goes a long way.

brevity · 05-12-2013 10:16pm

wonga77 wrote: »

Went to the pharmacy today, didnt realise dovobet was so expensive

Get it on the drug payment scheme. It's about 120-140 euro through it.

I remember when you could get it for 70 or 80 euro but the government cut the scheme.

EDIT: Make sure to ask for the big tube or its not really worth it.

rubadub · 06-12-2013 10:58am

ryanf1 wrote: »

I think its like €100 a tube but a little goes a long way.

I had dermovate, a powerful steroid cream I had for dermatitis. I would mix it with vaseline to dilute it down so you could spread a thin, even, low potency amount on larger areas.

I also have a polytar emollient with a high coal tar % in it, this was intended to be used in a bath so it would have been really dilute.

Tar Blend 25.00% w/w, Light Liquid Paraffin 35.00% w/w

Tar Blend comprises:

Pine tar BP 30% w/w, Cade oil BPC 30% w/w, Coal Tar Solution BP 10% w/w, Arachis Oil extract of Coal Tar BP 30% w/w.

while the shampoo figures are

Polytar Liquid 1% w/w Shampoo

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Tar Blend 1.00 % w/w comprises:
Tar 0.3 % w/w
Cade Oil 0.3 % w/w
Coal Tar Solution 0.1 % w/w
Arachis Oil* extract of Coal Tar 0.3 % w/w
* also known as peanut oil

So the bath version has 25 times as much active ingredient as the shampoo, 25% vs 1% but I think it was only about twice the price per ml. Again this is showing the crazy prices they slap on things simply because they have a "medical" tag on them.

So I would dilute the bath one with baby oil, it also meant there were less other ingredients which I did not really want, like foaming agents for the "shampoo", in quotes since its really not for cleaning hair, this is the other stuff in the shampoo.

Coconut Diethanolamine
Hexylene Glycol
Oleyl Alcohol
Polysorbate 80
Triethanolamine Lauryl Sulphate (42% Solution)
Sodium Chloride
Citric Acid Monohydrate
Octylphenoxy Polyethoxy Ethanol
Fragrance 5412
Imidurea
Purified Water

Gael23 · 06-12-2013 6:58pm

sheroman01 wrote: »

I have a small bit of psoriasis on my forehead and knees (very dry scalp also). I'm a 22 year old male. I'd like to think i'm relatively fit (!) but I probably don't eat enough fuit and veg and I personally think this might be linked to it. After a night out on the beer I also find it gets a bit worse! Anyway...I use Dovobet gel (white bottle with red cap) and I find it unbelievably good!! I can see the effects of it overnight. I would definitley recommend it!

Im also a 22 year old male also. I have never found a link with my diet but there could well be.
How do you find the dovobet gel? I use the ointment but now you can only get it in large tubes.

sligoface · 08-12-2013 6:04am

sheroman01 wrote: »

I have a small bit of psoriasis on my forehead and knees (very dry scalp also). I'm a 22 year old male. I'd like to think i'm relatively fit (!) but I probably don't eat enough fuit and veg and I personally think this might be linked to it. After a night out on the beer I also find it gets a bit worse! Anyway...I use Dovobet gel (white bottle with red cap) and I find it unbelievably good!! I can see the effects of it overnight. I would definitley recommend it!

I got horrible red bumps called perioral dermatitis all over my face that took months to go away due to using dovobet on my face, you have to be careful using steroid creams on your face as it can cause this condition.

Gael23 · 08-12-2013 2:39pm

sligoface wrote: »

I got horrible red bumps called perioral dermatitis all over my face that took months to go away due to using dovobet on my face, you have to be careful using steroid creams on your face as it can cause this condition.

You can't use dovobet on your face at all. My GP gave me an ointment called protopic for my face which is safe to use and it works. I quite recently got dermatitis between my legs which he gave me Daktacort for and he said I can put that on my face as well.

Call Me Jimmy · 08-12-2013 2:56pm

I have daktacort and protopic, just got the worst flare up in a while last night this morning, which has been better on the face for you?

alie · 08-12-2013 2:57pm

My skin is acting up really bad at the moment, I'm on dermovate, and Fusibet for when it breaks down , just wondering if anyone has tried any natural remedies for the itch in particular.

Gael23 · 08-12-2013 3:54pm

Call Me Jimmy wrote: »

I have daktacort and protopic, just got the worst flare up in a while last night this morning, which has been better on the face for you?

If you have dermatitis then you need the Daktacort as that contains something to treat the infection, I've never actually put it on my face, just my GP said I can do.
For flare ups I use the protopic twice a day for up to a week but most times a few days is enough. If you didn't have an infection that's what I would advise you to do.

rubadub · 11-12-2013 7:48pm

alie wrote: »

just wondering if anyone has tried any natural remedies for the itch in particular.

Not sure what you consider natural, but baking soda is meant to treat itching. I use eurax which is in most chemists, there is liquid & cream, I prefer the cream, the large ones are a lot better value.

sligoface · 13-12-2013 5:56am

alie wrote: »

My skin is acting up really bad at the moment, I'm on dermovate, and Fusibet for when it breaks down , just wondering if anyone has tried any natural remedies for the itch in particular.

If you want to have a go at the pagano diet i posted about earlier, the itch was one of the first symptoms that started to improve after cutting out alcohol, sweets, soda, and fried food. But for immediate relief i use dead sea bath salts which work wonders on my P or epsom salts in a warm bath, also as someone said, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in a bath is meant to be good as well. The Pagano book also says you can dissolve a teaspoon of sodium bicarb in a glass of water and drinknit to relieve itching, never tried it. I usually get itchty when i am going to bed, i sometimes take an OTC antihistamine tablet like Piriton which is meant to help with itching, also makes you drowsy. But that would not be a natural remedy obviously.

Gael23 · 30-12-2013 7:37pm

How is everyone doing? I'm due back with my GP next week for my regular follow up but I'm mostly ok.
I do find that I have to use the dovobet a little more now that the winter weather has set in though

Call Me Jimmy · 30-12-2013 7:39pm

I'm sorry if I've asked this before but has anyone used UV lamps (either at home or in hospital) that saw a definite improvement?

musicfan1ie · 30-12-2013 7:57pm

I find myself using a few things to manage mine. Oilatum Shower gel and the one for baths is bliss. I use Euerin for the isolated parts of my face.

But, generally I try to just use sensitive creams gels for day to day use. Head and Shoulders sensitive, Nivea Senitive Showe Gel, Nivea sensitive shaving cream and Nivea face wash. Seems to work well for me. I always make sure that I use noon bio washing powders. When I go to a hotel, the starch sheets drives my skin nuts

I only developed psoriasis when I moved to Uk, seems the water is harsher where I was based, compared to ireland

Gael23 · 30-12-2013 8:33pm

musicfan1ie wrote: »

I find myself using a few things to manage mine. Oilatum Shower gel and the one for baths is bliss. I use Euerin for the isolated parts of my face.

But, generally I try to just use sensitive creams gels for day to day use. Head and Shoulders sensitive, Nivea Senitive Showe Gel, Nivea sensitive shaving cream and Nivea face wash. Seems to work well for me. I always make sure that I use noon bio washing powders. When I go to a hotel, the starch sheets drives my skin nuts

I only developed psoriasis when I moved to Uk, seems the water is harsher where I was based, compared to ireland

Agree with all that except for the oilatum. I used the bath stuff years ago. It's ridiculously expensive and I didn't find it made a huge difference. Now I just use perfume free body washes

brevity · 30-12-2013 8:46pm

ryanf1 wrote: »

How is everyone doing? I'm due back with my GP next week for my regular follow up but I'm mostly ok.
I do find that I have to use the dovobet a little more now that the winter weather has set in though

Not great at the moment. My diet has gone to crap and it's making me very very itchy. I'm popping antihistamines like smarties!

I knew this would happen so I'm not that bothered. In the new year I'll be off the sugar, wine and pork and that will make things a lot better.

Gonna pick up a decent juicer and try out some of these juices as well.

mighty magpie · 30-12-2013 9:15pm

Call Me Jimmy wrote: »

I'm sorry if I've asked this before but has anyone used UV lamps (either at home or in hospital) that saw a definite improvement?

100% yes. Check out my posts from a few months ago.

wonga77 · 01-01-2014 3:55pm

Ive taken rubadub's advice and bought a small lamp like the one he linked to and a proper philips uvb bulb, looking forward to seeing the results. Tried it today and its really tempting to stay under it for a few minutes as you dont feel any sensation. So il start with 30 ish seconds at a time and see how I get on.
For the record I bought it on ebay, heres a link, http://www.ebay.ie/itm/261275913795?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

about €80 or so incl postage which wasnt too bad as the bulbs are 30 to 40 on their own

Sure we'll see how we go...

sligoface · 01-01-2014 4:16pm

If you want to see what exposure your skin can handle without burning, take a small piece of paper and use a hole punch to punch a row of holes in it. Use a bit of masking tape and tape it to your body, preferably somewhere with no p but close to where you have the p you want to treat, though probably not somewhere conspicuous/visible to others when clothed. Your arm works well, make sure if your lamp is large that you cover any exposed skin outside your little paper stencil so you don't burn those areas.

Shine light on the paper for thirty secs, cover the first hole with tape, shine again for thirty, cover second hole, and continue. If you have fair skin be careful and don't be going over say 2-3 minutes. Eventually you will probably have one small circular bit of burn like sunburn, which will give you a bit of a guide as to what the limit is for your bulb strength/skin type.

wonga77 · 05-01-2014 11:29pm

Right, day 5 of using, ive increased to a minute at a time per area, its enough at the moment, just enough for me to feel a little tingle afterwards. I wouldnt say theres a huge improvement but the p has thinned out ever so slightly. Obviously its early days but im happy enough with how its going so far. Should be interesting to see what the next 10 days bring.

Call Me Jimmy · 05-01-2014 11:41pm

hyaluronic acid has almost completely cleared mine up!

wonga77 · 06-01-2014 1:09am

Call Me Jimmy wrote: »

hyaluronic acid has almost completely cleared mine up!

Where did u get it, how did you use it?

Psoriasis

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