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Psoriasis

2456771

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4 Springroll


    Hi. I've had guttate psoriasis since October, so for about 8 months now. It was all over my whole body, starting on my torso and quickly spreading to arms and legs and scalp even. My doctor prescribed a cream called Dovobet. This reduced it a lot - where it was a 10 it was down to a 4. However, it has caused my skin to go white in patches where I used it so be careful if you are using it to only use it for a week or 2. I switched to Dovonex which does not thin out your skin. It took a while to nitice results, but after about 2 months the patches started dissapearing. Unfortunately I got another bout of tonsilitis, which is what caused the condidtion in the first place, and it has flared up again. However it is not as bad as before and I am confident the Dovonex will keep working, I was fully clear everywhere but my legs which were half clear before the second flare. Also I am going away on a sun holiday in a month and I have heard that clears things for most people. My sister's wedding is 2 days after I get back so fingers crossed! By the way I went to see a dermatologist provately and he prescribed a useless cream which did not work! (everybody's different)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    I have had psoriasis for the last 20 years since i was about 2 months old. If you have bad psoriasis or really want to get rid of it, ask your dermatologist about a tablet called cyclosporin, i'm on it for the last 8 weeks and i have improved hugely and its brilliant because you only have to take a tablet twice a day and you don't have to spend 15 minutes at night putting on creams, also i found that the dovonex and dovobet creams worked wonders for me a few years back. The producers of dovonex (Leo laboratoires) have released a new scalp solution back in january called Xamoil which is the best one i have ever used. Cocois is also a good scalp solution that really calms down the psoriasis. If you want to calm down your psoriasis in the short term i would reccomend a cream called betanovate which is very fast acting but it can only be used short term because it is a steroid.

    Hope this is of some help to people.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 58 ✭✭haven27


    I'd be wary of cyclosporine being recommened as some magic drug, while it's great that it's cleared your bad psoriasis it is an immunosuppressant and not a step to be taken lightly. That said unfortunately there is still no magical cure, am in the middle of uvb for my (mild) guttate psoriasis and it is starting to clear up that way.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Anyone know where UVB lamps can be bought? The sun seems to be good for my psoriasis, but who knows when we'll see that again!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6 menta


    Sykk wrote: »
    Hey all,

    So I have been to around 4 different doctors over a skin condition I've had for around a year. 2 didn't know and 2 said I have psoriasis. It's very annoying, looks bad, and has a chance of spreading...

    I have it on some parts of my head and the doctor told me there is no cure for it, it's only containable.

    I have done some looking up on the web about cures, and some people say it's not cureable, some say it is. I have yet to go to a dermatolisist (I've one booked) or a chinese herbalist.

    Does anyone else have this skin problem? If so what are you taking for it? And does anyone know if it's actually cureable or not.

    Thanks in advance.

    I get it on my head too and have to use Polytar at least once a week which usually stops the itching.

    Mine is stress related, so I'm more or less tied to psoriasis. Aside from that I suffer from bowel related issues so that can flair it up too.

    I get it on my face aswell and I just use a cream which prevents the dryness - Aqueous Cream. Even though that has led to dry patches at my temples too so who knows.

    There is no cure as far as I'm concerned. However, overtime mine has eased off. My arms and face were destroyed when I was in 5th or 6th class and I've never experienced that level of severity again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    DonFred wrote: »
    My psoriasis is really bad at the moment especially my scalp. Can anyone recommend me a good one? Tried Capasal and its useless. Am giving chemical free stuff a chance so am using Goat milk shampoo and a bar from Lush called Soak and Float but need a good coal tar based one. What do people think of Dermacinz? http://www.dermacinz.co.uk/

    Cheers all.

    I use nothing else now Don, I have been using the Dermacinz producsts for over 2 years now , and the shampoo is fantastic , I get it from the above web site you mentioned , but they also have another site http://www.dermacinz.com this one goes into a lot more details about the products etc ..... anyone considering it give it a try ..

    Gerry
    om


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 454 ✭✭DonFred


    Hi all psoriasis suffers. Ive being trying new things. One was to use just shampoo with no chemicals like Elave or Lush Soak n Float and I did notice a little change. Also tried this new cream called Zum Rub lemongrass. It really calms the skin down. Friend of mine got it in the markets in Howth can also try this website www.indigowild.com.
    Worth a try all.......


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Just thought I'd share my own experience!

    I've had patches of plaque psoriasis on my elbows since I was a teenager. They were never very big or noticeable, and never really bothered me all that much. I only ever used ordinary moisturiser on them, whatever I happened to be using at the time.

    Also, back then, I could use any shower gel, moisturiser, body lotion, fake tan etc that I wanted without getting any reactions - totally took it for granted, can't do that anymore unfortunately!

    Anyways, about three years ago when I was 22, I noticed a couple of very small red flaky patches appearing in random places. Within two weeks, my body was covered in them - pretty much everywhere except my face and neck (thankfully!) The chemist recommended E45 Hc45 Hydrocortisone Cream, which had no effect at all.

    So I went to the doctor, who diagnosed guttate psoriasis, and prescribed me Dovobet. It cleared up the psoriasis pretty much completely after just 3-4 days, however no matter how slowly I'd try to wean myself off it by reducing quantity/frequency of application, the psoriasis would come back - no worse than before, but every bit as bad, with all the little patches in the exact same places. I was on the Dovobet for maybe 2-3 months altogether ... while I'd hate to go back on it, it's good to know that it works at least short-term, if I wanted to get rid of the psoriasis for a big occasion or something. By the way, there are all sorts of reasons why you shouldn't stay on the Dovobet long-term, and also its not actually meant to be used on guttate psoriasis, which is why I'm not using it as a long-term fix.

    So, I switched to Dovonex. When I cut out the Dovobet, the psoriasis got bad again - but the Dovonex worked on it slowly but surely, and it was under control within about three months, and I was able to stop using the Dovonex. So, in my own experience, it might work far more slowly but is a better long-term solution.

    Anyways, after that, I quickly realised that I needed to pay attention to what skincare products I used. I could no longer just use whatever was in the bathroom! I tried LOTS of the special products, e.g. E45, Aveeno, coal tar stuff, Oilatum, various emolliant creams, aqueous cream, and various other brands recommended by the doctor and chemist. They all made me flare up, and I needed to go back on the Dovonex to calm my skin down again.

    After a lengthy trial-and-error process, I found that what works for me is: Nivea "Creme Soft" or "Sensitive Balance" shower gels. And Dove Silk Glow moisturiser, the one in the little tub. And that's it! Can't use Dove shower get or Nivea moisturiers, can't even use other Dove moisturisers, etc.

    I can't use fake tans, except for Sally Henson for legs, I'd only use that very occassionally though.

    More recently, I have discovered Bio-Oil - amazing stuff. I've only a few stubborn little patches left, and the Bio-Oil is really clearing them up. I'm currently using the Nivea shower get, as above, and just using Bio-Oil as moisturiser, and it seems to be working very well at the moment.

    What I eat doesn't seem to affect it very much - the only things that I find make it worse are if I eat a lot of tomatos or drink a lot of alcohol. But I'd need to be eating/drinking a lot several days in a row for it to have any effect.

    So basically, it's all pretty much under control now. I suppose, in my experience, as others have said it's really just a matter of experimenting for yourself and finding out what works for you. And it's not necessarily going to be the expensive products that everyone raves about that will work! Keep an open mind, and hopefully you'll find a solution for your own skin eventually.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2 wyldeflower


    I had Psoriasis quite bad after having my daughter and was even in hospital a few times with it then itsbeen up and down for many years just on joints and scalp but about 5 years ago i was diagnosed with pernicious anemia and had to get b12 injections and the psoriasis dissapeared so as its a branch of autoimune i guess thats why i had it so severe i was really ill with it at times..


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,143 ✭✭✭locum-motion


    Hey,
    ... there is a really great cream called Emulsifying Cream....
    KatCookie wrote: »
    ...emulsifying cream...

    Doesn't exist, folks. You might be referring to Emulsifying Ointment, or to Aqueous Cream, but there ain't no such thing as Emulsifying Cream.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,635 ✭✭✭KatCookie


    ah potatoe/potato
    they both are creamy and ointment-like..
    Seriously though, sorry for the slip up, you'd think that after buying enough tubs of Emulsifying Ointment, i'd be able to get the name right! :rolleyes: Silly me!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,143 ✭✭✭locum-motion


    KatCookie wrote: »
    ah potatoe/potato
    they both are creamy and ointment-like..

    That's like saying that a salad and a pizza are both greenish and kinda flat!
    ie It's wrong!

    A cream and an ointment are two different things!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,635 ✭✭✭KatCookie


    did you not read this part?
    KatCookie wrote: »
    Seriously though, sorry for the slip up, you'd think that after buying enough tubs of Emulsifying Ointment, i'd be able to get the name right! :rolleyes: Silly me!

    Im not perfect, i do make mistakes sometimes, and i did apologise. i do realise that they are not the same thing, no need to point out my mistake twice!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,143 ✭✭✭locum-motion


    Sorry.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,073 ✭✭✭sam34


    ok folks can we bring this back on topic please


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 454 ✭✭DonFred


    Shampoo by Greenpeople is great esp Aloe Vera one or Itch Away for men plus is all organic. Also Yes Carrot is good moistuiser.


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 garry18


    I have had psoriasis for the last 20 years since i was about 2 months old. If you have bad psoriasis or really want to get rid of it, ask your dermatologist about a tablet called cyclosporin, i'm on it for the last 8 weeks and i have improved hugely and its brilliant because you only have to take a tablet twice a day and you don't have to spend 15 minutes at night putting on creams, also i found that the dovonex and dovobet creams worked wonders for me a few years back. The producers of dovonex (Leo laboratoires) have released a new scalp solution back in january called Xamoil which is the best one i have ever used. Cocois is also a good scalp solution that really calms down the psoriasis. If you want to calm down your psoriasis in the short term i would reccomend a cream called betanovate which is very fast acting but it can only be used short term because it is a steroid.

    Hope this is of some help to people.

    i was put on cyclosporin when i was 19. it cleared up my eczema in a few weeks and i was covered in it. most days i couldnt get out of bed because of the pain. anyway i was on it for 8 months without any problem but then it started damaging my liver. i was lucky that i had to get weekly blood tests so the caught it early on. if your not getting regular tests you should. the thing about dermatologists is that the only care about curing the skin problem regardless of the side effects . im know 20 and and my eczema is worse than ever.

    and about emulsifying ointment and aqueous cream. if you have badly broken skin i wouldnt use aqueous cream as it stings the **** out of you. emulsifying is the way to go


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,206 ✭✭✭witchgirl26


    I have psoriasis on my scalp & it really bugs me at times. Thought I just had bad dandruff for years until my doctor happened to notice it one day I was down there for something else (to be fair to him, I'd never asked him about it before).

    He gave me the Cocois ointment to use for a month & it worked wonders. I've been using Dead Sea Magik shampoo & conditioning scalp mud since & it's cleared up so much. Found the really help. So does the cheapo coconut shampoo & conditioner in Boots but I can use them for other reasons anymore.

    Unfortunately it's started to spread to other parts particularly my legs & round my eybrows. Finding Nivea Soft cream is doing ok with it at the mo.


  • Registered Users Posts: 184 ✭✭twistedsoul


    i have psoriasis years im on a drug called humira(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adalimumab)the past 8 months and my psoriasis is nearly gone i had it all over body...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,128 ✭✭✭cynder


    Ive had psoriasis since i was around 10 never really bad, i get it on the scalp and elbows, knees and at the top of my feet. i dont like e45 i use oilatum? spelling- its usedon kids..

    if i got it to bad i would look in to sulpher baths, but would have to go to a volcanic area for those...


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  • Registered Users Posts: 184 ✭✭twistedsoul


    this is a site with news about psoriasis http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/psoriasis/


  • Registered Users Posts: 184 ✭✭twistedsoul


    ^^^^^^^^
    SPAM


  • Registered Users Posts: 5 PulsarEagle2010


    garry18 wrote: »
    i was put on cyclosporin when i was 19. it cleared up my eczema in a few weeks and i was covered in it. most days i couldnt get out of bed because of the pain. anyway i was on it for 8 months without any problem but then it started damaging my liver. i was lucky that i had to get weekly blood tests so the caught it early on. if your not getting regular tests you should. the thing about dermatologists is that the only care about curing the skin problem regardless of the side effects . im know 20 and and my eczema is worse than ever.

    and about emulsifying ointment and aqueous cream. if you have badly broken skin i wouldnt use aqueous cream as it stings the **** out of you. emulsifying is the way to go
    Im the same storey as you cyclosporin at 19 now 21 it did kill me aswell ie liver but never healed anything been chooping and changing meds with years every consulant in dermatology cant fix me only thing that works wonders is steroids which are not advised for long periods of time, also just started taking stelara last week,so my question is how are you these days Gary pm if you dont want to write back here


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 jomama


    My friend has suffered from bad psoriasis for 25 years now, and it has been getting worse. 6 months ago, by chance an elderly lady told her that she too had suffered badly for many years. At the age of 50, a pharmacist suggested she try weekly Vitamin B injections. After 3 months she was completely clear, and has been keeping up this treatment (monthly now) to date. She is now well into her 70s.

    So, my friend has done the same, and the improvement is astonishing. She has gone from 80-90% coverage by psoriasis to about 20%, and that's after only 10 weeks. She has tried everything in the past, and was very sceptical about this, but even she has admitted that it has been very very effective.

    She is still getting weekly shots, but plans to go fortnightly then monthly over the next 6-8 months. She is also taking ferroglobin (a simple iron based tonic).
    But for everyone out there who thinks they have tried everything, I would recommend you give it a shot, but do continue it for 3 or 4 months to give it a chance. Your GP may not be very optimistic, and may dismiss it, but it is a really cheap treatment and well worth a try.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23 gillsD


    To all the psoriasis sufferers out there... I'm 28yrs old, have had psoriasis come and go (sometimes extreme) for approx 10 yrs now, have been to docs, herbalists, hospitals etc over the years & to date have found the best cure (for me anyway).
    I've been testing myself since last July & finally am coming to a very near end of the nasty psoriasis skin condition!!! I first changed my diet - had to cut out BEEF and ONLY beef in total as i diaried everything i ate (after having an allergy test done) i got it down to whatever i ate giving me a reaction just 30 minutes later! So no fillet steaks or beef burgers for me since last year :( But TRUST me when i say the burning sensation on my skin patches - i could definitly live without!!! I slowly introduced other meats & have been using substitutes in some meal times so i don't feel like i'm missing out completely... :D
    I went on the Low GI Diet strictly for a couple months - basically just eating healthy, drinking more water - fairly straight forward diet! I try most days to eat Low GI but the stage im at now I dont need to be as strict everyday but am careful of wat i eat. I also take paradox oil tabs every day & as the Health Shop said it would take a couple of months in your system in order to do its job - im on my third month of taking it & my skin is in an AMAZING condition - best its been in years! I actually went out in a sleeveless dress sat nte for the 1st time in a LONG time!! Felt brilliant!! I still have patches on my body / legs but the patches from my arms and around my eyes have eased up loads & with a bit of Sun (hopefully to come) I hope to clear it to next to nothing! I'm also using the 'dead sea' products ie. moisturiser / bath salts regularly. - can be bough in bigger boots branches!
    Good luck to everyone trying diff things (only someone who has this condition knows exactly what you're going through!) - I highly recommend all of the above - mainly to diary your food intake for now & see how you go from there - could be something simple you've had all your life but now is having a really bad reaction :(
    Any questions - just ask! x x x


  • Registered Users Posts: 5 PulsarEagle2010


    gillsD wrote: »
    When you did the food test was beef at the top of the list to stay away from, also wat is in a GI diet rough guide is all, also hope all goes well for you and it dose finally stay away.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23 gillsD


    hi pulsareagle - i did an allergy test with a chinese herbalist & all red meat showed up so i stayed away from all - only ate turkey + chicken for a couple months (boring...) but then introduced pork and when that was ok, introduced Beef which killed me - the burning sensation was there 30 mins later so knew all Beef was a no no, took me a few months to brave up & try Lamb (as its the fattiest of meats) but seems fine although i dont eat much of this anyway. The low GI Diet is all about sugar intake, its done as a traffic light guide - eat as many green foods (i.e veg but NOT all fruit), little yellow (some acid fruits/breads etc) & NO reds (choc/crisps/fried foods etc)! Theres a Low GI Diet Collins guide for less than 6euro available from easons if anyone wanted to give it a try - its a tiny pocket size book so can be brought with you when food shopping etc (plus it gives brand names of foods too & suggests what you can have instead of the red foods on each page of food groups) - sounds a tad OTT but honestly - i wanted SOOO bad for it to work that i stuck with it & I'm so glad i did!! The paradox oil i believe too has helped from the inside out also guys!!! In My opinion its all better than pumping steroids into yourself & on your skin - only short term quick fixes anyway! (been der done dat, at one point was on 16 steroids a day & resembling the exorcist at times NOT good!!!)
    Also - shampoo for hair i find the Avon tea tree & mint shampoo is great & usually on special at approx €1.50 a bottle - cant get better than that guys!! :) Anything else - pls feel free to ask! Plenty of H2O also people - always helps x


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,490 ✭✭✭stefanovich


    I was diagnosed with psoriasis a few years ago and I tried a lot of different things. In Dr. China they used to have this cream made from indigo naturalis. It was odourless and white (unlike the messy green one) and worked wonders. Literally my psoriasis disappeared after a month or two.

    Now they have stopped selling it and the symptoms are coming back. I need to order some more online.

    Believe me it works.


  • Registered Users Posts: 268 ✭✭holdemfoldem


    anyone suggest somewhere to get an allergy test done in south co dub?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23 gillsD


    anyone suggest somewhere to get an allergy test done in south co dub?
    my friend got one done few wks back but not sure of the GP's name - its a clinic for allergy tests etc but he is a GP also - she's out of country for a few wks, il ask her when she gets back & let u no...

    To everyone else, i've had to cut out cheese - makes skin worse!! Now addicted to hummous YUM!!! :)


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,390 ✭✭✭The Big Red Button


    Hi guys!

    For anyone who's used Dovobet ... I know that you're not meant to use it while in the sun ... but if you were going on holidays, how long should you stop using it before you go? :confused:

    Thanks!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,060 ✭✭✭darkmaster2


    I had a nastypatch of psoriasis on my ankle that I couldnt get rid of. I came across 'magicream', ordered some and it was gone in 2 weeks. That was a year ago now and it hasnt returned. It said that it was 100% natural and contains no steroids, I dunno about that, but it really worked for me.

    They used to sell it on ebay, but not anymore. Google it and you`ll find their site.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,700 ✭✭✭Mountainsandh


    jomama wrote: »
    My friend has suffered from bad psoriasis for 25 years now, and it has been getting worse. 6 months ago, by chance an elderly lady told her that she too had suffered badly for many years. At the age of 50, a pharmacist suggested she try weekly Vitamin B injections. After 3 months she was completely clear, and has been keeping up this treatment (monthly now) to date. She is now well into her 70s.

    So, my friend has done the same, and the improvement is astonishing. She has gone from 80-90% coverage by psoriasis to about 20%, and that's after only 10 weeks. She has tried everything in the past, and was very sceptical about this, but even she has admitted that it has been very very effective.

    She is still getting weekly shots, but plans to go fortnightly then monthly over the next 6-8 months. She is also taking ferroglobin (a simple iron based tonic).
    But for everyone out there who thinks they have tried everything, I would recommend you give it a shot, but do continue it for 3 or 4 months to give it a chance. Your GP may not be very optimistic, and may dismiss it, but it is a really cheap treatment and well worth a try.

    Hi Jomama and thanks, how did she go about having the injections ? Is it the GP that administers them ? I'd be very interested in trying that.

    Have had mine for 20 years, ears, legs, feet, arms, and hands entirely covered.
    For those looking to try another herbal ointment, I've recently discovered a new one (for me), which is miles ahead of the ointments I had tried in Ireland.
    This is Argan oil. I'm French and this is actually widely available in France, but for some reason seems pretty much undiscovered in Ireland. It's not too dear at all. Argan is the fruit from a tree that grows mostly in Morrocco, similar to almonds.

    You can actually see the argan working when you apply the oil. When my hands are really inflamed, I can see the inflammation actually receding within minutes of applying it. I find it is better than other remedies because it not only conditions the skin but also seems to drastically reduce inflammation, quickly.

    After 20 years of it, I am so very sick of trying creams and ointments, I don't stress myself out over having a strict containing daily routine, it simply takes too long to apply anything morning noon and night on practically my entire body. But with the argan, I have found myself going through the old ritual again quite willingly (if not regularly), because the comfort and the results are so good. It does actually help reduce the size of the plaques, and a lot of the drops disappear after a few applications.

    I know we're all sick of : try that cream, try this one, that one is miraculous, etc.... But anyway, this is my own not miraculous, but really great one, worth trying if you're looking for something new and cheap.
    It is not rare, just not very often available in Ireland, so good health shops might have it, or you could probably order it. I get mine online. Aim to get it as pure as possible. You can also get the cooking oil, I bet results would be amazing, but the price of it :eek:.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,522 ✭✭✭Gormal


    Well this is a very informative thread. I have also tried numerous creams etc, although I only have mild flare ups. I found for eczema flare ups in my armpits [looked a bit like a monkey itching like mad] ;o) I finally got Eumovate cream which completely cleared it up and has not been back since.
    Now I have plaque psoriasis [so the specialist says] on the palm of my hand and have dry sensitive skin, I've got diprobase cream to wash my hands with, dermol 200 for the shower [imported from uk] and epaderm [also imported]. I have an ointment and vallergan tabs for bad days.
    I had a patch test done [torture] and was told to avoid at all costs nickel, fragrances, chemicals and Balsam of Peru which is basically anything spiced and citrus. I try and avoid things like rubber and elastic too as this irritates my skin.

    I've also gone back to using glycerine and rose water on very dry patches for a few days as it helps me. What works for one may not work for the other.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1 Norbert Spring


    Hey guys,
    I have my sun holidays coming up at the end of July! But my legs are so red and itchy i really am not looking forward to it.
    Do any of you guys know a good way of helping to reduce the redness so that it does not look as bad when in shorts?! i constantly use e45 and coal tar, although it stops the rash from spreading it does little to improve it!
    Any help would be great!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 454 ✭✭DonFred


    Try Lush Dream Cream its about 13euros for a pot of it and it can help reduce the redness.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,382 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    My scalp psoriasis is pretty much gone now. Have been using UVB light for the last 6 weeks, I made the light myself, just had to buy the bulb. I can still feel it being a bit rough behind my ears. I did use some dermovate cream which got rid of the redness which was still there after all flaking had stopped. Only goes a little bad now after drinking heavily. I have also tried to cut out the nightshades, mainly potatoes and tomatoes.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23 gillsD


    anyone suggest somewhere to get an allergy test done in south co dub?

    myfriend went to Dr.Fitzpatricks slievemoore clinic - €200 approx consultation & test & they go through diet & nutrition with you! She found it great!

    I however am strapped for cash & came accross a website http://www.allergytestingdublin.com/index.html from the healthe shoppe dublin in ballsbridge anyone heard of it? Are they good - they do an extensive test for €60 & follow up test in 4-6 wks for €40 aswel as diet nutrition tips etc etc... was considering booking in & looking for advice. If i have a proper test done & guide to nutrition i figure it will help even more... its soooo hard when you've grown up with these regular foods to now be told NO if you want to fix ur skin (WHICH I DO!!) but still hard! :(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23 gillsD


    Hi All, i got this allergy test done in ballsbridge last Tuesday & it turned out i am intolerant to dairy & have way too much yest in my body. So i am on a NO Dairy, NO Sugar, NO Yeast & NO Wheat (gluten) Diet. If it was the first time i had been told this i think i'd have cried thinking i can never eat again but its not too bad so far so good - there's plenty i am allowed & i just have to read labels of everything befroe i buy. Oh and NO processed - pretty much back to basics. Which i wasn't far off from but much more strict now. I'm hoping to see & feel a difference in a couple of weeks so i'll keep you all posted!! ;) If this works it will be a miracle to me & an eye opener to how much cr*p we put in our bodies without knowing wat consequences they will have on us... Here's hoping this works!!! :D


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,012 ✭✭✭furiousox


    Hi All
    I've had really severe psoriasis on the fingers of both hands for several years now, the fingers went through a constant cycle of splitting/cracking then healing then breaking down again (turning a key in a lock would make my finger split and bleed)
    I've been to my GP and tried all the various steroid creams without success.
    I was then referred to a dermatologist who put me on cyclosporin (it's a drug used by organ transplant recipients which supresses the body's immune system, also used to treat psoriasis)
    I have to say the results have been remarkable, in the space of two weeks treatment my fingers are ''normal'' again for the first time in years.
    I'm a bit wary as my immune system is being compromised and the side effects I've noticed so far are tiredness and some joint pain.
    Finding it frustrating, as I cycle 50k 3 or 4 times a week but I just don't have the energy level to cycle right now.
    I have been advised to take the tablets for 6 months, has anyone else taken this medication for psoriasis?
    Are the side effects I'm experiencing common?
    I'm wondering what will happen when I come off the medication, will the psoriasis return, will it be as bad as before?
    I'll be asking my dermatologist the same questions but I'd love to hear from anyone who has been down this road already.
    Thanks :)

    CPL 593H



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,382 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    Article on women, beer, psoriasis & UVB
    http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Nutrition/Food/psoriasis_beer_vitamin_d_1708100557.html
    Drinking non-light beer may boost risk of psoriasis in women, a study published in the December 2010 issue of Archives of Dermatology suggests.

    Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that occurs on the skin when the immune system send out wrong signals that speed up the growth of skin cells.

    The study led by Abrar A. Qureshi, M.D., M.P.H., of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston found women who drank five or more non-light beers per week were 2.3 times as likely as those who did not drink beer to be diagnosed with psoriasis.

    The authors of the study said in their report that alcoholic beverages have been suspected for a long time as a risk factor for psoriasis onset and psoriasis worsening. Alcohol drinkers are known to be more likely to suffer the disease and alcohol may exacerbate the severity of the disease.

    For the study, the researchers surveyed 82,860 women aged 27 to 44 who participated in the NUrses' Health Study II for the amount and type pf alcohol they consumed through biennial questionnaires and participants reported also whether they were diagnosed with psoriasis.

    Women who had an average of 2.3 drinks or more each week were 72 percent more likely than those who did not drink alcohol to report they suffered psoriasis, the study found.

    Women who drank five or more non-light beers per week were found to have 1.8 times higher risk for the disease compared to those who did not drink non-light beers.

    If only confirmed cases of psoriasis were considered, the risk for the condition was 2.3 times higher for those who drank five or more non-light beers per week compared to those who did not drink beer.

    Light beer, wine and liqueurs on the other hand were not linked to increased risk for psoriasis.

    The researchers suggested that malted barley, the main ingredient used in non-light beer, may be the culprit for the elevated risk of psoriasis.

    Barley, they said, contains gluten, to which some people with psoriasis show a sensitivity. Light beers contain lower amounts of barley while non-light or dark beers contain higher amounts of this ingredient.

    The authors suggested that women at a high risk of psoriasis may consider not drinking non-light beer.

    Still, a health observer suggested that the association between consumption of non-light beer and elevated risk of psoriasis may be a causal relation.

    He cited an article circulated over the internet saying that people tend to drink more dark beers in the winter when vitamin D deficiency is more commonly found than in the summer.

    Vitamin D has been known to be involved in the immune system, and deficiency of this sunshine vitamin can cause a wide spectrum of diseases including autoimmune diseases, according to the Vitamin D Council. So it is possible that vitamin D deficiency is linked to increased risk of psoriasis.

    In fact, vitamin D products are used to ease symptoms of psoriasis.

    According to a study reported in the Aug 2009 issue of Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, calcitriol ointments can be used to improve symptoms of psoriasis. The efficacy may be boosted by ultraviolet B phototherapy.

    Calcitriol is the naturally occurring active form of vitamin D3. Ultraviolet B can induce the vitamin when the skin is exposed to the UV ray.

    In another report, the author whose name remains unknown in the pubmed database says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has actually approved one such ointment to treat psoriasis.

    Because many factors may influence the risk of psoriasis, it remains unknown whether avoiding non-light beer would help reduce the risk.

    This was on women but I have no doubt it applies to men. I know a bit about brewing, "Light" beers tend to be brewed out to completion, i.e. all sugars are fermented out so they are lower in calories compared to another beer brewed to the same alcohol level, e.g. both 4.2%. Also light beers might have sugar added to lessen the taste and make it "cleaner", so less barley.

    I drink a lot of beer, maybe 35 cans a week of regular beer, I have noticed it got worse after drinking, this is also due to skin dehydration though. I have been reading a book on psoriasis that reckons it is caused by "leaky gut syndrome" and beer is a no-no for this. I have been sipping on sodium bicarbonate AKA baking soda AKA bread soda AKA bicarbonate of soda which helps neutralise the acids. The author talks of eating alkaline foods, and lists acidic causing foods, citric fruits are actually alkaline causing foods (while being acidic themselves). The diet is extremely strict but also says the main culprits are "nightshades", e.g. tomatoes, potatoes, peppers. Sweet potato is OK. The author did report less itching in a patient who drank bicarbonate of soda. I have found it did cause less of an effect and also calmed the acid stomach the next day.

    Vitamin D is mentioned in that study too, which is very important IMO. I have a UVB light and my psoriasis is pretty much gone. In recent weeks I have been back eating small amounts of ketchup, chips, pizza and other "nightshades", and still drinking beer like a fish! I also stopped the UVB and it did come back slightly. Had a go of UVB and it is clearing up again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 454 ✭✭DonFred


    Has anybody with scalp psoriasis suffer any reaction from using LUSH shampoo bars like Soak n Floak, Squeaky Clean or Ultimate Shine? My scalp is very flaky at the moment and Im trying these shampoo bars out. Notice my scalp get a little tight. Any thought be helpful. Thanks.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,486 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    DonFred wrote: »
    Has anybody with scalp psoriasis suffer any reaction from using LUSH shampoo bars like Soak n Floak, Squeaky Clean or Ultimate Shine? My scalp is very flaky at the moment and Im trying these shampoo bars out. Notice my scalp get a little tight. Any thought be helpful. Thanks.
    I tried one a while back, can't remember the name but it was 'recommended' by someone in the shop for people with scalp conditions. I had the same effect, i.e. it was as if someone had shrunk the skin covering my scalp, and it became quite red and inflamed looking, although I didn't notice any actual increased itchyness or flake formation. So I just ditched it and didn't use it again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,382 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    The crazy thing is some shampoos like nizoral specifically aimed at psoriasis sufferers contain sodium lauryl sulphate -a foaming agent which is recognised as making skin conditions even worse. Then people usually tend to leave these shampoos on for a long time, even overnight.

    I have heard people using apple cider vinegar. I use just water though I have a blade 1-2 all over. This woman is saying she uses cider vinegar and baking soda -both of which I hear are good for scalp psoriasis.

    http://www.naturemoms.com/no-shampoo-alternative.html

    Having a shaved head will expose your skin to more sunlight so should make the condition better -but it is sort of catch 22 as then the psoriasis is more visible, and 99% of women will not want a shaved head!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 454 ✭✭DonFred


    I must give the baking soda stuff a go. I notice that LUSH shampoo dont contain SLS but a milder version of it accordking to them something made out of coconut oil.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,691 ✭✭✭michellie


    I have mild psoriasis on my scalp and 2 small patches on my knees, Ive had it about 10 years id say. My father has it too, his is bad, all over his body .

    Years ago he went to Turkey for this treatment for 3 weeks, spending hours a day in these fresh water pools and loads of fish are nibbling and sucking at the skin. He came home and it was completely gone! But it came back 2 years later from the stress of building and moving house. He's tried everything possible, acupuncture, steroids & every cream imaginable.

    Im using Dovobet at the minute, and I have a mouse for my scalp. I must give the cider vinegar and baking soda a go too!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,382 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    michellie wrote: »
    He's tried everything possible, acupuncture, steroids & every cream imaginable.
    Did he try UVB? cannot recommend it enough, my mate has worse psoriasis than me and was shocked when he saw me after 1 month of UVB.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    I have this condition for over 30 years. It is a nervous condition, where the CNS seems to not get the correct nerve signals to tell it skin repair is complete. No amount of applications, creams, etc. will cure it. It's important to recognise the triggers and amplifiers for the condition, and live with it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 454 ✭✭DonFred


    Right, Ive tried another bar of LUSH shampoo and never again Im finish with their stuff. My scalp feels like its on fire. Can anyone recommend me a SLS, Paraben etc free shampoo. Thanks


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 386 ✭✭seensensee


    rubadub wrote: »
    Did he try UVB? cannot recommend it enough, my mate has worse psoriasis than me and was shocked when he saw me after 1 month of UVB.

    Right on, I'm convinced, from where can the light be sourced?


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