I'm 20 years old. I've had guttate psoriasis since I was 6. I've tried about 5 different topical medications, I've tried tanning for a few minutes about 3x a week. I've tried getting a lot of sunlight (but this would only work briefly and it would come back shorty thereafter).
I just recently downloaded "Psoriasis free for life" www.psoriasisfreeforlife.com and there was a lot of information on eating a lot of certain things, and mixing different oils and such together. Pretty much an all natural route. I've been following it for about 2 weeks with no results (not as dried out, but still red and patchy).
I've tried so many things and nothing seems to work. Do you know anything about psoriasis and some good methods of treating it? And do you know of any support groups for psoriasis sufferers?
By J.H from Webster, MA
I develop psoriasis on my scalp every now and then and the only thing that helps it at all is to follow my dermatologists instructions and that is to use a shampoo that he prescribed, one day, the next day use T-SAL shampoo, the next day use your regular shampoo. Each day, morning and evening apply a lotion that he prescribed(this doesn't) make the hair look real great, but it works.
Baking soda. Dissolve 1-2 cups of baking soda in lukewarm bathwater. This has helped me control my psoriasis. Hope this helps.
Don't stop with 2 weeks of following the treatment where you saw success. Try 4-6 months for a true evaluation. Is it worth it? Your decision.
I have the type of psoriasis that only affects my hands and feet but it can get very itchy and so severe I can't use my hands or walk. It is now under control with a medicine called Soriatane. You can't use it during child bearing years though. Go to a dermatologist. Don't get into all those ads and waste your money like I did on all those treatments they advertise. They don't work. The best thing over the counter is plain ole' vaseline applied after shower to keep the skin moist and healthy.
My son has this on his scalp. We keep his hair buzzed and I spray Listerine on the affected areas, it keeps the scales off and lightens it up quite a lot. I do this every week or so. It seems to keep it under control. My hair stylist told me about it.
PS: My dematologist recommended I use CeraVe Cream and Vaseline. He said CeraVe is the best available cream. It is available in lotion or cream but he told me to use the cream.
My daddy had psoriasis so bad that it was on his scalp, knees, elbows and shins. He was in a study program about a quarter of a century ago where he was using a medication in conjunction with tanning three days a week. The psoriasis went away after about two months but it was not a 'cure'. He had to keep doing it to keep the psoriasis away.
Unfortunately my daddy is no longer here with us (not because of psoriasis or the medication but because of an inherited heart disease) to tell me what medication it was but you might want to ask your dermatologist if he knows anything about that study.
Have you tried Googling "Diet to relieve Psoriasis"?
I've had the problem too, off and on for years. I find that tea tree oil soap from Trader Joe's helps me quite a bit. It's a natural antiseptic. Also, I find bathing in the ocean (painful some times) helps ( salt water is also a natural antiseptic). Hope this might help you.
For years I had what's called pusular psoriasis on my hands and feet. It was very painful, they were like little pimples all over the palms of my hands and bottoms of my feet. Anyway, I started taking probiotics and noticed after several months that I was not getting them anymore! My hands and feet have been clear of psoriasis for over three years now. My palms and feet used to be totally covered with it, but now only once in awhile will one or two pop up.
I have been using Dr. Ohirra's probiotics for approximately 1 year and prior to that I used Nature's Way Primadophlis Optima.
Perhaps this will help you. I would suggest taking them for at least 6 months to see if they will help. Unfortunately, they are not cheap. It will cost from about $30 to $45 for 60 capsules.
These from my files collected from various sources:
don't know if it was for psoriasis or what, but I know that Bag Balm or Udder Balm has been very effective for a family friend with a skin condition (pretty sure it was psoriasis). You should be able to get it at Walmart or a health food store. Comes in a green tin. It's very effective, but I don't know what all it has in it.
This may sound too simple but in clinical trial it has worked for Psoriasis. Your dad may want to try Aloe vera gel topically. It is supposed to heal 83% of the patients if you believe the research. If he has a lot of scaling and cracking making a tea of Wild Pansy(Viola tricolor)and washing the area with this tea before applying the aloe gel may also help.
#2
Someone else suggested using Hemp Seed Oil to externally rub on the affected areas. Also to take Flax Seed Oil internally
Also drink lots of water.
I have some mild psoriasis in my ears of all places. What has worked for me even better than prescription meds is tea tree oil. I dab it on with a Q-tip and within 2 or 3 days, it is gone.
I've known two people whose doc told them to use the Aveeno lotion that's in the medical section, not the kind just with the other lotions. It has some ingredient added, and will say it on the label. Something like " With added ......" I just cant remember the word. Good luck. Those two said it was a miracle worker!
If all else fails, try Humera. It worked for my sister and she had tried everything. It is expensive but she qualified for help in payment.
I have found that neem oil from the Indian Neem Tree is soothing and excellent. Can be found on eBAY.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have psoriasis on my scalp and face; any suggestions? I have tried everything.
By Judy B
My BF is using tea tree oil on his and it feels like it is helping. It is best to dilute it in a "carrier oil" (canola, olive, etc). It's pretty potent. You can obtain it from Health Food Stores and high end grocery stores like Whole Foods, etc.. I notice Target also has it, recently, at least here in Texas.
I had psoriasis on my scalp a few years ago. The dermatologist prescribed a special shampoo and lotion for it. He told me to come back in three months and was amazed at how much it had improved in that amount of time. Have you been to a doctor to actually have it diagnosed? When I had mine, it itched something awful and I thought I had a really bad case of dandruff(which I had never had in my life). When I couldn't take the itching any longer I made an appointment with a dermatologist and he told me what it was.
I had Psoriasis of the scalp several years ago. I was waiting for a dermatologist appointment when I read an article in a Doctor's column in the newspaper that recommended Vick's. It was messy to use and wash out because of the petroleum base, but it worked so fast and so well that I was able to cancel my Dr. appointment.
There is now a Vick's product that comes in a tube and is more like a lotion that also will work for this. Just massage it into your scalp where you feel the buildup, and it will make it disappear. Easily washed out of your hair. I never tried it on my face, as I had no need for it, but it should work for the face also. It took me quite a while to eradicate it all, but every time it flared up I treated it, and have not had any problem for about 3 years now.
Harlean from Arkansas
Are you sure it's genuine psoriasis?
I suffered for years with intermittent patches that appeared on my forearms and shins, and a constant set of patches in my ears and the back of my head just inside the hairline. The itching was truly awful, and the subsequent flaking from ears and hair didn't do much for my confidence either.
My doctor called it atopic eczema on my body, and psoriasis on my scalp and ears; she put me on expensive steroid ointments that did not cure or even soothe but sure put a lot of extra pounds on me! Between her prescriptions and my desperate over the counter remedies, we tried everything too-nothing worked, nothing. I suffered from 1993 to 2010.
And then I moved to the UK after remarrying in 2010. My new GP took a look at the itchy, scaly, flakey mess and suggested I try a non-sodium laurel sulfate body soap and shampoo.
Instant relief, and I do mean instant. It took about six months for the patches to completely heal but from the first instant I used the sulfate free soap (I use Aveeno Bath and Shower Oil with Colloidal Oatmeal) and the sulfate free shampoo the itching and flaking went away and never returned. Ever.
It's an inexpensive, safe experiment to see if you are really suffering psoriasis or if you have an allergy to the sulfates in your shampoo and soaps. If you experience immediate relief using the non-sulfate soap and shampoo, your doctor can do allergy tests to be medically sure. Mine didn't, he said the instant relief was answer enough for him.
Now I keep two or three spare bottles of the shower oil and the shampoo stocked up so I don't run out, the relief is amazing, plus it's great to be able to tuck my hair behind my ears and wear navy blue (and black) again!
You might want to try coconut oil. It has many versatile uses. Check out the Coconut Research Center www.coconutresearchcenter.org/
or
www.naturalnews.com/
or other online search results. For your Psoriasis, get a good quality coconut oil (virgin / cold pressed) and rub it onto your skin and scalp. Both of the above articles describe the many health benefits of coconut oil.
1. See a dermatologist.
2. Use ONLY Nizoral shampoo on your hair, face, ears and neck. (You can also use Dove BAR soap on your face sometimes, but until you get this cleared up you may want to stick with Nizoral.) Do not use any hair dye, conditioner, makeup, moisterizer, etc as these will make your problem worse.
I have psoriasis on my eyelids. The cream that has been prescribed says "Do Not use around eyes". This condition itches. Does anyone have any recommendations?
By Tracey from Cleveland, OH
I suggest to use T-gel shampoo. It has tar in it & works, use it all over the body, good luck.
Maybe you've already viewed this website, but here's the link to a very informative topic.
psoriasis.about.com/
Has it been diagnosed or are you just assuming it is psoriasis? The reason I ask is that there is an eyelid condition called blepharitis and good old baby shampoo mixed with water and rubbed on with a Q tip can really get rid of that itchy area.
Is this actually coming from the skin of the eyelids or is it granules on and around and in the eyelash area? If it is little granules around the eyelashes then that's simply overproduced 'sleep' from eye duct glands. My grampa, dad and brother all had/have this problem and all that is needed to do is gently wash it away with a wet, warm wash cloth a time or two a day. If it's not what I am thinking it is please consult a doctor rather than us because your eyes are precious!
Are you sure it is psoriasis? Or is it "just" eczema? Anyway, if you have a prescription cream for this specific problem, just go ahead and use it on the eyelids.
I assume it is some kind of cortisone cream? They all have that warning about not using around the eyes, mostly because if it regularly gets into the eyes, it could rise the eye pressure. If you have been given the cream by a doctor, I would say use it on the eyelids regardless! Cortisone cream is the only thing that will help you.
Also remember to use a unscented moisturizer to soften the skin on your eyelids. This prevents the eczema from reoccurring.
Yes this has been diagnosed as Psoriasis, I go see the dermatologist and the eye Dr. this week. Thank you for all the recommendations.
Pure emu oil is used for psoriasis and eczema conditions. If you look up its composition online you will see it is often called "nutrition for the skin". It has anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used right around the eyes with no problem. Very soothing. They even make eye drops from it - won't hurt eyes.
Are you able to wash your face with your shampoo? That is what I do. I use Nizoral shampoo and began using it on my face, ears, and neck after I read an article in a magazine. The article was about 3 women dermatologists and how they took care of their skin. One of them washed her face with Nizoral shampoo she used on her hair.
I can appreciate your problem because I have a lot of skin troubles. BTW, I have tried T gel and it doesnt work for me.
I believe psoriasis is a form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis. Look it up on the internet. There are something like 63 forms of arthritis.
Psoriasis is based in candida. Most skin conditions are. Read up about it. It sets in & then infections sets in.
I know this is an old post, but in case you haven't found a solution, I have psoriasis and I use Vaseline. After I wash the area, while it is still wet, I apply a tiny, tiny dab of Vaseline. Do this each time you wash your face.
Psoriasis can be irritating anywhere but having it on your scalp can be particularly bothersome. This is a page about psoriasis on the scalp.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
Does anyone out there know of a way of controlling psoriasis on the skin that is inexpensive and actually works. It's driving me up the wall. I can't find anything that works.
