talkpsoriasis

I have severe eczema and psoriasis. When it's particularly bad my skin bleeds and sheds, I'm itchy all day and my skin sheds on my clothes which makes me really self-conscious. My ears shed and I need to get my ears cleaned out by the doctor every year where the debris blocks my ear canals. I've suffered like this for many years, and now I have been told I have psoriatic arthritis too. I decided I'd had enough and tried to see if diet affected my condition. I experimented for 3 months. Went to see GP about my arthritis and showed her my skin. She was shocked. She asked if my dermatologist had started me on some new drug trials. After trying the new treatment it almost completely cleared my skin. My psoriasis massively reduced. The only trouble is I really have to stick to a diet whereby I eat things which are kind to my skin and totally avoid those which exacerbate my condition. Coincidentally, the diet for my skin is also helping my arthritis and my blood pressure is reduced so I believe I’ve found a good balance. It's not always easy, I have to think before I plan trips etc, and I’ve also had to cut down on some things which I enjoyed, but the trade-off is worth it. It's taken me 50 years to believe this but in my case it's true, you are what you eat!

I've had psoriasis since I was 9yrs old , chronic psoriasis. I was bullied at primary school and a little bit in secondary school. I used to go to hospital every day after school for sun lamp treatment which lasted 16 seconds on each side. That went on for a couple if years and I was admitted to hospital several times, my longest stay being 2 months. He last time was when I was 18yrs old and I left some cream on and it burned my legs and removed some top layers of skin.

My mum took me everywhere to try alternative treatments, from acupuncture to Chinese herbalists and special diets but nothing worked. The coal tar treatments and steroid creams helped but nothing cleared it all up. I was helping my mum at work one day and popped out to the shop and noticed a magazine with a lady on the front whose psoriasis was very bad and then another picture with her skin all clear. I bought the magazine and then went and showed my mum (I was about 28 and an air hostess then).

This lady used the Oregan range. At first my skin got worse then it started clearing up. My psoriasis affected my relationships as I didn't think anyone would accept me and I often chose the wrong men because of this. I was too scared to be just me. When my skin started clearing up it gave me a new lease of life and my confidence back. As I said in my previous story I used to hate my body, psoriasis isn't a life threatening condition but the psychological damage it can do can stay with you for years, I was a great swimmer and swam for my school but when it came to any events I would pretend I was ill so I didn't have to go into the water and let everyone see me, I even used to hide my creams. If by me telling my story helps anyone then I'm glad to do it as I know what it's like. We don't want sympathy just acceptance and an understanding that it's not contagious and we are human beings ! 

I am 24 years of age and have been suffering from psoriasis since I was 13. I had a very severe case of Plaque Psoriasis which for the majority of the time was white scales but on occasions red blisters. As you can imagine it's not a pleasant sight and I found that a lot of people would think I was dirty and un-clean because of it. I took a lot of stick for it throughout my school years & some of my adult life also, my psoriasis was mainly on the scalp, it was particularly bad on the outline of my hair all around my ears and across my forehead. Due to it being across my forehead I was forced to wear a fringe and I never felt confident to wear my hair tied back because it was so unsightly around my ears.I can't begin to count the amount of treatments I have used over the years as the list is endless. My doctor once told me that the Psoriasis might disappear tomorrow or it could stay around for ever, there was no guarantee. Well, all that’s changed! I was recently Christmas shopping in Boots, I discovered a new lotion called Exorex which was advertised as a treatment for Psoriasis sufferers. In haste I quickly went and purchased a bottle. I was little shocked to find out the cost of this bottle was almost £15, but I thought “hey if this will work”.I’ve been using this cream now for exactly a month, (once a day applied to the areas with a little cotton wool) and my forehead is completely clear. I have started to wear my fringe off my face for the first time in years, behind my ears isn’t completely clear just yet, but I have to admit originally I was only concentrating on my forehead just as a trial.I just felt it would be nice to tell people who suffer just like I have, it may not work for everybody but I feel that it is worth a try, if people are concerned about the cost I would suggest that they contact their GP’s and ask if it can be put on prescription for themThank you for taking the time to read my comments and I do hope that other people can read them and take my advice, hopefully Exorex can cure them.

I developed psoriasis in 1982 the day after I had a motorcycle crash. Over the years it has been with me to varying degrees. The only time I have been completely free of psoriasis was when I fell asleep sunbathing and got sunburnt. After the peeling ended I found the psoriasis had completely gone which was quite a surprise as even the parts the sun did not get to had cleared. Alas this lasted only 6 years and it returned with a vengeance and 25 + years later I still have it and it attacks my nails now both hands and feet. I have used a variety of different applications over the years, some not too good others no good at all and it comes and goes on my face but not often I'm glad to say. I now alternate the treatment using Dovobet for a month and the Dovonex for a month it seems to work the best, the first time I used Dovobet for a month in 2006 was the first time in years I could wear a short sleeve shirt in the summer and I really hope it works for me this year.

Hi, I'm to be found on the October 08 additions on the Find a Friend page. As I am on other medication, I do not take medication for my P other than ointments, lotions and shampoos. I am prescribed - Diprobase cream, Hydromol Emollient, Diprosalic Scalp Lotion, Capasal Shampoo, Ceanel Shampoo, Cocois Ointment, Eumovate Ointment, Calcipitriol Ointment and Epaderm hand wash. Fortunately I do not pay for my prescriptions. I soak for an hour in a hot bath every two days. Into the water I add some Hydromol, some Ceanel and a little Diprosalic. This keeps the scaling at bay and only leaves me with the angry red blotches. The ointments help clear away the blotches but you have to be persistent. I have patches that have cleared completely but laziness to apply the ointments rigorously means I am never fully clear of psoriasis. I would welcome any contact.

I am male, 78 years old, take absolutely no medications other than my psoriasis topicals. Not having had a cold or flu in over 40 years my health is otherwise excellent. My psoriasis began in 1996 on my left knee, progressing to both knees, elbows, ankles, calves, scalp, and to a lesser degree, my hands along with very small, hardly noticeable lesions on my torso. Indeed, I am one of the more fortunate in that most of my body and all of my face have been spared. Most aggravating was the redness and exceptional heavy flaking; my clothes, bed sheets and bathroom rugs were like a snow storm. And, residing in Southern California, I live in shorts and t-shirts so my appearance was quite disturbing, but at my age I’ve got lots a wrinkles and creases as it is, my wife ignores it so who cares? In the same vein, my heart goes out to the women who have been cursed with this ugly affliction. With an abhorrence of all medications, I decided against any type of intravenous treatment due possible side effects, electing to tough it out with topical applications. For almost two years my condition finally appears under control. While the lesions are still slightly visible on the elbows and left knee only they are significantly lessened with all other areas clear. My medications: [1] Clobetasol Propionate, 0.05% cream for the skin,[2] Dermazinc spray compounded with Clobetasol for the scalp. Clobetasol is a strong steroid and as such should not be applied for more than two weeks so my dermatologist advised me to “phase” the treatment. [A] For two weeks I apply the meds twice daily. [B] The third week I apply every other day. [C] For the next two weeks, no applications, applying Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion to keep the areas soft. [D] When practical, expose the areas to direct sunlight for not more than 15 minutes a day. Personally, because the immune system is such a strange and mysterious function, I’m not sure whether the medications are keeping my condition at bay or if it has just simply regressed temporarily as it is apt to do. I just keep hoping.

My doctor has all but cured my digital psoriasis. This is done with injections of Kenalog and once a day applications of Taclonex cream. I suffered 3 years with light treatments and creams until a second dermatologist, who has the condition, got it right.