Psoriasis - Any remedies?

fannyadams

Hi I just stumbled onto this whilst looking for something else. I have had Guttate Ps ALL OVER MY BODY (now reducing to 70% coverage) since I was 7, and no, it's never gone away - so I dunno where the OP got 16 weeks from.
It used to be thought that a strep throat infection caused it - that's why LOADS of Ps sufferers got their tonsils removed.
I have tried EVERYTHING going. I would second DOVONEX as a treatment. It's user friendly - i.e. you can 'slap' it on and you don't have to worry about the person you share a bed with (IYSWIM). I use T-Gel shampoo or Nizoral or I get Polytar Plus (it has coconut oil in it to 'moisturise your hair - lies. lies, lies it's just slightly less harsh on your hair than using plain soap what you wash your hands with) on prescription. DO NOT USE HEAD AND SHOULDERS it is too harsh and will make Ps worse.
Anyway - I would advocate the use of Vitamin B complex. I take this coz of my PMS but as an added 'side effect' I have found that my skin is slowly clearing up (reduced coverage from 90% to 70%).
I use tesco cocobutter hand and body lotion to moisturise, I use DOVE triple moisturising shower wash stuff to wash. I 'soak' in Tesco healthy skin creme bath. I use a green pan srubber to 'descale'. I wax my legs in the summer.

Keep rehydrated (drink 2L water per day) as having psoriasis is equivalent to having full thickness burns (that's thrid degree burns to those of you who aren't medical) all over your body - therefore you will lose lots of fluid without even breaking a sweat.

Consider homoeopathy - DO NOT SELF MEDICATE with OTC homoeopathy treatments. PLEASE go to see a registered homoeopath.

This is my personal experience and not meant to be taken as medical advice.
I know I have psoriasis - No, I don't know if that funny rash that you have *might* be psoriasis as 1. I can't see the rash; 2. I'm not a dermatologist.
But you'd be surprised at the number of people who will ask you to "have a look at this rash on my <insert body part here>. don't you think it looks a bit like that".
The ONLY person who can help you is your GP (don't expect too much help beyond the referral letter to the dermatologist), although TRY to get referred to the right dermatologist as not all dermatologists are the same.

A dermatologist friend of mine (now retired) once said of his work - "Dermatology is really just a case of keeping dry skin conditions moist and moist skin conditions dry." I suppose he's right...
Hope this helps someone.

System

My mother (now deceased) and brother both suffered from psoriasis. In both cases they went on to develop the arthritis which can sometimes accompany psoriasis and were eventually prescribed methotrexate(?). This appeared to work for them but my brother still has some flare ups on his scalp and in his ears and nose. I'm not sure what lotions and potions he uses when that happens but I do remember the pungent smell of the cold tar bath they used to use.

The only thing is the drug is strong and can affect the liver so he has to have regular liver biopsies to ensure his liver is healthy.