New Member Doing Some Research

[rougester]

Hi there,

My name is Martyn and over the past few months I have started to research my psoriasis more and have stumbled upon this forum.

I have had plaque psoriasis for about 13 years, from the age of 17, and it started out on my elbows, knees and scalp.

Fast forward to present time and my psoriasis has long disappeared from my elbows and knees but remains heavier on my scalp. Also, over the past 12 months I have developed what started as small red dots on the outside of both eyes (kind of high up on my cheek bones) which has further developed into smooth un-raised red patches - appears like sunburn.

I have a few questions to begin with which I'm struggling to find out online. I used to use Dovobet (white tube, red stripes). Has this cream been discontinued? It was the only cream that has really worked for me :(

Secondly, has anyone ever had any experience with my redness around my eyes? My doctor prescribed me creams which haven't worked but its appearance doesn't fit any psoriasis descriptions. Maybe I need to put a picture to really show you what I have.

Lastly, has anyone got any shampoo tips to ease my scalp psoriasis? I have seen an online shop selling nettle shampoo which is dubbed a psoriasis 'life saver', but unsure if the claims are untrue - not putting the link on as I'm not plugging any products.

Thanks for taking the time to read. I fully appreciate my psoriasis is very very mild - reading other people's stories on here makes me feel lucky - but maybe my experiences in the future could also help others out.

Cheers,
Martyn.

[jiml]

Hi Martyn  and   to the club.....it's your lucky day .....you couldn't come to a better place for information on Psoriasis, both treatments and personal experiences ....you have found probably the only truly independent psoriasis site where it is totally free ( no requests for donations) and run by amateurs for fellow sufferers ..

I'm not sure about dovobet ...but I think the tubes might not be available ....the last time I needed any I was given dovobet gel ...I think thats 'what you get now

Regarding shampoo I would get some polytar shampoo it's what I use myself when I have a flare up ....it does help ....I would avoid anything that makes claims like life saver ...they may be soothing moisturisers but I doubt they will do anything but empty your wallet

The best advice I can give is get to see a dermatologist ...they will know what the spots are on your face and should give you something better than creams for your other psoriasis

Ask as many questions as you have and the members here are always happy to give an opinion

Jim


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[Fred]

Hello Martyn   to Psoriasis Club.

I used to use Dovobet (white tube, red stripes). Has this cream been discontinued? It was the only cream that has really worked for me :(

As far as I know it is still available, but it could be in gel only form and no longer available as the cream. But I'm in France so I would ask your pharmacie.

Secondly, has anyone ever had any experience with my redness around my eyes? My doctor prescribed me creams which haven't worked but its appearance doesn't fit any psoriasis descriptions. Maybe I need to put a picture to really show you what I have.

No I have never experienced what you describe. You could post images but none of us are medically trained. This thread may help though: Types Of Psoriasis Explained

Lastly, has anyone got any shampoo tips to ease my scalp psoriasis? I have seen an online shop selling nettle shampoo which is dubbed a psoriasis 'life saver', but unsure if the claims are untrue - not putting the link on as I'm not plugging any products.

No don't post links that will get your account deleted.   But I would forget about any online shops selling anything to help psoriasis, you will be wasting your money. Yes the claims are untrue there is no life saver you need to see a dermatologist.

If you put Shampoo in the Search you may find some threads that could help.

Regards.

Fred.

[Turnedlight]

Hi, nice to meet you

As to shampoo, have you tried oilatum (name makes me smile every time!) shampoo? I got my doc to put a large bottle on my prescription as it is quite expensive but I personally find it good for scalp psoriasis.

[Bill]

Hi Martyn,

I make my own tar shampoo by adding Stockholm tar, which you can buy from horse supply shops. You dont need to add much, usually about 10 grams of tar per 500mls of shampoo. The tar will make the shampoo go runny.

Welcome.

[Caroline]

Welcome to Psoriasisclub, Martyn.


Caroline

[JohnB]

Hi Martin and welcome to the Club .

I think the guys may be right my last visit to Dermitology the Doctor prescribed Dovobet, the scrip quoted ointment but I ended up with this Gel - comes in natty plastic bottles. Still rubbish as far as I am concerned. If you haven't seen a proper Dermitologist it really is time your GP referred you and see if they can get it clearer for you. They have a much larger arsenal of goodies to play with.

Ask away if you need any more information most of us are tame but the odd one or two could do with some house training  

JohnB

[pingu]

Hi Martyn and welcome.

On the Dovobet cream/ointment side I have heard two things one, its no longer manufactured or two, it is manufactured in much smaller quantities. My chemist said that they can get it but its difficult. My take is that it costs less to prescribe or supply the gel so thats what you get on the NHS. I used to use the cream as I found the ointment ineffective. Everyone I have seen move to the gel says its basically rubbish.

Second I have some very slight dry skin occasionally around my eyes. It doesn't stay for more than a day or so but it is relatively frequent. I have not associated it to my psoriasis as it's really only the last 6 months I noticed it.

Since moving off topical treatments my psoriasis has been a lot better an I don't lather myself daily in lotions and potions only using topicals occasionally for some areas.

[rougester]

Thank you all for the warm welcome and replies!

It's probably time to get myself to a dermatologist for some advice - does anyone know an estimate on how long the referral takes?

The weather has been quite warm where I live this weekend, and after catching the sun on my face and applying moisturiser/aftersun each night, the redness seems to have eased slightly. Fingers crossed it continues!

What are the thoughts on the forum regarding aloe vera?

Years ago I used to have plaque psoriasis on my knees and elbows, however I found an aftersun that had 'aloe' listed as the first ingredient (as far as I am aware the first listed ingredient is the primary ingredient?) - this was a god send for me and my psoriasis completely disappeared from those locations and never returned.

Since using it though that particular aftersun is no longer produced - my question, does anybody use aloe type products? I am aware that there is a large aloe bandwagon with a lot of 'wooly' products on the market!

Martyn

[jiml]

Hi Martyn yes I think it's probably time you saw your doctor and asked for a referral to a dermatologist, it's difficult to tell how long it will take for you to get seen by one, but bearing in mind that you are stuck with the disease for life.... it's sensible to start the ball rolling.... you say with the sun and moisturisers your facial problem has eased .... that's good news

But when you see your doctor for a referral don't take no for an answer tell him psoriasis not only affects the skin it affects all aspects of life and normal living, from self esteem to depression, always a wise card to play when asking for a referral

I'm afraid I have no experience of Aloe Vera  but if you put it in the search facility Search it should show all threads that mention it

Good luck Jim