Dovonex Ointment

[Closed account 1486]

I have had psoriasis for years-always on my knees and elbows with the occasional flare up on my legs when experiencing stressful times-I had light treatment for my worst flare up which helped so much. I have always been so self conscious about my psoriasis, always trying to cover it up, not going to swimming pools etc. I hate people staring at it.

Over the past week my psoriasis has decided to flare up again. I had sore throat/cold recently and after researching psoriasis on the internet I believe this can sometimes trigger a break out. 
I always have plaques on my knees and elbows and now have (what I believe to be) guttate spots all over my legs and starting to form on my arms and hands which I have never really had before.

I now have some spots on the top of my back, on my face and ears which I've never had before. Also one solitary little spot on my tummy - I've never had any there before either.

My doctors surgery is completely useless when trying to book an appointment, when I eventually got through no appointments were left. I needed some treatment quite desperately as my legs were so itchy and sore so a doctor was scheduled to telephone me.

After explaining my symptoms she prescribed me dovenex ointment to use alongside E45 (without looking at my psoriasis). I asked if this could be used on my face she said yes but only a small amount. 

When reading through the leaflet when I picked up the prescription, I noticed it was for plaque psoriasis and no you shouldn't put this on your face!

Is there a different treatment needed for guttate psoriasis or is dovenex OK to use? It is very time consuming applying it to each individual spot! 
What can I use on my face if it is advised not to put dovenex on your face? 

I haven't needed to use treatment other than moisturising for a long time so looking for a bit of advise really - my doctors surgery is completely rubbish ?

[jiml]

Hi Keeley and a big    to the club, you have come to a great place for advice as most of the members will have used the creams and potions prescribed by doctors

We are a small group of sufferers happy to exchange views on the disease
And i can understand your feelings of keeping covered up and not going swimming it is something I have been through myself, until recent years I kept covered all the time

I would say persevere getting an appointment with your doctor and then ask to be referred to a dermatologist as the creams are ok short term, I have used Dovonex on my face in the past in small amounts ( it's not as bad as steroid creams)
But if the psoriasis is persistent you should see a dermatologist and he/ she can give you a treatment that should be able to give you clearance .

Enjoy your time here and browse the health forums you can gain a lot of information about the disease and treatments ...then check through the introductions to read of other members experiences

Feel free to join us in the off topic section and join in any of the threads, you will be made very welcome
Jim  

[D Foster]

Hi Keeley. welcome to the forum , we are a group of like minded people who all suffer from P / PsA who know what it's like to live with it not like some of the health professionals who think they know what it's like but don't.
Looking at your problems I would insist on being referred to a dermatologist not rely on your doctor who does not inspire any confidence at all and if you see a dermatologist before it had chance to get any worse I think you will benefit a lot.
Ask any question on here Keeley as you will find that you will get the truth based on experience and Fred has done a fantastic job with information on all aspects of treatments that you can think about.
Just jump in and have a look around , join in as we have some light banter to cheer you up and most of us are sane but some of the inmates are a bit nutty.

[JohnB]

Hi Keeley and  

As Jim and Dave have already to alluded everybody on here has a very close personal relationship with their Psoriasis in whatever form it manifests. There will amost always somebody who can offer some advice, more often than not through experience.

I am surprised your Doc could diagnose Psoriasis without looking at the affected areas, I had to have a biopsy before it could be confirmed.

Personally I have only just started to use Dovonex and yup its a time consuming pain to apply, it was the only one of a  long list of topicals I had'nt tried over the years.  I would stick with it they can take some time before they have an impact on the plaques.Don't forget though, not all topicals work for everybody, Psoriasis is a very personal disease.
In the meantime, start jumping up and down for a Dermatologist referral, they have a much bigger arsenal of gunge and treatments to throw at you.
As for E45 personally I hated the stuff, my legs felt like they had been lashed with a bunch of stinging nettles for an hour afterwards. I use Cetraben during the day and Dermol at night ( it is less greasy and sticky). If you can bathe and moisturise straight after. Leave about half anhour before applying the Dovonex for best results.

Dont be afraid to ask questions or have a rant. It can be theraputic. And please join us in the Off Topic section, but as Dave said some of us are a little close to bonkers

[Fred]

No Dovonex shouldn't be used on the face. But that is the recommendation of the manufacturer, I have used it in the past on my face without any problems. But I agree with what they have told you "Only in small amounts" having said that I would advise you follow the manufacture and throw that back at them.

For your face you could try Coconut Oil I'm a big fan and it may help depending on bad your face psoriasis is. Another alternative if you can get it is Dexeryl or Aqueous cream but they do contain Parabens. Parabens what I found out !

But I'm with the others you need to get a referral to a dermatologist. Unfortunately this can be difficult in some parts of the UK and I have spoken to other members here that have had a the same problem, but you just have to get nasty with them and kick up a fuss. Your GP is never going to do any more than give you creams, it's all they can do.

Either change your GP or keep demanding a referral to a dermatologist, you have the right to proper treatment so keep pushing them for it. Others that have done so in the past have never looked back, a dermatologist is better suited to treat you and will work with you to find something that will help you manage it.

Welcome to Psoriasis Club by the way.  

[Grizzly Bear]

     Keeley  

Have no fear, GB is here

I'm the insane one on here

I've used Dovonex but i found it a pile of poo, it did nothing much for me.

Virgin coconut oil for your face & another good one Keeley, Bio oil, i use it on my face & it works wonders, clears my P

Anyway, ask any questions about P & PA, 99.9% sure we will have answers for you

GB

[Grizzly Bear]

By the way, were you laying down when you took that photo ?????

[Closed account 1486]

Thank you for all your replies! I'm so grateful and feel very welcomed by you all ?

I managed to get an appointment at my doctors yesterday and he said he wanted me to have light treatment but there is a 3 month wait for it.

He decided to give me a coal tar solution and to take a week (maybe 2) off work to carry out the treatment - 3 times a day. I was unsure why I would need to take time off he explained it would sting, stain and stink ?

Has anyone ever used this? Is it as bad as I'm expecting it to be???

[Closed account 1486]

Not sure why my smilies turned into question marks lol 

[Fred]

Thank you for all your replies! I'm so grateful and feel very welcomed by you all ?

I managed to get an appointment at my doctors yesterday and he said he wanted me to have light treatment but there is a 3 month wait for it.

He decided to give me a coal tar solution and to take a week (maybe 2) off work to carry out the treatment - 3 times a day. I was unsure why I would need to take time off he explained it would sting, stain and stink ?

Has anyone ever used this? Is it as bad as I'm expecting it to be???

I didn't know they still used it these days, but yes my memory tells me it's messy and it stinks like hell so you won't be popular ate work.

But don't worry we don't mind you coming here if you're stinky.