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Psoriasis Club › HealthHealth Boards › Introductions v
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Here for my girlfriend!

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Here for my girlfriend!
Kc3i Offline
Newbie


Posts: 1
Threads: 1
Joined: Aug 2016
Gender: Male
Location: Oregon
Treatment: Steroid cream
#1
Fri-05-08-2016, 06:33 AM
Hello,

I am a new member here.  I actually dont have psoriasis but my girlfriend of 3 years was recentlu diagnosed with a moderate case of psoriasis at the age of 31.  

A bit of background on me, like i said i dont have psoriasis but have struggled with eczema when i was younger and seborriheic dermatitis more recently, and therefore know a little bit (and identify a lot!) with the frustration, embarrassment, and overall helplessness that skin disorders like this can cause.  I had some great experiences and learned a lot through boards like this one, so i thought i would sign up here on her behalf (again, shes very shy and not likely to do this on her own) and see if we can find a way to get her condition under control.

About her condition: she never had symptoms until recently. She has small lesions all over her body, but more concentrated on her legs and scalp.  At first we thought it was just dandruff, as her scalp issues manifested first, but as it persisted, worsened and spread to other areas we went to her primary care physician.  She prescribed her a steroid cream, which immediately made me concerned because i have heard horror stories about prolonged use of such creams as well as a development of tolerance and the necessity of increased potency, etc.  However her doctor pretty much dismissed my concerns and continued to prescribe her the steroid.  The cream itself is an oily substance that she is expected to rub into her scalp.  It does seem to help her body but not only is it a huge pain to apply it in her hair but i dont think it is working well because it is not penetrating to all areas on her head.  I had good results with a foam medication when i was suffering from seborriheic dermatitis, and asked her doctor about something like that but she said she didnt think it was necessary.  

Anyhow, she has been using the steroid but she recently ran out and her symtoms flared up (big surprise) worse than before.  She has a dr appointment this week, and i have been urging her to ask to be referred to a specialist.

My question to you folks: 

What are some suggestions with regards to medications? What has worked for you? Are steroid creams pretty much unavoidable for this condition, and/or are there some good "steroid-sparing" meds that could help control the condition so the steroids could be used only for managing flare-ups? Do you have a good recommendation for a topical foam or liquid that works well for the scalp / hairy areas?  Also she has naturally dark skin and dislikes sun exposure (she doesnt like being "too dark", and despite my urging her to get more sun she wont try it out to see if it would help (i hear it would help).  Also she is using neutragena t-gel shampoo with moderate success (another suggestion of mine).

Thanks for your time & support, ill update with more info about her specific prescriptions after our next dr visit.

Thanks,  kc3i
mataribot Offline
100 + Member I Just Cant Stop !

100 + Member I Just Cant Stop !
Posts: 1,340
Threads: 38
Joined: Jun 2013
Gender: Male
Location: USA
Treatment: >_<
#2
Fri-05-08-2016, 08:29 AM
Hello and welcome. Systemic steriods are far to dangerous to use long term. Instead, immunosuppressive drugs are used. There are two types DMARDs and biologics. DMARDs are pills such as Methotrexate. Biologics are newer medication that is injected. Hope this helps, I am sure others will tune in.
D Foster Offline
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

100 + Member I Just Cant Stop !
Posts: 25,287
Threads: 17
Joined: Dec 2014
Gender: Male
Location: East Yorkshire
Treatment: Stelara 90mg and G&T
#3
Fri-05-08-2016, 11:44 AM (This post was last modified: Fri-05-08-2016, 11:48 AM by D Foster.)
Welcome to the forum, if you have a good look around you will find a vast amount of information on every type of treatment for P/PsA .
There is more information on here than anywhere I have found and everyone on here is a sufferer so any answers will be from experience not theory . I do agree that she need to see a dermatologist not just a general practice doctor as I am sure that a specialist will be able to formulate a far better treatment than the one she is on at the moment. As a general moisturiser coconut oil will take some beating.
Go to the Forum page and there you will find vast amounts of info.
dyorke Offline
100 + Member I Just Cant Stop !

100 + Member I Just Cant Stop !
Posts: 182
Threads: 4
Joined: Apr 2016
Gender: Female
Location: UK
Treatment: Acitretin
#4
Fri-05-08-2016, 12:42 PM
Hi Kc3i

As Dave says - best to get a Dermatologist appointment as soon as possible to have a proper assessment of the condition.
I have been on Acetretin now for 8 weeks and am seeing a slow but consistent improvement - but it is different for everyone.

For her Scalp - I can only recommend what works for me - I have long hair so inevitably most treatments can get a bit messy so I do this twice a week:
First get yourself a large jar of Raw Unrefined Organic Coconut Oil (1 litre jar is approx £10 on Amazon - it will last for ages) 
rub into the scalp until well covered. Wrap a Turbie Towel around it and let it soak for at least 4 hours (overnight if possible),
then wash it off with Alphosyl 2 in 1 Shampoo.
The scales will wash away and the Coconut Oil leaves your hair lovely and soft.  
It is not a cure but makes it much nicer to deal with and is less itchy !

Good luck, I look forward to hearing how  your Girlfriend gets on

Tink x
Fred Online
I Wanted To Change the World But Got Up Far Too Late.
Moderator
Posts: 67,207
Threads: 3,902
Joined: Aug 2011
Gender: Male
Location: France
Psoriatic Arthritis Score: 1
PQOLS: 1
Treatment: Bimzelx / Coconut Oil
#5
Fri-05-08-2016, 12:46 PM
Hello kc3i  Welcome to Psoriasis Club.

We have other members that post on behalf of someone close to them so well done you for trying to help your girlfriend.  Thumb

As for the steroid cream it is one of the first line things to try, but not something for long term use. As for what works! That's like asking how long is a piece of string where psoriasis is concerned. Psoriasis affects people in different ways and in different places so what works for one may not work for another, and it's all about trying things to find something that will manage it.

You are right to urge her to see a specialist dermatologist as they are much better suited to help. A good one will work with you to find the best treatment tailored to her needs.

Yes sun is very good see here: Free Psoriasis Treatment

As for her scalp it could be worth trying a good quality virgin coconut oil depending on the amount of hair she has and how thick it is. But massaging it in to her scalp and covering her in cling film for a few hours or better still overnight before washing out should help (Using a shower cap will help keep the cling film on).

Make sure she uses Virgin coconut oil as the refined doesn't work as well and it could contain additives. Read more here:  Coconut Oil

Apart from the have a good look around for what others are using and don't hesitate to ask questions or start new thread about something she may be interested in.

Regards.

Fred.
jiml Offline
100 + Member I Just Cant Stop !

100 + Member I Just Cant Stop !
Posts: 47,972
Threads: 357
Joined: Oct 2013
Gender: Male
Location: Norwich England
Psoriasis Score: 3
Treatment: Skilarence 5x120mg a day
#6
Fri-05-08-2016, 18:10 PM
Hi KC nice to see that you have found us in your effort to help your girlfriend ...I hope she appreciates what you are researching for her, tell her we are a friendly bunch and will not bite....we are all in the same boat when it comes to psoriasis, and it does affect how we socialise with others .....but the good news is....You have found us so she has a great support group at her or your fingertips. Where you can ask questions of discuss psoriasis with others with the disease
Plus we have a terrific amount of information to help decide the best treatment to ask for when you next see the dermatologist.
Hope to see more of you here, enjoy the club and as others gave said if you need help just shout
Kat Offline
Take my advice; I don't use it anyway.

100 + Member I Just Cant Stop !
Posts: 9,829
Threads: 84
Joined: Aug 2014
Gender: Female
Location: GA
Psoriasis Score: 3
Treatment: Clobetasol Topical
#7
Mon-15-08-2016, 12:27 PM
Welcome kc and your girlfriend is lucky to have someone looking out for her!

I also have problems with scalp psoriasis. I was given an oily prescription that contained steroids and it did help a bit but no more than using coconut oil. The problem I have with coconut oil is that it's a pain to wash out. I found a shampoo that has coconut oil in it and it helps a little (but only a little after use, later in the day I find myself itching again which was the same outcome with the prescription)

I was on Acitretin and it cleared up everywhere except my scalp, or perhaps it's more accurate to say I cleared up but after being off of it I continue to have problems with my scalp, but thankfully no other areas returned (yet)

I've tried a lot of things.... dandruff and psoriasis shampoo (all they do is burn and didn't seem to help at all for me)

I hope your girlfriend finds something that helps. I would push for more than creams at the dermatologist and tell her to try coconut oil as mentioned in previous posts for some relief.

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