Hello from Duncan

[Duncan]

Hi. I am Duncan. I live in the Uk and have had Psoriasis for 8 years.
It started after taking a drug to stop smoking. My sister took the same drug and shed a full body of skin. The drug was shampix. My wife is a midwife and though asking people, found a definite link to both.
I started with one small patch on my arm. I now have patches everywhere. I had a large burn scar on my calf which it loves.
I tried all the creams with minimal success, I was then put on light treatment. It did just start working as treatment ended. You are only allowed so many treatments, even though the exposure was low due to me burning.
I was then offered the drug, but I am leaving that as the last resort. Side effects of drugs aren't good with me.
I am using Enstilar spray, as it absorbs easy. I find it less greasy than Dovobet. I also use Dipsalic as an alternative. They all contain betamethasone.
Everywhere I read, they say don't use Dovobet long temp. My dermatologist isn't bothered.
My hands and feet over the past year have got quite bad. My knuckles look like boxers.
My scalp comes and goes. Not too bad.
I am also using moisturiser on my hands. I use dermal 500 to wash in shower with.
Are there any other things I could try. I keep reading about coconut oil?
DO they sell light treatment machines for hands only?
Thanks Duncan

[Fred]

Hello Duncan   to Psoriasis Club.

I'm a big fan of coconut oil, but at the end of the day it is just a moisturiser. You should not use Dovobet long term, and to be honest no topical is ever going to keep on top of it.

I can understand you not wanting the oral treatments, but they are better monitored these days and we have a lot of members doing well on the DMF variants. You can read more here: Oral Treatments For Psoriasis

Re the light treatment, you may find this interesting: Philips launch wearable light treatment for psoriasis

Have a good look around you will find a lot of information from our members and don't hesitate to dive on in.

Regards.

Fred.

[Maryam]

Hay Duncan,

Welcome to the club!

Any topical will work better on a moisturized skin anyway, so applying something is a good thing anyway. A lot of people use coconut oil and do very well with it. My skin doesn't seem to like it, so I use a body lotion for very dry skin. 

And I agree with Fred, if the psoriasis is really severe and/or bothering you, ask what your options are.

[jiml]

Hi Duncan and welcome to the club, you have come to a great place to talk about treatment for Psoriasis as you will be speaking to fellow sufferers with personal experiences .
Your dermatologist may not be too concerned about the long term use of steroid creams, but you should be concerned
I myself was on these creams on repeat prescription for ages and my skin now shows the scars from my skin ripping at the slightest knock ( my shins are worst because that’s where I applied the creams more liberally )
They will thin your skin, and best used in small doses
I have been on Fumaderm for over 6 years now and would recommend everyone tries it ( or Skilarence)  and hopefully they will give you long term clearance
But there are other good oral treatments available and I wouldn’t put off trying any of them as long as you are monitored they should be safe and not thin your skin

Hope you enjoy being a member of the club and if you want a break from talking Psoriasis join some of us in the off topic section where I can often be found lurking
Jim

[Duncan]

Thanks people.
I am not at a very concerned stage yet.
I don't know why, but my dermatologist said ..." the dangers are thinning of the skin and we arnt concerned about that" ?

The down side of using spray is, it covers good skin also. Ill give it another 6 months to see if it slows down. Loads of new small bits starting on my hands

[Fred]

Thanks people.
I am not at a very concerned stage yet.
I don't know why, but my dermatologist said ..." the dangers are thinning of the skin and we arnt concerned about that" ?

The down side of using spray is, it covers good skin also. Ill give it another 6 months to see if it slows down. Loads of new small bits starting on my hands

Yes always good to give stuff a fair try.

Though I'm still not sure why a dermatologist would say they are not concerned about thinning skin. Personally I would find another dermatologist that knows what they are talking about, the one you are using doesn't in my opinion have a clue and they only have to read the manufactures recommendations to understand.

*I'm known for speaking my mind  

[Bill]

Welcome Duncan,

I went far too long trying to make topicals work for me, so I would suggest seeking systemic treatment. I have found that covering the psoriasis with a bandage for a few days after topical application to be helpful. It cleared a spot on my knee and am clearing a spot on my elbow, although I have not been as disciplined in re-applying the bandage else I think that I should have cleared it as well by now.

Good luck.

[Turnedlight]

Hi nice to meet you!

[Duncan]

Hi Duncan and welcome to the club, you have come to a great place to talk about treatment for Psoriasis as you will be speaking to fellow sufferers with personal experiences .
Your dermatologist may not be too concerned about the long term use of steroid creams, but you should be concerned
I myself was on these creams on repeat prescription for ages and my skin now shows the scars from my skin ripping at the slightest knock ( my shins are worst because that’s where I applied the creams more liberally )
They will thin your skin, and best used in small doses
I have been on Fumaderm for over 6 years now and would recommend everyone tries it ( or Skilarence)  and hopefully they will give you long term clearance
But there are other good oral treatments available and I wouldn’t put off trying any of them as long as you are monitored they should be safe and not thin your skin

Hope you enjoy being a member of the club and if you want a break from talking Psoriasis join some of us in the off topic section where I can often be found lurking
Jim

How long were you on cream Jim

[jiml]

Hi Duncan I was on and off them for several years but never put my thin skin down to the steroids. I don't know when exactly the damage was done

I used all types of creams including tar based and vitamin D derivative creams and salicylic acid and then ultra violet treatments ....I only warn you because once your skin thins you will have to live with that as well as the psoriasis

The damage once done is permanent that's  why I advise to get on a systemic drug that will deal with the disease from the inside

As a young man I was an engineer, who worked on site a lot ..most of the places I worked were hazardous and I often knocked my legs and every time I did the skin split ...and because I had psoriasis I never uncovered my legs, but carried bandages in my van so I could dress them myself without anyone knowing.... I wish someone had explained to me the damage that was being done, as I still live daily with the fear of knocking my legs and adding still more scars to the many I already have.