I’m off to see the doc on Wednesday, so this thread isn’t a substitute for medical advice.
I had psoriasis of the scalp all the way back in '81, but fought it off with some kind of prescription ointment. I was free of it for more than twenty years, but it has cropped up again during the last two or three years. I kept it off with tar shampoo the last time or two, but this time it seems more determined. While I await the appointment with my doctor, what else can I be doing to beat it back? Tar gel and salicylic acid seem to make it burn and itch even more. Any other tips? What has worked for you?
I have to make an appointment w/my dermatologist for this very reason, so I can’t help ya. Tar shampoo and tea tree oil just tend to give me dandruff, and don’t treat the psoriasis.
Sunlight is good for psoriasis, just be careful not to burn.
There was some anectdotal evidence to suggest that long-term high(300mg daily) treatment with Ranitidine (Zantac), an indigestion medication might be helpful, but a random, double-blind, placebo controlled study of 201 patients failed to show any such effect.
I have the same thing. I use a coal tar extract shampoo (T-Gel) every day and I rarely see outbreaks of redness. But if I skip a day, I begin to see signs of it. The shampoo was recommended by a dermatologist, but any similar coal tar extract shampoo would probably do just as well. I’ve learned that sunlight is good (shaving your head as seems to be the current fashion might help). Also - winter’s worse for psoriasis (less sunlight?).
I’m on an injectable drug called Enbrel once weekly. It has been amazing, i had tried topical medications, shampoos and light therapy with nothing working so well as this. In 3 months the spots on my body and arms are completely gone, the ones on my legs and face are very diminished and my scalp is markedly improved. Well worth it.
Sunny surroundings and a sunny disposition, as has been already noted. The latter may be enhanced by knowing that in most states it is not illegal to kill anyone who utters the phrase “you’re a sight for psoriasis” more than once.
Enbrel (Etanercept) is great…for people with moderate to severe widespread Psoriasis, who have tried everything else without success (like lokij).
It is not a first line treatment, it is not without side effects and it knocks the immune system for six. It has been linked to cases of overwhelming sepsis and re-activation of latent TB (and ths some deaths are directly attributable to treatment with it).
Although for some people it is indeed a wonder drug, it’s not likely to be an option for the average person with psoriasis.
I use T-Gel, too. Since I first posted this, I’ve made an effort to really leave it on for 10-15 minutes twice a day, and the itching and soreness went away almost immediately. This involves taking a bath rather than a shower so I can have someplace to sit, all drippy and stinking of tar, while I wait. It’s worth it, though, to stop the itch. Can I still sit in the sun while using tar shampoo? Some of the tar ointment preparations said not to sunbathe while using them.
I’m still seeing the doc tomorrow so he can check it out and tell me about any new treatments developed since 1981.
It’s also apparently hideously expensive, there was some question from my doctor on whether my insurance would cover it… but they did. I’m extremely glad they did… it was getting to be a real quality of life issue for me, it sucks when random people just ask you if you got burned or what was wrong when looking at the redness on your face. I can’t exactly hide my face you know.
Yeah. That <gasp> “Oh honey, what happened?!” isn’t fun.
I have an rx shampoo that I use. Called Kpex? Capex? Something like that. The coaltar ones work pretty well too. I use a topical steroid spray on my arms and legs called (checking the label) clobetasol/dermazinc thats great but a bit rough on the old skin. (And a gentler lotion for my face.)
I was suprised to be approved for the Enebril or whatever–my insurance doesn’t cover anything cosmetic and I thought they wouldn’t. Unfortunately, even with a copay it was too expensive.
At a recent visit to the dermatologist, we talked about taking internal meds again. Personally, I’d rather not and that’s where I am.
As the first dermatologist I went to said:
“Psoriasis. It’s not fun. But it won’t kill you. Look, I have a patch right here!”
(Anyone else ever have to try to spell that for a new receptionist/tech?
“And what do you see the dr for?”
“Psoriasis”
“What?”
“Psoriasis”
“Okay, S-O-R”
“no, psoriasis”
“Yes, that’s what I said”
“No, it starts with a p”
“What?”
In your mind–“You WORK IN A DERMATOLOGISTS OFFICE!”
I had some patches of psoriasis on my hands and one foot, and tried turmeric as a topical anti-inflammatory. It seems like it worked pretty well (less itching than with the hydrocortisone, and the scaly patches disappeared in a few weeks), but I don’t know if you want it in your hair. I mixed it into some petroleum jelly and put it on for an hour or so every day. It does stain everything it touches, including skin, so that might be another concern.
A quick Google search finds lots of “Herbs are wonderful!” sites, but there has apparently been some real medical research done with positive results. Good luck!
I’m back from the doc’s. He prescribed me “Lidex”, I believe it’s called, a corticosteroid. It’s in a petrolatum base, so I have to be careful in the application to my scalp or I’ll look like a major grease monkey. He also said I could continue the tar shampoo since I gained relief from that.
I thought I had left psoriasis back in my past, when I was 25. Who’d have thought it’d wait until I was 50 to make a reappearance?
I used to massage my scalp with olive oil, and wrap my hair up with a towel. I’d keep it in all night. (Putting old towels above my pillow). It was a pain to get it out, but it really did offer some relief.
If it’s still applicable… be careful of coal tar extract and sunlight. I got a wicked burn that way, although I do have sensitive skin so your mileage may vary.