Private specialist gave diagnosis but didn't prescribe clob. Can I treat myself with it anyway?

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31 Male, but this question could apply to all. I saw a private specialist recently after I started developing LS white patch symptoms 6 months ago. After examination he confirmed LS, describing it as 'early stages'. He was pretty blase about it all though, he pretty much told me to take two showers a day, use a hairdryer to dry off the area and endorsed me to use Canesten intermittently if it gets worse. He also made it seem somewhat inevitable that I would get a circumcision in five years time and he plainly concluded that the white patches will never go back to normal.

This advice is radically different to all of the peer reviewed medical journals I've read, which recommend clobetasol as the gold standard of treatment, especially early treatment. I have managed to get hold of clob pretty easily online. Would it be unwise to give myself a 12 week course? I know self medicating is not normally a good idea, but the beneficial evidence of clob seems overwhelming. Thoughts appreciated.

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3 Replies

  • Posted

    why not ask the derm to prescribe clob. it is a steroid and will thin the skin if used on a daily basis.

    have you tried an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or ointment, containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone (if you're not using a prescription topical corticosteroid).

    • Edited

      I still haven't got a derm, been on an NHS waiting list for 7 months now. The private consultant I saw was a urologist and I really can't afford another private appointment.

      I suppose my logic is that seemingly all of the literature recommends using clob at my stage of disease progression. It's really becoming annoying that I haven't been 'blessed' to use it by a medical professional yet.

    • Posted

      what a bummer to wait months for treatment. dont' they use iphone with dr assist treatments there.

      we have that service here. call a doc and take a picture of psoriasis and he can call medication in to rx .

      in the mean time pharmacies carry over the counter creams for P. and my best stand by is coal tar creams. cream is OTC with coal tar will help very quickly. i use Phoriasin ( here) , use cream with coal tar and cover with clear wrap a few nights called occlusion. this technique has been used for years and still help put psoriasis in omission. occlusion can be used with most topical treatments.

      best bet is to go online where your located and look for a psoriasis cream

      OTC with coal tar. the occlusion allows the cream to absorb in deep layers of skin cells to block the small arteries that set off psoriasis.

      it's stinky but i always can shut P down after a few days of treatmant/ occlusion.

      it's not expensive . so easy to use. and it works.

      when you see a derm ask about coconut oil Methotrexate for treating the skin patches and itching.

      ask about light treatment, vitA creams and injections treatments that help .

      You'll feel happier talking to the dermatologist knowing the are various treatments available besides steroids so you are better able to discuss treatments from a position of knowledge.

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