psoriasis is ruining my life

Hi Ryan,

As a fellow sufferer, I truly sympathise . Now, let's getting managing it before it manages you! Firstly, it's great that you now have a diagnosis so the correct treatment can become provided. Have you been referred to a dermatologist? If not ask your GP to to that ASAP as derm's are the experts and can provide a great range of treatments that your doctor cannot. 2nd. It probably doesn't look as bad as you think, you will beach self concious about it & imagine that folk are staring at you - it's your good looks, mate! Seriously, you will need to develop a 'teflon' approach and remember people will look, it's human nature. It's useful to develop a few one liners, if you treat this with humour and that it's no big deal, that's exactly how people will respond.

I'm guessing you are quite young? Once your hair is very short it will be much easier to treat with creams and ointment. Sunlight (not burn) will help dry up the psoriasis too. Slap a good layer of vase line of every night to moisture your scalp, it is good for removing scale. Also, don't used perfumed shampoos. Ask your GP for Diprobase, an emollient for washing. Finally, remember you can always put a hat/cap or bandana on your head. Keep smiling!

Hi Ryan 

i am also a fellow sufferer i have it lightly on my scalp but nothing major i ave no choice about my hair due to my age it is thinning out (im 52). My Father HAD psoaris but his has totally disappeared so to say it will never go is wrong. i am lucky as mine is mainly on my legs which i can cover and at the moment its not really bad although is coming back at present. As already said there are many treatments out there its just finding one that works for you. I do find that sunlight makes mine better can can almost get rid of it for a while, so i would guess thats why it has been suggested to keep your hair short. Go to you doctor and demand to see a dermatologist. unfortunatly us humans to tend to look and point at stuff we dont normally see and for us it a case of having to put up with it. If your able to get sun in private without being around crowds then you may find the condition may start to clear to the degree where its not so noticable to allow to you go out and feel more confident. 

Hi I was referred for light therapy by dermotologist, had it done in local physio department and have to say the improvement was amazing. It has come back, but after a year and in no way as bad as it was (could be that have started new drugs from rheumatologist). Go back to your GP and ask for ref to derm.

Good luck

 

Hi Ryan,

Psoriasis will have periods of flare up and remission, I have times where my skin is completely clear. As others have said, sunlight really, really works, it doesn't have to be hot. Also, you said you have health anxiety, stress is one of the things that makes psoriasis flare up so try not to worry about it. The more you worry about it, the more this will affect affect both your skin and anxiety level . I honestly believe that it's not so noticeable to others. Please try to remember we humans are usually so wrapped up in our own lives to notice another's skin. So, get your appointment with a dermatologist and get outside! Keep posting! ☺

Hmmm, my first post was deleted by the moderator. I wonder why. I sent a link to a page of another support group that had a very similar discussion. One woman said she had excellent results with mixing 50/50 non alcohol witch hazel and glycerin. She puts it in a spray bottle and sprays very lightly on her skin and in her scalp. Then rubs it in till it's gone. 

Hi Ryan,

I notice your initial post was a couple of months ago, I hope things have improved for you over time. I too suffer from scalp psoriasis and have developed a number of tactics to help over the years;

1. Do not wash your hair too often, this removes all natural oil from your scalp.

2. When you do wash use luke warm water, too hot/cold irritates the scalp.

3. No matter how tempting, do not scratch or pick. It only makes it sore and leaves worse looking scabs.

4. Use either a shampoo medicated by your doctor or a T-Gel like shampoo as it causes less irritation.

5. Moisturise as well as using steroid treatments, usually the night before I wash my hair I rub a small amount of olive oil into the psoriasis patches I have on my scalp.

I really hope at least one of these help

Hi Ryan7777777, I have a close friend that has been suffering with the same condition on her head for several years and after trying loads of treatment nothing stopped the itch, the dryness or the clusters of scabby skin on her scalp it persisted no matter what she tried, She actually scratched her head so hard that she created a well like indentation on her head.Well  I've been using natural essential oil's for a few years and combined a few oil's together which have several really good properties like antiinflametry, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-oxident and also contains several vitamins. I gave my friend a bottle to try on her head, she rang me back the next day telling me her itching had gone along with the clusters of flakey scabs, her skin felt really moisterised, none greasy or oily as the oil was quickly absorbed by the skin. She's now been on it a week only applying 2 drops on her fingertip twice a day and messaging the oil for about 10 seconds till it's absorbed and has fallen in love with it, she now say's she's on the oil for life and asked me to provide oil for her daughter whose also got the same condition but all over her body. I gave her 2x10ml bottles of oil and the next day her mom was back on the phone, her daughter had tried the oil on only just one arm, her itching had stopped,her skin was massively moisterised and soft and she's now going to test out the oil for a few weeks to see if her sore's start to clear up, but getting rid of the terrible itching and for moisterising the skin then this oil has got to be a good thing for psoriasis sufferers. If you want to try out the oil for yourself, as I know you don't want to cut your hair like my friend she didn't either, then please contact Anulai Gold on Facebook, you'll find out more info about the oil and can order it there. Hope this helps?

My doctor prescribed Humira and that has cleared my scalp quickly.  Good luck to you!