Robert Clark2 said:I think this forum, especially the health sub-forum, was meant to be a space where people dealing with these nasty, relentless illnesses can swap stories about causes, treatments, and everything from mainstream medicine and pharmacology to alternative approaches. It’s a place to highlight how some drugs actually work or how much certain holistic methods can help—things we all know firsthand. The way you, Elizabeth Lee49, and a few others just chat amongst yourselves... I think that kind of thing is better handled in private messages or through decent posts using emojis. Since Elizabeth Lee49 spends her time crafting these posts without invading anyone's privacy, my advice to her is simple: read the actual instructions on a medication before you use it. Know what you're taking instead of searching for answers only when someone asks. For an intellectual, or someone who’s constantly asking for patches at the pharmacy, it's a bit odd. If you're always hunting for patches, it probably means they aren't doing much anyway—she'll realize that eventually, just like with that butavat cream you guys used that comes from the black market. I'm not going to ignore your posts, but I’d ask that moving forward, we stick to quality content that interests a wider audience. We need to keep this forum at its peak. And a quick heads-up for Elizabeth Lee49: this is a corner for people dealing with illness, not a place for people to kill time. If she wants to contribute, maybe write a post in the afternoon rather than just when she's bored. If everyone is so eager to communicate, why hasn't anyone replied to the post by silverjackal20 regarding being born with psoriasis? (Sorry, silverjackal20, for bringing it up here). Just remember, you're not alone on this forum. Let's stick to the rules of the game. Cheers!
You’ve got a pretty rigid view of things. I agree that the forum should stay high-quality, but honestly, I haven't seen anything wrong here lately, aside from some cheap ads for sketchy stuff like Noni juice or butavat cream back in the day. Why shouldn't we talk about things beyond just psoriasis? I don't see the harm. And why can't we just hang out here? Psoriasis isn't just physical symptoms; the impact goes way deeper than that.
"But I always feel like I'm not pretty enough for him, even though I look physically fine. This psoriasis has been killing me for years." I feel like I've already been through that, and honestly, I'm still going through it myself.🙄 It’s not like it’s actually killing me—I take it like a man (grin)😁. Still, I can't help but wonder: where on earth did this stupid disease find me?
Look, regarding the Naftalan Spa, the bottom line is that I walked out of there completely clear—not a single spot or patch left on me. It’s true, it isn't quite like those luxury resorts in San Francisco, but if it works, it works. The staff is friendly and the doctors actually know their stuff; psoriasis and everything related to it is basically their entire specialty. I've seen enough other people dealing with the same issues to know it really does the trick. Some Italians who spent time at the Dead Sea even claim Naftalan works better than the Dead Sea itself. I won't go on about it too much, otherwise it'll sound like I'm running an ad for the clinic.
Gregory Mendoza3 said:It could honestly get even worse. My blood work is basically perfect—ALT, AST, sedimentation... triglycerides are fine too. Everything looks great except for my MCHC being right at the upper limit and my LDL cholesterol being slightly elevated...
I’m honestly baffled. If I were allowed to be pissed off, I would be, but since I can't, I just laugh because I'm so exhausted (once I finally stop scratching). 😁
My blood work is flawless too. My dermatologist told me straight up that blood work is one thing and psoriasis is another. There's really no rulebook for this; there's just zero logic to it...
Gregory Mendoza3 said:The worst part is I can't for the life of me figure out why everything I've tried—the therapies, that blood type macrobiotic diet, the lifestyle changes—isn't working. Instead of getting better, things just seem to be going downhill every single day. I'm totally lost.😠
About 15 years ago, researchers here in the States did a deep dive into diet and how it impacts psoriasis. Their big takeaway? Diet doesn't really move the needle on the condition itself—it’s just good for your overall health, I guess.
Gregory Turner71 said:Hey guys... anyone here dealt with tattoos while dealing with psoriasis? How do those two play together?
Honestly, you won't find a better or more unique tattoo than psoriasis. It’s basically the mother of all body art. 😬 Especially when it's spread out nice and wide. 👍It’s so impressive that people practically run the other way when they spot you.
Casey Miller9 said:hmm, maybe they're just running an ad, I won't get into that, but saying faulty genes are to blame isn't right—if that were true, they would've fixed them by now.
I don't want to be that guy, but I actually think the whole genetic thing holds water. A few years back, some Swedish researchers posted on a medical portal that it’s definitely down to genetics—they even pinpointed specific chromosomes, though I can't quite remember which ones 😕. It's like how Brits found out neurodermatitis is a genetic glitch rather than just stress, which is what everyone used to believe. I came across a study once that basically said the more "broken" or "sick" genes you have, the harder psoriasis hits. It all makes sense if you think about it...
I caught that article about Palm Springs. Look, I’m all for anything that actually works, but personally, I think Vaseline treatments are way more effective. They have this small thermal pool there too that's great for psoriasis, alongside the petroleum therapy which is the real deal. People travel from all over Northern Italy just for it—some even swear it beats the Dead Sea in Israel. You get visitors from Canada, Russia, even parts of the old Soviet Union. Plus, you can pick up their specific petroleum-based creams and oils. Later, everyone 🙂
Reading those health magazines—you know, the ones promising "Doctor at Home" or "The Perfect Life"—you’d think doctors could fix anything with their eyes closed. But if you actually dig a little deeper, it turns out skin conditions are a total mystery to them, not to mention half of everything else. It’s honestly scary how easily people can get mismanaged just because they aren't doing their own homework. This article is a perfect example. I’d suggest trying Naptha. I’ve been there and seen it firsthand; the doctors and staff are actually decent people. Look, we all know we might not pull off a total cure, but seeing even a little progress makes the whole thing feel a lot more manageable.
crimsonbear23 said:Yay... first the foodies club, then the smokers, now I’ve officially joined the psoriasis club. 😁 I need to see a dermatologist before things get messy. Also, stupid question—can diet changes trigger this? Why did it hit me right NOW (turning 28 soon)? Is this just something you carry around forever until it suddenly decides to show up on the surface for no reason?
A radical shift in your diet can definitely make symptoms worse. Like, if you go on some extreme diet or whatever. It probably hit you now because it usually shows up between ages 25 and 35, though it can happen anytime. As far as I know, there are tests to check for genetic predisposition, but I'm not sure about the cost or if insurance covers it. If a dermatologist actually diagnoses you with it, you don't even need those tests. Best,
crimsonbear23 said:so, I wanted to ask you guys something... maybe I'm just overthinking it, and I know I really should see a dermatologist to get an actual diagnosis, but I figured you all might have some insight based on what you've dealt with. For the last 2 or 3 weeks, I've had these little bumps showing up on my elbows (kind of like a mosquito bite, but slightly bigger) and they itch constantly. My skin isn't peeling or turning red. I've been using some chamomile cream to soothe it, but it hasn't done much. Could these be early signs of psoriasis, or am I just imagining things? I've never had issues before, though my late grandmother did have psoriasis. Overall, do you think this could actually be psoriasis?
God, that was a mess to type out. Hope you guys can make sense of it. 🙂
My husband and I are planning to have a baby... and honestly, I’m spiraling. I really don't want my kid to end up dealing with this damn, annoying disease. I have no clue where it came from, since nobody else in my family has ever dealt with it! help😢
I know plenty of perfectly healthy people whose kids ended up with some kind of disability. The odds of a child getting psoriasis are pretty slim, especially if the father's genes take the lead in your case. Besides, researchers all over the US are constantly working on this, and medical tech is going to get even better in a few years. I get why you're worried, though. Just keep your chin up and enjoy being a mom.
I get what you mean about wanting a decent lineup. I tried that Trixer cream after my shower on a few spots, and honestly, it’s pretty solid. As for the hand soap, though? Not feeling it. My skin feels trashed and dry right after using it, which is a joke considering it costs $35. I'll stick to my Johnson's Baby olive oil soap—it's way cheaper at around $5.50. If anyone else deals with psoriasis, let me know how it’s working for you.
Do I need a prescription for this? Can I just order the meds without one? And how much does the ointment actually do if I don't pair it with phototherapy?
Chris Morgan67 said:I rub olive oil into my scalp twice a month to get rid of the flakes. Sometimes I use some Belo lotion and wash with Bioré shampoo. I already posted about my experience with shower gels—right now I’m using those milky ones from Palmolive and they work great for me.
Let me know how those oils work out for you; hopefully they help.
By the way, I recently started using bee balm from Apimel. You can find it at most big grocery stores like Walmart for about $4, and honestly, it's been awesome!
Looks like almost everything works for you... must be nice. 🙂 I tried oils a few times, but it just leaves you feeling greasy and damp, even if it spreads easily. The itching stays, too—like my skin is still starving for something. I think base creams work better for me. I might give the oil another shot, though. I tried using Trixer (Avène) once; it's actually pretty decent. Good for quick relief when things itch instead of reaching for corticosteroids. Also, if anyone has tips on hygiene or non-steroid topical treatments that actually work, let me know.
emergence said:look, you're wrong. for chronic psoriasis, oils and salves are way BETTER than creams!!!!! a few doctors told me that, and ever since I switched, I've been doing much better. it makes sense to me too, since anything greasier penetrates deeper than those watery lotions.
to me, the base formula feels about as useful as watered-down piss; it does absolutely nothing to moisturize or nourish my skin, but hey, if it works for you, go for it.
as for those fancy derm brands and their products, trust me, I've cycled through everything from Aveeno to Eucerin, Bioderma, and La Roche-Posay—I can't see any difference between an expensive specialty wash and some Palmolive soap because they both DRY OUT MY SKIN just the same.
bottom line, it doesn't matter which gel you use, as long as you gently wash away the flakes, then apply an oil (olive oil, Johnson's, Nivea, etc.) while your skin is still damp and you'll notice a massive difference. things get better.
look, I'm not trying to force you to change your mind, but clearly, you're either closing your eyes to this or you just don't have the full picture. okay, I don't claim to have all the answers, but I know that oils in any form help psoriasis patients a ton. if you want, try using them the way I described and let me know how it goes.
peace👍
There's definitely a difference between shower gels; not even all of them are pH neutral. As for lotion, none of it helps me, period. Regular shampoos are a nightmare too—I've tried all the "extra gentle" ones out there and nothing works; they all irritate my scalp. Only the Vichy shampoo with the red square on the bottle is okay for me. It's actually mild and doesn't sting. I'll give the oil thing a shot.
emergence said:just shower with whatever body wash you have, then slap some oil and lotion on while your skin is still damp.
Brand doesn't really matter—the key is just getting that moisture locked in right after you get out. How long have you been using that lavender oil? You can't expect magic in a couple of days. You gotta stick with it for months to see anything.
I have to disagree on the "any body wash works" part. Most cheap soaps totally strip your skin of moisture; I've learned that the hard way. Personally, I think sticking to dermatological brands is better since they aren't nearly as harsh. After that, you need a solid moisturizer or lotion—quality actually makes a huge difference here. For instance, that Rosalind lotion is basically like trying to spread concrete; it’s a nightmare to rub in. At the end of the day, everyone's skin is different, so pick what works for you. I haven't tried all those fancy derm brands yet, though; I usually just stick to Cerave. 🙂
So, what does "proper hygiene" actually mean to you? Which lotion or brand are we talking about here? Give me the full rundown so I can wrap my head around it. I’ve already tried using castor oil, and honestly, it did absolutely nothing for me.
In the really bad cases, even God couldn't help you. Man, you read some crazy stuff on here. It’s just a bunch of scammers everywhere. When it comes to that Noni juice or whatever they call it, the Germans did some serious research and basically proved it's all just selling smoke. That stuff is pretty much useless.😉