Psoriasis [PLEASE READ FIRST POST!]

Hey there,

I've been dealing with psoriasis for nearly three years now, and it feels like I've finally hit a plateau—or at least, it isn't spreading anymore. My main headaches are on my scalp and a little bit on my fingers; for a while, my nails were looking pretty yellowed and wrecked, but after I started taking Beta-carotene, things almost completely cleared up. I haven't really tried anything specifically for my scalp yet, so I'm thinking about starting some kind of treatment. As someone mentioned here before, my condition actually improved significantly when I dropped weight fast—about 15 or 16 pounds in a single month. Don't ask me how, because honestly, it's not for everyone; I was doing two brutal workouts a day, eating very little split into 3 or 4 small meals, and sticking to that schedule 4 or 5 days a week. I'm an athlete, so I guess I'm just used to pushing myself through intense training.
Lately, I've also been dealing with what I assume is psoriatic arthritis in my left knee, which usually flares up whenever I put on a little extra weight or stop being active enough. To be fair, "psoriatic arthritis" is just my own personal diagnosis, since I haven't actually sat down with a doctor to confirm it.
Anyway, the scaling on my scalp is basically a daily occurrence because I tend to scratch at it in my sleep, and from what I've read from others here, it seems like I'm scratching pretty aggressively.

I've learned quite a lot from you all in this group already, so I'm hoping your advice will help me out,
and hey, maybe I'll stumble onto something useful to share with you all too!

Best to everyone,
Damir

P.S. I'm 29!

Hey. Try applying some olive oil overnight, and you should find that all those flakes loosen up quite easily... just comb them out gently after. Give it a thorough shampooing, then apply Belosalic lotion daily for about two or three weeks... that should really help clear things up.

Morgan Foster2 said:Hey.

I’ve been dealing with psoriasis for nearly three years now. It’s hit a plateau—if you can call it that—meaning it isn't spreading anymore. My main issues are just my scalp and a bit on my fingers. For a while, my nails were a total mess, but I started taking beta-carotene and they’ve mostly bounced back. I haven't tried anything specific for the scalp yet, so I'm thinking about starting something soon. As I mentioned before, things tended to clear up whenever I dropped weight fast—I once lost about 15 or 16 pounds in a single month. Don't ask me how, because honestly, it’s not for everyone. It involved two brutal workouts a day, eating very little spread across three or four meals, and sticking to that grind four or five days a week. I'm an athlete, though—I'm used to pushing myself hard.
Lately, my left knee has been acting up—classic psoriatic arthritis flare-up territory. It usually hits whenever I let myself pack on a few extra pounds or get a little too lazy with the workouts. To be fair, that’s just my own self-diagnosis, though—I haven't actually sat through a doctor's appointment to confirm it.
My scalp is basically peeling every single day—it’s become a routine at this point. I spend half the night scratching away in my sleep, which feels pretty intense compared to some of the stuff people are describing here.

I’ve picked up quite a bit from you all here—hopefully, that means your advice actually holds water when I need it.
And I’ll do the same for you—if I actually stumble onto anything worth knowing.

Hey everyone,
Damir

P.S. I'm 29.

Right now, for my scalp specifically, St. John’s Wort oil is doing the heavy lifting. I’m not usually one for those old-school home remedies—honestly, I usually roll my eyes at them—but this actually seems like a solid fix for now. I’ve just been lightly applying it every couple of days for a few weeks. Now I just need to track down a shampoo that won't wreck everything by irritating my scalp again—I really don't want to trigger that massive oil production and flaking cycle all over again.
I tried it—along with all those corticosteroids and their quick fixes—using a pharmacy-grade solution of olive oil (90%) and salicylic acid (10%). It works wonders for a minute, honestly, but it absolutely wrecked my hair follicles, so I had to quit. This option above sounds like a better bet for now. 🙂

Chris Morgan67 said:and they also advise against breastfeeding while you're on corticosteroids or Zantac!!!!!

I only nursed for about forty days, and naturally, I didn't touch a single thing for my psoriasis—well, aside from some calendula cream, though I certainly wouldn't put anything on my nipples—but things just kept spiraling downward until it reached that point where breakouts appeared right on my nipples, at which point I simply stopped breastfeeding because what was even the point anymore?
I might give that dermatological oil a shot, though I have never heard of it; I have tried just about everything under the sun already, so how much harm could it possibly do?
Anyway, thanks.
🙏

velvetwolf9 said:Right now, specifically for my scalp, St. John's Wort oil has been my absolute savior... I’m usually not one to lean on "old wives' tales," but this actually feels like a legit solution for the moment (just applying a little bit to my scalp every couple of days for a few weeks)... I just need to track down a shampoo that won't irritate my scalp afterward and trigger that massive flare-up of oil and flakes all over again.
I’ve given it a shot—alongside all those corticosteroids with their fleeting little miracles—using an olive oil (90%) and salicylic acid (10%) solution from the pharmacy, and while it works wonders for a split second, it absolutely trashed my hair roots, so I had to quit... what you mentioned sounds pretty promising so far 🙂

So, how exactly are you applying it... at night? How long are you letting the oil sit on your scalp before washing?
Give me the details... pleaseee 😘

Just a heads-up...

...they basically run your blood through every test imaginable to screen for pretty much everything, and if they catch any red flags or anything looks wonky on your blood work, they just mail the results straight to your house so you can get a jump on calling your doctor. As far as I know, having psoriasis shouldn't stop you from donating blood at all, but honestly, you should probably double-check with the local Red Cross center just to be safe.

Best,

Morgan Foster2 said:how are you applying it... at night? how long do you leave the oil on your scalp?
walk me through it... please 😘

Just a tiny bit of oil on my fingertip—I apply it directly to the spots where the scaling is at its worst. I do this every day or every couple of days, but it’s really minimal—just enough on the tip of my finger for "spot treatment." (Usually, I wait until the afternoon or evening when I'm finally home.) Then I just leave it in until I wash my hair, which happens about twice a week. My only real struggle right now is finding a shampoo that doesn't trigger more scaling—though, honestly, it seems to happen regardless of what soap I use...
there, hope that helps you out.
One time, I actually slathered my entire scalp in it—the effect was actually pretty great (the scales came off without making my skin look like a crime scene, and no itching)—but unfortunately, I don't have the time for that kind of ritual right now.😢

To be clear: I started doing this on my own risk. I have no idea how it'll work for anyone else...

From: DamirMailed-By: gmail.com
To: redcross@redcross.org Date: Oct 24, 2006 7:43 PM
Subject: Psoriasis

To whom it may concern,

So, I’ve been a regular blood donor for quite a while now, though I haven't actually made it in to donate for maybe two or three years. In the meantime, I ended up being diagnosed with psoriasis, so I was just wondering—is that going to disqualify me from donating blood?

Best regards,
Damir

From: Nada Aweja
To: damir.lisac@gmail.com
Date: Oct 25, 2006 12:36 PM
Subject: blood donation

Dear Sir,
You are still eligible to donate blood provided that your condition is currently in remission and there aren't any active skin flare-ups at the site where the blood is drawn.

Sincerely,

velvetwolf9 said:in that case, all my best wishes shift from you directly to that doctor who clearly doesn't grasp what an autoimmune disease actually is

Look, psoriasis is an autoimmune condition—part of a massive spectrum of autoimmune disorders, just with its own specific way of showing up.
With psoriasis, you can manage things locally—creams, ointments, lotions, and so on—or even go with systemic treatments. But most other autoimmune diseases require systemic medication, and when they flare up, you’re usually looking at systemic corticosteroids.
So, regardless of how aggressive or annoying it gets, it's arguably a "milder" version of autoimmune issues compared to something like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), systemic Lupus (SLE), Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s disease, or >.
It stands to reason that some patients could absolutely benefit from working with their doctors to try established autoimmune drugs, or perhaps even those in the final stages of clinical trials.
A friend's father is actually starting a new 90-day tonic-based therapy. We'll see if it works, and I’ll post the results here—maybe it'll help someone else.
Even though my own condition was diagnosed as asthma—which is a chronic inflammatory issue—some are starting to suggest there might be an autoimmune component involved in certain forms. My latest tests show chronic airway obstruction; obviously, that isn't psoriasis, but I truly believe we should group ALL AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES together. If we did, we could actually see the underlying mechanistic similarities. It's entirely possible that something effective for neurodermatitis might also help someone dealing with MS, psoriasis, or asthma.
As wild as that sounds, the possibility is real. I’ve even posted on MS forums about the struggles my friend is facing and potential avenues for hope, but they basically told me I didn't belong there and to stay out of their business—so, fine, I left.
I share experiences regarding asthma too, but those groups aren't exactly active—probably because they have a decent selection of medications available. The problem is, they only ever treat the symptoms, not the root cause. Consequently, the condition just keeps progressing—moving from mild to moderate, then moderate to severe, and so on.
Until more breakthroughs come along, fingers crossed.😛

I just received about twenty different booklets on psoriasis from an American patient advocacy group today—completely free of charge.

They are actually quite useful resources, and there really isn't any cost involved in requesting them via their site...
http://www.psoriasis.org/publication...lets/requests/

My shipment arrived in about a month...
👍 👍

Hey everyone,
I pop in here every once in a while because I've been dealing with psoriasis for ages. Honestly? I’m not even expecting to find any groundbreaking secrets or stuff I haven't heard a thousand times already. I've tried basically everything under the sun and spent a small fortune on it, all for nothing. But reading through your posts, a few things caught my eye that I really wanted to chime in on. First off, about that Psorcutan ointment. I used it for a bit, but man, it did absolutely nothing for me. Plus, if I remember correctly, the box itself warns you not to use it if you're going to be out in the sun because you could end up with permanent scarring. So why am I seeing some of you recommending it alongside light therapy? It’s super confusing.
Also, I've noticed that my skin actually clears up incredibly fast whenever my immune system takes a hit—like right after I deal with the flu or a nasty cold. Because of that, I totally get where people are coming from when they say psoriasis is just a reflection of what's happening inside your body. It reminds me of that old comment about the woman whose psoriasis suddenly vanished right before she passed away from cancer. It makes sense, doesn't it? Her immune system likely tanked, causing the skin to clear. I even read in the news that they're testing these new injections designed to specifically dampen the immune response to wipe out psoriasis, though obviously, that leaves you wide open to infections. And let's be real—it’s a known historical fact that prisoners in those concentration camps saw their psoriasis disappear because they were being starved; their immune systems were essentially shut down. That’s just biology. I don't get why anyone would mock the guy who pointed that out.
Anyway, I still use some topical steroid creams and scalp lotions every now and then. They aren't exactly "miracle cures," but they're the only thing keeping me sane and actually helping with the discomfort. Everything else has just been a massive waste of cash. And yeah, the beach and the sun are my lifelines, even if the results haven't been quite as good over the last couple of years as they used to be. Basically, I'm just trying to make it from one summer to the next. One last thing—has anyone here ever tried that specialized herbal salve? I'm thinking about giving it a shot. That's all from me. Hang in there, guys. Wishing you all the best of luck fighting this annoying freaking disease...

Elizabeth Mitchell80, you’re actually proving my point right here—psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, plain and simple. It’s just that the immune response has mistakenly targeted healthy cells and won't shut up. When your immunity drops, the disease seems to slow down, giving you this false sense that things are improving. That’s more or less how it works, which is why most autoimmune diseases share basically the same underlying origin. However—and this is a huge "however"—you're always left vulnerable because when your immune system tanks, something else can swoop in to wreck you, like a viral case of pneumonia.
Regardless, the future solution isn't found in immunosuppression (basically dialing back the immune response). In fact, the real work is being done on immunomodulation combined with reducing epithelial (skin) inflammation. The goal is to stop inflammatory cells from migrating into the affected area while actually strengthening the immune system instead of suppressing it. Think about it: if you prevent the inflammation in the first place, there’s no reason for the immune system to go into overdrive, and if the system is bolstered by other mechanisms, you're looking at a long-term fix.
Research is already moving in this direction. For certain autoimmune diseases, this approach is already working quite well, and I personally keep a close eye on any new autoimmune developments—because logically, a solution for one should be applicable to others.
We'll see soon enough.

Here is another member joining the group—she’s already 33 (not that I’m counting my own years, but still...).
In her search for a shampoo that wouldn't irritate her scalp, she's tried almost every "branded" option out there. As it turns out, the cheapest ones ended up being the best simply because they contain fewer harsh chemicals—specifically a nettle-based one. Honestly, even an old-fashioned remedy worked wonders: egg. It lathers nicely, cleanses oil perfectly, and leaves the hair looking incredibly shiny. Back in the day, people in rural areas didn't even have access to commercial shampoos, so they just used eggs. Also, definitely use oils—even if they don't solve everything, they certainly won't hurt. So, after testing all those medical preparations, she has completely pivoted toward natural remedies. Her condition fluctuates, though. Over the last two years, it has spread slightly to her elbows and left knee; previously, it was limited to her scalp and earlobes. In the summer, the sun and ocean help calm it down, but then it tends to flare up again in the fall to make up for it.
I really appreciate this forum, though I wish some of the bickering would stop—this isn't the place for that.
Best to everyone.

BTW, does anyone have the address for that fish spa treatment? If it's a public business, feel free to post it here (so it doesn't look like controversial advertising), otherwise, please send me a DM.
Thanks in advance.

Here’s another member of the club. This guy has been battling psoriasis for a solid 35 years, whereas I was hit with it at just 21. His diagnosis is generalized psoriasis vulgaris, and it’s slowly taken over about two-thirds of his body. We’ve had some wins here and there, but they never last long—it always flares back up during those gaps in treatment. Two years ago, he started on Neotigason capsules with an initial dose of 30mg, but after a year, he's right back where he started. Anyone else dealing with similar setbacks? How are you all tackling this? Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone, I’ve been following your posts and really value this community!
To give you some context, my dad has been battling psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis for ten years, covering about 90% of his body.
He just got back from a trip to the Baku spa facilities today, and honestly, the results are incredible. I couldn't be happier.
I wanted to share what worked for us, hoping our experience might help someone else out there.
Here was our game plan:
- Cutting out alcohol entirely
- Nightly baths using olive oil, coarse sea salt, and lavender
- Using my mom's homemade aloe vera remedy
- Taking 2mg of Xanax whenever things got too stressful
- Staying out of the sun
- And finally, a 14-day stay at the Baku wellness center
Now that summer is here, he can actually go out in short sleeves and shorts without a second thought.
It took a lot of discipline and sacrifice, but seeing him like this makes it all worth it.
Best,

I’ve been dealing with psoriasis ever since the war ended. It's been a constant battle for me ever since!

Honestly, I feel like I’ve tried everything under the sun. I even sourced medications from Canada and the USA, but nothing seemed to touch it. Around the time I was nine years old, the symptoms finally cleared up for a while. I followed a specific routine back then, and honestly, I think it’s worth a shot for anyone struggling! For my scalp, I used to apply homemade olive oil (mixed with a few other additives), wrap my head in a plastic grocery bag, let it sit for a bit, and then hop in the tub for about 45 minutes. While you're in the bath, grab a comb and brush in the opposite direction of your hair growth. It might sting the first time, but don't quit. Do it every day. Once you notice things starting to calm down, you can scale it back to every other day. As for my body, here is what worked:

I would slather on this certain cream—I can't recall the exact brand—wrap myself in plastic bags, and just go to sleep like that. In the morning, I'd just shower and call it a day. Once the scaling subsided, I’d apply some herbal extract used for treating warts; I forget the name, but it has this yellow sap. When you apply it to the affected areas, it burns like crazy, but you just have to tough it out. I remember sitting on my bed as a kid, crying because of how much it stung. But after a while, it actually worked.

The condition has flared up again recently, and unfortunately, I don't quite have that same stubborn persistence anymore, though I’m going to try to get back into the routine somehow. Right now, it's mostly on my scalp, a little on my body, and a bit on my eyelids!

placidpanther12 said:I’ve posted about tattoos and psoriasis before, but I haven't received any responses...

Also, I felt practically stigmatized when they turned me away from a blood transfusion because of my psoriasis. It was incredibly isolating. Not a single person—not my GP, my dermatologist, or even my dermatology professor—ever mentioned that I shouldn't donate blood. Has anyone here actually donated blood despite this?

On a more personal note: how is your sex life with psoriasis? I'm only 19, and I've already dealt with all sorts of reactions regarding my skin...

P.S. I’m not using any medical treatments right now; my mom just ordered some cream made with Dead Sea salt. I was skeptical at first, but I have to admit, this is the first autumn I haven't been flaking...

For me, a monthly tanning salon session combined with regular showers and baby oil seems to do the trick...😬

I also had my concerns about intimacy after being diagnosed, but things are better than ever now...😍 The key is choosing the right partners and being upfront about your skin. When you're comfortable with it, others tend to be too.

Take care...😘

Hey, anyone else dealing with psoriasis here? How’s your sex life going? I’m only 19, but man, I’ve already dealt with all kinds of weird reactions because of my skin.

My guy’s totally fine with it, though. I just had to sit him down and explain that psoriasis isn't catching or anything!

Look, I’ve been dealing with psoriasis for a long time now.
I used to hit the beach regularly and it worked wonders, but after two years, things started acting up again; then I heard about this specific lotion, ordered it, and honestly? It’s been a total game-changer.
The redness is gone, the itching has stopped, and it isn't spreading anymore—I’m seriously stoked right now and just praying it stays this way. I really feel like nobody should just throw in the towel; why wouldn't you keep pushing until you find something that actually works?