Psoriasis [PLEASE READ FIRST POST!]

That’s just that thick yellow cream you put on a baby's diaper area to prevent rashes... I'm not sure what the exact American equivalent is...

Linda Chase81 said:I just knew there had to be some simple catch... I'll give it a shot. 😁

During the day, try using something lightweight that actually hydrates the skin.

Chris Morgan67, thanks for the heads-up. I've officially decided to ditch the Beloderm and Belosalic—my skin is absolutely screaming right now, just bright red and stinging like crazy. Just let me know, what are the actual signs of skin tuberculosis? Like, how do you even recognize it?

Adam Wells43 said:Chris Morgan67, thanks for the tip. I've officially decided to stop using Beloderm and Belosal—my skin is freaking burning and it's bright red everywhere. Just tell me, what actually are the symptoms of skin tuberculosis? How do you even spot it?

SKIN TUBERCULOSIS
It’s caused by human or animal tuberculosis bacteria. On the skin, you see these pinkish-brown to yellowish nodules, mostly showing up on the face or spread across the body.
You can read more about it here, but honestly, don't let it freak you out too much—the odds of having this are basically zero.

How do you actually tell the difference between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis? I'm wondering if psoriasis can actually clear up or recede just by using an anti-dandruff shampoo—or if what my husband had was just seborrheic dermatitis that happened to vanish after he started using Ultrex shampoo.😕

Hello everyone, I’m checking in from North Mexico. I was hoping to get some insight on which brands of soaps and shampoos are actually worth using. On my end, I’ve been using Zorac (from Belupo) and I have to say, I’m quite pleased with the results; I’ve been at it for three weeks now and the effect has been excellent. I noticed that Chris Morgan67 recommends A-Derma shower oil—does anyone know which company produces that and where I might be able to pick some up?

Adam Wells43 said:Chris Morgan67, thanks for the tip! I’ve officially decided to ditch the Beloderm and Belosal. My skin is absolutely stinging and looks bright red now. Just tell me—what are the actual signs of skin tuberculosis? How do you even spot it?

If your skin is red, stinging, and probably bone-dry, it sounds a lot like psoriatic erythroderma to me. I've dealt with that exact mess before. Honestly? Your best bet is to just call a dermatologist.

urbangull said:Hi everyone, I'm from North Mexico. I was wondering which types of soaps and shampoos work best. I wanted to mention that I've been using Zorac (from Belupo) and I'm quite satisfied; I've used it for three weeks now and the results are excellent. I read that Chris Morgan67 recommends A-Derma shower oil. I'd like to know which company makes it and where I can find it.

The company is A-Derma.
You just mentioned wanting their shower oil... I believe Eucerin carries something similar too
And you should be able to pick it up at a pharmacy. At least, that's how it works here in the States

Lawrence Ramirez3 said:Wait, what exactly is Pavlovic? Is it a cream or an ointment? And where on earth can I actually find it?

You can grab Pavlovic at a Target in the skincare aisle. It should run you about $8.25

The box you’ve got there has those red and blue stripes on it, right? Honestly, I can't quite remember if the outside of the packaging actually says Pavlov cream or if that’s just what's printed on the price tag from the pharmacy. Ugh, my brain is totally blanking on the exact wording on the box! Plus, I’m stuck at my annual retreat right now, so I can't exactly go check the box sitting at home to see what it says, can I?

Depending on who's making it, you'll see this stuff called all sorts of things—Baby Cream, Pavloderm, or even Pavlovic’s Kids Vitamin Cream. For me? It’s been a total lifesaver. Lately, though, I’ve switched over to an Alter cream made with Calendula from Germany. It’s great for burns, dry or cracked skin, allergies, lichen, and even chapped lips. You can just grab it at any local drugstore, and it won't break the bank. It spreads like a dream and sinks right into your skin. Honestly, I'm super happy with it. Around here, everyone knows Calendula is the go-to for handling psoriasis.

Casey Miller9 said:Just joined the group—it’s actually pretty helpful hearing everyone's take on this stuff. We’re still waiting on some test results for my ten-year-old, so I figured I'd jump in here. Basically, over the summer, my kid started getting these patches on his elbows that looked like ringworm or something. After a few months, the skin started peeling off, and that's when the doctor finally sent him in for testing. Our first dermatologist basically brushed it off, saying it didn't look like psoriasis, so they just prescribed some Beloderm cream. It cleared up in about ten days, but then we had a follow-up where a second derm suggested it *could* be psoriasis, though she wasn't totally sure—just recommended sticking to neutral moisturizers for now. Well, looking at him today, it seems like the redness is creeping back... what do you guys think?🙏

Checking back in with a reply to my own post because—surprise, surprise—still absolutely nothing. Doctors haven't nailed down a diagnosis yet. Things are just... stuck. Some days it’s totally quiet, then suddenly everything flares up and turns red again, like it did today. Since most of you guys here probably recognize what different types of psoriasis look like by now, I went ahead and posted some photos.
Pic 1 It looks like you might have hit send too early—you only typed "i". What's up? Give me the details. image 2 Can you guys take a look and tell me if this is actually psoriasis or maybe something else? Any thoughts would be helpful, I guess. Cheers.😕

driftingcyclist303 said:How can you tell if it's psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis? Can psoriasis actually clear up—like, just disappear—using an anti-dandruff shampoo? Or maybe my husband just had seborrheic dermatitis that cleared right up after using Ultrex shampoo?😕

Here’s the deal on the difference: with psoriasis, you're looking at dry, silvery-white scales. Seborrheic dermatitis? That stuff is usually yellowish and oily.

driftingcyclist303 said:How can you tell if it's psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis? Can psoriasis actually clear up or go away just by using an anti-dandruff shampoo? Or maybe what my husband had was just seborrheic dermatitis that cleared up thanks to that Ultrex shampoo?😕

Here's the deal on telling them apart—with psoriasis, you're looking at dry, silvery-white scales. Seborrheic dermatitis is different; those flakes tend to be yellowish and greasy. Based on what you described, it sounds like your husband was dealing with seborrheic dermatitis.

🙂 Thanks

Look, let’s be real: there is no "magic pill" for psoriasis. Every single treatment option comes with its own set of annoying side effects. That’s why your doctor shouldn't just throw one thing at you and call it a day; they need to rotate through different medications in cycles. It’s all about minimizing those nasty side effects that usually start creeping up when you stay on one drug for too long. You also really need to dodge respiratory infections and high-stress situations whenever possible. Honestly? If you can swing it, take your vacation somewhere sunny—hit the beach, soak up some Vitamin D. While this is a lifelong management game, the good news is that most people have a pretty solid prognosis. Picking the right therapy based on how things

Since this is a chronic deal, you’re looking at constant monitoring. Your doctor has to tweak the therapy and ramp up skin care depending on how your specific case is looking at the moment.

Topical treatments

When it comes to managing psoriasis topically, you’ve actually got a massive toolkit to work with:
Local Keratolytics — These basically act like a heavy-duty exfoliator to strip away those thick scales.
Corticosteroids — These are the old reliable, usually the first line of defense, especially in tricky spots like skin folds or the genital area where other stuff might cause major irritation. Their anti-inflammatory punch has actually gotten better over the last few years. You’ll find them as ointments, creams, lotions, gels, or even foams, depending on where you're applying them. Sometimes, if things are bad, they might even be used under an occlusive dressing. Your dermatologist calls the shots on the timing and rhythm here. And seriously, don't go overboard—using steroids for too long can lead to skin thinning (atrophy), perioral dermatitis, steroid rosacea, or even allergic contact dermatitis. So, let the specialist handle the duration.
Coal Tar Preparations — You can also dial down inflammation using coal tar products, which help slow down how fast your cells divide. Usually, these are used in two-week stints. They come in handy ready-made forms like medicated baths and shampoos, too.
Topical Vitamin D Analogs — These aren't something you just grab off a shelf; they are prescribed strictly by dermatologists and have been a staple in psoriasis therapy for about fifteen years now. One common version is calcipotriol, often mixed with a corticosteroid.
Topical Retinoids (Vitamin A acid derivatives) — Again, these are strictly under a dermatologist's watchful eye.

It’s not just about your DNA

Even though we don't know the exact "why" behind the disease, about 60 to 70 percent of patients report having someone else in their family tree dealing with psoriasis, so the link to genetics is pretty obvious. But, and this is a big "but," you don't inherit "psoriasis" itself—you just inherit a predisposition toward it. We've known for ages that certain families are more prone to it, and thanks to modern molecular biology, we’ve identified the specific genes involved, even if we still haven't cracked the full code of exactly *how* that inheritance works.
That said, don't go blaming your ancestors for everything. Other factors play a huge role. On the outside, you've got chemical triggers, inflammatory issues (like viral or bacterial skin infections), and physical stressors (think prolonged pressure on a specific spot). Interestingly, there’s usually a two-to-six-week gap between a physical trauma and a flare-up appearing on the skin.
On the internal side, things like certain medications, specific infections (especially strep throat), pregnancy and childbirth, low calcium levels (hypocalcemia), and various dietary changes can trigger it. Beyond strep, sinus and respiratory infections, along with issues in the digestive or urinary systems, are also on the list. Recently, doctors have noticed flares getting worse in patients with HIV/AIDS who already had psoriasis. Low calcium can also make things worse, while pregnancy actually helps clear up symptoms for about 50 percent of women, though some do see a flare-up instead. As for drugs that can trigger a flare, watch out for lithium, beta-blockers, antimalarials, and interferon. Oh, and let’s not forget: drinking alcohol and smoking definitely won't help your skin situation.

So, I figured I’d share my experience with you all.
I live in Cleveland and I’m 37 years old. I’ve been dealing with psoriasis for over a decade now, specifically on my palms and the skin around my finger joints on the outside. About ten years ago, I went to see a dermatologist using a referral from my insurance. She just gave me some Locasalen and called it a day. She did the usual check—head, elbows, knees, back—and then just gave me the standard "don't get stressed, watch your diet" speech.
Fast forward to a few days ago. I searched online for a dermatologist and found a few options here in Cleveland. Through a process of elimination, I ended up right back in front of the exact same doctor. I actually thought to myself, "Hey, maybe since everything has gone private lately, the patient care will actually be different." Well, boy, was I wrong. First off, the vibe while I was waiting was just terrible; the office itself hasn't changed at all, you can hear everything happening in the waiting room, and they still have those old metal beds and privacy screens made of worn-out sheets. And of course, it’s the same doctor. One thing that annoyed me even back then was how she spoke to me using "you" in that overly casual, disrespectful way—though, I suppose I was younger then, and I look pretty exhausted regardless of being nearly 40. She immediately grabbed a notepad and goes, "Okay, we have this revolutionary new product now—Zorro. You'll be using that along with Belmond." It felt suspicious right away because I hadn't read much about it. So, I told her straight up that I didn't want the Belmond and that I was skeptical about the Zorro; I mentioned I’d read quite a bit about Psoriasis and asked what she thought about that instead. She just completely ignored me, insisting that Zorro is great and she'd write the prescription. She kept talking down to me, acting all condescending, like, "Oh, well, look, I have this treatment available that costs $15,000! But who would I even recommend that to?"
I mean, excuse me, but why does she even care?! Why won't she just tell me what all our actual options are? Aren't doctors supposed to HELP us? The first thing I read online once I got home was that Zorro shouldn't be used if a woman is pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding, because the retinoids could harm the fetus or the baby. Given how intimately she was addressing me with that casual "you" and how she already asked for my date of birth, wasn't it common sense to ask if I was pregnant or planning to get pregnant, considering my age? I've been trying to conceive for six months now, and it's obviously one of the reasons my condition has flared up, because, well, the conception isn't happening. 😬 🙄 So I'm under constant stress.
I told her again, "Look, I've been reading about Psoriasis, what do you think about that? I'd rather try that; I read online that you can order it through a pharmacy in Chicago." But she just played dumb and said, "I don't know, you could try a private pharmacy if they want to make it."
Anyway, to make a long story short, I managed to order the Psoriasis treatment without too much trouble because that pharmacy handles orders without a huge ordeal (you just need a private prescription and to pay a deposit). This doctor clearly knew that all along, because as soon as I brought it up again, she immediately called the pharmacy and told them exactly what they had told me! I had to go back to the office for the private prescription and then head back to the pharmacy, even though she could have handled the whole thing IMMEDIATELY the first time.
I am so incredibly disappointed. I honestly don't understand how someone can be so indifferent and just breeze through patients without actually asking anything—aside from the standard "mom, dad, job, stress, diet" questions—to really understand a patient's life, their needs, and their circumstances before trying to determine a therapy.
Now I'm just waiting for the Psoriasis stuff to arrive in two weeks. In the meantime, I'll use the Belmond for ten days as recommended, since my skin is in pretty bad shape, and then I'll see how the Psoriasis treatment works out. I'm not sure what the deal is with it regarding pregnancy, as I couldn't find that specific info anywhere. Maybe it won't help, but I truly believe it's worth a shot.

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.

Lawrence Ramirez3 said:Reading those medical lifestyle magazines—you know, the "Healthy Living" or "Doctor at Home" types—you’d think doctors could cure anything with one hand tied behind their backs. But if you actually look closer, skin conditions seem to be a complete mystery to them, not to mention several other ailments. It's unfortunate that without doing your own research, you can end up being treated quite incorrectly, as this text suggests...

And they don't even bother looking into how oils affect the skin. It hasn't occurred to anyone to investigate those little Garra Rufa fish they've been using in Turkey for centuries to treat psoriasis...
🙄

Susan Flores25 said:I feel compelled to share my recent experience with you all.
I live in Cleveland and I am 37 years old. I have been dealing with psoriasis for over a decade now; it primarily manifests on my palms and the skin around my finger joints on the outer edges. About ten years ago, I went to see a dermatologist using a referral from my primary doctor. She prescribed some Locasalen and that was essentially the end of it. She did a quick check of my head, elbows, knees, and back, told me not to get stressed, and advised me to watch my diet.
Well, fast forward to a few days ago. I started searching online for a dermatologist and found a few options here in Cleveland. Through a process of elimination, I ended up back with the exact same specialist. I honestly thought that since everything has transitioned toward private practice lately, the level of patient care might have improved. Naturally, I was mistaken. First off, the vibe while I was waiting was just terrible; the office itself hasn't changed at all—you can hear everything happening in the waiting room, there are those old metal beds, and the partitions are made of worn-out sheets. And of course, it was the same doctor. One thing that bothered me immediately was how she addressed me with "you" instead of "ma'am"—though, to be fair, I suppose I still look quite youthful despite being nearly 40. She grabbed a notepad and immediately said, "Look, we have a revolutionary new preparation now—Zorro. You'll be using that alongside Belmond." I was instantly suspicious because I hadn't read much about it. I told her plainly that I didn't want to use Belmond and that I was skeptical about this Zorro; I mentioned I had read extensively about Psoriasis and asked for her thoughts on that instead. She just persistently ignored me, insisting that Zorro is fantastic and that she would write the prescription. She kept speaking down to me in this condescending tone, saying things like, "Oh, well, you see, I have a treatment available that costs $15,000! But who could I possibly recommend that to?"
Forgive my outburst, but why on earth does it matter to her? Why won't she simply outline all the available options? Aren't physicians supposed to HELP us? The first thing I read online once I got home was that Zorro should never be used if a woman is pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as the retinoid could harm the fetus or the infant. Given how intimately she addressed me with "you" and the fact that she had already asked for my date of birth, wouldn't it have been prudent for her to ask if I was pregnant or planning to conceive, considering my age? I have been trying to conceive for six months now, and it is quite obvious that this stress is a contributing factor to my flare-ups, especially since the conception process isn't working for me yet. 😬 🙄 Consequently, I am under constant stress.
I told her again, "I've been reading about Psoriasis, what do you think about it? I'd much rather try that; I read online that it can be ordered through a pharmacy in a major city like Chicago." She just played dumb and suggested I could try finding it at a private pharmacy if they were willing to prepare it.
To make a long story short, I managed to order the Psoriasis treatment without too much trouble, as that specific pharmacy handles orders without much fuss (you just need a private prescription and to pay a deposit upfront). The doctor actually knew this all along, because as soon as I reached out to her again, she called the pharmacy immediately and recounted exactly what they had told me! I had to go back to the office to get the private prescription and then head back to the pharmacy, even though she could have resolved the entire matter IMMEDIATELY the first time.
I am deeply disappointed. It is baffling to me how someone can be so indifferent, treating patients with such a "one-size-fits-all" approach without bothering to inquire—beyond the standard questions about parents, job, stress, and diet—about the actual life of the patient, their needs, and their circumstances before attempting to determine a course of therapy.
Now I am just playing the waiting game until my Psoriasis treatment arrives in two weeks. In the meantime, I’ve decided to stick with the Belmond cream for the recommended ten days—since my skin is currently in pretty rough shape—and then I'll finally see if this Psoriasis medication actually lives up to the hype. I honestly haven't been able to find any clear information regarding how it affects pregnancy, which is a bit unsettling. It might not even work for me, but I suppose it's worth a shot at this point.

I couldn't agree more; most of the dermatologists I've encountered have been nothing more than indifferent morons who honestly shouldn't be allowed to practice medicine.