Psoriasis [PLEASE READ FIRST POST!]

Hey everyone, just a quick heads-up—please take a second to read through these ground rules before jumping into the conversation:

Feel free to share your personal experiences with both medical treatments and natural remedies. However, we have a strict no-advertising policy here, and more importantly, please don't encourage anyone to ditch the medication their doctor prescribed. Look, if you personally decide a certain treatment isn't for you, that’s totally your call—but this isn't the place to push that viewpoint onto others.

Please refrain from posting comments about how you aren't following your prescription because you think it's harmful or useless. We ask that you DO NOT POST such things here.

You are more than welcome to discuss natural supplements AS LONG AS you aren't treating this like an ad or telling people to ignore their physician's advice!

The moderators of the Health Forum
________________________________________________

Is there anyone else out there like this, maybe even here in New York City? And how do you deal with it?

http://www.pso.se/sprak/4036_SKB_Psoriasis.pdf

There's a bunch of info in here, so take a look and see what you think.

I was reading about this supposedly "revolutionary" ointment they’ve been developing over in Mexico—it should be hitting the pharmacy shelves pretty soon. I’m definitely going to keep an eye out and try it once it's available, then I'll let you know how it works. Personally, I deal with psoriasis—it doesn't flare up all the time, but when it does, the symptoms can get pretty rough. Whenever my skin starts acting up, I swear by taking clay; it really helps calm everything down. You should give it a shot—clay is generally good for you anyway, so it shouldn't do any harm.

Does anyone happen to know anything about this... how is it usually treated?
thnx!

Psoriasis vulgaris is a skin condition categorized as an erythematosquamous dermatosis. It shows up as inflamed, reddish patches with sharp borders that vary in size, usually covered by silvery-white scales. Beyond just the skin, it can affect the nails and even cause joint damage. Most people start seeing symptoms between their 20s and 30s. We don't fully understand the exact cause yet, though it seems to be a mix of genetic predisposition and various triggers—things like stress, pregnancy, certain medications, or external factors like chemical or physical irritants. On a histological level, you'll see increased mitotic activity in the basal layer cells, which speeds up epidermopoiesis. This results in a thickened epidermis topped with an immature, flaky stratum corneum that peels easily. Clinically, you'll see raised, erythematous lesions caused by inflammatory infiltration, all topped off with those characteristic silvery-white scales.

🙂 😉 😎

A quick little glossary for psoriasis.

Here’s a quick little cheat sheet to help you get up to speed on all those unfamiliar terms regarding psoriasis—how it starts, what causes it, and how we actually treat it.

Anthralin—it's a topical treatment used to manage psoriasis.

Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant used to dial back or soothe an overactive immune response within the body.

Cytokines are essentially a massive group of molecules that manage how different parts of the immune system talk to one another. Think of them as messenger molecules that carry biochemical signals to coordinate everything from local and systemic immune responses to inflammation, wound healing, and even blood cell production. So far, scientists have identified over 100 different types of cytokines.

Exfoliation—that whole process of peeling away the top layer of skin.

Erythrodermic psoriasis—it's basically psoriasis that hits much harder, defined by intense redness and heavy scaling across the skin.

Phototherapy—treating skin issues using artificial UV light sources.

DNA is essentially a collection of molecules carrying our biological blueprint—the very essence of who we are. This code is passed down from both parents to their children through various combinations.

Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)—essentially the immune system's ID tag—is closely linked to what triggers psoriasis.

The immune system is essentially a biochemical defense network. Its job is to protect the body from microorganisms—like infections—and other foreign invaders that could trigger illness.

An infection is basically when microorganisms invade your body, which can lead to all sorts of different health issues.

Inverse psoriasis presents itself as smooth, inflamed patches on the skin.

Clinical trials involve research into innovative treatment methods, adjusting dosages for existing medications, and developing advanced screening techniques for early disease detection.

The Koebner phenomenon is essentially when psoriasis flares up right where the skin has been injured, infected, or otherwise irritated. It’s a bit frustrating—basically, any skin trauma can act as a trigger, either signaling the very start of psoriasis or causing a brand-new lesion to pop up within an area that's already affected.

Think of a costimulatory signal like this: sometimes, just one signal isn't enough to get the job done. To fully trigger an immune response after an injury or infection, cells often need a second "handshake"—a costimulatory molecule—to complete the message being passed from one cell to another.

Chronic—meaning long-term, something that persists over an extended period.

Is it a lesion, a wound, or just skin damage?

Methotrexate is one of those drugs doctors typically turn to when dealing with moderate to severe psoriasis.

Non-contagious—basically, a condition or change that doesn't spread from one person to another.

Oral issues.

A placebo is basically just a pharmacologically inactive substance. It holds no actual medicinal value; it's primarily used as a "control" method during clinical trials.

Plaque — a raised, thickened patch on the skin.

Plaque psoriasis—this is the most common type you’ll encounter. It shows up as raised, red patches of skin covered by silvery-white scales.

Medical history: a collection of details gathered from patients or other sources—like family members—regarding their past medical background and current health status.

Predisposition: essentially, the likelihood or genetic tendency toward developing a disease.

Guttate psoriasis—it’s that specific type where you end up with these small, red spots scattered across your skin that look just like tiny droplets.

Psoriatic arthritis is a genetic autoimmune condition that hits fewer than 10% of people living with psoriasis. It tends to affect both large and small joints, and you'll often see it linked to nail changes on the hands and feet.

Pustular psoriasis—it’s a type of psoriasis marked by those small, pus-filled blisters that typically pop up on your hands and feet.

Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives used to treat all sorts of skin conditions.

Steroids—short for corticosteroids—are powerful medications designed to suppress the immune response, though they’re also quite effective at calming down itchy skin.

Topical – referring to a specific spot on the skin.

UV radiation is just one part of the sun's spectrum. It features shorter wavelengths that can actually help treat psoriasis, though it’s also the main culprit behind those painful sunburns if you stay out too long.

Written by: Dr. Strahimir Sučić

Another incurable skin condition. If you've been diagnosed, you just have to accept that this is your reality for the foreseeable future—unless, of course, someone finally stumbles upon a real cure.

Everything else we're talking about here is nothing more than symptomatic treatment.

I agree with what’s already been said. You just have to learn how to live with it. It's also partially genetic.

The one thing you can actually control is staying on top of hygiene and clearing away those flakes regularly. As for treatment, you’ll mostly be looking at corticosteroid creams or lotions, depending on how bad the psoriasis has gotten.

Starting treatment early is key, and maintaining good hygiene is non-negotiable.

I get that dealing with this is tough since it's visible, and people immediately jump to the conclusion that it's contagious. It isn't.

If it helps, this is a pretty common skin condition. Depending on which type of psoriasis we're talking about, I might be able to give you more specific info.

👍

Thanks everyone for all the replies🙂

It’s mostly just on my elbows and knees at its worst,
so it isn't a huge deal, and I've kind of made my peace with it.
The tanning beds actually help me out a ton!
I was wondering, has anyone here—or maybe someone you know—actually managed to clear their psoriasis... even if it's just for a little while?
Because I've heard it's possible to go a few years without any flare-ups at all!

placidbadger10 said:Has anyone here actually managed to cure psoriasis? Or maybe you know someone who did... even if it was just for a while?
It’s possible to go years without a flare-up.

I live with this, and no, it has never truly gone away. You get stretches where it isn't that bad—times when you don't even need treatment—but then there are those awful phases where it gets disgusting. You apply your meds, it clears up, and then two weeks later, you're right back where you started.

It never lasts more than a month. After three weeks, the patches start creeping back.

Sorry. It sucks, but you really just have to accept it and do everything in your power to keep it under control. If someone notices, just be upfront about it. Explain what's going on and move on.

P.S. I’ve got spots on my face, too. So, for now, just be glad yours is relatively localized. 🙏 👋

I happen to know two people who actually found relief by applying gun grease to their skin (I realize how absurd that sounds, but there you have it...)---

St. John's Wort oil helps, but I guess it really has to be pure and all-natural to work. It’s extremely effective for psoriasis.

Thnx😉, thank God it's pretty minimal for me. I don't have any patches on my face or anywhere else on my body, except maybe on my elbows and scalp—and honestly, thank God, even those aren't too bad... the stuff on my elbows just looks like dry skin, but my scalp is a bit worse, kind of like dandruff but with these tiny little bumps! (which means I end up picking at them with my nails... grrr)🙄

Like I mentioned, using a tanning bed has been great for me.

As for my scalp, this shampoo I picked up while traveling abroad works wonders. I'm not sure if they carry it here in the States, but Terzolin is absolutely amazing!

I also tried out this herbal regimen involving tea, an ointment, and some hair oil. There’s actual evidence that it helps people who are dealing with really intense, full-body flare-ups! If anyone is interested, I can let you know where to find it and how it all works. I'm still following the treatment, and I'm definitely seeing changes!

👋

placidbadger10 said:Thnx😉, thank God. I’ve got very little going on—nothing on my face or body except for my elbows and scalp, and even then, thank God, it isn't too terrible. It mostly just looks like dry skin on my elbows, and on my scalp... it's a bit worse, almost like dandruff, but in tiny little bumps. (And then I end up picking at them with my nails... grrr.)🙄

For my scalp, I found a shampoo abroad that works wonders. I'm not sure if they carry it here in the States, but Terzolin has been great for me!

You can actually find a shampoo here called Uriage Sqaphane. They have two versions, T and P. I'm not entirely sure which one I use, but I think it's the P type. It basically acts similarly to Terzolin, or even Oronazol. Like I said, it's just one way to manage symptoms. These shampoos can clear away a psoriasis plaque, but they don't touch the inflammation underneath, so you're still left with the thickening and redness.

There was this one coal tar shampoo that was absolutely stellar. Honestly, it worked better for me than anything else. You used to be able to pick it up easily at local markets in cities like Chicago, but it's hard to find now: Neutrogena. Warning though: the smell is atrocious. You'll spend the whole day smelling like someone is burning rubber right next to you.

Generally speaking, the best combo for the scalp is a lotion made by Johnson & Johnson called Belosalic (it’s a mix of corticosteroids and salicylic acid). It’s incredibly unpleasant—it stings because of the acid—but it’s hands down the best thing I've ever tried. You can even get it without a prescription. Apply it twice a day. The upside is that it isn't greasy and evaporates quickly, so you can actually use it in your hair.

There's also a gel that's a total newcomer to this field. Personally, it did absolutely nothing for me; while it cleared the plaque, the inflammation in those spots actually flared up even more. The gel is called Zorac or Tazorac, but it isn't available here yet. It has one annoying side effect: once you apply the gel, do not go to the dermatologist for a UV light exam, or you'll end up glowing like an alien.

swiftscout8🙂

I've used Belosalic lotion before, and honestly, it’s pretty amazing. You can grab it over the counter for about $30, though I tend to go through a large bottle in just a week! It works great for me, but man, it totally dries out my hair—it leaves it looking so matte and completely loses its shine. Luckily, nothing stings or irritates my skin when I use the Belosalic. I ended up switching to Terzolin lately, and I’m actually really happy with it.

Regarding that other one you mentioned that smells like petroleum... I've heard the same thing, though I haven't personally tried it. A friend of mine gave it a shot and told me the smell was just unbearable. She said she's never touching it again because it's just too embarrassing to smell like that, haha!😁

I’ve tried just about everything under the sun. Looking back, some things offered a bit of relief, while others were an absolute waste of time.

The only real solution is to accept it for what it is and stop letting the people around you push you around. It can be a nasty, infuriating reality, but at some point, you just have to come to terms with it.

swiftscout8 says
You used to be able to pick this up at any local market in Chicago, but they haven't had anything in stock for ages. NeutrogenaIt smells absolutely terrible. You spend the whole day feeling like someone’s burning rubber right next to you.

Is that the Neutrogena T-Gel one? Don't even get me started on the smell. 🙄 Honestly, I'm pretty sure there are a few different types of T-gels sitting on the shelves at CVS these days, even though it feels like back in the day there was only ever that one stinky version. 🙄 If anyone actually needs to do some research, go ahead. But honestly, that shampoo was legit.

It first surfaced about seven or eight years ago when I was thirty, and while the initial shock hits hard, you eventually find a way to settle into this new reality. I found a strange sort of solace in reflecting on my past—thinking that perhaps if I hadn't been more reckless with a coworker back in my twenties, I wouldn't be dealing with this now—but ultimately, I'm just grateful that my social circle hasn't turned their backs on me; thank God people aren't as shallow as they sometimes seem. As the years pass, I’ve noticed the patches spreading; it's most aggressive on my elbows, though it has receded from my knees only to migrate toward my elbows. My treatment has been the standard routine: Belosalic and Dermovate when I could get my hands on them, though the results were largely underwhelming. The most significant relief actually came from using Granuflex
dressings; they aren't even intended for this, but my skin decided to experiment with them, leading us to essentially misinterpret the diagnosis since the legitimate options are prohibitively expensive (especially the $267 packaging).
After about fifteen days of those dressings, the patches vanished entirely, if only for a fleeting month or two. If I were to offer any advice, it would be to pursue light therapy alongside specialized topical treatments, provided you consult a physician first, along with a nutritionist or a holistic specialist to manage your diet and lifestyle. Just stay resilient; the world isn't going to end because of this, considering about 10% of the American population deals with psoriasis.👍

urbansailor68 said:Are you talking about that Neutrogena T-Gel? (Don't even get me started on the smell 🙄), but I'm pretty sure CVS has been stocking a bunch of different versions lately. It feels like there used to be just that one stinky 🙄 option back in the day. If anyone actually needs it, do your homework first. That shampoo was legitimately effective, though.

Now I'm second-guessing myself. It came in a clear plastic bottle, and the liquid itself was brownish. I really ought to double-check. You certainly don't forget a scent like that.

I've been dealing with this scalp issue for two years now... basically, these flakes that just keep coming back every couple of weeks.
Products like Selsun Blue helped a little bit, but it always comes right back, sometimes even worse than before.
I've seen plenty of doctors, including specialists in private practice... some say it's seborrheic dermatitis, others swear it's psoriasis. Honestly, I'm over the guessing games. But, believe it or not, this local ointment from a shop in New York City actually worked wonders. I know it sounds crazy, but this cream cut my flare-ups in half. The scaling has been gone for a month now, and all I have left is a little redness... plus, miraculously, my hair feels thicker. For now, I'm still testing out how well this stuff holds up.

Anyway, anyone can give it a shot. My advice? Rub it in well 2 or 3 times a day. You really don't have anything to lose. It started working for me after about 3 to 5 days—by the time I finished the first tube, things were looking great, honestly better than when I was using Selsun Blue.