Psoriasis

[GingerFish]

I've been dealing with this current outbreak of psoriasis on my scalp ever since about April/May last year. It first got diagnosed as seborrhoeic dermatitis and then as it developed more and became more scaly, it was then said to be psoriasis. I've been given so many creams and shampoos by my doctor to try but none really seem to make a difference. If I use coconut oil to remove the scales, they come back a day or two later and I'm back at square one and all the while my skin is still as red, tight and itchy as ever before.

Most people would find it a nuisance and nothing more but it has set off my HA even more than usual. From some of my older posts, you may know that I have had 2 swollen lymph nodes on the right side of my neck for the past three years and me being me, I think they are lymphoma even though both came up when I had the flu and now that the psoriasis patch has came up on my scalp at the same side of the nodes, that only fuels my fear even more.

I went to the dr a month ago and got my skin and nodes checked and the dr said the psoriasis wasn't the worst but it has gotten worse since she last checked it and that my node felt healthy, small and mobile and not a big deal seeing how long I've had it but she wanted to run a CBC to check for any underlying infection and of course, that set me off and I still haven't been for it yet. I keep trying to tell myself that if it was bad, she'd have referred me straight away and would want more than a blood test.

I know psoriasis is a chronic condition with no cure but the fact it doesn't get better whatsoever for me no matter what I try is really starting to worry me. Do you have any tips for dealing with psoriasis? Both with the appearance and the pain and itchiness?

[Gary A]

I've been dealing with this current outbreak of psoriasis on my scalp ever since about April/May last year. It first got diagnosed as seborrhoeic dermatitis and then as it developed more and became more scaly, it was then said to be psoriasis. I've been given so many creams and shampoos by my doctor to try but none really seem to make a difference. If I use coconut oil to remove the scales, they come back a day or two later and I'm back at square one and all the while my skin is still as red, tight and itchy as ever before.

Most people would find it a nuisance and nothing more but it has set off my HA even more than usual. From some of my older posts, you may know that I have had 2 swollen lymph nodes on the right side of my neck for the past three years and me being me, I think they are lymphoma even though both came up when I had the flu and now that the psoriasis patch has came up on my scalp at the same side of the nodes, that only fuels my fear even more.

I went to the dr a month ago and got my skin and nodes checked and the dr said the psoriasis wasn't the worst but it has gotten worse since she last checked it and that my node felt healthy, small and mobile and not a big deal seeing how long I've had it but she wanted to run a CBC to check for any underlying infection and of course, that set me off and I still haven't been for it yet. I keep trying to tell myself that if it was bad, she'd have referred me straight away and would want more than a blood test.

I know psoriasis is a chronic condition with no cure but the fact it doesn't get better whatsoever for me no matter what I try is really starting to worry me. Do you have any tips for dealing with psoriasis? Both with the appearance and the pain and itchiness?

Psoriasis is known to flare up during periods of high stress, I wouldn't be surprised if this latest bout is a result of your anxiety.

Sometimes it's just about finding a treatment that works for you and stick with it, but I'd highly recommend trying to deal with your overall stress levels. You might find that the psoriasis symptoms will ease up a little.

[beatroon]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear you're dealing with this! I would go for the CBC, not because there will be anything serious wrong, but to set your mind at rest. I know it's stressful waiting for results but where you are currently in your mind is stressful too - give yourself a chance to be reassured, if that's what the GP recommends.

I don't have psoriasis but my mum does and she says it flares up when she's stressed out. One thing that I know is really helpful with it (and with seborrhoeic dermatitis, which I do have) is sunlight - so it may also be that with the cold winter weather, things are worse. Sometimes people get phototherapy or sunlamp time to help with it, although I would imagine yours is not severe enough at the moment to warrant it. Nevertheless, with the milder weather and sunlight you will probably find you start to feel better. I guess you've already tried things like coal tar shampoo etc?

Skin stuff can really get you down, though, and be miserable. If you and the GP can't get it under control, would you consider asking for a referral to a dermatologist? Sometimes you need a bit more specialist advice.

Good luck!

[GingerFish]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear you're dealing with this! I would go for the CBC, not because there will be anything serious wrong, but to set your mind at rest. I know it's stressful waiting for results but where you are currently in your mind is stressful too - give yourself a chance to be reassured, if that's what the GP recommends.

I don't have psoriasis but my mum does and she says it flares up when she's stressed out. One thing that I know is really helpful with it (and with seborrhoeic dermatitis, which I do have) is sunlight - so it may also be that with the cold winter weather, things are worse. Sometimes people get phototherapy or sunlamp time to help with it, although I would imagine yours is not severe enough at the moment to warrant it. Nevertheless, with the milder weather and sunlight you will probably find you start to feel better. I guess you've already tried things like coal tar shampoo etc?

Skin stuff can really get you down, though, and be miserable. If you and the GP can't get it under control, would you consider asking for a referral to a dermatologist? Sometimes you need a bit more specialist advice.

Good luck!

Hiya thanks for the reply
Yeah I've tried coal tar shampoo, Nizoral shampoo, TGel sensitive, Daktacort and cocois ointment and nothing have really helped. I know that it got better for a month or two last year when I stopped checking it as much and maybe I need to do that again. You know what its like, the more you want something to leave, the longer it stays and maybe its the same with psoriasis

I've got an appt with my GP in March to review my skin and if its not any better, I'll ask about a referral and I'll probably finally get my CBC done too. It sounds so silly but I am terrified they will find something wrong with my blood like I have leukemia or lymphoma or something else serious. All I can think is that the dr suspects I have those and that's why she wants me to get my blood taken when I know blood tests are the first line of call for any medical thing really, big or small and that the doc never once mentioned lymphoma or asked me any related questions like do I have night sweats or weight loss. I've very stressed atm with my papa suffering from kidney failure and being on the transplant list and then my wedding coming up in July and just feel like everything is getting on top of me :(

[owenjames]

Psoriasis is known to flare up during periods of high stress, I wouldn't be surprised if this latest bout is a result of your anxiety.

Sometimes it's just about finding a treatment that works for you and stick with it, but I'd highly recommend trying to deal with your overall stress levels. You might find that the psoriasis symptoms will ease up a little.

I would agree with this - mine is definitely linked to stress levels.

I have had some success with using argan oil both direct onto my scalp and as a moisturiser on sore patches beside my nose and between my eye brows.

[ShaunRyder]

I also suffer from psoriasis but mine is normally my buttocks and legs and it will always flare up when my HA comes on or stress levels high.

When it comes up I TRY to reduce my stress levels but that is hard! I use to use creams from the doctors but nothing worked so I started us coconut oil which worked but like you said would come back in 2-3 days, I carried on using coconut oil but along with other stuff, I would dab white vinegar on the patches a couple of times a day(This can sting), I would also rub honey into the patches and I would make a warm bath with coconut milk and honey added. This really helped mine, I do constantly do it I do it for a few weeks until it heals and it stays away for a couple of months at a time! Or until my HA hits again!

[beatroon]

It does sound like you've got a lot going on in your life, no wonder you feel stressed! I bet that's at the root of it, and probably making your anxiety worse, and therefore also your psoriasis. I agree with what you've said, the GP is just offering a blood count to be supportive. If you have had these lymph nodes for three years, you would certainly have all sorts of other symptoms which would have broken through and demanded attention, not just made you worry about them. One of the most helpful things anyone's ever said to me about my health anxiety was that if things were really wrong, they would just BE wrong - you wouldn't have to think too hard about the facts, the facts would be knocking the door down.

In terms of the psoriasis, I think when your current stress calms down and you can think clearly again you'll find it follows suit. Try the sunlight thing, perhaps you could part your hair to expose the patch (sounds kooky I know) and sit outside for a bit?

[GingerFish]

Thanks again everyone for your replies

To those who do have seb derm or psoriasis on your scalp, do you think its best to wash your hair every day or every second day?

[beatroon]

I wash mine every two days, but use Nizoral.