Psoriasis

[bunga_aj]

I've had psoriasis since I was about 4 years old (I'm 22 now) with varying degrees of severity but nothing like some of the serious cases you see on the internet and on TV. I only really have pretty tame psoriasis on my arms and legs (elbows, knees, back of my legs, forearms). That being said, it's a real pain living with this skin condition.

I recently tried a cream for a period of time and it totally cleared up it was brilliant but now... it's all coming back again and no amount of this cream seems to work, in fact I'm pretty sure it's making it worse so I've ceased it totally now.

It's quite a common condition (I believe something like 3% of people in the UK suffer from some form of it) and I'm just absolutely gutted that it's coming back because frankly, even though I don't have a severe kind, it's enough to make me very self concious and stop me from wearing and doing some things. It's held me back from countless stuff throughout my entire life because of the confidence it saps away from you - I mean, who really wants red blotches on their skin?

Has anyone else got this bloody awful disease or know of a partner, relative, friend with it, and if so, how do you or they cope with it?

 

[bunga_aj]

Thanks for taking the time to reply everyone.

Andy90, I used to have it on my scalp a little and did actually use T-Gel for some time, completely cleared it for me and haven't had problems for years thankfully. I too had to explain the flakes of skin in my hair so I know what thats like. Kinda get the feeling they don't believe you anyway! lol. I've also used all manner of crazy creams for it. I had one that dyed my skin a feint yellow colour!!

Aharvey: "I know on the grand scheme of things its not a serious ailment, but it can still effect your life"

Very, very true. I don't know how people with the really bad psoriasis, you know, the ones that are absolutely head to toe, under their nails etc. survive. I know a lot of them are clinically depressed anyway..

Many of you mention the causes of psoriasis. I've heard loads of theories... diet, stress, even chest infections. My dad also has psoriasis but his is really well controlled now and really only has little patches on his elbows and knees at this point. My parents say I had a chest infection when I was young and that started it off. I cleared up substantially over the years following that then got another chest infection and it sprung up everywhere for a period.

Has anyone ever been to the Dead Sea? Supposedly lying in the salty water and the unique climate of the area (apparently it's super exposed to UV rays or something like that) can completely clear really bad psoriasis in three-four weeks and keep it gone for 6 months, even a year. I know I don't have severe psoriasis at all but even a small amount can affect you mentally quite a bit (as many of you will know) and I'd be interested to try going out there sometime, maybe even pick up a nice tan ;D

 

[bunga_aj]

will have to look into the UV lamps! And the Dead Sea sounds lovely, albeit possibly expensive to be there for 3-4 weeks OCUK field trip!!

Funny you should mention chest infections, I get them quite often!

I think weeks and weeks of being there is for the chronic sufferers really Matt.

Something smaller, like guttate psoriasis (mine) could be cleared relatively easily in comparison I would have thought.

A lot of suggestions of sun beds interestingly. I've seen a lot of horror stories about over-use (for tanning and the like). How often would a psoriasis sufferer go?! Any ideas?