My wife had had large Psoriasis areas on her back for over a year, and has been seeing a dermotologist for it. About all he seems to be able to do for her condition is to prescribe a steroid cream for topical application, and that doesn't seem to be doing much. I know that because she cannot reach most of those afflicted areas on her back and I have to apply the steroid cream every night. From what I have read, there is really no cure, as such, for Psoriasis, just treatments to make a sufferer more comfortable. There is apparently a treatment involving some drug which has the effect of weakening the body's immume system, but such a treatment is unsuited for my wife as she is a cancer survivior and needs all the immunity she can get. There are also light treatments which she has not tried, as her dermatoligist believes that they will not help her.

Is there anyone here who has experience with Psoriasis treatments and could suggest some other treatments that might be more effective?

My dad had psoriasis most of my 65 years. I'm familiar with some of it. It is one of the oldest named diseases known to mankind. Named by Hipócrates.

Most people with it live an otherwise healthy life!

One of the pastors in our association had it real bad and the itching would keep him from getting sleep (this is in the 1980;s-90's) and he was a test subject for the treatments of today.

One of the things psoriasis does naturally, is keep cholesterol very low, when my friend underwent experimental treatments all manor of heart problems popped up, including skyrocketing cholesterol! The testing program had my friends heart wiped out in a little over a year and dead inside 18 months.

If your wife can stand it, stick with what is almost working for her.

My dad did the cream and otherwise took very poor care of himself and lived to 87. (an untreated Gaul-bladder for 6 years took him out)

Ivan

Nope. At best I can keep it in check with topicals. I tried light therapy and it did diddly-squat after 2 months of twice-weekly treatments. I gave up.

Mine is mostly on my scalp, and there's a topical oil that helps a lot but I don't see how that would work on my back. Kind of messy. I can walk around like a greaser.

I asked about biologics but my Dermatologist said the side-effects are terrible and unless you have a severe case they are worse than the condition.

I wish I had better news for you.

FWIW my wife swears by Centrum vitamins for her scalp psoriasis.

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Who are those guys?

Mine eventually went away.

I got it on my scalp at around 64 yoa and found using Modesa T+ 0.5% coal tar shampoo per the directions (lather, wait 5 minutes, rinse, repeat) a couple of times a month worked wonders. The bottle says "compare to Nutrogena T Gel" but when I compared the price tags I went with Modesa.

I got it south-of-the-border on my tobacco pouch about then too and the coal tar and 1% hydrocortisone cream fixes that for two weeks at a time too.

Your mileage may vary. Good luck!

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On the whistle draw and fire 6

I’ve noticed gold bond cream works well. Hope it works for your situation.

I get 2 small patches every winter but if I run the humidifier and drink plenty of water I can eliminate the problem. I've also heard of people making a cannabis cream that is supposed to be very effective but I've never tried it.

My younger brother has it over probably 40%-50% of his body. It makes him pretty miserable.
I have it, but not nearly that bad. I have been using topical steroids for years, with mixed results.
My brother has been taking shots for several years. I think this might be the treatment that affects the
immune system negatively.
On the advice of my dermatologist, I have started the injections. I had one injection, then another
a month later. Subsequent shots will be quarterly. I would say that I have seen some improvement.
I guess time will tell.

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Georgia On My Mind

I have moderate plaque psoriasis which I have been treating with Otezla. I didn't have any side effects and it did have quite a reduction, but I still needed topicals. Lately I have added Turmeric capsules to the regime and they have added quite a reduction. While I still need lotion in the dryer winter months, I am not using the topical anymore. If you don't want to use one of the prescription treatments, I would still recommend giving the Turmeric a try. We get it at Costco fairly cheaply.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease. There are various types and your wife's type may require a change in diet for topicals to be effective.

Dr. Axe has some good info that may help your wife may some helpful changes.

Dietary and lifestyle changes along with vitamin supplements have helped me.

I have a relatively minor bit of Psoriasis well handled by topical treatments. A friend of mine took a biologic treatment and passed away from cancer in a few weeks, it is one of the side effects noted in all the commercials. Perhaps coincidental, but as a chemo patient I would not take it.

This is not medical advice as I am not qualified to offer any! Please consult your medical advisors and make an informed decision!!

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John. SWCA #1586

Check out Dr. Ken Berry on youtube. He has two videos addressing Psoriasis that are worth watching.

I can say that my skin condition resolved when I adopted a Keto diet.

Not necessarily advice but it's what I do. I put this salve on every cut, rash, insect bite that causes my dogs or me a problem and it's never failed to make the problem better. Fever blisters and dry skin itchiness respond especially well for me.

Farnam's Tricare wound treatment. Buy it on Amazon or Rural King. I've used it on my dogs for years and it's great stuff. Tons of reviews on Amazon - That's where I heard about using it on myself. I also use full spectrum cbd lotion and cortaid - seems to reduce inflammation and had a mild pain/itch killing effect.

From Farnam's Amazon ad:

Wound treatment for dogs and horses
Softens and loosens scabs without drying out your pet's wounds
Salicylic acid and tea tree oil have natural hygienic properties to clean your animal's wounds
Emu oil, tea tree oil, benzocaine, and menthol help soothe dogs' and horses' skin irritation and promote healing
For use on: cuts, minor lacerations, skin abrasions, scrapes, bite and kick wounds, rope burns, skin irritations, rubbed skin, blanket rubs, saddle sores, girth galls, chapping, dry patches, scratches (dew poisoning, greasy heel, mud fever), scab-softening effects, stings, insect bite sensitivities

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God spelled backwards is dog.

I’ve been on Cosentyx for 3 or 4 years. I think this is the drug they claim “can” harm your immune system. Cosentyx has worked wonders for me. My condition is 95% cleared up.

I became a cancer survivor 1 year ago. The Cosentyx was discontinued for about 90 days due to surgery and chemo and then I went right back on it. As you know, psoriasis can possibly lead to many other problems too if it is not controlled.

For me, in my situation and based on the opinions of my Dermatologist and general practitioner and Oncologist, I continue with the Cosentyx.

Hope you and she find something to help. I understand there are many treatments available these days.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

EDIT to add: The topical ointment that works for my extra problem areas is called Clobetasol Propionate USP, 0.05%.

Bag Balm. Every day. For the past 10 years it has greatly eased my symptoms. Don't laugh, it really works.