I am new to this site but I am desperate for advice and help!
I have always had bad skin problems, I am skin type 2 so I am pale and freckly and have really sensitive skin.
I have only just realised that all of the skin issues I am having are psoriasis.
I had a rash come up on my neck around a year ago and it was scaly and so itchy and my mum has polymorphic light eruption, which is hereditary, so I went straight to the doctors. I got an appointment with the so called 'best skin specialist' at Clementine Churchill Hospital but when I went the rash had gone down (it flares up randomly)
He scratched my arm with a wooden stick and said I had this other skin condition and gave me some cream. The rash came back a few weeks later and the cream did not work!
I have a very hectic job and I worked in the city at the time so I struggled to get time off to go to appointments so I didnt bother going back and just dealt with it.
Now I have had the same rash, but much worse, come up on my neck, the sides of my nose and now all around my hairline behind my ears and at the bottom.
My scalp has been flaky but i presumed it was dandruff so never took much notice and I did notice these small scab like things in my scalp at the bottom but they were hidden by my hair and I thought they were from the bleach for my highlights, but over the last few weeks they have gotten bigger and have spread all over my scalp.
I was flying home from a city break yesterday and I didn’t realise it was this bad and I bunged my hair up to go to the airport yesterday because we had to get in a taxi at like 4.15am and at the baggage claim these girls were behind me saying stuff and I could hear them saying ergh whys there flaky crust behind her ear and laughing and it was pretty embarrassing to say the least so I really need to get this sorted.
I cant wear my hair up at work, and people are questioning whether this rash is love bites on my neck!!!
Please help me I am desperate for this to clear up :(
Posted Mon 20 Mar 2017 12.21 by thin-skinned Irascible septuagenarian fed up with the psoriasis constantly at me :wink:
That hospital in Harrow is private health care and IMHO you would be better off seeking proper diagnosis and treatment through the NHS structure. Our NHS has the expertise and treat many hundreds of people with all types of psoriasis every day of the year with an annual totalling 3% of the population each year.
You write as though your are stressed and stress is a well know trigger, so take time for yourself and above all, slow down.
Posted Mon 20 Mar 2017 14.14 by shan-xx
Thank you, I am trying to get an appointment asap with my doctors.
I am really stressed out and this rash is making me even more stressed! I am in so much pain from scratching and I just cant concentrate
In the meantime is there any creams or shampoos or anything people can recommend? X
Posted Mon 20 Mar 2017 15.12 by thin-skinned Irascible septuagenarian fed up with the psoriasis constantly at me :wink:
It is difficult to recommend anything (and there many to choose from) because we are all different and what helps some might cause a reaction for others. There is something my doc gave me to try and from the free sample I found it felt good on the skin leaving it silky and moisturised. She told me it was widely accepted by most patients and can be used as a wash emollient or just applied and gently rubbed in.
Its called Dermol Wash Cutaneous Emulsion and I would expect it to be widely available from most chemist type outlets.
Before you decide to try some take a read of the product description and properties:-
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/24586
Posted Tue 21 Mar 2017 21.32 by Mark
I have found Alphosyl shampoo very helpful for the scalp.
Posted Fri 24 Mar 2017 13.03 by Metarie1985 Beauty standard ignorer, unapologetic P sufferer for 10 years, determined to stay positive!
Google 'Loyon scalp'. You can get a full size free sample of a really gentle product that will help loosen and lift the scales on your scalp. You need to get rid of those before any coal tar shampoos (like T-Gel) will be able to get to the skin beneath. The coal tar should slow down the scale regrowth, the skin will probably be red for a while but it'll feel less tight and you won't flake as much :)
You might find something like HC45 helps take the redness out your skin but pharmacists will not give it to you for use on your face. Make of that what you will. If you do use it, only apply sparingly once a day and make sure you moisturise a lot as it can dry the skin out a lot. But officially....I guess don't use it. (But I did and it really helped while I was waiting for a derm referral.)
If you live near a large Boots store they should have a whole row of products available without prescription - they can be pricey but good while you're waiting for a doctors appointment. The pharmacists might be able to give you some pointers, it's a really common condition, almost everyone I've met knows someone with it! I really like Aveeno as a plain moisturiser and their shampoo is very mild and moisturising for a flaky scalp. Also Dream Cream from Lush has really helped a friend with his skin.
Posted Fri 24 Mar 2017 15.11 by thin-skinned Irascible septuagenarian fed up with the psoriasis constantly at me :wink:
Yes, I agree with you about that Loyon product, but why pay the OTC price of £20 for what is basically Dicaprylyl Carbonate + Dimeticon ( a vegetable fat combined with a silicone oil) when the same ingredients can be bought in the form of Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Body Lotion 400ml in Tesco for £3
I have been using the Neutrogena to loosen the scales overnight for over 2yrs to very good effect.
https://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=265706969
Posted Mon 27 Mar 2017 12.07 by Metarie1985 Beauty standard ignorer, unapologetic P sufferer for 10 years, determined to stay positive!
I had no idea they were similar...I'll investigate! Although I would have thought the moisturiser would be quite difficult to wash out of long hair, which is my trouble with a lot of other scale softening products. I can still smell cocois/sebco in my hair even after lather & repeating 6 or 7 times and it leaves my hair in terrible condition. Loyon is very fluid and comes with a pump spray or dropper to apply it which cuts down on it getting everywhere. Pretty much any moisturiser will loosen the scales, you can just use olive oil if you really want, but again, takes ages to wash out.
Posted Wed 26 Apr 2017 12.46 by Metarie1985 Beauty standard ignorer, unapologetic P sufferer for 10 years, determined to stay positive!
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Posted Mon 20 Mar 2017 11.28 by shan-xx
Posted Mon 20 Mar 2017 12.21 by thin-skinned