Something I want to share which may help

Hi Russ - great that you have now found something that works for you. I’m 49 and also in the UK. Similarly, I had psoriasis from childhood, which then developed into psoriatic Arthropathy. With the help of powerful medication (first Methotrexate, then Humira anti-TNF injections, I have been psoriasis free for over 20yrs - except for my scalp that would always flare up. I previously swore blind by Betnovate scalp lotion - and used it regularly for almost 30yrs! However, in the past 4mths, I have had a chronic outbreak of plaque and guttate psoriasis from top to toe and attend hospital 2-3 times a week. My scalp was the worst it has ever been and unbearable, but neither my hospital my doctor would prescribe Betnovate scalp lotion. Instead, the hospital put olive oil on my scalp! I was totally sceptical, but it has proved to be the only thing that has cleared my scalp completely (and great for the hair!). For the first time ever, I have psoriasis on my face. The topical steroid creams (such as Silkis and Clobavate) only seem to heighten the redness. And the problems with using steroid and hydrocortisone creams is, apart from thinning the skin and a host of other side effects, you can have a severe flare-up when you come of them. But the key is regular (twice daily) moisturising - anything that nourishes and moisturises the skin will limit the cell production and in a large proportion of cases will clear it up.. I too found having stubble/beard that the hairs prevented the creams from penetrating fully to the skin below, and also withheld the natural shedding of the skin underneath. I used Selsun many years ago - believing the patchy rash to be psoriasis. Selsun was originally an anti-fungal shampoo/skincare product (the fungal rash typically found around sweaty areas of the body), but now promoted as an anti-dandruff / dermatitis treatment. But again, anything that adds moisture to the skin, will work well.. Certainly almond oil, olive oil and coconut oil are great moisturisers. Having been a die-hard prescribed drug treatment fan most of my life, I am now converted to the benefits of these natural products. Good luck and I hope your new-found skin improvements continue. Best regards. Martin

Hi Russ I came across this psoriasis forum by chance trying to find more about almond oil as a moisturizer as a beard oil. I've had psoriasis now for going on 35 years and I'm now 52 , I have had it bad on my face for most of them years and as we know it's always worse in the winter season , shaving has got so so bad for me or recent I've had to try growing a beard again , as I cannot handle shaving any longer , and I thank you for sharing your post as im going to try almond oil to add moisture to my beard . A couple of questions I need to ask you , are how often to you wash your face with water and to you use tap water ? Where I live the water is too hard with a pH of 9.1 and it sets my face on fire when I wash with it so I'm going to try bottled water with a pH of 7 . Thank you , King regards , Andy.