New here looking for advice

Hey, I use body shop products. I don't use the shampoo though. The conditioners and hair masks are amazing for my scalp and for softening my hair. I was told to avoid Sodium Laureth/Lauryl Sulfates... which unfortunately are in a lot of shampoos, shower gels, bath foams etc etc.... I would recommend using the Ginger Conditioner, as Ginger is an natural antiseptic and it can reduced the flakes (I know it does with mine)- also buy the Ginger hair/scalp serum from Body Shop too. If you have a Poundland/Bargain Buys/Home Bargains in your town you can buy shampoo and conditioners for as little as a pound. The shampoo do not have the SLS we are told to avoid. They also do a ginger shampoo without the SLS... I use it and its amazing. Also you can buy over the counter (or get it prescribed) a antifungal shampoo to use for 2 weeks. It should help reduce the dandruff that comes with the flaky scales. I also use a hair/scalp scrubber brush. I use it with circular motions on my dry hair and scalp to loosen any flakes etc... and then when I wash my hair, I put my shampoo and conditioner on and I use it into my scalp to get the products onto my scalp.

Thank you for the reply I will try the scalp scrubber brush I use the body shop ginger shampoo and ginger serum ill try the conditioner as well I did i read about avoiding certain chemicals and have tried a few different products it seems to be a trial and error. my only issue is that it does seem to be spreading and I'm not sure theres much I can do to stop that. My specialist has advised I will be seen by a dermatologist but will probably not be for at least 6 months because of covid

I’m not surprised there’s a link between taking steroids and a flare-up of your psoriasis. I developed psoriasis for the first time just over two years ago at the age of 63. I’d had to take steroids for the first time for a very bad chest infection with breathing difficulties, and the psoriasis developed straight after that. I was given three consecutive courses of the steroids piecemeal until my symptoms improved, and wasn’t told to decrease taking the steroids gradually. I then read that if you suddenly stop taking a course of steroids it can send your immune system into overdrive, which could account for the psoriasis, certainly in my case anyway, when I had the palmar plantar type due to the overproduction of skin cells. So you could try decrease taking the steroids more gradually and see if that helps prevent flare-ups.

Hi there, I’m pretty new on here too but this is a great resource for us all; especially in these difficult times - it’s impossible to get a referral right now. I have scalp p and it also effect one ear canal (yep, inside the ear. I get tinnitus on a regular basis as a result). I’ve been reading about the body shop ginger range and I think that’s definitely worth a go. I’m going to try that as i’m currently having a bad flare up. Winter is often the worst season as we are prone to vit D deficiency, which is why some of us fare better in the summer months and have used light therapy (didn’t work for me, sadly). I’ve lived with my p for over 30 years and had various lotions and potions. During a bad flare up steroid treatments/ immunosuppressants can work well to get your symptoms under control- BUT- as many in here will concur, they can all cause problems long term or become less effective. The best long term solution is to try to minimise your triggers. For me stress is a biggie. My husband has been diagnosed with cancer during this covid wave and had surgery last month, so it’s hardly surprising i’m sore and flaky! Lack of sunshine/vit D is a factor - so winter will need extra pampering. And try looking at what you eat. We all have certain foods that help/don’t help. Sugar, wine & dark chocolate (my favourite thing in the world ) triggers flare ups. I still have partake of these ( i’m only human) but i know if i go mad, i’ll suffer for it. Something that works for me, and is super easy/convenient (it’s bound to be in most people’s kitchen) is extra virgin olive oil. It’s very soothing and naturally anti inflammatory. I pop a drizzle in a ramekin dish and use a cotton bud to get right onto the sore bits then i get my fingers in there and massage it over the entire surface before bed. It really helps with the itchy cycle. You can also pop a couple of drops of tea tree oil in. Massage in and shower i. the morning. Worth a try?? Also check out the blueberries chat on here. I’m giving that a go... nothing to loose ...except skin scales! The most important advice is to look after yourself- pay attention to yourself. Good luck with it take care & stay safe

Hi thank you for the replys I do decrease my steroids gradually I've been on them for over 30 years and unfortunately even after doing it this way it still seems to flare up but I'm trying new things and seeing what else makes it worse better. Redali31 so sorry to here about your husband no wonder you stressed I hope since his op you can destrees a bit and you can fight it. I do think the body shop ginger ranger works and have recently got a cbd facial oil that seems really good so far I do get vitiam d Injections as I've been vitiam. D deficit for a few years now my specialist did say she wasn't supprised I ended up with psoriasis I have got this little circle brush that gets right down to the roots will give the olive oil a try. I to have tinitus with this and doc has provided anti sickness tablets as sickness is really bad for my other condition. I will look at blueberry chat and going to try monitoring my diet and see what does and doest effect it I find behind my ears seems to be the most annoying

Hey redial, I also have it in both my ears, as well as at the back of them and it really irritates me, I have also been experiencing hear loss but similar to tinnitus. So not full hearing loss, but noises can become so distorted they hurt my ears. And I have constant ringing in them too so I struggle to hear.

blimey Lindz that sounds bad. Both ears is no fun. I’ve had it in the one ear in/off for a few years now. It began behind then spread to the top of the ear (upper rim?). It was pretty gross- i could peel strips of the top in long layers. I think i used Elocom to knock that back (steroid) and it thankfully disappeared. However the ear canal is always flaring up. It seems set to stay. Have you ever used a little spray? I can’t remember what it was called but it was prescribed once and the little pump/nozzle was very handy. It was an anti inflammatory and really helped. These days i splodge in a bit of what ever steroid ointment i happen to have in the drawer and give it a squidge about (very technical obvs!) and leave it overnight. That usually knocks it back sufficiently for a while after a few days of peeling skin !! What meds/ treatments have you tried? The tinnitus is a pain. I can’t imagine having it in both ears. I’d be wearing headphones all day! You have my deepest sympathy.... 😒 jeez!

justzz thanks so much for your kind words. Yes, it’s been a difficult time but we’ve turned a corner thankfully. We’ve all had a tough year... not conducive to calm skin or scalp!! You take care of yourself and good luck with the olive oil. It certainly helps it to feel less tight/hot and it’s easier to shampoo out than coconut oil. Take care & stay safe x P.S thanks for input. I like the sound of your scalp brush... i’ll look out for one. The steroid hamster wheel is worry... i try to manage with natural aids and diet etc but i’ve yet to find a non steroidal gel/ointment that will tackle a bad flare up with decent results. I’m open to ideas from anyone on here though... same as the rest of us. Let me know how you get in with olive oil. Fingers crossed for you