Hi, my son has developed serious psoriasis which covers his entire body. He’s been to his GP, who referred him to their own internal dermatology specialist, who recommended E45, amongst other creams and shampoos. He has recently gone back to the doctors as his condition is not getting any better and his doctor said e45 is not suitable. He’s seems to be getting conflicting advice and is now getting extremely depressed. As a parent, I feel so helpless. Are there any specialists that people recommend where I can refer him to? .A friend of his who has psoriasis was referred to a specialist in Guys and St Thomas’s in London, but his GP can’t/won’t refer him. Any help would be much appreciated, thank you
You say your son saw the GPs internal Dermatologist specialist. Was this a consultant or a Gp with a dermatology interest?
Posted Sat 6 Mar 2021 09.10 by MikeyP
I’m not sure to be honest, sorry. It just seems like he’s going round in circles and gradually getting more and more depressed. I genuinely fear for his mental well-being as well, as this condition seems to be consuming his life :-(
I appreciate your concerns. From my own experience, NHS dermatology has long waiting lists especially in current climate. I am still on the lists. However, I bit the bullet and went down the private route and got sorted. You mentioned your sons friend saw a dermatologist at Guys. Is it worth finding out his name and seeing if he is in private practice???
Posted Sat 6 Mar 2021 09.46 by MikeyP
Thank you for your reply. Yes, going the private route is definitely something we will need to look at. I presume it’s just a case of doing a search online or is there a list of accredited/approved dermatologists?
Recommendation or search for dermatlogists at your local hospital. Then Google the individuals and check them out. There will be reviews. Or ask your gp practice. Good luck.
Always a good idea to check out any suggestions for private dermatologists. You can Google names online of recommendations. Someone who has an NHS appointment as a hospital consultant and private work as an addition at least has some known standing. I think there is a formal professional association of Dermatologists - which lists names and where they work which you can check against. .
Recommendation is probably best but still check it out. I doubt the person seen at GP practice was a consultant dermatologist - and that is the level needed.
As Happychappy posted, check out dermatologists at local hospitals to see which have private practice too.
But your GP should refer your son to a consultant. It is his right. GPS are "general practitioners" - as their job title says. Specialists are just that and have far more knowledge and hopefully ongoing interest to keep up to date. By all means go on a waiting list for a hospital consultation but in the meantime, if you can afford, see someone privately. And hopefully someone who is also NHS can give your son NHS prescriptions as private prescriptions can be pricey. Or if the private consultant writes after to your son's GP as well as your son, the GP can prescribe.
Good luck to your son.
Thank you for such a comprehensive reply Clari, and thank you to everyone for taking the time to send me your suggestions I really appreciate it. I will certainly do some research into dermatologists in his local hospital and hopefully get him seen privately. Thank you again
Hi just wanted to let you know of a natural remedy that I use to help clear up my psoriasis, I still have flare ups especially in winter, but anyway it’s lemon sliced up and dabbed onto the psoriasis get all the juices on there and use peel to massage slightly it’s stings like crazy but it really does help for me anyway and to get some moisture I use olive oil or aquaeous cream. Hopefully it works for your son xx
Hi Mikey,
Please get your son a vitamin d3 deficiency test, if he has low levels in his blood he will need some strong supplements to reverse his deficiency. Ones that you can't buy in a pharmacy, shop or supermarket.
Also make sure he takes multivitamins as well.
Tell him to keep his chin up, I know its hard but this condition can be managed. I've personally been to hell and back so I know how he feels.
I've been in remission for months now and it was something as simple as £20 in supplements which is hard to believe with all these drugs and creams you hear about.
Remember psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder, the body needs repairing from the inside out.
My thoughts are with you both.
Posted Sat 13 Mar 2021 08.41 by MikeyP
Thank you for your reply, it’s much appreciated. Where can he get a test vitamin d3 test? I’ve seen in a previous reply that blueberrys are also good, so I was going to try those as a supplement as well (he’s not a great eater of fresh fruit, which doesn’t help!). Fingers crossed these things help ease his symptoms. Thanks again :-)
Posted Sat 13 Mar 2021 15.08 by Northerner21
A doctor will check his blood for vitamin d3 levels if you can pop in or book an appointment for it. Here is a great video by Dr. John Campbell about vitamin D deficiency in the UK
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwaq4oRnpjY
Good luck
The e45 cream doesn't even include steroids. If the psoriasis is persistent then steroid salves are kinda standard, followed by methotrexate and in 3rd place biologicals such as Tremfya.
Note that P is affected by stress and environmental factors which are not yet well understood. Your GP should refer you to a dermatologist.
It is a life long affliction. He will have to learn with it I'm afraid. My dermatologist told me as much.
Posted Mon 15 Mar 2021 16.52 by MEL 53
Hi Mikey
I cant believe the response was E45 ! not that it is not ok but its just an emollient . Im guessing your son in in his teens which is the worst time to get problem skin - except Psoriasis is more than that its systemic your sons skin cells reproduce 33 times faster than " normal" . I have had psoriasis since I was 14 am now in my late sixties I also had psoriatic arthritus a couple of times. You so need help -qualified help I wasfortunate enough to live in an area with an enlightened dermatology unit- they worked with me cream on 5 times a day - nope not happening does not work with my job / family situation methotrexate - no Not taking tablets . The point is they listened to me . I too have been covered from head to foot . The only treatment that has worked for me is Puva light treatment which I kept for the times its really bad. The main thing is your son is an individual and needs proper assessment and emotional support . I would ditch the G.P but I know that's not always possible to change. But if he wont refer you properly I would. I would also maybe just go to A and E and ask for help - you certainly should not have to pay but you could pay for an initial consult at an NHS hospital so that you get seen . My heart goes out to you .But just remember although there is no cure at the moment it can be controlled but your son needs his own treatment plan. Just for info my skin responds to sun and sea water I now live at the coast and swim when possible - I know thats not helpful in lockdown Also when you are young its catch 22 you dont want to strip off with psorasis. Stay strong and good luck . You are not alone with this.
Posted Fri 26 Mar 2021 06.54 by Tess 58 years
So sorry to hear about your son's treatment. Hopefully a specialist dermatologist will prescribe something helpful.
I wonder if they might also suggest something to support his mental health? He might well say he 'doesn't want to talk to anyone' but I think there are on line CBT programmes for people with psoriasis which may help, depending on his age. Good luck.
Posted Fri 26 Mar 2021 18.52 by Leila
Hi. I really feel for you with this one as I've has psoriasis since childhood and my teenage son has it badly on his scalp.
I really want to echo what others have said about the importance of seeing a dermatologist and getting a personalised treatment plan as everyone is different and responses are so varied.
I do also think though that there is a lot to be gained from looking after the whole you, as someone else said psoriasis is an autoimmune condition and supporting your immune system and being generally well definitely helps. I am much improved since taking vitamin d supplements, I also eat a lot of blueberries and take a probiotic, all of which help.
My son has to use Dovobet periodically when his scalp flares up but his scalp is much improved since switching to Ginger Scalp care shampoo and conditioner from The Bodyshop. Much less inflamed and scaley than before.
I hope some of the things suggested on this forum help as I know how upsetting it is as a parent to watch your child go through the mental torment of a huge flare up. Good luck
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Posted Sat 6 Mar 2021 08.46 by MikeyP
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