A full-scale affliction (My Experience of Psoriasis)

Member Name: wishywalshy

Product:	My Experience of Psoriasis
Date:	09/02/01 (616 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None

Disadvantages: Stigma, discomfort, trails of scales

Psoriasis is an under rated skin condition that affects at least 1% of the nation, yet I see no box here for this embarrassing incurable condition.A
Ahem, I stand corrected, thanks John

Why am I so interested in this subject?
Because I am one of that one percent.

So did you wonder why it had taken so long for me to put my ugly mug on my profile? Because I really don’t appreciate having my photograph taken
That is why I’ve got the funky hanky on my head too.

Initially it appeared when I was 17 after a traumatic event in my life(I won’t go into details).
Firstly fobbed off by my GP with scabies treatment I was pretty downhearted and depressed at thought that I could have done something to prevent it and not only that, I could have given it to other people.
The treatment was painful and completely unnecessary.
The symptoms continued for many months, and many more treatments were tried, all of which failed miserably, and as a last ditch effort I changed my doctor.
After further consultation with the new doctor, the diagnosis was quite different.
It was psoriasis, common and unfortunately not curable, but treatable.

So what exactly is psoriasis?
It is the sebaceous glands in the dermis overworking. A normal persons skin renews itself at a rate of around every 52 days, but in a person with psoriasis this is accelerated, resulting in scale formation in a much faster timescale, approximately 2-5 days.

What causes it?
There is a difference of opinion on this one, some consultants say that it is a defective gene, others that it can follow a throat infection, and others that it can occur after a traumatic experience, none are one hundred percent certain, but it can certainly run in families, although no-one in my family has ever had it, my eldest is starting to have tell tale patches on her body.

You say that there is no cure, can anything be done to alleviate i
t?
The most common treatments seem obscure, but they do work (for a little while anyway).
From the information given to me by my dermatologist sunlight is a great asset, however living in the UK, it is not something we see that often LOL.
Other treatments include coal tar, yes, you read it right.
A pretty yucky smelling concoction, and very black and glutinous, a damn nightmare to get off clothes too.
Ultra violet treatment, in which the harmful rays are excluded, but you still get a great suntan, shame it was my turm in the middle of summer LOL.
The combination of out patient treatment UV lights, tar baths and tar lotion actually saw my entire body clear of this cursed complaint for 6 weeks last year, but as the stress builds, the psoriasis worsens, and within a few weeks I was in a worse state than I had ever been.
The last resort treatment is an injection of Methotrexate, a nasty drug. Absolutely unsuitable for women of childbearing age, it has previously been used in the successful treatment of ectopic pregnancies, and can in the extreme cause liver failure over a large period of use. It is therefore used sparingly.

Are there any side effects to the normal treatment?
Nothing major, the coal tar is photosensitive,(makes you turn orange in real sunlight, and is alleged to be carcenagenic), and you obviously tan quickly, to a fair skinned person that is not too pleasant, in essence you can’t go out on a sunny day, as you are guaranteed to burn, even with sleeves and trousers.
It positively stinks like old tyres, and the body stocking with matching sleeves and tights is none too attractive either.

How does it affect everyday life?
It is very difficult to disguise the flaky trail that a sufferer is guaranteed to leave behind.
Not only is it incredibly irritating, and can be quite painful in colder weather, it is somewhat of a stigma and there are certain lines of employment that consequently are tota
lly out of the question.
I cannot work with chemicals, as any irritation grows to massive proportions.
Would you buy really food from someone with obviously flaky skin?
I thought not.
It is difficult not to scratch, even with the miracles of anti histamine drugs.

Fortunately in my previous line of work, children in my care seemed almost oblivious to it, as when a child asked what was the matter with my hands as long as they were reassured that they could not catch it they simply treated me like any other Play worker, and didn’t ask again.
However, adults unfortunately do not seem to be as forgiving.
Personally, I would rather be asked then stared at.

So is it contagious?
Absolutely not (Try telling that to some people though!)

Are there any factors that trigger a flare up?
Plenty actually, stress and depression is a major contributor, even with anti-depressants it cannot be warded off.

Are there any other health complications as a result of psoriasis?
Unfortunately there are, Psoriatic arthritis, where the scales grow in the joints in your body, causing painful aches and seizing of the joints, knees, elbow hips etc.
Again very little can be done, but I try to avoid too much dairy produce when my joints are playing up, and try to keep the affected areas as warm as possible.
It also makes sufferers quite susceptible to other skin infections, as even with constant moisturising the scales crack and came become infected, foliculitis (sp) is a notorious complaint.

Is it localised to one place?
I wish!!
On my scalp, up my nose, all over my body, and even in my ears, it is more than a pain in the bum.(LOL, scuse the terrible pun, but there too;-).

What about alternative therapies and treatment?
I have tried countless pills and potions, even taken aromatherapy classes in an effort to “help myself”, like so many treatments it often does work, briefly
, and then returns full force and often worse.
Treatments include Aloe vera,that has to be most gross tasting concoction on this planet.
While I was in Jamaica many years ago I was introduced to this spiky plant, which can be split open and spread on the affected areas, this treatment is sticky, and didn't work for my psoriasis, but it did do wonders for my sunburn.
Bach rescue remedy, alleged to relieve stress, didn't work either.
Aromatherapy oils, worked briefly, but never again.
Homeopathy, cost a fortune, and still no joy.

What have you found that makes you more comfortable?
Knowing that I am not the only one.
I would be very surprised if there were not several dooyooers that either have the condition or know of someone who has it.

Keeping fingernails short, as this minimises the damage caused by constant scratching.

I find that non -biological washing powder is less aggravating, as are pure cotton clothes.

Baths rather than showers,and not too hot at that, the treatment requires entire submersion of the affected area.

Polytar shampoo or Alphosyl shampoo and conditioner, smells lousy, but it is very successful at loosening the scales on the head and can reduce the irritability quickly.
It is actually a really good treatment and does provide really shiny manageable hair.

Coal tar soap and coal tar emollient, stings a bit to start, but it is fairly effective as an instant pain reliever.

A good moisturiser is essential, and there is no need to spend a fortune on it either, aqueous cream is great and has a very cooling and soothing effect, which can be added to the bath or simply slapped on all over.

Less attention from others regarding this common complaint, after all it is not them that have to go through the daily routine of moisturising, looking like a joint of beef, being stared at and the like.

Is there anything that I can do to help anyo
ne else suffering from Psoriasis?
Yes, just treat us like anyone else, stare if you must, but please remember, we certainly didn’t chose this affliction, if you are that interested, then ask, the psoriatic person won’t bite your head off, and will probably be quite relieved that you did.

There are associations both online and offline providing information.

“Organisation: Psoriasis Association

Contact: Mrs Gladys Edwards

Phone: 01604 711129
Fax: 01604 792894
E-Mail: mail@psoriasis.demon.co.uk

Address: Milton House
7 Milton Street
NORTHAMPTON
Northamptonshire
NW2 7JS”

Online it is far easier to use a search engine as there are literally hundreds of sites out there raging from support groups to documented cases and personal investigations.

In conclusion, whilst this is not the nicest affliction in the world, it is certainly not the worst, life can and does go on, with or without stares.
It is something that you can live with.

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