Just bad dandruff: Who are you kidding? (My Experience of Psoriasis)

Member Name: jammaker49

Product:	My Experience of Psoriasis
Date:	13/01/02 (538 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Betnovate sooths and cools

Disadvantages: Can cause skin thinning if used for prolonged periods

For as long as I can remember, I have suffered from an itchy scalp which seemed to come and go when I was younger. Then about ten years ago, it seemed to suddenly get worse. After I had washed my hair, my scalp would tighten, and the top layer of skin would thicken as it dried, and flake off in huge, thick lumps.

Eliminating the obvious causes, like nits, I then proceeded to go through virtually every dandruff shampoo on the market. Nothing helped. My scalp got itchier, the flakes got thicker, and my collar was permanently white from the flaking caused by the scratching. I was at my wits end with it sometimes. It was beginning to keep me awake, and was also becoming very sore. But not being ill, one is reluctant to seek the doctor's advice. Foolish really!

My suffering came to a head when my eyelids began to skin and crack, and the insides of my ear canals would peel where the skin dried out and flaked. Not realising the three things were connected, I initially went to the doctor regarding my eyelids, which were so sore and dry. I was taken by surprise when he diagnosed psoriasis of the scalp as the cause of all the problems.

Apparently, I would inadvertantly scratch my scalp, then without realising it, rub my eyes, or touch my ears, transmitting the skin problem to these other parts. By treating the scalp, hopefully the other problems would also be treated.

I was prescribed Betnovate scalp lotion, to be rubbed into the affected areas of the scalp three times a day. The first time I used this I nearly leapt through the ceiling! It was sheer agony on the already raw parts of my scalp. For three days I dreaded using the stuff, cringing before it had even touched my skin, knowing the agony that would ensue, and remain unabated for at least five minutes. I think the doctor should have warned me about this beforehand!

After a few days, it no longer stung, but began to feel cool and soothing. And the itching was beginning t
o subside, as were the peeling eyelids and dry ears, even though I was using no medication on these areas. Gradually too, the dandruff (which wasn't dandruff) began to get thinner, and less noticeable.

I continued with this treatment for over a month until at long last, I was itch and pain free, my eyes were no longer half closed from dry skin, and I wasn't forever trying to scratch inside my ears, where I couldn't reach anyway!

I was also advised to use a very mild shampoo rather than one containing a lot of chemicals to combat dandruff. I didn't HAVE dandruff. It was the psoriasis causing the problem.

I no longer use the Betnovate all the time. There are times when the problem flares up, and I have to resort to the treatment for a while. I can usually tell when this is necessary because my lids still flare up too. I try not to use it for too long, as prolonged exposure to topical steroids (which is what Betnovate is) can cause the skin to thin. But there are times when I just have to resort to it, or go mad with the itching.

What caused it in the first place? I have never coloured my hair, have never had a perm (my hair is curly enough without it) and apart from shampoo and an occasional conditioner, never use anything else on my hair. I don't even use gels or hairspray, and never have done.

The only things that I can put it down to are these:

1) I use a latex foam pillow and have done since I was young. Does my head sweat at night and create some sort of irritation? If it does, I can do nothing about it as feathers are banned from my house due to asthma.

2) I once had my head shaved at the back rather than cut: it did sting as it was being done. Did this set up an irritation?

3) I remember having the dry, peeling eyelids as a child of about 14. Was this the start of the psoriasis, even though I was not aware of it at the time on my scalp?

I will probably never kn
ow what set it off originally. I will probably never be completely free from the problem. Stress can sometimes set it off. But at least now I know what it is. At least now I can alleviate the symptoms before they drive me mad.

And the coup de gras is that I no longer have flakes of skin as big as finger nails sitting on my collar!

Thank God for Betnovate!

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