r/Psoriasis

Hi all, I have never commented on a public thread, but I created a Reddit account just to try to help fellow psoriasis sufferers. At least 70% of my body was covered- ears, scalp, arms, legs, hands, chest, stomach and back. It felt and looked like raw meat, and was incredibly painful. 

I saw three different doctors over six months, including at Mayo Clinic. I was prescribed numerous steroids- oral and topical- as well as other creams and ointments and scalp foam. Nothing worked, and the patches only spread. Some were plaques; others were more like guttate. The doctors started prescribing biologics on top of the creams. One gave me two shots of Dupixent in her office. That just made the psoriasis explode. She then prescribed Icotyde. I was wary of biologics at that point, and decided to hold off. I went to another doctor and she told me that both of those medications were wrong- I needed Bimzelx. Within minutes, her assistant was in the room, warming up the shot in his hands. I realized none of the doctors had taken any bloodwork first to see if I had any existing infections or nutritional deficiencies. Two of them told me I’d be on biologics for life. They didn’t seem interested in finding out the cause, just wanted to treat the symptoms. At this point I was fed up and decided to do my own research, especially after reading about the side effects of the meds.

I am forever grateful for someone on Reddit who recommended magnesium oil spray. This was key to my recovery. It’s really just magnesium chloride flakes and water. Instead of putting on lotions and creams, which seemed to add fuel to the fire, I sprayed this on my psoriasis. It can really sting at first, but I stuck with it. When it dries, it’s very helpful in stopping the itching.

I also took a lot of salt baths, but not Epsom salts- only pure magnesium chloride flakes. I also made a point to get sun for at least 5-10 minutes per day when possible. Both of these really helped a lot. Seawater and even swimming pools seemed to add to the sun’s effects.

My scalp was covered in psoriasis that was so painful and embarrassing with all the white flakes. I also lost a lot of hair. After months of prescription topicals, I tried extra virgin coconut oil, plus some tamanu oil. I covered my scalp every day for about two weeks. I was shocked at how fast almost all of scalp psoriasis cleared. Aloe vera also helped both on my scalp and body.

I also wanted to take in key nutrients to boost my overall health. I flooded my system with good food, including Greek yogurt, kale, avocado, mangos for Vitamin C, fatty fish, etc. I also began taking supplements- D3 and K2, probiotics and prebiotics.

Finally, I would sometimes do a few drops of a THC/CBD tincture, which seemed to calm the inflammation and nervous system. With that low dosage I felt no high or other unwanted effects.

I don’t know which of these had the most impact, but I wanted to list everything I tried, because my psoriasis is almost gone. My husband and I truly can’t believe it. Of course for some people, biologics and pharmaceuticals may be a lifesaver, so I want to stress this is what worked for me. I have experienced a few significant flares since, but I immediately grab the magnesium spray and then get in a magnesium bath and repeat for a few days, to stop the new spots from spreading.

I really hope this can help someone. I want to repay my gratitude to the person who first suggested magnesium spray and sent me searching for natural remedies. I feel like I am starting to have my life back.

Iv spent lots of money on different herbs and creams so im abit skeptical

I feel uncomfortable walking in college or going outside of my dorm bc it is so red and obvious. I made the choice to cut my semi long hair which covered it up before going to college and I regret it greatly, my skin makes it anxiety inducing to even walk around

I’ve been prescribed clobetasol for my hands since nothing else was strong enough. Used it for 2 weeks and my hands cleared up. Now, I just use it here and there when a rash pops up. Anyway, when my doctor prescribed it, she said not to use it above my neck. At the time, I wasn’t having any issues with my scalp or face so I didn’t think to ask why. I’m currently dealing with a few spots around my mouth and under one eye. I’m trying not to use it there, but the urge is strong. I’ve read others use it on their scalp and ears and such. I’m wondering if my doctor said “not above the neck” as a general guideline because people get carried away with the stuff and damage their eyes or something. I’m just wondering if that’s the case or if there’s another reason.

I live in WA (copay accumulator programs are banned) but have CA insurance through work. Cosentyx has hit its copay card cap and I can’t afford to pay my $8500 MOOP, especially not in the span of 3 months which is about when it would all be billed to me.

My derm wants to change me to Skyrizi. The terms state I’m ineligible for their copay card due to my health plan accumulator program.

I just applied for their patient assistance program, that I understand is different from a copay card. I was forthright with my coverage and even wrote a letter (I’m desperate atp).

Has anyone had my situation and come out on top? Will AbbVie help me afford this somehow? Just need my mind eased.

I've had psoriasis since i was 12, and it was mild for seven years, until last year when it covered my entire torso, elbow, and hip. I've been on a strict anti-inflammatory diet but nothing changed. I started birth control for acne and after 4 months it also helped my psoriasis, but then i needed to switch pills and its flaring again. I might have to stop birth control altogether and switch to spironolactone for acne, but my psoriasis will go back to flaring. Steroids don't help, and the things that do are too expensive. I want to try Otezla or biologics, but its completely unaffordable for me even though i live in Canada. I'm 20 years old and I've never even held hands or kissed someone because I'm so hideous. I just want to end it all at this point, and even my parents are disgusted by me. i'm gonna do what i should've done a long time ago and buy a bunch of sleeping pills.

I feel like I'm going crazy and any input would be greatly appreciated. Earlier this year I developed a dust mite allergy. Thankfully summer + using a neti pot helped significantly in decreasing its impact on me (it was really bad during winter and spring).

But I've been doing a big clean of my space these past few days and sweeping caused the allergens to go back in the air and I'm suffering again 🤧

Since they exist from eating dead skin cells and psoriasis gives them an endless amount, I was wondering if you guys had any tips to minimize this issue? I feel so awful 😭🤧

Hi all. Random one!

I’ve been at boomtown for almost a week, a camping music festival in the UK, was not eating healthily and was drinking/taking substances each day (which could usually contribute to a flare up)- it was also a heatwave during the week also and most days were over 30° c and very humid.

Somehow, after the week has ended and I had my much awaited everything shower yesterday, some of the psoriasis patches I have are the best they’ve ever looked. My armpits are almost entirely clear, and my belly button psoriasis which I have been struggling to get rid of for over 2 years, it’s the clearest it has ever been.

Anyone have any ideas on the science behind this…? I’m confused!

The only thing I can think of is that I was a bit rubbish at taking my usual antidepressant medication and ended up missing a couple days. I didn’t think this would have such an affect though!

Very vulnerable post, please be kind.

I've been suffering from psoriasis for about a decade now - back of my head, eyelids, elbows, knees. In the last couple years, I've had it spread to my intimate areas. Both genitals and below. The cream that usually fixes the other areas is.. impossible to apply there. I have female anatomy and I'm quite unsure about putting anything down there, and as far as the other area goes, going to the bathroom makes the cream useless as it's just wiped off. I haven't consulted my GP about this as I'm honestly quite embarrassed. Before I ask them, I thought I'd ask this group if there's anything else I can do? Is there a way to apply the cream so it doesn't get wiped, is there anything that's *not* a cream that I could ask for? Thank you.

Had psoriasis on my back and chest for 20 years, been using dovobet for basically the whole time but now it has spread to my face and neck. Any recommendations on what I should ask the doc for? I’m on a waiting list for uv light therapy but something needs to happen sooner, don’t even wanna leave the house like this :(

In your experience when does guttate slow down?

Has any used any specific treatments to slow it down?

My spots started out tiny and now they are overlapping and morphing into big patches. I honestly feel like my whole body is going to be covered at this rate. I am just entering month three since the first patch.

I was given a steroid cream by my gp and am now awaiting referral to dermatologist which will take up to 3 months. I am in the uk.

It is so so itchy and uncomfortable.

Online it says it will go away on its own but it doesn't look like typical guttate to me.

Please let me know any treatments that worked for you with a psoriasis similar to mine. I can still see tiny spots popping up every day and they are slowly growing into larger patches.

I am not keen to use a biologic and would rather use a natural remedy where possible.

only my face/neck and hands are affected, but my biggest issue overall is the freakin heat. i do shower before, so the scales and flakes aren’t an issue, but i either start feeling itchy shortly after i start sweating (which i don’t notice too much until it hits me after we’re done), or i worry about flaring-up and it sometimes takes me out of the moment mentally. we put on a fan but ofc that only helps so much, as with any physical activity.🫩
and then the skin prep prior to is its own chore, + having to take a bunch of my products along with me when i stay at his place.
i’m also Black so i have hyperpigmentation from the irritation that makes me feel self-conscious. my boyfriend doesn’t care— he thinks i’m sexy, we like the lights on, and we mostly do face-to-face positions— but i’ve always been a lil vain lol, so i can’t help but feel less attractive than if i didn’t have to deal with this mess at all.

anyway…for those of you who are sexually active, what are some ways you make sex more comfortable with psoriasis?✏️📒🧐