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[mome22]

I was a member here a while back but hadnt been on in a while. Ive had psoriasis on my face since I was about 16. It got real bad when I had my 1st child. Now 15 years later it seems to be getting worse. I'm not sure if you can have it on your lips but I think I do. I have been getting new spots lately. One that is really bothering me is on my leg, I have it very mild right now which I am very thankful for. I dont have a derm. We moved to another state about 4 years ago and I didnt bother looking for one. I guess my thinking was since I moved to a warm climate maybe it would clear.
I have a cousin who has it also. He is covered I'd say pretty much everywhere. He also has the arthritic type. Can you have the arthritic and not see spots on the joints that hurt? Im wondering because one of my fingers hurts bad and has turned inward at the top knuckle. I hope this is making sense. Tomorrow I am calling to find a doc. I did buy Palmers shea cream for my face, I was using otc psoriasin gel. Its tar based and the smell is horrible.
Im glad I refound this. Anybody have any ideas on covering this up a little? I stopped using makeup years ago because I thought it would make it worse. But the redness is driving me crazy along with the itching.

[chaimFL]

Hey there mome22 and welcome back to the NPF message boards!

Sorry to hear your psoriasis seems to be getting worse...I certainly know how that feels. :(

You mentioned you think you have psoriasis on your lips and I can confirm that is possible, although I don't know if that is the case with you or not. I have no idea how to treat the lips, but I would imagine that using a good lip moisturizer would help some until you have a chance to get to a derm.

You also talked about having pain in one particular joint, but no psoriasis in that particular area. Psoriatic arthritis can occur in the absense of psoriasis on the joint...amazingly it can occur without and skin involvement at all. I may be harder to diagnose without skin lessions, but it is very possible.

Since you are seeing potential joint damage (joint being turned inward) your priority should be to get to a rheumatologist as soon as you can. If it is psoriatic arthritis there are things you can do to slow down or stop any potential progression. The last thing you want is to wait until there is permanent joint damage. Hopefully, it won't be psoriatic arthritis at all, but you need that confirmed.

Lastly you mentioned covering up your psoriasis...here is a recent discussion on that very topic http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20100&highlight=makeup

[MikeK]

Hi Mome22,

Welcome to the Board! :cool: Nice to meet you.

I'm sorry to hear that you have psoriasis on your face. Facial psoriasis is public enemy number one as far as I'm concerned! I agree that psoriasin (or any other coal tar med) smells horrible. There are two prescription medications that are widely used for facial psoriasis -- Protopic and Elidel -- are both approved for eczema but are often prescribed for psoriasis. Unfortunately, both medications were recently given "black box warnings" because of concerns about cancer. At least one person who posts here had to have a kidney removed after he developed cancer. He was using Elidel. :( Here's a link to a recent discussion that includes at least one over the counter suggestion: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20069&highlight=elidel+protopic.

Unfortunately, you can have psoriatic arthritis even if your psoriasis is very mild. :( You don't have to have psoriasis on the joints that hurt. :(

I see that ChaimFL has already given you a link to a discussion about makeup.

Good luck. Keep us posted. Let us know if you have any other questions and please don't be a stranger.

Mike

[tmartha]

Hi, Mome - nice to 'meet' you. I have had scalp p for years and now have a few minor spots - but pa is my main issue.

No - with pa you don't get joint pain just where the psoriasis is. I suppose they can occur in the same areas - but none of my joints have psoriasis.

So it's VERY VERY IMPORTANT that you are call a doctor as soon as you can tomorrow - I'm glad to hear you are planning to do so. You want to see him/her right away - and a rheumatologist as soon as possible. Do you have a general physician or such in that area yet, who can refer you over the phone perhaps? PA can progress very quickly, and I'm worried about you, that your finger is starting to turn inward. Please be assertive about getting in SOON. Sometimes a scheduler/nurse may not know the importance of a quick response (even a doctor may not) - if you have PA and joint damage is occurring you want to get treatment ASAP - so again, being persistent is very important.

I'm sorry I have no info for you on the psoriasis - bag balm is soothing for me, it comes in a square green can. When I sometimes get p on my face (as now) I don't know really how to treat it or cover it, either, so thanks for asking the question - I'll listen in to the answers.

Don't worry - others will be on, too, with more info for you. You're not alone - there is tons of support here and oodles of practical tips and help. Post again soon!

Tani

[tmartha]

Great info already, Mike and Chaim - I seem to have a habit of posting at the same time as others these days so your posts weren't there yet when I was writing. Didn't want to seem to be dismissing you...

[MikeK]

Great info already, Mike and Chaim - I seem to have a habit of posting at the same time as others these days so your posts weren't there yet when I was writing. Didn't want to seem to be dismissing you...No worries, Tani! Great minds think alike!

Mike

[baldwin123]

Hi Mome! You've gotten lots of good info in the previous posts- try to get in to see a rheumatologist and dermatologist soon... you can also call the American College of Rheumatology (404) 633-3777 or www.rheumatology.org/ to locate a rheumatologist in your area... take care, and let us know how things go for you!
Jen

[mome22]

Thank you all so much. I am going to call around today to find a primary doctor and hopefully get in very soon. I noticed my first post was kind of jumping around and not much organized. Sorry I was very tired it was 12:30 am.
Ok heres a little more background that may be significent. My 9 yo son was sent to a geneticist around 2 years ago to be checked for Ehler-Danlos syndrome. Well the geneticist said he had type 3 and he most likely got it from me. It has to do with joints and collagen. Basically hypermobility.
I started going to a chiropractor last year for my headaches, neck, back, basically all joint pain. The chiropractor said if she didnt meet me and just saw my xrays she would have thought that I was much older and couldnt understand how I could move around as much as I do. So Im not sure if it is PA or EDS or both effecting me. But I'll tell you this darn finger is really annoying me to the point I avoid using it.
To tell you the truth I wasnt sure what type of doc to go to for this joint pain. I know alot of people with EDS go to a rheumotologist but since I wasnt officially dx with it I really wasnt sure where to start.
Does anyone else seemed to get depressed when they get a flare? I also seem to get worse when Im in the sun. I am very fair skinned so maybe its from the psoriasin gel being exposed to sunlight. Sorry for rambling.

Thank you all so much for the great advice and if you have anymore please throw it my way :)

~Melissa~

[chaimFL]

Does anyone else seemed to get depressed when they get a flare?

It's very common to get depressed when your skin is flaring. I've a times in past years that I felt like I had lost all hope. For some, the depression will go away when they find a good doctor, get a good treatment regimine, and start to see results. Other people perfer to take the depression problem to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other health care professional to get help via anti-depression medication.

I also seem to get worse when Im in the sun. I am very fair skinned so maybe its from the psoriasin gel being exposed to sunlight.

The sun usually helps clear peoples psoriasis, but some people have a simiar reaction that you seem to have with sunlight making psoriasis worse. A sun burn can turn into psoriasis as a form of the Koebner Phenomenon. Here is what the NPF says about sunburns and the Koebnre Phenomenon:

Avoiding sunburn
While sunlight is generally good for psoriasis, too much can make your condition worse. A sunburn may cause psoriasis to flare. Some people experience a flare of their psoriasis when they injure their skin. This is called the Koebner [keb-ner] phenomenon. You are most likely to experience a Koebner response if your psoriasis is active or if you have a history of flares due to skin injuries. Sunburns can also increase your risk of skin cancer and premature aging.
If you get a sunburn, treat it with cool baths (with oatmeal), bland moisturizers or over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams. Taking aspirin can also help with the pain associated with a sunburn.

Seek medical attention if your sunburn is severe and accompanied by a headache, chills or fever.

If your skin is very fair (as you mentioned) then there may be a more significant chance that sunlight will affect you negatively.

[MikeK]

Hi Melissa,

Some people get worse when they are exposed to sunlight and any coal tar medication (including Psoriasin) can make you photosensitive, which increases your tendency to burn. I respond well to sunlight, but I get worse if I get a sunburn so that may be what your problem is.

It sounds like you need to see a rheumy. I'm going to give you a link to a "must read" post by JesseLou. She discusses the tests that must be ordered and the questions that must be asked whenever PA is suspected> Here's the link to her post: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?p=74786&highlight=question#post74786.

I hope this helps.

Mike

[mome22]

Thank you both so much. Im so glad I came back here to talk to people who understand what its like to live with this. I try to avoid getting sunburn as much as I can but when I go outside for even a half hour it affects my skin.
I just called and got an appointment with a new doctor. My appointment is tomorrow! There is a rheumotologist in the practice also. My first appointment will be with the primary doc and I will go from there. Cross your fingers for me. LOL. I will let you all know how it goes.
Oh ya has anybody tried just going to a tanning salon? If so did it help? I was thinking about it but was afraid it would make it worse. Besides living in Florida with all the sun I thought it may be a waste of money.

Again Thanks

[RichJ]

hi mome22,
welcome back and nice to meet you. sorry i can't help much.

have a good night all

richard

[baldwin123]

Hi Mome,
Glad you are going to see the doctor tomorrow! Will be thinking of you! Let us know how it goes... any joint pain at all can make you more fatigued, and that incessant joint discomfort as well as the continuous skin discomfort can make anyone feel depressed- sometimes I get pain in just one finger too and it eats away at you constantly- feels silly to complain over sometimes, but it really can make me feel down too- its ok to say that something is hurting and that its really annoying to live with- hopefully these docs will help you find the best ways to clear your p and help that finger, neck, back and all feel better... good luck and take care!
Jen

[mome22]

Sorry I havent written back for a bit. I didnt get to go to the doctor. I had to cancel because my husband had my truck. The other car died so I gave up mine so he can work which Im sure you all understand. I did reschedule for the 21st. I hope the other car is fixed by then. I noticed that if I dont look in the mirror I dont feel as bad about myself. LOL. Like I can avoid looking, I do need to fix my hair and stuff. Right now the dryness and flakiness isnt that bad its the redness. I have been using Palmers shea butter and it helps a little with that. But the red spot all over my face is driving me crazy. Oh well. I will keep you all informed on my doctor visit!

[twinieten]

I'm not sure if you can have it on your lips but I think I do. .

What are your symptoms? I've been wondering if my peeling lips are related to my p. I tried upping my B vitamins as I read that peeling lips can be caused by vitamin deficiency. I also use this steroid cream that my dermatologist gave to me as well to try to control it. I'm wondering if it's yeast related, as I have read that candidiasis can also cause peeling lips. Unfortunatly, nothing has really made it go away, but at least it's not as bad as it was! I havent' seen my derm about it yet becuase I'm dealing with DS's p, and his doctors, and it's just not a big enough issue right now.

For those of you who are having "lip issues", or at least the gals out there, I really like Bonnebell Vitagloss, which I've been using for about a month now. I got mine at a beauty supply store called Ulta. I looked at Walmart but couldn't find Bonnebell anything there, and I haven't been in to a pharmacy to see if they sell the brand.

Because it's glossy so I don't know if guys would want to try it, but they do have a less glossy version, which I also bought. Since you can buy it with color, I use it with a little lip liner to replace lipstick, or just plain when I am not wearing make-up.

Just thought I'd share! :D

Drea in AZ

[mome22]

Drea thanks for sharing that. I will try to find that in my area. I'm glad Im not alone on this one. I always chalked it up to being dry lips when I was living in Massachusetts with the cold weather. Now I live in Florida and I still have the problem. That is going to be one of my questions when I go.
My lips are ALWAYS chapped. I then have a habit of biting them. Which of course makes it worse. But I cant help it, it is very annoying to say the least. Ive tried all kinds of lip balm. Chapstick is a joke for me. It just seems to cake on and makes it look and feel worse.

[twinieten]

Drea thanks for sharing that. I will try to find that in my area. I'm glad Im not alone on this one. I always chalked it up to being dry lips when I was living in Massachusetts with the cold weather. Now I live in Florida and I still have the problem. That is going to be one of my questions when I go.
My lips are ALWAYS chapped. I then have a habit of biting them. Which of course makes it worse. But I cant help it, it is very annoying to say the least. Ive tried all kinds of lip balm. Chapstick is a joke for me. It just seems to cake on and makes it look and feel worse.

Going a little off topic here, hopefully a chuckle.... Speaking of caking.... I bought this Burts Bees lip balm to give it a try. Why not, you know? So this stuff is white. I figured it would go on clear, and never bothered to look in a mirror. Well, it went on as white as the stick and talk about enhancing the peeling! :eek: Talk about caking... white peeling lips with caked on white lip balm. Mmmmm, attractive. LOL! I was fortunate that after using this stuff for over a week, someone finally told me about my white-ish problem. So while on your quest for the perfect lip product, avoid all things white.

Also, I tried this stuff from Victoria's Secret. It was supposed to plump the lips and, well, it felt all tingly when i put it on, which felt good, so I bought it in pink. One application, fine. But further applications left it's residue so I ended up with blue peeling lips, peeling skin taking on this irridescent glow! Something blue-ish in the tint, I guess. Another :eek:! Again, I wore this stuff for months before the same woman told me "you need to stop using that stuff. You look dead. Your lips are blue." ROFL! I wouldn't recommend it.

Now whenever I try something new, I make sure to use it when I know I'm going to see this woman becuase she's pretty much the only one who will tell me when it's not good!

Bonnebell, I have less impulse to pick at my lips and wipe off the skin. I just don't want to irritate it and make it worse, so I try to avoid the constant "exfoliation" of my lips. It does have a tendency to feel sticky, but since it seems to control the peeling and soothe my lips, I can deal with that!

Drea in AZ :rolleyes:

[mome22]

LOL.. Thanks for that. It seems neverending huh. It took a week for someone to tell you? That may have caused some embarrassment for me. Its good to have that one person to count on that will tell you straight out when something isnt working for you. Or the one that will tell you that your zippers down. LOL.
I am going to try that Bonnebell. Wont hurt right?

Thanks again :)