Inverse Outbreak

[bluemoon2]

I recently developed inverse psoriasis after a yeast infection. I have a rash around the genital area and a small rash on my chest. Its been about 6 weeks. It has resolved about 80% since I stopped treating it as a yeast infection one week ago and started using topical cortisone cream. I don't want to continue using cortisone indefinitely and, while I am thrilled at the degree of resolution I'd like to see the rest of it go away. What is a reasonable time frame, if there is an average, for such a rash to clear up? Will it clear up by itself? Should I moisturize it? Is it safe to continue to use over the counter cortisone? Is there another good remedy for this type of psoriasis? Before this I used to get a mild itchy patch around the bottom band of my bra during the summer and it would go away when the weather cooled off. I have also had similar itchy rashes in my under arms which, in retrospect they were probably inverse psoriasis.

[RichJ]

hi bluemoon2,
sorry i can't help much but welcome to the p family. you will met some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to meet you. more will come through and help you

have a good night all

richard

[MikeK]

Hi Bluemoon2,

Welcome to the board! :cool: Nice to meet you. I'm sorry to hear that you're going through such a rough time with inverse psoriasis. :(

Several people have posted here that they've gotten relief from inverse psoriasis (especially in the groin area) by treating it with Desitin. (That's right the diaper rash cream.) Here's a link to a thread where they discuss it: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11047&highlight=Desitin. And here's a link to some additional information about the Desitin product that they were discussing: http://www.desitin.com/en/?dsp=22&psp=20. You can also try taking baths with a product like Aveeno Oatmeal Soak (http://www.aveeno.com/detailAction.do?id=3689). Cheaper store brands are available. Peggy (PTener) makes her own oatmeal soak. Here's a link to her recipe: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3003.

I was first diagnosed with psoriasis way back in 1964. I've been using both prescription and over the counter cortisone creams off and on for years. Although I personally have never experienced any problems, I try to use them for only short periods of time -- i.e., no more then two weeks max. It's better to be safe then sorry in my opinion.

Everyone is different. I find that it helps to keep my psoriasis moist.(I have inverse and plaque psoriasis). You might be different, so trial and error is unfortunately the only way to find out if moisturizing will help you. I find that it helps to rotate brands of moisturizer and to use only those moisturizers that are labled "fragrance free", "non-irritating" and/or "or sensitive skin".

I find that the kind of soap and laundry products that I use make all the difference in the world. Anti-bacterial and deoderant soaps, for example, tend to irritate my psoriasis and make it drier and itchier then it already is. I've had similar problems with the dyes and fragrances in detergent and dryer sheets, etc. I haven't had any laundry related problems since I switched to "free and clear" laundry products. (Some people actually reset their washers and run their clothes and towels, etc. through second rinse cycle. I live in an apartment,and have to rely on coin operated laundry equiptment, so that option is not available to me.) And, here's a link to some previous discussions about soap and psoriasis: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/search.php?searchid=566167

I find the it helps to change my underwear several times a day.

I hope this helps.

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

Mike

[cereal]

Hi bluemoon2,

There's no way of telling how long the inverse will last. Everyone is different. Last year I had a horrible case of inverse under my breasts, lasted at least 3-4 months. It just got better little by little. This year there was no inverse in the same area till last week, and with this heat wave we're having I'm miserable. I'm using OTC itch cream, and a powder I found in the baby aisle that has zinc in it. When the skin splits I'm using Desitin or Neosporin. The big thing with inverse is it appears in areas where skin rubs skin. When I had it at the top of my legs I would apply desitin and then put 4x4 (gauze) over it and try to keep the skin from rubbing skin. (I used my underwear to keep the gauze in place). Cool/Cold showers helps me also. Hope this helps!! Hang in there!!

[GitOverIt]

I was told by Dr. Heng* that much of the inverse can be helped with using NO ELASTIC next to the skin...including elasticized slacks...watch the rubber elastic around bras and panties for women and undies for men!
cotton knits are ok...no elastic in them!
also she said much of the dyes in the dark colors cause problems....think Levi's....wash them often when new! or get the prewashed!

Dr Heng*

http://www.dermatologytimes.com/dermatologytimes/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=178388

I have switched to baggy, drawstring slacks around the house...

[robwilliams]

I was just reading/wondering about the longterm use of prescription creams for Psoriasis. I have personally been using Desonide Cream O.O5% and Fluocinonide Cream USP, O.O5% every day for quite some time. I mean for about 20 plus years.

Does anyone know what, if any, are the long term effects from this type of treatment. I realize everyone is different and to date I haven't had any problems that I know of. My Dermatologist and my Rheumatologist have not made any comments.

I never really gave this a thought until I was reading some of your posts.

Any feedback/response would be greatly appreciated.

Rob

[thunderwing]

all i can tell you is that after using my topicals for about a year on my genitals, the skin on my inner thies (that the cream of course rubes off on) is way to thin, i hope now that i've stoped it might thicken back up, but thats just me.

[sergecosta]

I used to suffer from inverse psoriasis. It seems like the less I did to it the better it got. So that means, using minimal soap to clean the area, no rubbing, and believe it or not, hemorrhoidal cream worked great. At the very least, the hemorrhoidal is formulated for one of the most delicate areas of the body and it has properties that reduce the redness (constricts blood vessels) and has a pain-killer and anti-itching properties as well. I use it on my neck sometimes when I get red flaky areas from shaving. I have sensitivities to soaps and cosmetic products that I am sure aggravate and even bring on the psoriasis. I sometimes use Westcort, but very infrequently. If I have to use it, I can pretty much link it to change in detergent or use of too much soap/shampoo. And for me, as I am sure it is for others, it is best not to scratch, as tempting as it may be. My psoriasis definitely worsens if I scratch it.