Basic Plaque Treatment Advice Needed

[Gossipmommy]

Hello. First time poster here. My husband has severe plaque psoriasis. He is 35 and has had it for about 20 years. He has a GREAT attitude about it. He really does not let it bother him. But we are going on a very nice vacation to Hawaii and he is willing to try improving his psoriasis before we go. However, he is not very pro-active about doing it. So I am doing some of the leg work for him. I am in need of some basic info and would love any suggestions.

Here is what we are trying. He is doing UVB treatments through a tanning salon (the owner has psoriasis). We also just got an Rx for Dovonex. But, here's what I am wondering. Everyone talks about moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. But my hubby seems to be bothered by a lot of mosturizers or then says they make it worse (more itchy). My guess is that he is not using them enough? On a good day, it's once a day, but more usually like every other day. What about an in the shower moisturizer? What is easy? What works?

Also, the doctor mentioned using Saran Wrap with the Dovonex. Any suggestions there?

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

[docmks]

Hi there,

There are others here with more experience with P than me, but recently I had some very thick, large plaques all over my ankles, and numerous smaller sites on my wrists and legs. My derm saw a picture of my ankle and prescribed cordran tape. It is a medicated transparent tape that you place over the plaques for several days and then remove. The plaques are sort of absorbed, or broken down, and some comes off when the tape is removed (sounds painful but it isn't). IT helps the dead skin slough off as well. So this might be something that your husband might want to try for larger areas of plaque.

That's one idea to consider. I am sure others will be along with their suggestions as well.

Welcome to the boards and good luck with this!

MK

[twinieten]

My son's derm gave him a salicylic acid cream once which is supposed to soften the plaques so the medicine is better able to penetrate.

Has your husband tried other topicals? Dovonex never worked very well for us.

[RichJ]

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

have a good day all

richard

[MikeK]

Hi Gossipmommy,

Welcome to the Board! :cool: Nice to meet you. Thanks for being there for you husband. :)

You asked:But, here's what I am wondering. Everyone talks about moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. But my hubby seems to be bothered by a lot of mosturizers or then says they make it worse (more itchy). My guess is that he is not using them enough? On a good day, it's once a day, but more usually like every other day. What about an in the shower moisturizer? What is easy? What works?I've had psoriasis since 1964. It took me a long time to find a moisturizer that didn't sting and that didn't leave me feeling greasy. (It was a matter of trial and error. I bought the smallest bottles of moisturizers that I could find while I was experiementing.) Here's what worked for me:

I find the it helps to use only those moisturizers that are labled "fragrance free", "non-irritating" and/or "for sensitive skin"; The most effective moisturizer I've ever used is a prescription moisturizer called Lac-Hydrin (http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/lac1641.shtml) (the generic version Lac-Lotion) is just as good. (I understand that there's an over the counter version, but I've never tried it.) Lac-Hydrin doesn't leave me feeling greasy. The bad news is that Lac-Hydrin stings very, VERY badly if there are any cracked or opened lesions. :eek: I therefore hardly every use it. I like Palmer's Fragrance Free Cocoa Butter formula. I sometimes use Palmer's Shea Butter Formula. It has a slight fragrance. (http://www.etbrowne.com/products/Category.aspx?CategoryID=1); I like Eucerin (http://www.eucerinus.com/products/hb_original.html) (I prefer the one that comes in a pump bottle) I sometimes use Aquaphor Healing Ointment (http://www.eucerinus.com/products/hb_aho.html).

MK's suggestion to use Cordran Tape is a good one. Here's a link to a very old thread that discusses how to use it: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2967&highlight=cordran+tape and here's a link to the thread that's mentioned in original discussion: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2959&highlight=cordran+tape. And here's a link to some additional information about it: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic2/fluran.htm.

Some people find that taking very long baths (two plus hours) several times a weeks helps remove their scales. Here's a link to a very old thread where several people who no longer post here discuss their experience: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3351.

You asked: Also, the doctor mentioned using Saran Wrap with the Dovonex. Any suggestions there?There's actually a name for that procedure. It's called occlusion. I lightly wrap the area in saran wrap and use a bandage to hold it in place. Here's a link to a very informative description of occlusion: http://www.psorsite.com/docs/occlusion.html.

Finally, I find that the kind of soap and laundry products that I use makes all the difference in the world. Antibacterial and deodorant soaps, for example, tend to irritate my psoriasis and make it drier and itchier then it already is. I've had similar problems with detergent and dryer sheets, etc. I haven't had any laundry related problems since I switched to "free and clear" laundry products. And, here's a link to some previous discussions about psoriasis and soap: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=13629.

I hope this helps.

Good luck. Keep us posted. Let us know if you or your husband have any other questions.

Mike

[nesielheum]

Hello. First time poster here. My husband has severe plaque psoriasis. He is 35 and has had it for about 20 years. He has a GREAT attitude about it. He really does not let it bother him. But we are going on a very nice vacation to Hawaii and he is willing to try improving his psoriasis before we go. However, he is not very pro-active about doing it. So I am doing some of the leg work for him. I am in need of some basic info and would love any suggestions.

Here is what we are trying. He is doing UVB treatments through a tanning salon (the owner has psoriasis). We also just got an Rx for Dovonex. But, here's what I am wondering. Everyone talks about moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. But my hubby seems to be bothered by a lot of mosturizers or then says they make it worse (more itchy). My guess is that he is not using them enough? On a good day, it's once a day, but more usually like every other day. What about an in the shower moisturizer? What is easy? What works?
Also, the doctor mentioned using Saran Wrap with the Dovonex. Any suggestions there?
Any other ideas?
Thanks!Hello Gossipmommy,
You have already gotten a great deal of useful information and suggestions from several of our astute members. :) Personally, I am not a big fan of using commercial tanning booths as a treatment for psoriasis, however, there are many members here that swear by them as being both safe and effective. My reservations come from a fear of melanoma, a condition that I have seen too many friends and family go through. :( One thing to consider when tanning, either with natural sunlight or at a tanning salon is to try to remove all plaques prior to exposure to the UV rays. This may mean a long soaking bath in aveeno or other exfoliating/moistuizing bath additive just prior to exposing the skin to the (hopefully) healing UV rays. This will allow the rays to penetrate the skin without interference from the shielding plaques, and get to the cells where the UV rays can do the most good.
He may not want to use any heavy moisturizer until immediately after the tanning sessions and one very mild and effective moisturizer that I recommend to use after the tanning session is the "original" Eucerin creme (see picture below). I too am sensitive to many commercial moisturizing products, even those that claim to be " :confused: Natural :confused: (http://www.criticalenquiry.org/theory/natural_lie.shtml)" and I find that Eucerin creme is the best, and most effective, non-greasy, non-staining, mild, and easy to apply moisturizer on the market today (for me anyway) :o .
Anyway, have a Great Vacation in Hawaii :)
Aloha!!!!!

[JKNY]

My derm precribed a 40% Urea creme ( it's not gross as it sounds). It removes the scales so that the UVB or whatever other medication that is used can get to work quicker and more efficiently.

IF it's for a short term you may want to ask the dr about a high potency steroid. They can work wonders for awhile but ultimately seem to stop working or sometime the P can come back worse. But for a one shot deal like this, it may be a good move. Ask for Olux.

[mystery]

One of my treatments is Dovonex ointment, and that works for me. However, it takes longer for Dovonex to start working so your husband may want to try something quicker or in combination with, before your trip: steroid based cream or foam (cyclocort/amcinonide, or olux). These have a tendency to thin the skin so be sure to apply only on the lesions.

Also, if the derm hasn't already indicated, try to apply the topicals after the light treatment so they don't block the rays. If you must apply before, do so at least 3 hours prior.

[lpagano]

I also have a problem with moisturizing lotions, they seem to make my p more itchy and redder. I find that using Cetaphil Cream helps with both itch and flaking. It is best to apply while the skin is still damp, like after a shower or bath.