Scalp psoriasis affecting daily life, even what I wear..

[Evey]

I have scalp P, P in my ears, and in..err some places that I don't expect. I've been reading about psoriatic arthritis, due to the fact that my SI joint has been inflammed due to a failed 23 week pregnancy.
Anyhow, I was soooo desperate, having psoriatic flakes fall onto whatever I was doing--on my computer, on any place I sit at. I can't even wear dark clothing. In desperation, (I wouldn't advise this, but ugh I was at the end of my rope!) I decided to pull a GI jane and shave my head. :) For about 6 months I had no problems with scalp psoriasis, I used Clobex and protopic on the lesions, and they shrank.
Now, my father in particular, is insisting I let my hair grow back. He claims he's never seen my scalp psoriasis, even though everyone else has seen the flakes in car seats, wherever I sat, on my clothes. I'm about to tell him, after he complained I look like I'd gone through chemotherapy, "I'd rather look like that than have a snow of flakes following me wherever I go."
I'm working as a pharmacy technician, and frankly, I don't know what to do. I'm worried the flakes will contaminate where I'm working, it will be harmful. My hair is growing back, and unfortunately, so are the scales and lesions. My doctor refuses to give me any systemic medication on the fear I may get pregnant again (the only way I can conceive is through in-vitro fertilization, and it's truly up to me when to start a cyle, if I ever do want to). My mom says it's "just nerves" but then she says everything's nerves with me. If it's just "nerves", how come it cleared away when I did shave my head? :)
I don't know what to do here. I'm about to ask my doctor if I can try cyclosporine. Is there anything else I can do?

edit: to add, I had inverse psoriasis while I was pregnant, to the point that the ob/gyn was concerned if a C-section was to be done, the incision would get infected afterwards. I've had a surgical scar gotten infected before and it's been treated with ke-flex. I was given an ointment that also controlled yeast infections as well. Now that I'm not pregnant, I've had no issue with inverse psoriasis.

thank you in advance,

Evey

[JesseLou]

You have a lot of guts, and I admire you for it. I think you should shave your head again - it sure beats taking a lot of systemics with side effects, and I'll bet you look great!

[Gemstar]

One quick, easy, and inexpensive (about $.99) step that I have found helpful is Suave Coconut Conditioner. Rubbing it on the scalp really helps to soften the scales. I leave it on overnight and wash it out in the morning.
I hope you find more permanent answers. There is a lot of good info on this site.

"MAY YOU WEAR BLACK".

[Evey]

Jesse-Lou: hehe, thanks! I thought it looked great, especially in the summer (I'm from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and it sure gets cold up here! My main worry is where I'm working, I sure don't want those flakes getting into the prescriptions :( I have two sets of uniforms, both are scrub sets.. one is spruce green (dark) and the other is lagoon (light green). The pharmacy I'm in is a non-retail one in a nursing home. When I had shaved my head, I used a mix of Clobex and even rubbed protopic on. It seemed to work fine, combined with exposing the lesions to the air.

Gemstar: I have an Rx product called derma-smoothe F/S, meant to be worn for four hours with shower cap on or overnight, but it's got this ugly cloying smell. I think I'd love to try the suave coconut conditioner. It probably smells way better than the Rx product.

I love wearing black (I've a bit of a taste of wearing Gothic when going out for formal wear), but casually even, I prefer dark clothing :). of course, I have to hide them because otherwise, my cats (and one of is black, too, lol) love to sleep on my clothes! :)

Evey

[Gemstar]

I have used DermaSmooth too for many years. It does seem to work well but it, like many of these products, is so messy and does smell bad. I can't seem to sleep with a "shower cap" on my head. I found that with longer hair it was so hard to wash out my hair was breaking off. Good reason to shave your head!!!!
I feel for your situation and your concern about your workplace.
I have 2 cats and cats and black don't go together well. (unless they are black cats). :)
If you have a moment, check out my post (poem) today under Community Forum - P and PA poems.

[Dulane]

Evey,

I am gonna second Gemstar's advice about the Suave Naturals Conditioner. It sure works for me, but it took about a week to really see the change. (I shampoo every 2 days or so.) I only leave it on for an hour tho, not all night. And the different varieties have fragrances that you can pick and choose according to your tastes. The coconut is not too overpowering.

It is odd that the Suave products work. It isn't the 'herbal' ingredients...its the conditioner base that descales. Because the herbal extracts are different with each of those products. I'm trying to figure out just which chemicals do the trick.

I went from seriously nasty scalp P to what I'd consider a case of mild dandruff.

I really don't get where your folks are coming from. It is funny that how we wear our hair can cause outreageous reactions in other people. I think it would have more to do with whether your employers care. Have you told a supervisor about your concerns?

To each their own about what image you want to portray to the world.

:rolleyes:

[LillyPie]

I know what you mean when you say flakes were everywhere. We have a dark blue couch - when I would get up from sitting there... it was covered in flakes. It was so embarassing. I really missed the dark clothes, too. I like wearing browns and blacks. I'm now on Enbrel and completely clear. Good luck to you - just wanted to let you know that I understand.

[Danceswithcats]

I bought the Lavander scented kind of Suave conditioner. I thought it was a little bit too perfumy and might try the cocconut scented. I agree, it's a good conditioner.

Dancer

[Dulane]

RE: the Suave Naturals...I think the Lavender had a better affect on my scalp. But I'm gonna keep experimenting.

And I don't use it as a conditioner, I use it as a pre-shampoo scalp treatment.

It is hard to say about effectiveness, because I've only been using it for 6 weeks or so. I don't know anything regarding long-term use.

:fingerscrossed:

[Jillian1507]

Scalp p stinks the most.....I can't wear my hair how I'd like.....Those hot sunny days, I'd like to put it up in a ponytail w/o having to feel embarrassed. Anyways, I'm currently trying alternative treatment and soaking my head at night with baby oil. My scalp p right now is ok - not great....definitely been much worse. I pray everyday that I'll be normal again before I got this stupid crap. I just don't understand what we've done to deserve something like this - sorry, it must be a little pity party tonight for me...LOL