Hello - We're New

[PJ Leary]

Hi There

I have just joined so am a bit new to this.

Amy & I posted a message on the Kids forum the other day and it was suggested by Laura (thank you) that I register so, here we are.

This is a copy of the message Amy wrote on the kids boards - since then she has been hounding me to log on and see if anyone has replied to her coz she wants to have some "pen pals" she can talk to about her spots!!!!!

"Hello I'm Amy and I am 6 1/2yrs old and I live in Scotland.
My Doctor has just told my mum that I have Psoriasis and not Excema which they said it was since I was a baby.
I have some spots on my face, arms, legs and body. The ones on my elbows get really itchy and I keep scratching (but I try not to) and my mum puts lots of Aveeno Cream on me.
I love Ballet and listening to music (especially Westlife, A1, Steps and S Club7).
At school I love doing Maths and shared-reading when the bigger girls and boys come down to our class and we read books together.
I better go now - we haven't been on this web site before and are away to look at the puzzles and stories."

I am going to take Amy back to the Dr's this week and demand we be sent to a Dermatologist (though my hubby is sceptical). We have been told for years that these spots and things are just infections and will clear up with the steroid cream or anti-biotics they give us, and they do eventually, but they keep coming back.

Since the doctor said last week she thought it was psoriasis I have been really mad. Amy's skin is generally really good as long as it is kept moisturised (except where the spots are) and today she has come to me in tears coz of the state of her face and saying it hurts a lot and is sore behind here ears - to which it has now spread.

Is there anything I can do to alleviate the immediate discomfort she is in - I have given her Calpol and Piraton Syrup to help with the itching but I feel really useless and don't know what to do as no-one in either my or my husbands family has this.

Thanks for letting me moan.

Mandy

[planetadams]

Hi Mandy,
I feel your pain and it is okay to moan. Especially since we can't get down around our girls.
My daughters name is Alyssa and she apparently has had psoriasis for a while. She was diagnosed last year after having strep throat for the first time and breaking out all over her body.
She like your daughter is a dancer. This is really hard since most ballet and dance costumes are revealing. She is 12, very fair, making spots very obvious, a strawberry blonde and absolutely gorgeous! It breaks my heart to watch her deal with this.
The best thing you can do is find a sympathetic and informed dermatologist. Believe it or not I have seen 5 before finding our current dermatologist. Not to be unfair but A woman may be a bit more sympathetic toward the "cosmetic" issues that young girls have.
Alyssa, keeps her spots in check with a combination of Elocon and Dovonex cream. (Although we just moved up to a stronger cream than Elocon due to a stubborn outbreak. She also has scalp psoriasis and has had great succcess with a foam called OLUX. (Before that she used Derma Smooth, an oil that we applied to her scalp and then covered with a shower cap.)
I pray for Alyssa daily and would gladly take over the psoriais for her, but that just may not be the plan. For the most part she is upbeat and deals with it, but did say that if they found a cure for it, she would gladly take a million shots!!!
Take care,
Sandi

[planetadams]

Thank you Sandy for your comments and both Amy and I are thinking of Alyssa.

It is funny, as there is an Alyssa in Amy's dancing school as well!!!!!

Amy is doing not to bad at the moment, the Dovonex has worked and she now only has what looks liks little scars and I am hoping they will clear up soon.

Because you can's use the Dovonex on her face I was at a Chinese Medicine Dr the other week (for myself, not Amy) and he noticed her face and immediately said is this Psoriasis on your girls face - I was completely shocked, how many times has she had these marks on her face and the traditional Dr did nothing!!! Anyway, he has given us some balm to put on it (smells yuck) but he says it should work and has no side effects so if perfectly safe to use - I think it is called Qin Bai Cream so I will let you know how we get on.

What Ballet Grade is Alyssa in?? Amy is just about to sit her Primary exam and does Grade1 as well.

Mandy

[planetadams]

Sorry to be so late in posting, our life is very hectic!!
We don't really have "Ballet Grades" they just move up according to ability. She will go to pointe next year which will be exciting for her.
She dances with a Company that performs and competes in Jazz, Tap, Lyrical and Ballet. This is her first year doing this and she loves it.
Glad to hear Amy is responding to the Dovonex, it seems to hold things in check, but for a bad outbreak we have to use a stronger steroid.
Summer is coming and it seems to clear her skin, but she is very fair, so we have to be careful not to get burned.
Take care, I hope you had a lovely Easter
Sandi and Alyssa