Overwhelmed with daughter's p

[areed]

I just found this site tonight. I sure wish I had known about it several years ago when my now 8 year old daughter was diagnosed with psoriasis. I am overwhelmed with treating her physical symptoms and emotional symptoms. She has always loved school (2nd grade). This last year things changed. She didn't want to attend because of her psoriasis. She won't wear certain clothes or fix her hair in certain styles. She cries at night when I put the ointments on her or pick the flakes out of her hair. She always asks why God gave her this disease. It really breaks my heart to see her so emotionally distraught.
I have taken her to several doctors with no help. I refused to return to the last doctor because he became extremely rude to me when I questioned his treatment. I do not have p, but it runs in my husband's family. Her scalp is completely covered with the scales along with numerous red splotches on her face. She also has a few of them on her arms, legs, back and stomache.
We are trying a new doctor next week. I recently heard that there is a connection between p and yeast infections. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this? Any recommendations on treatments? Any good doctors in central Oklahoma? I would appreciate ANY help or comments.

[PJ Leary]

Dear areed,

I am so sorry to hear about your daughter's pain and sorrow. Please ask NPF for a list of derms in your area.

Please take some time to read through the NPF site, and you will see a direct correllation between psoriasis flares and different kinds of infections. A good derm will help you sort through that aspect as well as the topicals.

I urge you to become as informed as you can, and certainly not to tolerate rudeness in your medical providers. As one GREAT derm I know said to me once, " I am here to help relieve your stress, not add to it ".

Please look to get NPF literature and help for your daughter's emotional struggles. Some counseling might be helpful too. It might be a receptive time for her to get some help with her feelings.

Good luck, and please post back concerning your progress.

Regards,

PJ Leary

[garc]

Hello, I to have a son with Psoriasis. He was 3 when he was diagnosed.His back and chest where completly covered, his scalp looked white he also had to have surgery due to psoriasis.It also runs on my ex husbands side of the family.
The one most important thing to do is educate yourself on everything! The difference in topicals, there is a HUGE difference in topicals.The different types of light treaments such as PUVA or just UVB. The different types of oral medication (ie: methtrexate which cleared my son up in about 2 months he had about 80% coverage)AND NEVER NEVER LET A DOCTOR PERSCRIBE PREDNISONE REBOUND EFFECT IS WORSE THAN WHEN YOU STARTED!!! There is a product called dermasmooth that works wonders on scalp psoriasis, a bit messy but a wonder drug for my son!
Second once you are educated, educate family, friends,school even if it is ok with your daughter go to her class.
And last try i empasis the word try because it is one of the hardest things to do,teaching your daughter that it will get easier.
One more thing if there is a large amount of psoriasis it is extremly hard to treat with topicals, for my son it was impossible.
Also on parts of the body what I also do if the scales are really thick I gob on vasaline and wrap him in saran wrap overnight.
Please feel free to email me at garcia_aimee@hotmail.com and I will give you my number if you would like to call me! I ran the support group for the National Psoriasis Foundation years ago for Parents with Children with Psoriasis.
Also if you pick the scales it can cause it to bleed and hurt! I though had a hard time not picking!
Good luck
Aimee

[RachelB]

Dear Agreed and all,

I can really sympathize with you and your daughter. My 9yr. old daughter has had psoriasis all her life. Luckily she responds to UVB, so we can keep it sort of under control, but the emotional aspect is overwhelming at times. She has been in tears over comments others have made, even comments that were not cruel. Just the fact that others notice is upsetting to her. I am worried the teen years will get even worse.

Karen (Rachel's mom)