20yr/F/NY...New to Board...My ?'s for the wise or the knowing :-)

[LisaDPA420]

Okay everyone :-) Nice to meet you! I'm Lisa. I just went to the doctors to get these hives checked out, but I found out I have Psoriasis not hives!!!!
I am in an angry state because I don't know why it happened to me, especially at this time in my life. I just want to have the smooth skin like I use to :-(
Well my questions are for everyone men and women.

1. How old were you when you found out?

2. How did yours become apparent (where did it first show up on your body/was there stress then a rash?)?

3. What cleansing soaps, shampoo, and body lotion will help my P?

Well let me know. Also I live on Long Island in Suffolk if anyone is interested in meeting at starbucks off of DPA and chatting please feel free to drop me a PM.

Thanks for the support,
Lisa

[chaimFL]

Hey Lisa,

I was around 13 when I was diagnosed with P (now 28). Mine started on my scalp and stayed there for many years before spreading to my back. At this point I have P everywhere, but my case is rare and stuborn (statistically speaking). Some things to keep in mind are that it's best if you use products with no dyes or fragrences. Not everyone will react to such products, but some times the these additives can cause P to worsen. Stay clear of antibacterial soaps for sure as they will irritate your P. Cetaphil makes a nice liquid soap and so does Oil of Olay and Aveeno. It's real good for itchiness and dryness if you use a moisturizer on a daily basis. My favorite moisturizer is cetaphil in a pump bottle. Another big help to P is natural sunlight, if you have time to get out in the sun, by all means do so, but do not get sunburns as they can worsen the condition. Good luck to you and keep visiting, posting, and updating.

[xpineygirl]

Hey Lisa!
My psoriasis showed up on my legs and feet when I was 6yrs old (I'm 18 now) after my parents divorce...so yeah it was caused by stress. It started off as dry skin and then slowly came to cover 20% of my body...but now it's only covering 5% which is cool!
I've found that the Norweign formula hand cream works really well and also non scented bath oil. I use it in combination with Dovonex and Tempovate and UVB treatments.
Don't worry there is hope! I've also found that meditation works really well because it helps prevent the stress that causes my outbreaks. But everyone is different, the key is to try lots of things and find out what works best for you!
Good Luck!!
Joanne
xx

[Patchsigns]

Hey Lisa!

I was 25 years old when I noticed something weird near my hairline. I knew right away something was weird about it.

Was stress involved?? For me... I blame it 50% of it because of stress and the other 50% of it I blame on conditions. (I was a sign engraver and cutting the engraving material on a table saw with poor ventilation, I will ALWAYS believe, helped contribute to this disease. What is bakelite anyway??) Of course, I'm stubborn... I know that there is a genetic link to this disease...

As far as shampoos, soaps and body lotions... seems to be that Dial Soap with its fragrances... sometimes causes a flare-up. But then, I'm sure you've come to realize that what works for me, may not work for you and vice-versa.

Take care, Leeez

Joe

[herb311]

was 16 when it started hitting me hard, would get psoriastic rash for a couple months every year begining at 14... what works best, uhhh friggin enbrel really, dovonex works alright and so does ultravate for me, id steer clear of commercial products they dont work for crap

[LisaDPA420]

Wow thanks for all the answers.
I think I'm a little stress and my grandma has exema(?).

Everyone seems young when they discovered it.
Thanks for the advise on cleansing items, for this is what I'm having trouble with.
I've had my outbreak for a month now.
It covers a little on my face, arms, hands, chest, elbows, knees, lower leg, ankles, and top of feet. I believe it's on my head too, but it could have been dandruff cause it doesn't itch as much since I've used head n shoulders.

NEW QUESTION!!! How long will this outbreak last!?!?! Or how long did you first outbreak stay on your skin?

It seems my presription ointments are helping. But I can't stand having the itch. Not so much how they look....its that &*^@$(* ITCH AND FLAKE!

[cassandra]

I've had p since I was 5 or 6 (now 17). I don't remember how it showed up. I've used emu oil, tea tree oil, Eucerin, and almost every corticosteroid under the sun. Eucerin seems to help if I put it on once an hour.

How long will this outbreak last? In the word's of my favorite President, "That's a good question." It depends. Mine has lasted for about twelve years now. The spots have shifted around, but it has never gone away completely.

[xpineygirl]

hmm...Outbreak time all depends really. If you apply your ointment at the right time, every time then it'll probably help a lot. but it also depends a lot on you.
My first out break, when I was 6, lasted up until I was 15 and then it disappeared completely for 2 years...and now I've had another outbreak. Psoriasis is not predictable in the least!!
But I do hope yours gets better for you soon! As a matter of fact I hope everyones (including mine grrrrrr) gets better! I'm tired of being itchy! hehehe
Joanne
xx

[janay]

Originally posted by LisaDPA420
Okay everyone :-) Nice to meet you! I'm Lisa. I just went to the doctors to get these hives checked out, but I found out I have Psoriasis not hives!!!!
I am in an angry state because I don't know why it happened to me, especially at this time in my life. I just want to have the smooth skin like I use to :-(
Well my questions are for everyone men and women.

1. How old were you when you found out?

2. How did yours become apparent (where did it first show up on your body/was there stress then a rash?)?

3. What cleansing soaps, shampoo, and body lotion will help my P?

Well let me know. Also I live on Long Island in Suffolk if anyone is interested in meeting at starbucks off of DPA and chatting please feel free to drop me a PM.

Thanks for the support,
Lisa

1. i was five. Doc said i had cockroaches. :: bonks indonisan doctor :: i actually thought i did til i was seven.

2. yeah psoriasis is effected by stress and how you care for your body. Read psoriasis cure, its good stuff.

3. Well, I tend to be immune or something bad happens when I use meds. I use lavendar. I'm one big smelling flower, but its lessened. I buy healing garden lavender theraphy and some lavendar soap. I'm leaning towards johnson and johnson cause I LOVE THEM! Plus, the bedtime stuff works well.

[janay]

Originally posted by LisaDPA420
Wow thanks for all the answers.
I think I'm a little stress and my grandma has exema(?).

Everyone seems young when they discovered it.
Thanks for the advise on cleansing items, for this is what I'm having trouble with.
I've had my outbreak for a month now.
It covers a little on my face, arms, hands, chest, elbows, knees, lower leg, ankles, and top of feet. I believe it's on my head too, but it could have been dandruff cause it doesn't itch as much since I've used head n shoulders.

NEW QUESTION!!! How long will this outbreak last!?!?! Or how long did you first outbreak stay on your skin?

It seems my presription ointments are helping. But I can't stand having the itch. Not so much how they look....its that &*^@$(* ITCH AND FLAKE!

haha. didn't see this one. :P BTW, I"m 21. It can be annoying. I hated being told as a kid "Don't scratch!". Its true though. You can eventually teach yourself not to. Mine will go away for a while and come back. It all depends on how I take care of myself, cause my stress and habits are on and off. :inno: Psoriasis is forever though. I know that sounds bad but its not. Its actually interesting to have. It will effect your life, but every turn in life does. It can come back at anytime. As long as you do as you are suppose to, you'll be fine.

Now to instruct my brother who just got it. He thinks it sucks cause its on his knuckles and i yell at him to becareful. Plus, he's my brother so i gotta yell at him for something.

[Disjudae]

Hey Lisa, I'm new here as well. I was 12 when they first figured out that I had psoriasis. I'm almost 17 now. When he first saw it, my doctor thought it was ringworm. (Needless to say, I have a new doctor now.) It was mostly on my arms, which is where it is now. I usually just use Desonide when an outbreak occurs (stress is a major factor in that) on my chest, a lotion on my arms, and Derma-Smoothe on my scalp. That seems to really work well for me.

[cereal]

I have to be different, I was 38 when I broke out with it. The docs think it was the drug Inderal that caused it. They said I probably carry the gene and the Inderal woke the gene up. P is totally unpredicable, it comes and goes and does whatever it feels like doing. I've been 100% clear only once in the 9 years that I've had it (I'll be 47 my b-day, saved you from doing the math). That clearing lasted 3 whole weeks, I go from 100% to maybe 50% back to 100%, and I never know what tomorrow will bring. There's no way of predicting how long a break out or flare will last. For the itching, I use OTC itch meds, I also have a precription medication called doxipin, I take when the itching is bad, I also use a lot of cold water. Cold showers help with the itching, try to stay away from hot showers and baths they'll make the itching so much worse. And if all else fails ICE, I keep Ice bags in the freezer and I grab one and lay it on the itchy area. It doesn't help when someone tells me not to scratch, that's like saying don't breathe.

Everyone's treatments are different, what works for one person may not help the next person, it's a lot of trial and error and getting the right combinations of treatments and meds that will help you. Hopefully the docs will get yours under control soon. P is another word for misery. Hang in there!!!

[iansmommy]

Hi Lisa.

Ian, now 2, was 4 months old when I noticed a rash all over his body. 3 doctors later we got the diagnoses of psoriasis. We have tried all sorts prescriptions, lotions and creams. For him Triamincinolone w/ Eucerin works best but can only be used for short periods of time as in makes the skin thin. I use Neutrongina T-Gel in his hair, it works pretty well but I am on the hunt for something that might work better and right now I am using Cetaphyl lotion. Our dermatologist has said to only aloow him luke warm baths, pat dry and apply the currnet med and lotion immediately afterwards. This helps the skin hold in moisture.
Currently Ian is not on anything as his skin is about 98% clear. Why, I don't know but I am enjoying this little break. I think it is the summer sun. :) We just have to make sure that he doesn't sweat because that will trigger a breakout. Swimming also helps.

Good Luck

[geokaii]

1. How old were you when you found out?

I was 18 when I found out.

2. How did yours become apparent (where did it first show up on your body/was there stress then a rash?)?

Started on my scalp after I died my hair, then I found a spot on my hand.

3. What cleansing soaps, shampoo, and body lotion will help my P?

John Paul-Mitchell Green Tea shampoo and conditioner, and Neutrogena T-Gel

[janelle132]

Hi Lisa
I was 11 when I first got P, I'm 19 now. It first showed up on my knees, then I noticed it on my elbows and scalp. I think it was triggered by stress after an accident involvong a bus because it was just after that accident that it appeared but I have no proof of that. At the minute I'm using Exorex lotion on my P and Capasal shampoo on my scalp. I've found that Avon skin so soft products help my skin so I use the bubble bath and body lotion, but different things work for different people. I have to agree with everyone else about how long it will last. Mine has never went away (fingers crossed), though its alot better now than it used to be.

Janelle

[colnago]

I was 4y/o when diagnosed, I had it on and off as a child then ONNNN since mid to late teens. I am 38y/o now and have learned to live with it. Still get angry and frustrated sometimes but not as often as I did when I was a kid...also a native from LI, Suffolk County, North Shore. Mine came on as result of strep throat. When I get physically sick I have flare ups that are tough.

I received UVB treatments (most helpful!). I am back in the UVB after a nasty flare up.

Shampoo: t-gel, paul mitchell tea tree, head and shoulders in the dark blue bottle. I also use the shampoos as body wash for some relief.

Moisterizers: I rotate from the prescribed 2x per day (dovonex and triamcinilone) and use Bag Balm and eucerin cream. The biggest thing w/P is patience...we never know how long a flare up will last or to what treatment it will or will not respond to.

Stay away from soaps, laundry detergents w/dyes and perfumes!

I get out in the sun as often as I can and expose my arms, legs and face. This has helped me! I also wear cotton clothes and my suits are all lined so as to not irritate my skin...I discovered this by "trial and error."

If you can't stand the itching at night-try over the counter benedryl. Take it on a night you don't have to get up early the next day...it made me pretty drowsy and dopey the next morning so I cut the recommended dose in half so I could function.

Hope this helps!

[Sophie2007]

1. How old were you when you found out?
Well, I kind of self-diagnosed at age 9 but it wasn't too bad. Then a couple of months ago a strep infection flared me up real bad and then the dermatologist told me it was p.
2. How did yours become apparent (where did it first show up on your body/was there stress then a rash?)?
Well, I slid down a gravel road on my elbow, and the scab healed but there was a big dry scaly patch and that was that. Plus, I've always had it bad where my ear lobe attaches to my head.
3. What cleansing soaps, shampoo, and body lotion will help my P?
Well I've been asking the same questions, so I can't help ya there. For now, I'm just using any lotion I can find.
:rolleyes:

Marie

[janay]

1. How old were you when you found out?
six

2. How did yours become apparent (where did it first show up on your body/was there stress then a rash?)?
mom said I didn't eat for a while cause well, i was a spoiled girl to be blunt. :: inno ::

3. What cleansing soaps, shampoo, and body lotion will help my P?
It all depends on your skin. Trial and error always works best.

[BuddyNvmbr]

Okay everyone :-) Nice to meet you! I'm Lisa. I just went to the doctors to get these hives checked out, but I found out I have Psoriasis not hives!!!!
I am in an angry state because I don't know why it happened to me, especially at this time in my life. I just want to have the smooth skin like I use to :-(
Well my questions are for everyone men and women.

1. How old were you when you found out?

2. How did yours become apparent (where did it first show up on your body/was there stress then a rash?)?

3. What cleansing soaps, shampoo, and body lotion will help my P?

Well let me know. Also I live on Long Island in Suffolk if anyone is interested in meeting at starbucks off of DPA and chatting please feel free to drop me a PM.

Thanks for the support,
Lisa

hey lisa
I'm new but I've learned alot about the never ending battle of P. I was about 11 when I found out but I realized that I had it from the time I was 5.
Mine became apparent on my scalp and (get ready) my bottom and belly button. Now though I have it additionally in and behind both ears on my arms and on my knees. to go along with that I just developed psoriatric arthritis. I'm not sure if the stress was involved.
As for shampoos I found this great, (expensive) stuff called skin cap. you can get it in a lotion spray or shampoo it works great.

hope this helps see YA!

[theuddercow]

I found out about two days ago (I'm 19).

I first noticed it on my scalp then my elbows. My first mean dumb doctor told me it was ecema (riiiiiiight), she also told my mom she thought I was a hypochondriac. When it started spreading and made me itch at night to the point where I would scratch till it bled, I went on WebMD and looked up my symtoms. I went to a new doctor and she told me I was right it, was Psoriasis and a moderate case of it. I'm more angry at my old doc then myself. I did what was right. Wasn't my fault the doc was a jerk. Sometimes I get bummed out about it, especially when the kids I work with ask me about my "boo-boo's"

I find that Aveeno lotion for super dry skin with menthol really soothes the itching and burning enough so I can sleep and not scratch in my sleep. Haven't found a good shampoo yet, but it's only been a few days.

Glad to know were going through this at the same time. If you need anything or find something I should know, pm me.

-Heather