Psoriasis treatments

[Marley&Me]

I have psoriasis, my mother and my grandmother also. I have tried so many treatments and finally found one that works. It's called EXOREX and it's a penetrating emulsion medication with coal tar.
Problem is, anyone with psoriasis will know, my psoriasis has built a tolerance to the Exorex and it no longer works. it keeps the lesions manageable, but it isn't clearing them any more

I have tried callendula, manuka honey etc but the natural stuff just doesn't cut it. I need medical coal tar or similar.
Anybody have anything they can recommend?

ETA: I only have small spots in a few places, no huge patches anywhere (thank goodness)

[Emma09]

Have u tried UV light treatments?
They 100% work for my DH- and he has psoriasis all over his body.
It clears it right up if he goes 3 x per week.
Big commitment.

The other thing he uses to keep it manageable is Elocon (sp?) cream.
It's a teeny tiny tube- so he can't cover all his psoriasis, but works on his face.

ETA- try the Elocon if you only have a bit of psoriasis.
The light treatment is harsh on the rest of your body.
DH is almost covered in it

[Marley&Me]

Thanks Emma, your poor DH I only have a bit on my elbows and some random spots around the body. My mum had the UV lights and they did clear hers up, she had more than me. I might google that cream you mentioned too...
My mums has all disappeared now. She is 56 and said it went after menopause. how strange.

[BellyBelly]

Give coconut oil a go. Miranda Kerr takes hers every day - and look at her Hehe. Its really good for skin and natural, so no nasty irritants.

[Emma09]

How do you use the coconut oil Kelly?
Drink it? Apply it to the areas?

[BellyBelly]

Both - apply topically and swap your cooking oils for it too. Some online stores sell coconut oil products - not fake, scented stuff, but made from real coconut oil.

There is loads of info and research at www.coconutresearchcenter.org

I'd also look into juicing which is brilliant. There is an author, Cherie Cabom I think, who is nicknamed 'The Juice Lady.'

Because flare ups tend to happen in times of stress, illness etc, addressing those issues are of course important but I think all link back to immune system deficiencies (stress wears it down as well as a poor diet). Some good probiotics will help strengthen that too.

Good luck, hope thar helps

[BellyBelly]

Just found on the above website:

"Hello – I have an amazing story... My husband was watching the Dr. Oz show last Thursday and told me to watch with him. It was on the benefits of using coconut oil to help people with psoriasis. I have psoriasis and have had it for years. I even was contemplating of going to my dermatologist for stronger medications because the shampoos weren’t working. I went and bought some coconut oil that night and started taking 2 tablespoons a day. By Saturday, my psoriasis on my scalp had cleared up. I am so amazed at what this stuff can do. I started reading about the coconut oil and I am now a believer. I’m telling everyone about it. Before seeing Dr. Oz, I have never heard about coconut oil. I now have replaced all of my oils and have my family on it as well.
SC"

It really is BRILLIANT stuff, for disease, weight loss and more.

[Emma09]

Awesome!
Can I buy it from a health food shop?
Is it safe to use on the face?

Thanks Kelly

[Butterfly Dawn]

I use coconut oil everywhere. Hair face body feet its great stuff on the hunt for the edible oil now

[No.5]

Glad I saw this. Might see if I can get some for my psoriasis.

I use Dairysal which is awesome but stinks and with DD and feeding, is not really convenient having to wear cotton gloves on my hands.

[MLR1901]

You can buy coconut oil at an Indian grocer or a health food store - just make sure the contents are organic and the whole coconut.
I am similar to you Tasha, I only get small spots but mainly in my scalp. I alternate redwin coal tar shampoo and moogoo which have a range of amazing products too.
The other products I have used are Aesop's scalp oil.
Recently I ran out of Aesop and moogoo, and the coal tar wasn't working, so got a script for elocon lotion. Used it once, found out I was pregnant, and psoriasis gone! But mine tends to go when I'm pregnant. Despite taking the same vitamins before hand too.
When I was a child I had it bad behind my ears, neck and scalp. I remember mum using the steroid cream on me, it stank and stung, and never seemed to go away. My grandpa (long time sufferer) suggested goats milk soap and oil olive applied (I guess similar to coconut oil) and that worked! But it would always come back.
It's a lot related to diet too, I find if I have too much acidic foods, like tomato products I will get spots about two days later.
There is a clinic in Melbourne - in st kilda rd but I can't for the life of me remember the name. A friend who gets it bad, goes there twice a year and she's able to manage flare ups with their treatments which are all natural based.
Good luck, it's more frustrating working out what triggers it!

[BellyBelly]

I'll double check the brand I buy, they have a great website with loads of yummy recipies. I bought it from my local health food store but there are loads of online stores. There are even blogs of people comparing prices for the best place to buy as its not the cheapest, but worth it. Melrose is one brand that springs to mind.

I have seen lots of people swear by the alkaline diet and get great results but its a big lifestyle change thats well worth it in so many ways. When I have gone on it, people quickly comment on my glowing skin, really blue eyes and quick weight loss. You eat around 70% alkaline foods, 30% acidic. Big nasties acid wise are sugar (esp artificial sweetners - bad bad bad), coffee/caffiene (I found it hard to kick my cup of tea, but used alternatives where I could, cut out sugar and used almond milk - sometimes I would splurge though!), alcohol, chocolate, ice-cream, cheese (dairy in general), wheat (white flours like bread, biccies, cake) etc. Stress has an acidifying affect on the body too. You can have treats, just not often. Mainly vegies, fruits and a bit of meat (beef is most acidic of all meats). Some people say this diet is crap, but sounds pretty darn healthy to me, and the results prople get on it are amazing. A friend of mine started it 10 years ago, lost 15kgs fairly quickly and is still a skinny minnie and radiating energy, health and vitality. So up to you how far you want to take it to get results. Even cutting out some of these things will help. I started by eliminating dairy first.

[surprised]

The other thing to try is a spoonful of blackstrap molasses (must be blackstrap - can get it at most big supermarkets, often in health food section). Works well for my DH. And have you heard of Moogoo eczema balm? It's good for it too.

[xXHopeXx]

My brother has quite severe psoriasis and he found after much searching that neutrogena T-gel shampoo is Excellent as a whole body wash as well as shampoo. He doesn't use the conditioner because he's a male (lol) but I believe the do have a conditioner too. He said he finds it excellent especially when he's having a flare up, it helps calm the skin as well as preventing to an extent when his skin is good.
Other than that, salt water is apparently excellent too, as well as sunlight! When my DB used to live on the beach he rarely got breakouts! He used to make a conscious effort to get out every day though, usually for a run on the beach and a quick swim
But if you're not near a beach, perhaps a salt bath? I know he did that for awhile too...

HTH.

[Marley&Me]

Thanks for all the suggestions ladies!
I also use T-Gel for my scalp, it works pretty good. I just use paw paw to moisten my elbows during the day and use the medicated stuff at night and when I get home.

I will have to give coconut oil a try, sounds good. Will check out my local health food store