How to reduce psoriasis?
February 2, 2013 9:57 PM Subscribe
Tell me your non-prescription methods for reducing psoriasis.
For example, do cold salt water baths work for you? What about cutting down or eliminating certain foods? Deliberately exposing the affected areas to sunshine? Taking a vitamin D supplement?
For example, do cold salt water baths work for you? What about cutting down or eliminating certain foods? Deliberately exposing the affected areas to sunshine? Taking a vitamin D supplement?
Coal tar is a remedy for psoriasis that is over the counter in the USA. It can be slightly expensive, but a jar usually lasts me a while. I actually prefer it over steroid creams for how quickly it works. The main downside is that it's sticky and messy to apply.
posted by raspberry jam and clothes iron at 10:42 PM on February 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by raspberry jam and clothes iron at 10:42 PM on February 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
Swimming in the sea!
posted by nvly at 11:06 PM on February 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by nvly at 11:06 PM on February 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
When I exercise, I really see the difference. I also saw a big difference when my depression was treated more effectively, but that's definitely on the Rx side.
posted by Apropos of Something at 11:16 PM on February 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Apropos of Something at 11:16 PM on February 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
For my daughter we use Epsom salt baths and emu oil, keep the house at 68-72 degrees F and about 49-60% humidity. If that doesn't work, we have to go prescription. Lastly, we've also moved mainly off grains, which we've found makes a large improvement (think quarter portions).
posted by Nanukthedog at 11:24 PM on February 2, 2013
posted by Nanukthedog at 11:24 PM on February 2, 2013
I go to a tanning booth twice a week when I flare up. I start off at 3 minutes per session gradually increasing to 11 minutes per. For me, it works better than any Rx I've been given in 30 years.
posted by Failure31 at 11:42 PM on February 2, 2013
posted by Failure31 at 11:42 PM on February 2, 2013
I make my own coal tar cream by buying a coal tar solution from a pharmacist and mixing it up with a thick moisturizing cream. This works out to be much, much cheaper than buying any pre-mixed coal-based products. I apply it at night, and wash it off in the morning.
In my lifetime's experience with psoriasis, I have found that coal tar creams are much more effective than steroid creams. There's also no rebound effect after you stop using it - whereas with steroid creams, usually after you stop using it the psoriasis comes back worse than before you started. Plus there's the whole skin-thinning problem that all steroid creams have.
The only issue with coal tar is that it can make a bit of a mess, but I just sleep in an old t-shirt that I use specifically for this purpose and wash my hair every day (my psoriasis is mainly on my scalp and stomach area).
When I use coal tar on a regular basis, my psoriasis is very minimal and much less itchy.
posted by RubyScarlet at 11:46 PM on February 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
In my lifetime's experience with psoriasis, I have found that coal tar creams are much more effective than steroid creams. There's also no rebound effect after you stop using it - whereas with steroid creams, usually after you stop using it the psoriasis comes back worse than before you started. Plus there's the whole skin-thinning problem that all steroid creams have.
The only issue with coal tar is that it can make a bit of a mess, but I just sleep in an old t-shirt that I use specifically for this purpose and wash my hair every day (my psoriasis is mainly on my scalp and stomach area).
When I use coal tar on a regular basis, my psoriasis is very minimal and much less itchy.
posted by RubyScarlet at 11:46 PM on February 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
Another thing that's worked well for me in the past is this vitamin regime that I picked up from the Psoriasis Help Organization's message boards:
Vitamin D/Ibuprofen treatment
I was taking 1 ibuprofen, 1000iu of Vitamin D and about six fish oil capsules per day, and while I was doing that my psoriasis was probably the best it's ever been.
I should really start doing this again - it's just so many pills to take each day that I got lazy about it.
posted by RubyScarlet at 11:51 PM on February 2, 2013
Vitamin D/Ibuprofen treatment
I was taking 1 ibuprofen, 1000iu of Vitamin D and about six fish oil capsules per day, and while I was doing that my psoriasis was probably the best it's ever been.
I should really start doing this again - it's just so many pills to take each day that I got lazy about it.
posted by RubyScarlet at 11:51 PM on February 2, 2013
I asked this a while back and got some great answers. At the moment I'm taking fish oil and milk thistle, I started a couple of weeks ago. No noticeable improvement so far. I might add in Vit D and ibuprofen - it's an anti-inflammatory, and as psoriasis is now considered to be an auto-immune disease, taking an anti-inflammatory might help too.
posted by essexjan at 12:39 AM on February 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by essexjan at 12:39 AM on February 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
UV treatment and salt water. Sun and surf, basically!
posted by goo at 12:53 AM on February 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by goo at 12:53 AM on February 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
I found that taking a multivitamin daily really helped me.
posted by thank you silence at 4:17 AM on February 3, 2013
posted by thank you silence at 4:17 AM on February 3, 2013
My girlfriend has seen big improvements by cutting out gluten, grains, and most importantly, sugar from her diet. She's essentially low-carb/paleo. This has also (by her account!) greatly improved her mood, which may also be affecting the psoriasis from a different direction. Some regular exercise, no matter how small, seems to help too.
posted by Magnakai at 4:17 AM on February 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Magnakai at 4:17 AM on February 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
I've seen switching to all natural fibres in clothing help. Also, treating with mustard oil.
posted by bardophile at 5:02 AM on February 3, 2013
posted by bardophile at 5:02 AM on February 3, 2013
On Kim and Kourtney take Miami, Kim uses breast milk.
posted by spunweb at 7:24 AM on February 3, 2013
posted by spunweb at 7:24 AM on February 3, 2013
I have what I'm pretty sure is psoriasis on my scalp, digits, and legs. (I have not discussed this with a doctor because it's mild.) Anyways, going gluten free has definitely helped. I put Vaseline-type ointments on my fingers at night if the patches are starting to crack.
posted by fozzie_bear at 8:25 AM on February 3, 2013
posted by fozzie_bear at 8:25 AM on February 3, 2013
I've had good results using this Psorzema Creme product.
posted by orme at 8:54 AM on February 3, 2013
posted by orme at 8:54 AM on February 3, 2013
Oregon grape might be worth a try.
posted by PickeringPete at 10:00 AM on February 3, 2013
posted by PickeringPete at 10:00 AM on February 3, 2013
If you search long enough, you can find anecdotal evidence that virtually any change in diet or lifestyle or environment helps someone. Which may well be the case, even the prescription medications cause a wide variety of responses. Not very useful from an info standpoint however.
For me, the only non prescription thing that seems to help reduce active flair ups is sunlight.
Reducing stress, avoiding colds, and avoiding skin irritation helps prevent flair ups, but those are all hard to avoid consistently.
I have a tendency to get flair ups and scales on my hands, so gloves and hand lotion (I prefer eucerin original lotion). Avoiding work that is rough on my hands helps, though easier sometimes than others (like when you are trying to finish a house remodel).
Prescription steroid creams works for me.
posted by alikins at 10:38 AM on February 3, 2013
For me, the only non prescription thing that seems to help reduce active flair ups is sunlight.
Reducing stress, avoiding colds, and avoiding skin irritation helps prevent flair ups, but those are all hard to avoid consistently.
I have a tendency to get flair ups and scales on my hands, so gloves and hand lotion (I prefer eucerin original lotion). Avoiding work that is rough on my hands helps, though easier sometimes than others (like when you are trying to finish a house remodel).
Prescription steroid creams works for me.
posted by alikins at 10:38 AM on February 3, 2013
In case you do not already follow it, I have found the National Psoriasis Foundation's online forum to be very informative. Diet and nutrition, what works & what doesn't, etc. is a frequent topic of discussion.
(And since it is all anecdata and what works for one person might not work for you, and vice versa, please remember to consult your dermatologist.)
posted by invisible ink at 12:54 PM on February 3, 2013
(And since it is all anecdata and what works for one person might not work for you, and vice versa, please remember to consult your dermatologist.)
posted by invisible ink at 12:54 PM on February 3, 2013
What I sometimes do is wash the area with salicylic acid shampoo with a little baking soda (as an exfoliate), then use petroleum jelly after to protect and moisturize. Don't scrub too vigorously, and give it time to heal before doing it again.
posted by neutralmojo at 2:18 PM on February 3, 2013
posted by neutralmojo at 2:18 PM on February 3, 2013
thirding a trip to the beach - absolutely the best treatment ever. Massive sunlight therapy and the sea salt will be the most fun exfoliating you'll ever have. Coal tar shampoos are also effective, and Eucerin is always coming out with more and more products (to drain more and more of your money - I'd also consider learning how to make your own lotions/creams/etc. and tailoring them to your needs.)
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 5:28 AM on February 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 5:28 AM on February 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
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posted by homodachi at 10:04 PM on February 2, 2013 [1 favorite]