psoriasis

[bobik]

Anyone got psoriasis as well? My dermatologist says it is more frequent in HIV. Anyone had any good tips on how to keep it managable?

Coen

[ademas]

Hi Coen,
I have a couple of patches of psoriasis.
I use Dovonex (a topical) on the two patches I have, and occlude with bandaids.  I'm on methotrexate for psoriatic arthritis, and that also helps control the skin plaques.  They clear and come back frequently, but fortunately they haven't been a huge problem for me.
(They're small spots, too--one about the size of a quarter on one elbow, and one slightly larger on my upper back.)
Have you tried any treatments yet?
Craig

[penguin]

Is an auto-immune problem, so yes, hiv can play a  part.. Depending on severity, most treatment is about calming down the immune response & inflammation, things like topical/oral steroids etc.

Mine, flares up sporadically around hairline or knees, esp when I’m stressed or poorly. I call it the rhino look  When I get the eczema flaring up as well, it’s not much fun.

some natural stuff I’ve found helpful: lots of essential fatty acids, in both diet & supplements; sunshine; coal tar shampoo (stinky stuff); turmeric (in cooking); super emollient ointments/creams , esp stuff that is oat-based ; neem cream (contains anti-inflammatory compounds); manuka honey (you can put this directly on your skin)…& I swear by Elizabeth Arden’s 8hour cream/ointment for anything skin related (again, stinks to high heaven, but seems to help)

kate

[bobik]

Hi Craig,

I am using Daivonex (the european name for the same stuff, I guess), and steroids sometimes when it gets bad. But I try to avoid steroids because it makes the skin thinner, so I try to stick to Daivonex as much as possible. Sunshine helps, after a good sunny holiday my skin is much better, but the problems come back within a week after being home again. And stress adds to the problem, yes. These week full of worries about my brother's health have been bad for my skin. Kate, I have the tarshampoo as well. Brr. I hate it

Coen