Psoriasis: What treatment helps?

@bio - I feel for you! I thought my psoriasis was bad, but yours looks far worse! Do you happen to have diabetes too?

I tried all types of lotions, creams, ointments and shampoos, etc., both allopathic and naturopathic but topicals have never worked for me.

What really worked for me - cleared all my psoriasis - was Methotrexate tablets. I took 2.5mg. X 8 tablets once a week and 5mg. Folic Acid the other six days. It took a couple of months to clear up and I stayed plaque free at that dose. Then I was reduced to 6 tablets of Methotrexate once a week with Folic Acid the other six weeks and did quite well at that dose too. But because I also have fatty liver disease my dermatologist reduced my dose to 4 Methotrexate pills and at that dose, my psoriasis started to come back. Since it was inadvisable for me to remain on Methotrexate indefinitely anyway, I was switched to biologics injections. Stelara did nothing for my psoriasis, so now I am trying Skyrizi. It seems to show improvement but time will tell if it will be as effective as Methotrexate was for me.

Unfortunately psoriasis cannot be cured. It can only be controlled. Ask your dermatologist if Methotrexate treatment would be right for you.

Also, ask your doctor if Lyderm gel would work for your skin in the meantime. I had lichen planus in my mouth (related to psoriasis) and although it is not meant for internal use, this gel rubbed on my gums and inside cheeks completely cleared not only internal but external lichen planus. It just might help your feet and hands.

I hope you get some relief soon!

Thank you for clarifying that liver and /or heart disease might come as effects of the medications.
I plan to discuss these issues on my next visit to my Doctor. I am using the ointment, but once and if the doctor prescribes medications, I will request
blood tests as recommended. Many thanks

Good afternoon @xmohashi and @colleenyoung. I just wanted to add something about tacrolimus. I use it for neuropathic itch and AD. This is a strong steroid ointment I believe. It is recommended that you only use it twice a day and that you taper the use so that your skin doesn't overreact and become thin. It is also spendy. Good luck. I hope it works for you.
Chris

Appreciate recieving this advice. As mentioned I use the ointment sparingly (twice /day).
Many thanks

@xmohashi - ask your doctor to try Lyderm gel on you. Of all the topical treatments I tried, Lyderm gel is the only one with which I had success. It may or may not work for you, but it’s worth a try.

I find my pharmacist a great source of information and I get the best advice from them. You might ask him/her if Lyderm gel would work and if so, he could contact your doctor and suggest it, or whatever else the pharmacist thinks might help. The pharmacy also has a list of all your medications so they would be more aware of drug interactions, and effects of your drugs I. Your heart or liver.,

You're so helpful
Thank you very much!

At age 80 I was surprised to learn that the new area on top of my head that started constantly itching was either SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS or SCALP PSORIASIS. My internist prescribed medicated shampoo every 3 days: Ketoconazole. Works well but returns if not used every 3 days. I am seeing a dermatologist next week to confirm and ask questions -- like how long must I continue with this shampoo?

@margi45

Scalp conditions are so strange - they can crop up at any point, and then disappear at a moment's notice!!

I've had psoriasis for around 20 years now, and it has come and gone over the years, often without rhyme or reason.

How are you getting on with the shampoo?

It took me years, but I ended up finally finding one that worked in my routine - a coal tar shampoo called Polytar.

Hi, Rosco. The Ketoconazole works for me -- IF I keep using every 2-3 days. Itching definitely returns if I try to wait longer, though. At least it does not smell medicinal !

Best to you....

I don’t know about others but my psoriasis loves to pop up in my butt crack (sorry if that’s TMI). I recently got a bidet and haven’t had an outbreak there since. I assume it’s the reduction in skin irritation.