psoriasis

Any of you living with/dealing with psoriasis?

I had a small 'rash' start about a year ago. Wife was concerned, I figured it was just because of a new shampoo or something. I was not concerned. It's grown.

It doesnt hurt or anything, but it doesnt look good.

Chest/torso mainly, though two small spots on each elbow pit

Anyone else have this? Thoughts on creams and stuff?

I've got it, much like you do.  Not terribly uncomfortable or itchy, but not attractive.

I get red patches near most major joints - inside of wrists, inside and outside of elbows, underarms, backs of knees.  It can be related to a type of arthritis so it tends to appear near joint groups.  I also have a few other sometimes-trouble spots:  small of back just above my butt, inside my navel, behind my ears.

[My dermatologist prescribed] a variety of steroid creams that were very expensive but not very effective.  [After these trial runs] I currently use clobetasol foam (also a steroid).  It's not cheap, but it is very effective for me.  I don't need to use it every day.  If I get a flareup in a given area, I apply it once or twice a day for a few days and then wait to see the effect.  Usually it will fade for a couple weeks or more in that area.  It's anywhere form $40-$100 a can, and I use 3-4 cans a year.

I've known people who have real trouble with psoriasis, but my case seems to be fairly minor.  I wish I didn't have it, but it is pretty manageable.

I have it as well, but not much I can offer on creams or other over the counter stuff, other than the Halebatesol worked fairly well. Mine was bad enough that I was put on Humira and now switched to Skyrizi. They work well for me, but are expensive and not all insurance will cover them. 

Are you self diagnosing?  If so, call your doctor for a referral to a dermatologist to make sure that's what it is, and to find out how to treat it.

I have a mild case, clobetesol prescribed from the dermatologist mostly clears it up when it gets annoying. It mostly cleared up when I started getting bad acne a couple years ago that I can't seem to get rid of, I'd prefer the psoriasis.

If it's just a rash are you sure it's not eczema?

stuart in mn said:

Are you self diagnosing?  If so, call your doctor for a referral to a dermatologist to make sure that's what it is, and to find out how to treat it.

THIS.  I assumed you had a medical diagnosis.  If not, I strongly recommend getting a quick checkup from a dermatologist to diagnose / confirm and recommend treatment options.  It shouldn't be a big deal to do so.

A second/third/whatever for getting a proper diagnosis if you haven’t already. I had something similar crop up a little while back, so I saw my dermatologist. Turns out that my armchair diagnosis was not the same as hers. (Shocking, I know.)

hybridmomentspass said:

Chest/torso mainly, though two small spots on each elbow pit

Chest/torso/pits are what triggered me.  That and this is the hot/humid time of the year...

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17719-tinea-versicolor

I've had it.  It's a top of skin yeast infection.  Very popular/common.  

Don't bother with the ointments.  Get prescribed Diflucan.  A couple of tablets a day for just 3 days...and its gone.  

Short video on the topic

You don't need a dermatologist.  Any Dr or even a mini clinic should be familiar with it, especially if you call it out by name and ask for the anit-fungal meds, Diflucan.

This Dr appointment could even be done via telemedicine. 

I have not gotten a doctor's visit yet, this is based on online images and information.

I will schedule something soon

This has been a year or so and not just during the summer time/humid time

A good friend of mine is a wound care doc, and he was telling me about his latest certification. TL;DR: Skin is complicated stuff.