Psoriasis treatment - advice request for a friend

[mattk1]

Hi,

In my wife's village there is a friend of mine (older Thai man aged 40+) who suffers from psoriasis (looks like psoriasis anyway) all over his body.

Yesterday I took him on a 3 hour drive to what I thought was going to be a skin specialist clinic. Turns out it was a backyard shed were some old bloke sold him two clear bottles of 'something' for 2,000 baht. The bottles were not labelled and could of had vinegar in them for all I know.

I really felt like my friend had been ripped off and that there is no way this 'magic potion' is going to do anything. 2000 baht is a lot of money to this man.

So I was wondering if there is anything over the counter I could buy for him to try and help out. I know there is no cure for this condition but making his life a bit more bearable would be a great start.

Thanks for any advice or suggestions!

Edited August 18, 2013 by mattk1

[sceadugenga]

I find a cortisone/steroid cream works for me.

One I use comes under the trade name Diprosone.

It's not a bad general purpose ointment either, taking the itch out of insect bites fairly quickly.

Edited August 19, 2013 by sceadugenga

[harrry]

Psoriasis is one of those things that comes and goes. Most of the things you put on make it worse if anything. Cortisone can have some effect but itcauses other problems as well.

[jrtmedic]

Exposure to sunlight is free in Thailand and will improve Psoriasis.

[FBN]

It seems from the opening post that this diagnosis is not a confirmed one from a dermatologist. Psoriasis usually occurs in patches and seldom "all over the body". Would be worthwhile getting a proper diagnosis before applying steroid ointments or creams; these, especially applied over large areas, can be absorbed in significant quantities with systemic side effects and would also be extremely expensive. There are sulphur based applications available developed for application over extensive areas.

[mattk1]

Thanks so much for the replies on here, much appreciated!

FBN, I will take your advice and have it confirmed whether or not it is psoriasis before we look for any creams.

Cheers again,

[Mossfinn]

There are imunosuppresant tablets that work, but they are used in conjunction with other medical reasons, tar and steroid creams can work, but not always. Light treatment I found effective, r&r and Sun in Thailand therapeutic and the best antidote. But as previously discussed it doesn't mean much without a sound diagnosis, get that first I suggest, but don't disregard local knowledge, just discern between a dancer and a chance.

[simple1]

OP: About ten years ago I started to suffer from psoriasis that was gradually covering more skin areas and was prescribed skin ointments. However I then started to suffer from psoriasis arthritis - took a long time to diagnose. The effective treatment was Salazopyrin that stopped the skin condition reoccuring and the very painful inflamation due to psoriasis arthritis.

Obviously gain access to a skin specialist to confirm the nature to the skin condition - Salazopyrin is available in Thailand & costs about 800 baht per month, depending on the number of tablets required per day could be less.

Edited August 20, 2013 by simple1

[Colonel Klink]

OP: About ten years ago I started to suffer from psoriasis that was gradually covering more skin areas and was prescribed skin ointments. However I then started to suffer from psoriasis arthritis - took a long time to diagnose. The effective treatment was Salazopyrin that stopped the skin condition reoccuring and the very painful inflamation due to psoriasis arthritis.

Very helpful, thank you Simple1.

I too suffer from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis I use cream that suppresses the inflammation but does not eliminate it. For the arthritis I used a prolonged course (3 months) of Tilcotil, an anti-inflammatory, under medical supervision of course.

I have been reluctant to take internal medication (tablets) for the skin condition as I understand they are immune suppressants which can them give rise to the contracting of other ailments.

Did you suffer any side effects from the Salazopryin?

Many thanks.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Morden]

If the lesions are allowed to remain dry they won't heal easily and may get worse. It's worth trying a base cream to keep them greasy.

Another angle is this. Outbreaks may be triggered by hives (urticaria). The onset of hives stimulates the body's immune system and that sets off psoriasis. The remedy for the sufferer is to buy a course of antihistamine pills at a pharmacy as soon as the first sign of hives appears. Psoriasis sufferers often don't recognise the appearance of hives, thinking that it's and outbreak of Psoriasis. The darned medical profession fails to see this, concentrating on medication to attack the result rather than the cause.

Swimming in salt water helps to scour the skin. Just getting rid of the scales often gives the skin a chance to heal.

There are quacks here who will pump you full of rubbish with reusable needles. They are a must to avoid.

I wish your friend luck. The dreaded P can be very demoralising.

[simple1]

OP: About ten years ago I started to suffer from psoriasis that was gradually covering more skin areas and was prescribed skin ointments. However I then started to suffer from psoriasis arthritis - took a long time to diagnose. The effective treatment was Salazopyrin that stopped the skin condition reoccuring and the very painful inflamation due to psoriasis arthritis.

Very helpful, thank you Simple1.

I too suffer from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis I use cream that suppresses the inflammation but does not eliminate it. For the arthritis I used a prolonged course (3 months) of Tilcotil, an anti-inflammatory, under medical supervision of course.

I have been reluctant to take internal medication (tablets) for the skin condition as I understand they are immune suppressants which can them give rise to the contracting of other ailments.

Did you suffer any side effects from the Salazopryin?

Many thanks.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I have been taking 4 500mg tablets a day of Salazopyrin (maximum dose, otherwise the psoriatic arthritis flares up and extremely painful) for about ten years and to date no known side effects. A few years ago I asked my specialist for recommended alternative drug treatment, but he advised at that time no viable alternatives. You can look up potential side effects online at http://www.inhousepharmacy.biz/p-727-salazopyrin-500mg-sulphasalazine.aspx

[Colonel Klink]

 

 

I have been taking 4 500mg tablets a day of Salazopyrin (maximum dose, otherwise the psoriatic arthritis flares up and extremely painful) for about ten years and to date no known side effects. A few years ago I asked my specialist for recommended alternative drug treatment, but he advised at that time no viable alternatives. You can look up potential side effects online at http://www.inhousepharmacy.biz/p-727-salazopyrin-500mg-sulphasalazine.aspx

Thanks a lot Simple1. I shall look into this treatment further.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Sheryl]

Just to reaffirm FBN's advice to see a dermatologist. There is a type of malignancy that can look very much like psoriasis. Not common, but needs to be rules out.

[mattk1]

This is great, so many replies with good advice!

Thanks again TV member

[Mossfinn]

If using creams to suppress the Psoriasis, a base cream is often recommended, as I don't use them anymore, not sure what is the current advice. Never heard of the hives scenario, so will look into this thanks.

Talking personally, the immuno-suppressants have been a double edged sword, by their very nature they reduce your ability to fight infection, some have not worked as proposed, others caused side effects, hospitalised on others, presently on an anti-tnf injection, and is currently working well.

But you always need to be on your guard against the adverse effects of the treatment, but less plaque, pain and increased movement is the counter balance.

My advice, get qualified advice and then seek the treatment that suits you within your price range, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis do not always go hand in hand, you might have one or the other, or both.