Topical treatments for psoriasis

[Wishing on a star]

I am wondering if anyone here has had any results with topical treatments for plaque psoriasis? They have Clobetasol, and I am seeing the MG217 products. I am thinking they can get these OTC like at CVS?

My husband just went to a Dermatologist, because he does spend quite a bit of time out in the sun at work, and wanted to get any possible problem spots checked out. So, we can recommend a dermatologist. But, for now, just wondering about any other treatments for a teenager.

I know somebody who takes methotrexate, which is a heavy drug!
It has taken care of her plaque psoriasis, but has not helped with her RA.

Thanks if anyone here has any good recommendations or info!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I am wondering if anyone here has had any results with topical treatments for plaque psoriasis? They have Clobetasol, and I am seeing the MG217 products. I am thinking they can get these OTC like at CVS?

My husband just went to a Dermatologist, because he does spend quite a bit of time out in the sun at work, and wanted to get any possible problem spots checked out. So, we can recommend a dermatologist. But, for now, just wondering about any other treatments for a teenager.

I know somebody who takes methotrexate, which is a heavy drug!
It has taken care of her plaque psoriasis, but has not helped with her RA.

Thanks if anyone here has any good recommendations or info!

If I'm reading your post correctly, you are looking for something OTC for your son for what you think is plaque psoriasis? Has he ever been diagnosed? If not, I'd definitely start with an evaluation because there are lots of other treatments available besides the ones you've listed, and there are things he can do at home, as well. I know it can be difficult for teenage boys to take that step, but it will be better to get on board with a doctor/team who can help him with this for the long term. It may be a matter of trial and error in finding a routine that works. Good luck. P.S. I would find a dermatologist who specializes in this if possible, if this is what it is.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Agree with PP
I've had psoriasis since I was 10 years old.
I'm on humira now but when I was young my dermatologist was very careful of the medicine he put me on due to no studies regarding long term effects
The steroid cream you mentioned is a pretty strong one and should not be used regularly and long term
I've been on it
OTC psoriasis drugs have not worked on me

 

[grnflash]

Hi. I had horrible psoriasis as a young child that required presciption medication and presciption light treatment to abate. My symptoms lessened over time to be concentrated to problem areas - particularly my elbows, back of my upper arms and the sides of my shins. I used prescription cream for many years until I found MG217.

And what I can say definitively is that for me MG217 was GREAT. Over the last 10 years I went from applying a light application twice a day to only once, completely keeping my skin smooth and sypmton free. Now for the last 2 years I haven't used it much at all, just occasionally if a problem spot pops up.

Obviously results can vary for each individual and I live in a very sunny place (San Diego) so I'm sure that helps a lot. But that will be true for all treatments as is the chance of a side effect. You will want to check if your state still sells MG217 if you go that route, it was banned as an over-the-counter here in CA. It is still legal to use of course and I buy mine on ebay now.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks!!!
And, thanks grnflash! The MG217 products are available OTC here. While I haven't been reading of them being as effective as you describe, I do think that they are worth a shot. I wonder if, even if you are not aware of it, there is something else that you have done, or have taken, that have helped?

Do you use the coal tar and the salicylic acid at the same time? Or should you use them alternately?

I think they are afraid of the more heavy duty prescription drugs like biologics and/or methotrexate. Especially with a young teenager!

From what I can tell, this is very similar to what you describe, patches on the back of both elbows, and some small effects on the lower legs.

 

[powellrj]

What my DH found to work best over the counter was Dove mens soap. I think its the green one. He started using it and one of the people he worked with was the first to notice it and it really does make a big difference.

 

[grnflash]

Hi again. I landed on MG17 because of not wanting to use biologics myself and I had used several different presciption creams with only moderate results. I did try an OTC salicic acid prior to the MG217, this also only gave me moderate results.

I use the MG alone, without any other application, presciption, vitamins, etc. The only thing special I guess I did was to apply it immediately after a shower when your skin is the most porous. But nothing else.

I never had any side effects either. If you check them out, the ones listed are pretty mild (skin redness, tenderness, etc.) so I wasn't worried about trying it. I don't have any of the consult your doctor type conditions (allergies, excema, other meds, etc.) but if your son does that's something to ask about.

The only thing I can say that I don't like is the coal tar smell but it's been a tiny price to pay considering how well it's worked for me.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

What my DH found to work best over the counter was Dove mens soap. I think its the green one. He started using it and one of the people he worked with was the first to notice it and it really does make a big difference.

Good example of what I meant by things you can try at home. I don't have personal experience with psoriasis, but I've read that after a shower (using Dove soap, which I always use, btw), while skin is still moist, to put vaseline or eucerin on right then, to help keep it soft, thereby lessening scaling, etc. Is this something you think can be helpful if done regularly?

 

[grnflash]

Oh I just remembered, I guess I did do something else. I started using one of those shower gloves. They're sorta rough. I'd scrub my elbows with it. Still do. Just to remove any old skin layers so I was starting with less skin to penetrate when applying the MG.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks again!
We always use the Dove Sensitive soap.
I think I will recommend that, too.

Greenflsh, It sounds like you have been using the coal tar. MG217 does also make the Sal-acid cream as well. So, good to know that you have been using the coal tar.

 

[wvjules]

I think you need to find out if it is psoriasis before you start treating it as such. Using Dove soap is one thing, but using a topical medication that is for psoriasis? I'd be sure that's what it is first.

That being said, when I had psoriasis I think the MG stuff worked the best but it was messy and stained things. Also, do NOT peel off the flaky skin. That will make it worse.

(FTR, I get monthly Cosentyx injections now. My psoriasis had moved to my scalp and that was hard to treat.)

 

[lizabu]

I have psoriasis on my eyelids and steroid creams don't really work that well on me and they can thin the skin which can create new issues. I started using this soap from Lush called Fresh Farmacy. It's a really gentle soap with camomile. It just soothes the skin and cleans without causing irritation. When I feel itchiness I rub some coconut oil on on the area. It helps to moisturize the dry itchy scales. I will rub my eyes when they itch so for me the coconut oil has helped me not to rub.

 

[The Princess]

My daughter has psoriasis on her scalp...medication that was prescribed to her really didn't work so we invested in doterra essential oil and bought melalucca, she adds a drop or 2 to her shampoo.....works great!!!