I've just been diagnosed with psoriasis....I'm angry and scared and p*ssed off! My doctor gave me creams and shampoo (which smells awful) I see an improvement but I don't think it will last. Rant over 
OH Eileen I'm sorry to hear about you're condition, I've got the dreaded arthritis so know how you feel x
I have it - came on later in life. But it goes away again, in my case after about a year .
The doctor prescribes a stronger steroid cream, which has taken me a year to learn how to use it. I have psoriasis on my lower leg. It's nearly gone.
Eventually I learnt to catch a psoriasis spot EARLY ON, it's like a mosquito bit at first.
Then I put a SPOT of steroid cream right on the spot - nowhere else. I use the tube exit directly to dab on a blob of cream. I then carefully cover that with a plaster for about 1-2 days. When I remove it the spot is often gone forever, sometimes it's a smaller spot - but waiting to grow.
So I wait a day and then blast that smaller spot again. For 1-2 days. That often kills it forever.
I use atrixo as a safe non-steroid cream, but don't reckon it does very much.
What took me ages to learn was to really go for the spot. My mistake was to go very gingerly with tiny amounts of cream. but then the spot sticks around for months.
So now I put a blob of steroid (cortiscoid I believe) right on the spot. Mind you I wouldn't do it too many times on the same spot - not that I have seen bad effects, but I have read about bad effects of repeated doses on the same bit of skin.
ALL THE BEST - this is just what I did, I am not a doctor!
Oh no!! That's rubbish....I feel like a drama queen now!! Hope your not in pain xx
Hi Steve...Thank you for your message! It gives me some comfort to know that using treatment can possibly make this horrible thing go away! I feel like a drama queen but I'm so upset that I have this
Hi eileen71000, the advice given by 2steve is very good. I too have found that if I catch the random spots early, I can see them off. The elbows & behind the ears are a different story, however 😁. I have had psoriasis since I was about 20yrs old. It disappeared during both my pregnancies but came back afterwards👎 .about 5 yrs ago I was diagnosed with the arthritis as well & prescribed methotrexate. Taken regularly, this massively reduces the plaques on my elbows as well as relieving the arthritis. Through experience of dealing with this horrible condition, I found that exfoliating the plaques before a daily bath really helps, as does anything with coal tar in (I expect that's in your smelly shampoo!) there is also an expensive lotion called Exorex which is excellent. If you are in the uk you could try to get it on prescription as it's about £20 per bottle! Good old e45 is good and they also produce an e45 wash which is pretty good too- just be careful in the shower as it can get slippy! I believe dermatologists sometimes prescribe Methotrexate for psoriasis without the arthritis, so you could ask about that. You will also find that regular spells in the sunshine gets rid of psoriasis but you have to be careful of course... A dermatologist can also arrange for uv treatments ( like a sunbed, but controlled use.) good luck, try things out, see what works for you. Oh & sea salt in your bath👍
Hey...thanks for your reply. It's good to 'talk' to people who know what I'm going through....I feel a bit dramatic but I am really struggling to accept that I have this! Yes the shampoo must have some sort of tar in it...the smell is ridiculous I guess all I can do is keep using the 'potent' cream and hope for some sort of relief. Hope your arthritis doesn't give you too much pain! X
Hi Eileen, it is scary, ive had psoriasis for over 12 years, but had eczema as a child, so ive had skin problems most of my life, ive just been referred to rheumatologist to check if ive got psoriatic arthritis. The creams do smell especially the coal tar, but its good stuff. Ive just had a flare and came out of hospital a few weeks ago, so feeling better the weather is warmer. It will get better, just let it take its toll. Good luck with the treatment.
Stopped using the steriod cream as advised by my doctor....I'm stunned by the vengeance the psoriasis has returned....its now all over my back and in my scalp....#epicfail