Psoriasis....My Old man eyebrow scuzz has turned into a serious issue-any advice?

[Boxerfan]

I went to a dermatologist & got prescribed an ointment for the worst area-my friggin man package of all things...

It came pretty much all of a sudden. I had the eyebrow thing for years & frankly scarlet didn't give a hoot. But then it got all wild & crazy-I have it on my scalp, arms, legs-under my chin-and ...and I have no idea why all of a sudden.

Anyhow-If anyone has home remedies or helpful advice I'd be grateful.
And in the scheme of things it is not a huge issue-everything works & as my Dr said-hey its not cancer! Annoying as all get out but not life threatening-but my penis?? C'mon

I figured lounge could help better than the health section- a penis is involved after all...

[rug]

1. My general advice is, don't touch it.

In this case, I'm stumped.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Mr. Dixie had a sudden outbreak of what was diagnosed as psoriasis late this winter.

It gradually spread from neck to back to rest of trunk to arms and upper legs, but fortunately not the ...nether regions.
The dermatologist said it was "stress "induced.
He was prescribed Prozac, and I did notice he had a more relaxed personality.
Sadly, after 30 days on it, he noticed memory loss, stopped taking it and now 2 months later, no return of the skin problem.

HE thinks it is because we are into summer, a time when he wears little clothing.
That includes no underwear around the home place.
He is convinced loose clothes and no restrictions are the answer.

Dunno...maybe.....
Guess we will see this winter.

[Chan790]

3. Standard advice for psoriasis...

provided they didn't put you on steroids, is UV radiation. Since the neighbors and law enforcement may frown on sunning your tallywacker, I'm stumped. (Nude tanning? Is that a thing?) I've had good luck with OTC metholated ointments like Burt's Bees Hand Salve...again, not something you want rub on your junk.

Steroids are the prescribed treatment of last resort. Nothing clears up skin inflammations, especially those from auto-immune ailments like psoriasis, like a shot of synthetic testosterone. Treatment of last resort because the uncommon side effects are unpleasant...impotence and increased risk of cancer.

[jmowreader]

32. This is a good reason to take up tanning beds

Since you can't lay out with your dick out, go to a tanning parlor that has the beds in private rooms.

[Raffi Ella]

4. Get your vitamin D levels checked.

I had flakes behind my ear, just a tiny little spot, I wondered why it kept reappearing but it didn't really bother me. But then I started getting it on the side of my nose and along my hair line. That bothered me. I got online and researched and came across a video - I can't think of the Dr's name right now... I'm thinking the Sunshine Dr. as he's known for advocating for vitamin D, anyway I'll look for the video -

I started taking vitamin D supplements and it went away. I just looked it up, his name is Dr. Holick. Google his name and Vitamin D and psoriasis.



*Just for the record: I'm not saying you should take vitamin D, I'm telling you to go to the Dr. and get your levels checked.

[Boxerfan]

5. Thanks for the replies

I do get a lot of sun especially for an Oregonian-but I don't go full monte. Scare the poor kiddies so where they'd never go outdoors again.

I was told stress-but my life has not had any major whacks as of late. Heat has been an issue & I just started enjoying this new disease fully so I don't know its patterns. But I'm miserable with it today & yeah it is hot.

I just hope for a remission soon. Thanks all...

[Sweet Freedom]

18. I agree with grasswire

to look at diet and psoriasis. I just recently saw something about that relationship (sorry, I don't remember where and it was only a small part of the story). Basically, it was a patient who had numerous health problems and instead of trying yet another drug, the doctor changed his diet. The patient was surprised that his psoriasis disappeared (it wasn't an outcome they expected. They were trying to control more serious issues.)

Good luck!

[applegrove]

6. I found coal tar shampoo really cleared up mine on my scalp.

[Chan790]

7. If it doesn't clear up, there's always Enbrel.

I'm wary of biologic medicines...but then again, I might feel different if I had psoriasis where you have psoriasis.

As someone else suggested, coal-tar or selenium sulfide shampoos are meant for use on the head but would probably work to wash the junk and reduce inflammation and plaques.

[vanlassie]

8. I second the vitamin D advice.

Your latitude is way too high to be able to get enough vitamin D from sunshine.

[marzipanni]

9. "The People's Pharmacy" website is a good one- we've used some of their home remedies that worked

such as getting rid of a wart and a plantar's wart by putting a little patch of duck* tape over them for 2-3 weeks.

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2014/01/12/kitchen-cupboard-remedies-may-help-people-with-psoriasis/

(*Since my husband, son and I just discussed this, I thought I'd include it- )
http://mentalfloss.com/article/52151/it-duck-tape-or-duct-tape

[TreasonousBastard]

13. Thanks for that site. I've been bothered by a nagging cough...

and just saw an article there about rubbing Vick's on your feet to stop a cough.

Sounds ridiculous, I know, but I'm off to buy a jar of the stuff when the stores open to see for myself.

[marzipanni]

21. That's interesting, but get cough checked if it is chronic

I had a bothersome tickle in my throat a long time ago and had allergy tests (one of the few times I had health insurance through work).
No allergies showed up, and when the doc told me I asked, "Could my throat be irritated by scented room deodorizer
stick-up things?" His answer was, "Yes".

I told my room mate at the time, who stuck those scented things up because I had a dog, and she said her throat had been tickling and making her cough and clear her throat a lot, too.
She removed the offending stink stick-ups and our throats were no longer irritated.
It was a relief to find out it was just something so benign.

Have you tried an online symptom check?

http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/health-tools/search-by-symptom.html

http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptom-checker/select-symptom/itt-20009075

This is very informative-
http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mens_Health_Watch/2010/September/that-nagging-cough

(sorry- as a former nurse I tend to get carried away)

[TreasonousBastard]

22. Talked to the doc several times...

and while there's that usual problem of diagnosis during the 8 minute visit, nothing serious was found. We ended up thinking it was a combination of damage from years of smoking (stopped 5 years ago) and acid reflux sneaking the wrong way down the throat. I'm getting over a cold, which compounds everything and added a couple of really bad episodes that I hope are over for now.

I'll check out those links later tonight.

[Kali]

24. acid reflux will do it for sure,

try antacids for a couple weeks or ask for scrip, you don't want to erode the lower part of your esophagus with gastric acid

[lululu]

37. another vote for acid reflux as a cause of coughing and a runny nose.

They told me that at a mega ENT place. I already take acid reflux med, but they added in Ranitidine before bedtime. Worked like a charm in 1-2 days.

GI doctors will tell you acid reflux can't get that high. They don't know what they're talking about. ENTs do.

[2theleft]

10. i have a friend that swears by the JR Watkins healing salve for it.

I use it on scrapes, bumps, bug bites, etc., and love it.

[Boxerfan]

11. I'm using coal tar shampoo...

And sadly it does almost nothing.

I've been battling the eyebrow scuzz for the last year with everything from anti-fungal ointment to head & shoulders extra strength applied directly as a salve-it goes away & comes right back.

So far my new outbreaks are the same. They will go away leaving a red sore then come right back.

I will get some of the vitamin D. I always wear a hat-being mostly bald & having had 2 melanoma removed via surgery. But I may try some hat free action to see if the sun can help the scalp area.

I also have a major sleep disorder & it basically is wreaking havoc on everything-maybe its an accumulative thing.

I have no prescription coverage but thankfully I have medical.

My personal home remedy for the trouser area is Gold bond medicated powder. A bit tingly but it seems to keep the rash from flaring up.

Thanks again-TMI time in the lounge...

[TBF]

17. My psoriasis is mostly on my scalp -

but I also have full-blown psoriatic arthritis. If you could afford a visit to a rheumatologist there are some great foam samples that work really well (I didn't look at the ingredients but they are likely steroids as other posters have mentioned). For flare-ups they work quickly. I don't know if a GP would have access to meds like that. The coal tar shampoos never worked for me but the foams do. Good luck!

[gvstn]

25. I swear by MG217 coal tar ointment.

It is the only thing that works (for me) on the itching and it eventually helps heal the original outbreak with continued use. It does have a coal smell to it but that doesn't bother me. It doesn't stain clothes either. But it is rather expensive for use on a large area.
http://www.mg217.com/products/medicated-coal-tar-ointment/

I also had pretty good luck with using a tanning booth but am a bit leery of them these days.

[MH1]

28. "Major sleep disorder" sounds like it might be key.

Not getting enough good sleep on a regular basis can cause all sorts of problems. Even if you aren't feeling emotionally stressed, your body is physically stressed.

Anything you can do to treat your sleep issues might also help with the psoriasis.

[grasswire]

12. IIRC, some dietary advances have targeted psoriasis

You might want to do some reading up to find what's working for people.

[Tom Ripley]

14. Dr Bonner's Pine Tar Soap or Lotion

The stuff with the crazy writing all over the packaging.
Friends swear by it.

[RandiFan1290]

15. Take a look at hemp oil

I take a tablespoon twice a day and use it topically. My skin has never been healthier!

[caraher]

16. Interesting about vitamin D

I had some fairly minor patches on my hands that cleared up after I lost substantial weight counting calories and increasing my exercise level, mainly by bicycling. That also meant spending a lot more time outdoors in the summer, so perhaps vitamin D played a role? That might mean sunning your nether regions would be unnecessary (at least for therapeutic reasons )

[Sanity Claws]

19. Do some research on alternative treatment of psoraris

A lot of folks are talking about Vitamin D. My recollection is that it is related to a problem with Essential Fatty Acids. If your research indicates that, you could start taking some EFAs, such as Fish Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, etc.
These nutritional products are not going to hurt you so you might as well try them.

[bettyellen]

20. agree with checking on diet, but if you want to try natural cures, try the Garden of Wisdom

Last edited Thu Aug 21, 2014, 12:26 AM - Edit history (1)

website. They sell good quality natural oils and extracts, of all sorts. They have a blog linked with a lot of info on every skin condition out there, and the owner Jen will respond to emails. After too many dermatogist visits tht did not help my roseacea, their most recommended oil blend (mostly sea buckthorn) helped immediately. Great resource for skin issues. Good luck!

[blogslut]

23. Neem oil is purported to help psoriasis

I can't say that for a fact but you could give it a shot. Warning: It smells like ass.

Also, supposedly burdock root and chickweed are supposed to help.

You could make a salve by melting some beeswax, adding appropriate oils and herbs and letting it firm up by cooling.

Here's a good site for buying such things: www.mountainroseherbs.com

Also, many people use Nioxin for eczema and psoriasis: www.nioxin.com

[hollysmom]

26. MY mother fought Psoriasis in her ending years - then we found what cured her. Don't know

if it would work for anyone else. She was ashamed to expose her legs, but I rented a house on a short block and there was almost no one on the beach,so she came out to stay there. and the walks in the surf and the sun seemed to push it all back. She had all kinds of creams and such that really did nothing, but then I took her to the beach in the fall and spring and she really did not have a real problem.Now if she had skin cancer it would not be a good idea, but it really knocked it out for her,but like I said, we went to the beach in and out of season except the dead of winter. I am not sure we ever told her doctor about this though. I swear to you, this worked for her. I saw the huge scabs shrink then fade.

here is something form health line

The Dead Sea, Israel

The fabled Dead Sea in Israel has long been a destination for people with psoriasis. The lowered elevation protects your skin from sun damage, so you can soak in extra rays to help improve your skin. The high salt content of the water—which prevents organisms from living in it—can also relieve and prevent psoriasis scales.

[onecent]

27. The ONLY thing that helps my psoriasis is exposing it to the sun..Find a place...

Seriously...it's the only things that keeps it in check. I'm thinking about moving to a southern State...big time

[DFW]

29. This may sound weird or like a cliché

My younger daughter's boyfriend had a pretty bad case of it, too. It drove him nuts.

They went on vacation to Israel, and he spent the better part of a week at/in the Dead Sea. Cleared right up.

No guarantees, but there you have something to try out.

[pinboy3niner]

30. I'd think that might be a tough sell...

...convincing guys to submerge their "junk" in the Dead Sea.

ETA: Gives a whole new meaning to the George meme...

[DFW]

31. My daughter said it worked

Granted, I did not demand visual proof.

[pinboy3niner]

33. We have a standing joke about a very hairy friend

When he takes off his shirt, he's wearing a mohair sweater.

We never even considered looking South.

[nolabear]

34. I had good luck with a low carb diet. No kidding!

I got a patch of eczema after a big round of antibiotics years ago and it just never went away. Last year I started a very low carb and only unrefined carbs diet and you wouldn't believe what cleared up, including the patch. I have slid on that diet in the past month and...yep, it's back. As is the heartburn and joint inflammation. I'm smacking myself. But it's great info, and I'm working to maintain my resolve. It's shocking what is carb based!

[magical thyme]

35. my standard skin therapy is essential lavender oil

so I tried googling it to see if it might help. Here is one positive response I found:

"The University of Maryland Medical Center states that studies show that lavender oil can reduce dry, scaly skin patches and control pain. In addition, the center says that numerous small, inconclusive studies found that lavender oil may relieve anxiety and stress, common triggers of psoriasis flare-ups."
http://www.livestrong.com/article/231258-lavender-oil-for-psoriasis/

Worst case, your junk will smell heavenly

[kwassa]

36. Hydrocortisone 1%

rub it on any afflicted area.

[Hippo_Tron]

38. If you have insurance, ask a dermatologist about biologics

I've been on one for 6 years, with good results and I have the kind of psoriasis that spreads all over your body in little dots.

UV treatments are a good option too, though useless on your scalp. It's also probably no good for your junk, because chances are they'll tell you that you have to cover it in the UV box. In the unlikely event you get skin cancer it would be very painful if they had to remove it from your junk.

On edit: I saw that you've had melanoma, which probably means UV is out, and no prescription coverage. Some of the drug companies have discounts that can make the drugs affordable for people without insurance.