My psoriasis: Treatments I've used and how they've worked.
I have mild psoriasis on my scalp, elbows, arms, and legs. This is just a cumulative list of the products I've tried, and how they've worked for me.
Aquafor: Aquafor is a moisturizing ointment designed for minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. It worked very well for moisturizing and helping to avoid the affected area becoming dry. It doesn't clear up the psoriasis, of course, but it helps to avoid dryness.
Taclonex: Taclonex is a steroid ointment. My dermatologist prescribed it for the thicker plaques on my elbows and arms. In the past, it has cleared up my psoriasis in a matter of weeks. I'm talking about completely clear, little-to-no sign of it ever being there. I didn't keep up moisturizing as well as I should have after it cleared, so I had another flare-up soon after; but I know it works, and I'm on it again. I only use the samples my dermatologist gives me, because the actual full tube isn't covered by my insurance, and therefore costs over $500 for a small tube of the stuff. It would be covered if I were 18 or over, but I'm 16 for the time being, so I stick with the samples. This also comes in scalp formula, too, which is more liquid-y. That helped wonders for my scalp psoriasis.
Aveeno Eczema Therapy: This cream is designed for eczema, but it's a great moisturizer. I've had eczema before, and this cream really helped to clear it up. I haven't had eczema for years now. It has colloidal oatmeal in it, which is apparently the useful ingredient. Though it doesn't clear the psoriasis, it's another fantastic moisturizer that I would really recommend.
Desoximetasone: This is a steroid cream that I was prescribed. Desoximetasone is similar to Taclonex, though it wasn't as effective. It cleared the raised bump, but left behind discolored pigmentation that takes a long time to go away. It's weaker than the Taclonex, and the side-effects weren't great. I'm not sure why this didn't happen with Taclonex, though, because the Taclonex is stronger. I only use it [desoximetasone] in very, very small amounts on smaller spots.
Triamcinolone: This is a steroid cream with a lot percentage of cream perri (.025%). It wasn't very effective for me because my plaques are rather thick. It cleared the remaining eczema I had on my inner-arms, but did nothing for psoriasis.
Mometasone Furoate: Mometasone Furoate is yet another cream I've used before. It is very similar to triamcinolone, except with .1% cream perri in it, which is apparently supposed to help. Again, this did nothing for me except clear eczema.
Cetaphil Body Wash: I had this given to me by my dermatologist. You can buy it basically in any store that sells basic necessities, and it works well for moisturizing. It keeps the skin soft, psoriasis and all, for quite a while. I used this in the shower, lightly patted the area dry, then applied the rest of my creams over it (after I was out of the shower). It didn't clear it up, but again, it's a good moisturizer.
Cetaphil Bar Soap: Cetaphil bar soap is another form of the body wash. I found the soap more effective in moisturizing and treating it than the body wash. They have lotion and face moisturizer in this brand, too, but it has macadamia nut oil in it, and I'm allergic to tree nuts (macadamia included).
T-Gel: T-Gel is specifically for psoriasis. It smells like what I imagine hell to smell like, but it seems to be helping. I've only used it for a couple weeks, though; I have to give it more time.
Selsun Blue: This is a dandruff shampoo, but my dermatologist advised me to try it. I personally found it didn't work worth anything. It didn't make it worse, but it didn't help at all.
That is what I've used thus far, but I just received three new prescriptions that I'll be trying out soon. One is for my scalp, and two are ointments for the rest. I'll keep you guys updated on how it works.
Has anyone used any of these? How did they work? What do you use now that works well?
