The best & worst products for psoriasis

Hello!
So anyone following this blog will know that I’ve recently started publishing some YouTube videos called ‘Psoriasis Diaries’ well here’s the latest one in that series, where I talk about all of the different products that I was prescribed or bought over the counter and how effective I found them to be.

It’s a bit of a long one but there’s lots of products to cover and lots of opinions!

First up, I talk about the products over the counter. For this, I would suggest you get a basic moisturiser, something which is a good idea for anyone to have, wether you have psoriasis or not! Secondly, I’d say to wait until you see a Doctor, dermatologist or at least a pharmacist before buying anything that’s more specific. This might not be the best product for you and could make things worse.
I found Dermalex’s psoriasis product to be very effective and was one of the least irritating products of all.
It’s also a good idea to buy some calamine lotion to use in the shower instead of soaps which could aggravate your skin. Personally, I still used shower gel in areas that my psoriasis was minor and in areas where you’re more likely to smell. This was fine for me.

Then in terms of prescribed products, I’d always opt for the cream option over the ointments which were often very thick, greasy and incredibly uncomfortable throughout the day. I go into a bit more detail in the video below.

I also mention my experience with UV light treatment and how it actually made my guttate psoriasis worse. I finish the video by discussing the most successful treatment I had, which was Ciclosporin. An immune-depressant drug which was a miracle treatment for me (I promise I’m not being sponsored to say that) and it cleared my psoriasis up almost instantly, although there were a few side effects.

Enjoy the video and please, please comment over on YouTube if there’s anything you’d like me to talk about in future episodes and remember to subscribe to get all of the future instalments straight away.

Thanks!
J x

Psoriasis Diaries: Video Two – My Story and how I got ‘cured’

It’s important for me to share my story.
When my psoriasis (and confidence) was as its worst, it was communication with friends, family and online strangers that helped me more than any lotion or medication.

The video below is the second part of my psoriasis diaries videos. In this instalment, I tell you my entire experience of psoriasis from the first doctors appointment, to the failed UV treatment and successful ‘curing’ medication.

It would mean the world to me if you could share this video around. Hopefully it will help someone going through the same emotions as I was. Psoriasis is a physical skin condition, but let’s not underestimate the impact it can have on someone’s psychology.

I will do another video this week, which will talk through all of the different lotions, potions and creams I was given, as well as some other types of treatments. Please do subscribe to the YouTube channel and click thumbs up…!

Overdue Psoriasis update… Get involved!

Hello everyone!
I can’t tell you how touched I was that people have kept visiting this blog even though I failed to update it.

Well, I am pleased to let you know that the I have been clear of psoriasis side January 2014 – around 10 whole months now. HOORAH!

As I mentioned in my blog post back on Christmas Eve, my psoriasis had returned with a vengeance. It broke my heart, but luckily it didn’t stay for long.

I also mentioned in my previous blogs, that I work in the media industry as a journalist across showbiz and entertainment publications. Well, recently I’ve taken to YouTube and have started posting videos, sharing my thoughts on everything from reality TV to gig reviews and sharing what I’ve been up to. Hell, I don’t know if anyone even cares about any of it, but hey, I’m going to keep trying! Even if it does feel rather relentless and hopeless at the moment.

I’ve decided to do a video about my struggle with psoriasis and this is where YOU come in. I want anyone reading this to comment below or email me at jonhornbuckle@gmail.com with anything you’d like me to discuss in the psoriasis video. Do you want to hear my personal story from diagnosis to most recent clearing? Want to know what treatments did and didn’t work for me? Or if you have ANY questions about my psoriasis and how it affected my life, please do drop me a line – I would love to hear from you and I promise to answer all the questions in a video and then pop it on here.

So email me at jonhornbuckle@gmail.com or post a comment on here. Also, if you’d like to check out my current YouTube videos then please do! That’s all over at http://www.youtube.com/jonhornbuckle

Thanks!
Jon

Creams, Lotions and Potions. Fighting Psoriasis.

Since being diagnosed with psoriasis I’ve been prescribed a number of different creams, lotions, gels, wax and all other types of things. 

Six months in and I guess I can assume that none of these have done the trick but that’s not to say that it wouldn’t work for you. As I mentioned before, psoriasis is something which affects everyone differently which is why certain treatments will work for some people better than others.

Personally, I got on much better with the creams than the more jelly/vaseline like products as they were really greasy, leaving you uncomfortable for the rest of the day. It’s unfortunate that typically the greasy products work the best so you have to decide what you prefer, an effective product that will leave you feeling less than pleasant, or a more comfortable product which isn’t always as effective. 

I’m currently using doublebase gel for moisturising and two steroid creams. One is for my body and the other for my face. 

I’d also recommend getting some cheaper products which you can buy on the high street or in a supermarket. Just some moisturisers to use twice a day and also some aqueous cream which your doctor will recommend you wash with, it’s got no bad stuff in it though other ‘simple’ shower gels will be ok to use too and there’s no harm in using perfumed shower gels (radox, lynx etc..) now and then if you have nothing else available.