Hello!

[*Katie*]

Hi, my name is Katie, im a 27 yearold mum of 3, and was diagnosed recently with Psoriasis, im a nurse, and my hands have always been a bit sensitive to the vinyl gloves that we use at work. When i was on my last maternity leave (for 1 year), my hands became very red and irritated, and i put it down to having to wash my hands all the time at home (from changing nappies) and not having time to dry my hands properly.
I returned to work around 6 weeks ago, and wearing the gloves, excessive hand washing, and alcohol gel, etc, just made them so much worse, and half of my hands became red raw and the skin raised (it looked as though i had been burnt), people started to comment, and colleagues said they felt i shouldnt be at work because of infection risk.
Coinciding with my return to work, i started to notice spots appearing everywhere, and the classic white plaques on my knees and elbows.
My G.P diagnosed psoriasis and explained that the condition was 'incuriable' and 'lifelong', he suggested it was stress-related and having 3 babies in 3 years had taken its toll on my body, he prescribed Betnovate cream for my hands, but he wasnt sure what to prescribe for the spots on the rest of my body. Occupational Health said that it was wise to stay off work until my hands are in a better condition.
I have been using the Betnovate cream for just over a week, and it does seem to help reduce the redness, but as soon as my hands are in water for any period of time (i.e bathing the children) they just become irritated again, i also used nitrile (less irritant than vinyl) gloves the other day to dye my hair, and they had an immediate bad effect on my hands.

This has all come as a bit of a shock, and i dont know very much about the condition, so im trying to find out what i can. Im feeling really down about it all, as i always try to look nice, and i like to feel good about myself, and now im covered in spots, im just feeling very self-concious, my legs and back are covered, and the spots on my legs are just red raw at the moment, with the summer coming, im just not sure what im going to be able to wear (although i do know the sun helps).
Ive bought some Jergans aloe vera moisturiser for the spots on my legs.

My husband is so lovely about it all, and very reassuring, and i appreciate his attitude so much, but it doesnt really make me feel any happier.
Im not sure what is going to happen with work, im due to see occupational health on thursday, and i have a Dermatology consultant appointment for the 10th June -it seems like an awful long time to wait, but hopefully occupational health will help to bring it forward.

Thanks for reading 

Katie

[leighc]

hi katie,

hope you find something soon for your condition. Copious amounts of exorex cream on the scales will at least make it smooth and hopefully stop any itching. Must be a bit of a shocker for you, good luck. x

leigh

[Jamie..]

Welcome along Katie

Have a good look around and there is loads of support and good info and people about and hoping you can get some relief & find something that helps soon

I found great help in coconut oil and double base type moisterisors. Always good to moisterise alot!!

Cheers

[MULLINDE]

Hi Katie,

Welcome to PHO, and what will probably be a long and rocky road ahead.

I have had P for 12 years and have a few observations to make:

1. There is a load of help and support on this site.

2. Moisturising is essential.

3. Treatment is "hit and miss" because we all react differently (there is no "one size fits all").

4. You are certainly not alone, even if you feel you are.

5. If you want to "rant and rave", then you can here.

6. Your (unsympathetic) GP is correct in saying that there is no cure, but you can get remission.

I am not sure that I have been very helpful but this is the way that things are.

Regards,

Daryl

[babyblue]

Hi Katie,

Welcome along huney; am really sorry about your diagnosis and stress can cause a flare up.  It must be so very upsetting for you and I do hope you get some relief soon.

Hugs
BB

[ouchie]

Hi Katie - I know how you feel for sure.  I am always washing my hands at work and it can be a source of constant pain for me.  I always say the p on my hands is the worrse.  I use vinyle gloves and I often have the affected fingers wrapped with bandages. 
sometimes my hands will get so bad that my fingers will swell and get a bluish hue and weep and itch like crazy.  I have p from elbows down and knees down, the top of my head, ears and hands.  Right now I am particularly bad and have some tiny spots on chest and back too.  I am very conscious of the way I look as well.  I feel humiliated by it.  I am constantly trying to hide it and it really bothers me when I know that others see it.  I have over the last year developed it in my finger nails.  I have been triming my nails short because I will get these divits in my nails and they will bent backwards and it hurts alot.  I have also developed p in my joints this year.  My shoulders and elbows in particular.  I often wonder what will become of me.  This year has I have noticed that this disease has really gone from bad to terrible for me.  I am seeing a derm.  and will be going on oral meds. shortly.  ( some issues to sort out first with blood tests)  I have been on creams like dovobet up to this point.  I really resisted meds. because the possible side effects scared me.  Now that it has gotten into my joints it has taken it to a new level of concern.  I wish my dr. realized how serious it all is.  It has been my experience that they know very little about it and just refer you to a derm. and dust their hands of it.  There are so many things that p affects and I wish the two doctors would work much more closely together.  Anyway I am glad you are here.  I find being here really helps me to not only educate myself but to gather support.  I felt very alone may times and it is good to see success stories because you can feel rather hopeless.  Depression is a big one for me.  I don't think anyone that knows me would realize it but it is for sure.  Babyblue seems to know exactly what to say to bring a smile to my face.  So may of the folks here have helped me and I am very grateful.

[Pieman]

hi Katie

welcome from me too.
It's great to have the full support of your family.
this disease can really take its toll...you just need to find
the best treatment path to work for you
as Jam said...the info provided here by us p/pa sufferers
is second to none and a great support resource to tap into!
pie

[pepperpot]

Hi katie,

I have just read your post and am wondering if maybe your last pregnancy could have brought on the p which can happen, hopefully if that is the case it may clear at some point, that is what happened with me in my last pregnancy and seemed to clear a bit once my hormones has settled.

Just keep moisturising and try and get in the sun as much as possible.  I am going on sunbeds and that has really made a big difference but i'm sure that would be a struggle with 3 kids to find the time to.

Trish
xx

[Tyson]

Hello Katie

A very warm welcome to PHO from me, introduction to P is not the easiest thing to get your head around, and unfortunately worrying and stressing about it makes P even worse as we have all experienced, But like lots of peeps have said already, your in the right place for help and support on here! try to keep your chin up hun, I know its difficult and we have all been there! 

Take Care

Tyson