I have had psoriasis for a few years now and it wasn't until about 2 years ago that I found anything that would get rid of it. My doctor sent me to the light box in his office, which is similar to a tanning bed but the rays are much stronger. I asked the doctor if going to the tanning bed would do the same thing as the light box and he said it wouldn't and that it wasn't good for your skin. I don't know if the doctor was just trying to make more money, because each visit cost me 16 dollars out of pocket and I would have to go three times a week to get it under control, or if he was telling me the truth about tanning beds. I have read some previous posts where people say they go to tanning beds for their psoriasis and it works. I was just wondering if anyone has had experience with both and if they work the same and also any medications that other psoriasis sufferers are using to control it. I would really appreciate any responses since it is getting closer to the winter months and I can already tell my skin is going to be messed up in the dry weather. Thanks.
I have used a tanning bed every once in a while. At first, some of the red spots get redder, but after about 2 days they seem to fade. I would like to tan more often, but it takes time and I don't want too much of a tan. My doctor did say that usually the sun isn't recommeded, but for psoriasis, it does seem to help.
I used to go to tanning beds with little results (it would clear up, but as soon as I skipped a session it would flare up again <IMG SRC="http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif">) So I consulted with a different doctor who prescribed a cream that works wonders! It is called: betamethasone dipropionate cream usp .05% I have been battling a psoraiasis patch on my back for years & this is the only thing that has worked so far.
Hope this helps! <IMG SRC="http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif">
Just wanted to let you know that there is a great new product for psoriasis called PROTOPIC. I hear that it is a life saver as far as clearing it up. You need a derm. to write a prescription for it. Hope it helps!!!
I have tried Protopic. For the most part it works well. It gets rid of most of the red spots. Sometimes the red areas come back very red, but then seem to virtually disappear again. I have found that if I don't use it regularly and then use it, my skin will itch where it was applied. After a day the itch goes away. Only complaint is that the tube it comes in is so small!
My son had psoriasis from the time he was 12 (he is now 29). He had tried all of the doctor and some natural remedies that were recommended. His psoriasis was so bad (how bad was it?!) that it was an embarrassment for him to go out in public.
Last year we discovered a product made by the Mannatech Company (I do not work for or represent this company) called Ambrotose. It is supposed to help with the immune system.
Within three weeks of taking the Ambrotose in the "bulk" form (one quarter teaspoon a day) the psoriasis in his scalp was completely gone and there was absolutely no scarring in his scalp.
Within 4 to five weeks all of the ugly "oozing" sores that covered his body were dried up and a white-ish powdery scale covered the sores. Within a month and a half, he had absolutely no sign of psoriasis.
The product sells for something like 58 dollars for a jar of the powder, but it lasts up to 3 months. As long as he was on the Ambrotose the psoriasis was gone. He has been off of it for about 7 months now, the psoriasis has come back, but is no where near what it was before Ambrotose. The only reason he came off the product was due to its cost (seminary student - no income).
I believe that, if he had stayed on the Ambrotose for at least six months to a year, his psoriasis would either have been completely gone...or nearly completely gone. Because of this I have told him that I will pay for the stuff if he will continue to use it.
I can not say anything about other claims that Mannatech makes, but I do know that it works for psoriasis.
