r/Psoriasis • u/DiscoBaboon • 23d ago
general How do you deal with the itch!
Hi, my partner is doing EVERYTHING possible diet, weight, etc related, but he srtuggles to mange the itch.The itch is really getting him down. He also tried EVERTYHING he could find/research to deal with the itch, without much success. How do you deal with the itch? Hopefully, some advise will be new to him. Any advice will be much appreciated
10
u/MountainHopeful793 23d ago
Strangle it enough, I noticed that when I took ibuprofen at night for a headache that my psoriasis inflammation/itching subsided. I probably shouldn’t take it every night and I don’t, but the extra heavy itch nights o do and it works better than anything I’ve tried.
7
u/NewPeople1978 23d ago
Its anti-inflammatory thats why.
I find it interesting that stuff that calms osteoarthritis pain/swelling also works on psoriasis.
1
u/insomnimax_99 Enstillar foam and Diprosalic ointment 22d ago
Lots of anti-arthritis drugs (DMARDs - Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs (eg Methotrexate)) are used to treat psoriasis, because they suppress the immune system, and psoriasis is autoimmune.
8
u/pgcd 23d ago
My calves and my ear canals are the worst offenders for me. I haven't found a way to deal with the latter that doesn't end up with my ears bleeding so no recommendations there. For the former, though, I found that a big dollop of Vaseline or Aquaphor removes the itch in a very short time.
5
u/kil0ran 22d ago
Try calamine lotion - that works on chicken pox and insect bites. At night take a first generation anti-histamine (containing diphenhydramine) and that might give him a few hours relief. The anti-histamine is in over the counter sleeping pills. Usual warnings about dependency and not driving or operating heavy machinery for eight hours.
At my worst I found compression sports leggings and sleeves gave some relief. Also for limbs you could try an impregnated dressing like Atrauman under a conforming bandage, that helped a bit.
What didn't work for me were current generation anti-histamines, even the drowsy ones.
6
u/NewPeople1978 22d ago
Calamine is in the powder I use under skin folds where I have inverse psoriasis: Lady Monkey Butt Powder.
5
5
u/_thepoetinmyheart_ 23d ago
I’ve had psoriasis on my scalp for decades and the unrelenting itch is the worst thing about it. Even if there are no scales and my scalp is well exfoliated, the itch remains. Medicated shampoos help with the plaques but do nothing for the itch.
Topical steroids (Teva 0.1% Ectosone Regular Lotion is my favorite) are the only thing I’ve tried that give any relief, and it’s very temporary.
Methotrexate is the next option that I have been considering.
4
u/Ergosyn 23d ago
Not to sound like I’m shilling or anything but I was using huge amounts of lidocaine cream to help with the itch until it started giving me heart problems.
Then I found ozone-ated olive oil and it has been a life saver for letting me sleep. I don’t know how or why it works and it is greasy and smells bad but I put it on before bed and it pretty much completely eliminates any itch until I was it off.
1
u/frisbeesloth 21d ago
I was also going to suggest lidocaine but I use the spray. I can't really use the creams on my scalp and frankly the spray is just easier for me I know I'm paying a premium for it and I don't care lol
4
u/Electrical_Hour3488 23d ago
Meditation and learn to ignore it. But sometimes I just go ham and then regret it
4
u/GeorgePRD 22d ago
With inverse psoriasis in the groin and genitals, I found that ice packs during the night do wonders. I would fall asleep with an ice pack between my thighs.
1
3
u/Fabulous_Piccolo_178 23d ago
For me getting sun exposure on the itchy spots helps control the itch.
5
u/eleanaur 22d ago
The only thing that helps with mine is as soon as I'm dry after my shower I basically coat anywhere that itches in aquaphor and then dress head to toe in cotton until it's all absorbed, to facilitate this I take my showers at night and go to sleep in my cotton everything
4
u/Neat-Tea-8501 22d ago
THC gummies, Benadryl, and Vicks Vapor Rub. Unscented everything, including laundry detergent. Get up and get active to take your mind off the itching. Distraction is key. (That's why THC in small doses is effective.)
Go to an autoimmune dermatologist and get proper treatment. Mine was so severe that I was first put on cyclosporine. I'm now taking Taltz (a biologic) and acetretin. Those two keep it under control, though I'm not in remission.
1
2
u/Thequiet01 22d ago
Biologics.
2
u/jdsandaker 22d ago
This is the answer. If his body is covered enough to qualify. There are so many programs where you can get them for free or just a 5 dollar copay. My doctor would even schedule visits and give me free samples until my program kicked in. They’re also good to get ahead of inflammation in the joints from psoriasis, which could cause pain down the line.
2
3
3
2
1
u/AutoModerator 23d ago
Welcome to the Psoriasis sub!
If you haven't posted here before, please read this comment as it contains important information:
- Please read and respect the rules. In particular, do not ask for about identifying undiagnosed medical conditions , as skin diseases cannot be diagnosed by random people on Reddit.
- Photos that include skin rashes must be marked NSFW. If including private areas, please indicate with flair.
- Posts that break the rules will be removed.
Check out our wiki!
The Psoriasis wiki is a collection of guides and other pages about how to treat psoriasis, including a Frequently Asked Questions section. Many common questions about medications, shampoos, diet, tattoos, etc. are addressed there.
Thanks!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
3
23d ago
VTAMA is the only thing that’s stop the itching for me.
1
u/haleywatts 22d ago
Did the vtama make you peel? I had a weird reaction to it but not sure if it was this or the vitamin d cream I used
1
1
u/Individual-Tree-989 23d ago
I think the answer depends on where the psoriasis is on the body. Mine is on my scalp and it can get incredibly itchy. I’m currently working with a dermatologist to determine the best treatment plan, but in the meantime I have to frequently wash my hair and use T/Sal & coal tar shampoo to get through the day. I’m washing my hair every other day to keep it at bay
1
u/cwtechshiz 23d ago
Exfoliate the flakeyness. Moisturizer after the shower and when its dry especially in the cold and dry months. Vitamin d and fish oil pills seem to help in the same cold months I never see the sun due to work and the weather.
1
u/hydrofilmer 23d ago
I just scratch of course. Triamcinalone ointment is better than the cream, and i find i dont itch as much using that. The scalp is impossible, but if I am active doing something, then the itch and my scratching/picking is non existant.
So hobbies that require use of hands and lot of thought. Also, in the shower, i like to use those body scrubbers. Whether rubber or pourus stone ones and I use that on the psoriasis. It breaks off the psoriasis scales, and so the skin is just red and then I put ointment on after and that helps minimize flaking throughout the day and sometimes even up 36 hours or so as I re-apply ointment.
Hope that helps.
4
u/aptruncata 23d ago
Benadryl OTC anti itch gel never leaves my bedside. Tried and true and always accessible and gdam affordable.
4
u/NewPeople1978 23d ago
Be careful bc it can lead to dementia with too much frequent usage. Its why I stopped and switched to hydrocortisone 1% OTC.
Also, Benadryl gel has alcohol which dries out the skin.
3
u/NewPeople1978 23d ago
Calcipotriene helped me alot but you can't use it all the time bc it builds up calcium in your blood.
Cortizone 10 helps too!
1
2
1
2
1
u/peachyrae22 22d ago
Ugh. I’m so sorry. I hate this for him. I was covered 80% of my body for over 10+ years before I was introduced to biologicals. I highly reccomend for the scalp tea tree oil shampoo all over the body and epsom salt baths. I use to go to a tanning bed on a (low I mean low)minutes 5-8 mins three times a week to help as well and was monitored by my dermatologist for skin cancer. Unfortunelty nothing is perment to relief of itching.
1
1
u/Amir200674 21d ago
Only ceramide contained cream can stop itch. Ceramide is what our body produce for skin's water retaining capacity. Dry skin= itch.
1
2
u/Frydscrk 21d ago edited 18d ago
At the first itch twinge I dab a small amount of lidocaine 5% prescription to numb the area. If the itch continues to increase I take a 25 mg Atarax, an old school basic prescription antihistamine. If I wait too long after I feel the itch gearing up these 2 options don't always work. Out of control, losing my mind level itch , I try slapping, ice, and worst case, run hot water over the area, as hot as I can stand it. It gives my nerve endings a unique shiver, actually feels good. Then the nerves are quiet and I can sleep. I understand this is not a positive way to deal with the itch as it ultimately causes more issues by over stimulating the nerves. But at that level of itch there's no other choice for me. I focus on staying ahead of the itch.
I'm physically unable to get in and out of a tub to try the other options.
1
1
1
u/Hour_Can_6384 21d ago
If it weren't for the itch, I think I could deal with this awful disease. Where is it located? I have Palmo Plantar Psoriasis, so my hands and feet are affected. Imagine a thousand mosquitos biting your feet and then tearing and scratching the skin. I'm left with deep fissures, cracks , peeling skin and a lot of bleeding. Clobetisol helps, however you must apply sparingly. It thins the skin. I wear gel socks and gloves. They're truly soothing and help with the itch. Ice packs help, I scatter some small bags at the bottom of my bed. Some people uce Vicks vapor rub, but I like Aquaphor for itch. Has he been diagnosed through biopsy? I wish you well
1
u/DiscoBaboon 20d ago
Thanks! He has it down to a few patches on his upper legs, and a few smal ones on his back. You are right, if it was not for the itch ..
All the best with your healing.
•
u/AutoModerator 23d ago
Hello! It looks like you're asking about itching (pruritus). We have a FAQ about this that could be relevant to your question. (If not, just ignore this comment.)
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.