New to Psoriasis

[jiml]

Is it not a good idea to use the cream long term?  I seem to be hearing some mixed responses.  Somewhat odd that the dermatologist said I may need to use it for a year but some people are saying not to use it more than 4-6 weeks.  Will I know if the skin starts thinning and know to stop?  Is there anything obvious to look for, obviously thin skin but I'm not sure at this point what that change looks or feels like.  I do notice the veins look a bit unusual, more thin and darker in color than I tend to notice, but maybe I am just looking more than before.  Though whats odd is that this area is the only area i am not using the cream, the rest of the area looks normal.  Am I safe to keep using the cream potentially long term or should I consult another doctor to get a second opinion?  Not an area I want anything bad to happen.

I don't think you will get mixed responses from anyone who has used them for any length of time. The message will be clear. Long term use should be avoided
I agree with Turnedlight and although our health systems are different the advice should always be the same about using corticosteroids they are designed for short term use, and if they are going to work it should show results within a few weeks.
You should as Turnedlight suggested ask your dermatologist why..... As there are guidelines for the use of these creams and the manufacturers don't put warnings in their packs, unless there could be a problem.

You are unlikely to see a change in your skin, the first thing I noticed was the skin on my legs where I had been applying the creams, split very easily with a slight knock. I never used it on my penis but would think that might get damaged with rough use   after using the cream over a prolonged period

[JohnB]

Hi. I fully agree with what Turnedlight and Jim are saying and like I said my Dermy was upset with me for using it for around six weeks. You could do with knowing why he wants you on it for so long.

[Fred]

Yes I'm with TL you shouldn't be left with it for a year without a follow up, that is bad practice and I would get myself another dermatologist.

What is the brand name of the cortisone cream you are using. ?

I would have said four weeks max especially in sensitive areas, but having said that I would never put it on my genital area.  

The skin on the inside of my toes have gone very thin and a raw most of the time, and this is down to using Dovobet. I've always had problems there and Dovobet does clear it up, but now the skin is red all the time and splits very easily. Trust me it's bad enough on your toes and you don't want it happening to your Todger.

Your first post says you had been on it six weeks. If you still haven't noticed it clearing then it's not going to so it's time to try something else.

And get a dermatologist who knows what they are doing. It's your body they are playing with and the genital area is not something you want to mess about with.

[D Foster]

Yes I'm with TL you shouldn't be left with it for a year without a follow up, that is bad practice and I would get myself another dermatologist.

What is the brand name of the cortisone cream you are using. ?

I would have said four weeks max especially in sensitive areas, but having said that I would never put it on my genital area.  

The skin on the inside of my toes have gone very thin and a raw most of the time, and this is down to using Dovobet. I've always had problems there and Dovobet does clear it up, but now the skin is red all the time and splits very easily. Trust me it's bad enough on your toes and you don't want it happening to your Todger.

Your first post says you had been on it six weeks. If you still haven't noticed it clearing then it's not going to so it's time to try something else.

And get a dermatologist who knows what they are doing. It's your body they are playing with and the genital area is not something you want to mess about with.

I agree wholeheartedly with Fred it's not an area to mess about with ( well you know what I mean)  I would definitely get another opinion as I don't think your dermatologist is very good and a year before a follow up , crap !!!! Maybe my phone did spell it right for you when it changed it to demonologist.

[Lookingforhelp]

Thank you very much everyone for the informative replies.  The cream I am using is triamcinolone 0.1%.  I have been using it for around 2 months now and it does seem to be working but very slowly.  The psoriasis in the affected area has ~25% cleared up.  It seems to be lessening VERY gradually.  I believe that is why he said "it may take a year".  He also said it may take less.  He did say to follow up in 2-3 months.  He also prescribed me hydrocortisone 2.5% and over the counter hydrocortisone 1%.  He said the Triamcinolone is stronger than the others, the HC 2.5% is in-between and the HC 1% much more mild.  He said to experiment and play around with the different strengths because if the milder cream works then it is better to use than the stronger ones.  (I was using the Triamcinolone 0.1% before seeing this dermatologist because I had initially gone to a GP who had prescribed it who after 1 month referred me to the Dermatologist.)  I still have more of the original Triamcinolone left and have been waiting for it to run out (it's almost gone) before filling the new prescription.  I will pick up the two creams that are less potent today though and start trying the mild one.  Also I will make a phone call to the Derm and ask if long term use even 2-3 months is for sure ok before seeing him next.  Thanks so much for the help!

[Lookingforhelp]

I would have said four weeks max especially in sensitive areas, but having said that I would never put it on my genital area.  

Well it does seem to be working just very slowly and I'd really rather not be stuck with having this on my penis forever.  What other options are there?  Pills?  Would that be a better way to go? 

You also mentioned the skin on your toes splitting.  Is this something that one notices immediately or do you not notice these effects til later down the road?

[D Foster]

Thank you very much everyone for the informative replies.  The cream I am using is triamcinolone 0.1%.  I have been using it for around 2 months now and it does seem to be working but very slowly.  The psoriasis in the affected area has ~25% cleared up.  It seems to be lessening VERY gradually.  I believe that is why he said "it may take a year".  He also said it may take less.  He did say to follow up in 2-3 months.  He also prescribed me hydrocortisone 2.5% and over the counter hydrocortisone 1%.  He said the Triamcinolone is stronger than the others, the HC 2.5% is in-between and the HC 1% much more mild.  He said to experiment and play around with the different strengths because if the milder cream works then it is better to use than the stronger ones.  (I was using the Triamcinolone 0.1% before seeing this dermatologist because I had initially gone to a GP who had prescribed it who after 1 month referred me to the Dermatologist.)  I still have more of the original Triamcinolone left and have been waiting for it to run out (it's almost gone) before filling the new prescription.  I will pick up the two creams that are less potent today though and start trying the mild one.  Also I will make a phone call to the Derm and ask if long term use even 2-3 months is for sure ok before seeing him next.  Thanks so much for the help!

I know this sound funny but try getting some Canasten cream as I found that it can cause thrush which is not only a female problem, you may find that it helps as it may not only be P.  Just a thought.

[Fred]

I would have said four weeks max especially in sensitive areas, but having said that I would never put it on my genital area.  

Well it does seem to be working just very slowly and I'd really rather not be stuck with having this on my penis forever.  What other options are there?  Pills?  Would that be a better way to go? 

You also mentioned the skin on your toes splitting.  Is this something that one notices immediately or do you not notice these effects til later down the road?

I noticed to late and now can hardly seem to get the skin inside my toes back to normal. But it was Dovobet which is stronger, but worth bearing it in mind about what can happen with thinning of the skin.  

I've just found this about triamcinolone: Avoid using this medication on your face, near your eyes, or on body areas where you have skin folds or thin skin.

As for what else to try. It depends how bad the psoriasis is and where else you have it. Most dermatologist wouldn't try the pills until they have tried the creams first.

You could try Dovonex. Dovobet And Dovonex (What's the difference ?)

Or just give a good quality Virgin Coconut Oil a try for a while to see if it helps. *Not good if you use condoms.

If you do want to ask your dermatologist about the oral treatments this thread has more info: Oral Treatments For Psoriasis but I would hold off on them for a while and see if a cream can sort it out.

[Lookingforhelp]

Ok that makes sense, thanks Fred.

[Kat]

My gynecologist noticed I had psoriasis around the anal area (thankfully it was nothing that bothered me) and gave me a steroid cream to use. I had a dermatologist appointment the following week and he told me that it was not something he would recommend using often or for a prolonged period in that area so I immediately stopped. I would definitely question the long term use and possibly get a second opinion if you aren't satisfied with the answer.