How long to try treatments?

[Imapsomom]

How long do you try treatments before deciding they are not working? My son's scalp psoriasis is suddenly quite bad, worse since starting with the extra strength tgel shampoo, but also in the same week as starting tgel had a very stressful event, and ate unusually poorly for a week so I am not sure what caused the flare up.  He was diagnosed with Glutate about 6 months ago and proscribed clobetasol which worked with in 2 weeks (but it all came back and more). Now 2 weeks seems to be my marker for 'working'. Tried to switch from Clobelosol to Dovobet but saw little result in 3 weeks so stopped. We have an appointment to see the dermatologist in 4 weeks, but he is really pushing the Biologics and my son is only 13 so I think much to young for such a treatment. I would love to calm that scalp down (and the rest of his P) but don't know when to give up on a treatment and try something else.

[Fred]

Difficult question. I have given things up because they caused more problems, or I gave them up because I felt something better was on offer.

We are all different and psoriasis is so difficult to treat. What works for me may not work for your son, and even if it does work for me it may just stop working one day.

There has been talk of hitting young or early diagnosed people early on with a Bio and stopping its progression. Who knows it may work, but it's still early days and needs more guinea pigs.

*I'll move this thread to Psoriasis And Psoriatic Arthritis Topics as it's not an introduction and will hopefully get you ore answers.

[Imapsomom]

Thanks Fred. I notice you mention coconut oil alot. Have you heard of coconut oil causing iching only when applied to the scalp? I have tried it on my sons body with no issue but everytime I try on the scalp he says it is itchy after...and like all the other treatments I am not sure how long to keep trying or when to stop. Good to note about the bio's...and if we want to be a guinea pig or not 

[Fred]

Thanks Fred. I notice you mention coconut oil alot. Have you heard of coconut oil causing iching only when applied to the scalp? I have tried it on my sons body with no issue but everytime I try on the scalp he says it is itchy after...and like all the other treatments I am not sure how long to keep trying or when to stop. Good to note about the bio's...and if we want to be a guinea pig or not 

Are you using a good quality virgin coconut oil? The reason I ask is that the cheap refined ones can contain chemicals.

If you are using a good virgin oil then you could try wrapping his head in cling film for a few hours after application or preferably overnight before washing out with luke warm water. But coconut oil may not be suitable for him, if it's not try a 50/50 mix of Olive and Peanut Oil.

[Imapsomom]

Thanks. He is allergic to peanuts so I will try coconut oil again   Do you use shampoo to wash it out or just water? Finding a non irritating shampoo is another huge task. Thank goodness for people like you and forums like this!

[Fred]

Thanks. He is allergic to peanuts so I will try coconut oil again   Do you use shampoo to wash it out or just water? Finding a non irritating shampoo is another huge task. Thank goodness for people like you and forums like this!

I no longer have much hair these days and thanks to Bio's I don't need to do it, but I used to just use water to wash it out, it makes your hair feel nice and soft. You may find a few things by using the Search and putting "Shampoo" in the top left section that could help.

Soap Nuts may also be worth a try.

Some may know more about Tar Shampoo I remember having that many years ago, but I don't think it's so available these days.

[jiml]

Hi I don’t think a shampoo like tgel  will be much help for your son
I would love to be proved wrong but I think with a shampoo like tgel I think it might alleviate the itching but it’s unlikely to do more .
If it was my son I would ask about other treatments
Have you been offered acetretin it’s a treatment that is used in children and is systemic see here Acitretin to learn more
But my understanding is that it is well tolerated in children as young as 6 months

[Imapsomom]

Thanks Jim. I looked into it but my son has quite thin hair and since thinning hair is a possible side effect I think we need to look at other options first....so tough :(

[Grizzly Bear]

Hi Mom.

Just a quickie, shampoo, try Polytar mom.

Aveeno do a shampoo too.

Fingers crossed that your son doesn’t suffer to much the poor lad.

GB

[Bill]

Being too selective may deny you effective treatment. No treatment is without risk and we are all guinea pigs with any new treatment tried. Sorry to see you in this quandary. I wish I could help you.