Natural Remedies - Progress, Trial & Error

[Coffeeplease]

I'm starting some various at-home treatments for my skin.  Over the weekend I combined 2 cups baking soda with colloidal oatmeal bath.  This combination really seems to help with itching and redness, and making the bumpy/lumpy plaques much softer and less prominent.  This bath treatment by far has given me the greatest relief I've had in over a year and noticeable change in the appearance (from almost black to lightish-red/dark pink).

I ordered Dead Sea Salts (which are very pricey) and I'm going to try that in a bath tomorrow morning or evening and compare with the baking soda/oatmeal.

I've started taking 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in the morning diluted in a full glass of water.

One turmeric/curcumin supplement mid day with a meal.

I have been applying the mometasone cream at night before bedtime.  It's indicated to apply twice daily however I run out the cream early due the amount of area I have to apply, so I've limited that to once a day.

Mornings I have applied either coconut oil or CeraVe psoriasis cream.  I have noticed that the coconut oil works much better than the CeraVe (and is less expensive).

I'm trying to limit sugar and processed foods, nightshades (makes me sad, I love tomatoes).

3x a week - 12 min sessions in UVB tanning bed.  I also have the dermalight wand, which I think possibly works better than the tanning bed.  The only drawback to the dermalight wand is the amount of time involved treating.  It can take up to an hour and a half of 1 min sessions on each site vs. 12 mins for all over coverage in a tanning bed.  I'm considering taking a break from the tanning bed and trying the dermalight at home and see if there's a difference.

Happy Tuesday!
Lillie

[jiml]

Hi Lillie Happy Tuesday to you as well
Good to see you are trying different things and getting some success doing it, I like the sound of the baths and hope it's them that are getting you results

The only trouble with starting all the things , baths diet, creams and uv treatment together is it might be difficult to know what it is that is working
Although I guess it doesn't matter what it is that's getting you better as long as it works.

When you get clear you can start to cut out treatments one at a time and hope you stay clear

[Coffeeplease]

That's the literal "head scratcher" jim!  It's difficult to tell what works and what doesn't when trying a variety of things.

[jiml]

That's the literal "head scratcher" jim!  It's difficult to tell what works and what doesn't when trying a variety of things.

But the important thing is to get clear and wonder which treatment worked after

[Coffeeplease]

That's the literal "head scratcher" jim!  It's difficult to tell what works and what doesn't when trying a variety of things.

But the important thing is to get clear and wonder which treatment worked after 

I totally agree!  I do know the uv therapy helps.  I've just never encountered such a large area all at once.  I've always considered myself very fortunate. I know others suffer far worse than I do!

On my lunch break I bought some good old coal tar treatment.  I have used it in the past but then it seemed to become ineffective, which is common.  I'm trying it on the left side of my body only.  My boss is going to think I moonlight as a road paver. 

[jiml]

I always found uv treatment worked well for me but the relief was always short lived and the plaques came back after a short while ....but as for coal tar it never did much for ne but to be honest I think I only used it a couple of times before I gave up because it was so sticky and smelly ( although I like the smell it's not a good aftershave )

Good luck with it and do let us know how it's going good or bad it might help others and be a good record for you to look back on and see what did work

[Coffeeplease]

I always found uv treatment worked well for me but the relief was always short lived and the plaques came back after a short while ....but as for coal tar it never did much for ne but to be honest I think I only used it a couple of times before I gave up because it was so sticky and smelly ( although I like the smell it's not a good aftershave )

Good luck with it and do let us know how it's going good or bad it might help others and be a good record for you to look back on and see what did work

I will definitely keep everyone posted.  Plus, if I can help someone else that is the best!

[jiml]

I always found uv treatment worked well for me but the relief was always short lived and the plaques came back after a short while ....but as for coal tar it never did much for ne but to be honest I think I only used it a couple of times before I gave up because it was so sticky and smelly ( although I like the smell it's not a good aftershave )

Good luck with it and do let us know how it's going good or bad it might help others and be a good record for you to look back on and see what did work

I will definitely keep everyone posted.  Plus, if I can help someone else that is the best!

Thank you,

[Coffeeplease]

A little update....

I tried the dead sea salt bath a couple of days ago.  It was nice/felt very soothing, however not as much as the baking soda/oatmeal combo.  I will keep using the salts until they are gone, and will go back to baking soda/oatmeal because the cost is cheaper and a little more effective from what I can tell.  The salts are $19 a bag vs. $3.50 for a large box of baking soda and $6-7 for the colloidal oatmeal.

I've decided to take a break from UVB for a week or two, just to give my skin a rest from that.  

I'm on day 3 of applying coal tar, and I am seeing some improvement there.  I've taken a before pic of 3 large spots on my shin and will post the before/progress pics sometime next week.  I apply the coal tar in the morning and at night.  I've stopped the steroid cream for the time being, because honestly the coal tar is helping more than the prescription cream right now and the coal tar is also far less expensive.  The smell is strong when I first apply it, but seems to fade a bit.  No one has complained yet about me smelling like a paved road.  The coal tar does help so much with itching and smoothing out the rough/raised patches.  I also see some breaking up of the dark red patches.

I continue with the turmeric supplement once a day, and apple cider vinegar diluted in water.  

Happy Friday everyone!
Lillie

[jiml]

Thanks for the update it sounds as if the coal tar is working well for you and it's great if you are seeing improvements

The baking soda and oatmeal baths seem to also be helping . I hope it continues to improve for you and look forward to reading your updates
I look forward to seeing pictures, there are tutorials on posting if you get in a muddle [Group Specific]