Anyone Know of Anything That Helps Guttate Psoriasis?

Updated on March 01, 2013
B.C. asks from Carterville, MO
5 answers

My 10 year old has eczema, we were kind of used to dealing with that. Heap on a ton of stress and suddenly my daughter has a terrible outbreak that you just can't not notice, the school had a fit and we had to take her in to the Ped ( which I had planned on doing anyhow they just made it happen a few days earlier than planned) the Ped said it was Guttate Psoriasis and after asking some questions said that in all likelyhood it was brought on by stress ( she is a very sensitive 10 year old) ( We / the family) have been in the process of a move and separation from her father) Anyhow, Ped prescribed an oral steroid and also suggested we get her to a specialist. The oral steroid did nothing to help alleviate the symptoms. Also I am not sure what kind of specialist? Is she meaning I need to take her to a dermatologist? Anyhow its awful, its her entire trunk, arms and scalp and face and she is sensitive and has a low self esteem already so I want her to not have to deal with this. Is there anything that will give her relief?
We currently are using a shampoo that has tea tree oil in it as recommended from the hair salon and we also only use all natural soap and lotion that my in laws make themselves.
I am interested in what has worked personally for any of you, is it a supplement, a skin care regiment, diet? My poor little girl feels like her peers act as if they will catch it : ( it is a very obvious and no way to hide it, I mean its on her face : ( and with summer coming she can't wear long sleeves forever....thanks mommas

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.J.

answers from Chicago on

I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's situation. I am also a guttate psoriasis sufferer for almost 20 years. My guttate psoriasis flared for the first time when I was in high school and going thru major drama aka stress with some friends. Thru the years I've been able to get clear skin with the use of creams and ointments prescribed by my derm. Unfortunately my luck ran out once I became pregnant and now the only treatment that works for me is weekly light treatments in my derms office. I would recommend making an appt with a derm as soon as you can. I'm sure s/he will start your daughter on a prescription ointment which will hopefully help her find some relief. Psoriasis is a very frustrating disease because there is no known cure as of yet and also what works for someone may or may not work for someone else. It's a lot of trial and error. Also, lots of lotion (and vasoline at nighttime) really helps with the itching.

Again, I'm so sorry to hear that your daughter is going thru this at such a young age. Kids can be so cruel ... I pray each day that my daughters do not 'inherit' my psoriasis.

Also, if you haven't already check out the National Psoriasis Foundation website at www.psoriasis.org.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Dallas on

Yes, you need to see a dermatologist. I don't know the particulars about Guttate Psoriasis. I have the garden variety Psoriasis. Mine was brought on by stress about 9 years ago and my patches have moved around, but they never fully go away (fortunately mine are mostly on my head under my hair). My dermatologist was able to prescribe stuff that made it managable. Ped dr. really don't know the best medications for severve skin problems (case in point, our ped suggested certain lotions for my daughter's excema that the dermatologist said stay away from - she got better when we quit using them). My guess is a derm. is going to tell you to quit using most of the stuff you are currently using on your daughter and prescribe steriod creams/oinments. Call one right away!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.L.

answers from St. Louis on

Although I cannot disagree that a dermatologist may be necessary to find some relief from the symptoms, I would not recommend that you stop there unless you find a doctor that will go farther than simply treating symptoms without searching for the underlying cause.

I have only dealt with minor eczema, myself, but have worked with both children and adults who suffered terribly from psoriasis. Things that appears to be common amongst them are sensitivities to wheat, sugar, and dairy foods and exposure to mercury. If you child has been exposed to injections or dental fillings that contain mercury, any additional exposure may trigger this type of reaction.

Although we are also exposed to mercury in foods like fish. So long as the liver is healthy and we do not ingest more than a few micrograms of mercury on a given day, the body normally filters the mercury out by binding it to a protein from the liver that will not allow the body to absorb the mercury. However, if it is injected into the bloodstream or is leached out continually from dental fillings, the mercury can be absorbed into tissue where it can cause damage. The body does not have ways to easily release mercury once it is absorbed into body tissue. You can look into many natural ways to help her little body detox heavy metals, from chlorerella to clay baths, but mercury does not normally go away on its own. Because these types of problems with mercury exposure are medically induced, many doctors avoid the subject altogether. They simply treat symptoms and often do not even suggest dietary plans.

You may want to have her tested by an allergist to find out if there are things in her diet or environment that trigger reactions. But, if injections are prescribed for an allergy, I would recommend insisting that those injections are free of mercury. It is not uncommon for mercury to be used as a preservative in a variety of injected medications. I have also found that those who suffer with mercury toxicity are also more sensitive to fluorescent lights. These lights, including the 'energy saving' bulbs that have become popular, contain mercury. I cannot imagine why the same government that banned the use of mercury in thermometers and barometers would allow and even promote the use of mercury in the lights that line our schools and offices.

The ointment that has always worked best for me is the Bach Rescue Cream, which I buy at Whole Foods. If you cannot find it at a local store, I'm sure it can be ordered online.

Also, homemade or not, you might consider avoiding soaps altogether. I learned that Naturopathic physicians recommend no soap for the skin, as it destroys the skins natural protective layers. Experiment after experiment has proven that the use of soaps and antibacterial soaps do not get the skin cleaner than water. I make a lotion from a very pure aloe gel I get from Cheryl's Herbs (you can order from her web site), a very small amount of jojoba (also from Cheryl's Herbs), and just a few drops of essential oils - helichrysum, lavender, and melaleuca (tea tree) - which I get from Young Living Essential Oils to make sure they are therapeutic grade essential oils. This is my own recipe and have found it to be better than soap in the shower and is the only facial lotion I ever use for the last 14 years. I used to suffer from rosacea and now even professional skin care providers compliment my skin. Using this lotion in place of soap and then applying the Bach Rescue Cream has always worked well on my skin.

Best of luck to you and your little Darling!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I'd take her to a dermatologist. Does the shampoo help? Maybe the in laws can add tea tree oil to the soap if it does.
What about treating the anxiety, a good councelor might help the outbreak more than an ointment. She will learn to handle the stress and maybe help the outbreaks. Just a few thoughts

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.F.

answers from Florence on

My son came down with Guttate psoriasis after being sick with strep throat / then surgery. We saw head of dermatology at Kirkland Clinic. He recommends coal tar shampoo. He had such a terrible case of Guttate that he was put on methotrexate (chemotherapy drug) It did clear up but has many side effects and I would avoid this if possible. The thing that really helped IS VITAMIN D3. I bought the concentrated drops and he puts one drop in his breakfast drink in the morning. Another help was a UVB light I purchased on ebay. This really helped the skin. Also apple cider vinegar soak head for 20 minutes, this will really help the scalp.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions