Psoriasis/ on lymphoedema limb.

[Dodidoos]

I am trying to find the best creams and moisturisers for my lower limb,I am at present having a flare up of very dry and white scaley flakey skin .I have had the condition since 2004 ,I would appreciate any good advice from anyone with the same probs.

[Hidden]

I suffer psoriatic arthritis and also have lymphoedema on my left leg. I have been suffering outbreaks of cellulitis as well on my very swollen leg so treating the skin has been very challenging lately. I see a dermatologist and she recommended using a lotion called Eczmol as a soap substitute in shower, especially on my swollen leg. I have seen a massive improvement in the condition of the skin. It contains a mild antiseptic called chlorhexidine and seems to calm the cellulitis down, though I have to be very careful not to knock the leg etc. After my shower I just pat the leg dry, never rub, and then apply a good amount of a moisturiser called Double Base.

This combination helps the cellulitis and psoriasis. I do get psoriasis on my back, arms and hands and moisturising is essential. I also have E45 anti itch cream which goes on as well if itching very bad. I get all these items on prescription.

Last year my GP suggested having some lymph treatment for my leg. He was able to refer me to specialist physio, and she bound my leg tightly for about two weeks, followed by very tight support stocking. I did not care for this, it was very uncomfortable and very soon after binding was finished the leg just filled right up again, plus it made the psoriasis unbearable because of the heat from binding.

I hope you find this info useful. Lynda x

[Dodidoos in reply to Hidden]

Ohhh yes Lynda..... I can't believe it I have and have got everything you have I just never put it down in writing didn't want to moan as that's all I seem to do when it comes to this one leg ,being my right one. I have had the compression,bandaging ect and I've been in and out of hospital with 3Attacks of cellulitus in the last few yrs not to mention Being hospitalised for treatment daily for nine days 3yrs ago for a bad flare up of psoriasis so unable to wear compression as it makes things worse so I've been struggling with my skin and the ongoing threat of cellulitus and now at present my leg swells as soon as I get up in the morning and I've now got a flare up of psoriasis been using Double base now for 12 yrs on and off but now it seems it's not as effective so I tried Aveeno ,no luck their I have The Itchy E 45 and the E 45 lotion moisturiser which seems better I put it on four times a day to stop my leg from drying out. Could you tell me at what stage do you ask the doctor for antibiotics if you think that cellulitus is looming As my leg looks like I have an infection yets it's not hot and I'm not having flu like symptoms as I used to have I used to shake shiv ver and sleep... Look forward to any info you might have . Best wishes Dodi.x

[Hidden in reply to Dodidoos]

Dodo, you really are suffering !! It's wretched suffering like that.

I tried Aveeno but not too keen on it like you. I think the key thing is to keep on moisturising the leg, three or four times a day like you say. I would ask your Dr to try something else if double base has stopped working. my daughter got me some olive oil,lotion from Cyprus and it has been really good, I am trying to source it on Internet presently. Having cellulitis and psoriasis together is very hard to cope with. My GP told that I must see him straight away at the first sign of redness and discomfort. I have had three lots of antibiotics this year because of cellulitis. I have to take great care not to cause the leg any trauma (including my two daughters little dogs who always try and jump up)

I always wear trousers for bit of protection and when it's not too hot I wear light support knee highs.

How did you come to have the lymphodeama. I acquired mine about 22 yrs ago (I'm 67). I was on holiday in Majorca and got very badly bitten by mosquitoes and left with bad infection in the leg. Turns out that my lymph veins had collapsed and ever since then I've had the problem. I try and put my leg up when sitting but because my hip joints are so worn it hurts to lift them much.

Lynda x

[Dodidoos in reply to Hidden]

Ohhh I can sympathise with you on all counts we can't win can we great idea about knee highs cos their not to tight I can't take those comp/stockings anymore because of the irritation they cause my skin. I was also diagnosed as having lymphadema after having had athletes foot Between my toes But not long after attending the lymphadema clinic and after much debating they came to conclude that it was actually primary and that It looked like I was born with a compromised lymphatic system that got worse very slowly as I got older. Which could be true because my feet and legs were always Aching and I could never get shoes to properly fit no matter what style I chose it was a nightmare looking for shoes I used to dread it. consequently I had to have shoes made for me At the hospital when first diagnosed on the NHS .It was very kind of them to do this but they were not really ..shouldn't say this but They looked like men's shoes lol Anyway I was told about cosyfeet a catalogue of lovely fashionable shoes for swollen and bandaged feet with Velcro fastening as well as slip on sand laced up ones Expencive but very neccersary . Best wishes DODI.xx

[Hidden]

Oh, I forgot to say I am also on methotrexate injections. Xx

[Dodidoos]

What are you having them for?

[Hidden]

I have been on methotrexate injections for six yrs now for my rheumatoid arthritis.

it also helps the psoriasis. Getting shoes for me is an absolute nightmare having one foot and leg much bigger than the other ! I have tried cosy feet shoes but they are too deep for me (come too,high up back of leg and chafe). I pay a podiatrist to come to our home every four weeks who,cuts my nails, removes hard skin etc because it's so important to keep the lymph foot in good condition. She has told me of a lymph massage physio and I am booked in to see her next week, apparently if the lymph glands are massaged under arms, ankles, groin it increases the flow of lymph waste and helps drain the swelling. I will let you know how I get on. It's an ongoing battle with lymphodeama, rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes, plus cellulitis.

Take care, hope you find some relief with your problems X. Lynda

[Dodidoos in reply to Hidden]

Good luck with your physio yes please let me know how you got on ,yes it is a battle I find it can really get you down just having to keep on top of it all it's all consuming I feel like I'm always moaning and groaning and I don't like thinking about me I'm the one normaly that does the caring thinking and looking after other people and my family this is why I am having a break from it all I also lost one of my brothers 3wks ago which plunged us all into deep shock as it was so sudden and we haven't yet had the funeral until the 12th of October and I'm not coping well with it maybe when we know what happened to him it will actually begin to come to terms with it. Sorry ! I have got carried away didn't mean to burden you with other matters not connected to LD .i hope you get some relief soon Hope your day is good and every day even better. Best wishes Dodi.

[Diunguyen]

Hi Dodidoos, I'm Diu. I come from Vietnam and I have known an traditional medicine diagnosis and treatment clinic can treat psoriasis with a herb remedy. My uncle got psoriasis five years ago. And now he is treating in this clinic. I can see much improvement. You can find more information via chuavaynen.vn .

Good luck to you.

[Dodidoos in reply to Diunguyen]

Thank you so much for your concern I will let you know how I get on in my search for this Herb . Best wishes.

[Dodidoos in reply to Diunguyen]

Thank you for this information ..but I cannot get the web address to work .

[Diunguyen in reply to Dodidoos]

chuavaynen.vn/ right? I still access it.

[ray9 in reply to Dodidoos]

Hi, have you tried Forever propolis creme mixed with aloe gelly? Also the plain aloe gel drink? I know both of these have had great results with psoriasis. I can also recommend the Forever C9 cleanse which cleanses the body of toxins which make psoriasis worse. Email [e-mail] for more info or see brightauraforever.flp.com

[Dodidoos]

Hi , thank you for your reccomendations for this aloe jelly. Best wishes Dodi.