Friends With Psoriasis

[Razzle Dazzle Brazell]

My head is itching and burning like I have a relaxer on it. It has become very sensitive and I have some sores. What is a good safe shampoo to use for this because I am about to go crazy as it has gotten worse everyday? Yesterday I swore I was gonna shave my once moist (before gluten challenge) and curly hair completely off and slather my head with ointment.

[bartfull]

Wow, Razzle, I wish I could help you. I have psoriasis but it is only on my hands and feet. I use Suave shampoo which I have heard is gluten-free, but I don't know what else to tell you. Are you sure it's psoriasis and not DH?

My psoriasis has totally cleared up after going gluten-free, corn-free, and low sals. And it seems that now the corn doesn't bother it anymore either. But sals are still a big problem. Last flare-up I had was when I overdid the pistachios. Sals are cumulative, and as long as I go easy I'm OK. And of course I can't use asperin or other NSAIDs (ibuprofen like Motrin or Advil, or naproxen like Aleve.)

I'm not saying sals are your problem. We are all different. But it might be worth looking into. I know the last thing you need right now is to lose a whole and very large group of foods. But odds are it will only be temporary, and once you have cleared the sals from your system you will most likely be able to tolerate them in moderation.

The other thing that causes my psoriasis to flare is nightshades. Those are easier to give up because there aren't as many of them (although potatoes are a biggie.) Maybe try ditching them for a while first?

I hope it clears up for you soon. I hate to see you suffer like this. All I can say is, keep in mind that it takes time to figure it all out, but it WILL get better. ((((HUGS))))

[Jestgar]

Have you tried just baking soda and water? Open Original Shared Link

[bartfull]

I thought there was a "recipe" using baking soda. Just be sure you use a corn-free baking soda!

[Razzle Dazzle Brazell]

  On 7/30/2012 at 2:12 PM, bartfull said:

Wow, Razzle, I wish I could help you. I have psoriasis but it is only on my hands and feet. I use Suave shampoo which I have heard is gluten-free, but I don't know what else to tell you. Are you sure it's psoriasis and not DH?

My psoriasis has totally cleared up after going gluten-free, corn-free, and low sals. And it seems that now the corn doesn't bother it anymore either. But sals are still a big problem. Last flare-up I had was when I overdid the pistachios. Sals are cumulative, and as long as I go easy I'm OK. And of course I can't use asperin or other NSAIDs (ibuprofen like Motrin or Advil, or naproxen like Aleve.)

I'm not saying sals are your problem. We are all different. But it might be worth looking into. I know the last thing you need right now is to lose a whole and very large group of foods. But odds are it will only be temporary, and once you have cleared the sals from your system you will most likely be able to tolerate them in moderation.

The other thing that causes my psoriasis to flare is nightshades. Those are easier to give up because there aren't as many of them (although potatoes are a biggie.) Maybe try ditching them for a while first?

I hope it clears up for you soon. I hate to see you suffer like this. All I can say is, keep in mind that it takes time to figure it all out, but it WILL get better. ((((HUGS))))

I will keep sals in mind. I also had a rash on my face break out across my jaw. I think it is because I forgot and drank a ginger ale. It had erythritol in it as well as citric acid. I thought I already checked everything but I guess I forgot something. I know dum. My scalp is super dry and flaky it is like the whole top layer is dried glue or something.

Thx for your input and concern bartfull it helps.

[Razzle Dazzle Brazell]

  On 7/30/2012 at 2:21 PM, Jestgar said:

Have you tried just baking soda and water? Open Original Shared Link

I haven't. I am kind of scared to use anything unless I know it will be soothing. I can't imagine it burning worse. I seriously would shave my head then!

[Roda]

  On 7/30/2012 at 11:16 PM, Razzle Dazzle Brazell said:

I haven't. I am kind of scared to use anything unless I know it will be soothing. I can't imagine it burning worse. I seriously would shave my head then!

I get a terrible itch, dry flaky scalp and oozing sores on my head. I tried everthing to no avail. In the past I would have problems with styling products and would avoid said ones. So I thought maybe it was my shampoo and conditioner. So one day I decided to try the baking soda/water and apple cider vinegar/water on my hair.

To my suprise it did not burn and was rather soothing to me. Just don't scrub to vigorously and irritate your scalp. Gentle massaging is fine. Rinse out. If you want soft tangle free hair use the apple cider vinegar/water for a conditioner and then rinse out. I never washed my hair every day before, and I was able to go about 2-3 days before washing with this method.

I have used it for awhile now and I managed to heal up the sores on my head. I got lazy one day and didn't feel like mixing any up and used baby shampoo instead. Big mistake! Within 24 hrs my head was itching like mad and I had started to develop sores. So back to the "no poo" for me.

When I fist started I had hair down to the middle of my back and needed to use the vinegar solution. I cut my hair to just below my chin and have found with it shorter I don't need to use it as often. If I use it too much my head gets to greasy and I'll get sores from that too. You just have to play around with it for awhile to get the right balance.

[Razzle Dazzle Brazell]

  On 7/31/2012 at 10:03 AM, Roda said:

I get a terrible itch, dry flaky scalp and oozing sores on my head. I tried everthing to no avail. In the past I would have problems with styling products and would avoid said ones. So I thought maybe it was my shampoo and conditioner. So one day I decided to try the baking soda/water and apple cider vinegar/water on my hair.

To my suprise it did not burn and was rather soothing to me. Just don't scrub to vigorously and irritate your scalp. Gentle massaging is fine. Rinse out. If you want soft tangle free hair use the apple cider vinegar/water for a conditioner and then rinse out. I never washed my hair every day before, and I was able to go about 2-3 days before washing with this method.

I have used it for awhile now and I managed to heal up the sores on my head. I got lazy one day and didn't feel like mixing any up and used baby shampoo instead. Big mistake! Within 24 hrs my head was itching like mad and I had started to develop sores. So back to the "no poo" for me.

When I fist started I had hair down to the middle of my back and needed to use the vinegar solution. I cut my hair to just below my chin and have found with it shorter I don't need to use it as often. If I use it too much my head gets to greasy and I'll get sores from that too. You just have to play around with it for awhile to get the right balance.

Lol thanks Roda! I will try that. I am going to the doctor today so we will see if we can find out definitively what it is. Afterwards I will give my head a good rub with baking soda then apple cider vinegar. My hair is short and tightly curly so but I know baking soda will frizz up and come out probably pretty easily. The last time I tried to wash my hair with my old product it came out in clumps! Ahhh! Is that typical?

[Roda]

  On 7/31/2012 at 1:35 PM, Razzle Dazzle Brazell said:

Lol thanks Roda! I will try that. I am going to the doctor today so we will see if we can find out definitively what it is. Afterwards I will give my head a good rub with baking soda then apple cider vinegar. My hair is short and tightly curly so but I know baking soda will frizz up and come out probably pretty easily. The last time I tried to wash my hair with my old product it came out in clumps! Ahhh! Is that typical?

My hair is naturally wavy and my hair has never been frizzy at all. If anything I find it great for wavy/curly hair.

[Razzle Dazzle Brazell]

  On 7/31/2012 at 6:24 PM, Roda said:

My hair is naturally wavy and my hair has never been frizzy at all. If anything I find it great for wavy/curly hair.

K thx :-)

[Razzle Dazzle Brazell]

UPDATE: I have been using the baking soda and my scalp feels much better. Now i just need to find something that wont make me hair too greasy but will moisturize my scalp.

Thx everyone for your suggestions.

[Jestgar]

Try going longer between washings. Most people find that their hair doesn't get as nasty when they stop using chemical conditioners.

[Razzle Dazzle Brazell]

  On 8/4/2012 at 3:37 PM, Jestgar said:

Try going longer between washings. Most people find that their hair doesn't get as nasty when they stop using chemical conditioners.

Yeah you are right. I dont have a choice but to avoid washing my hair too much.

[squirmingitch]

I've been Googling baking soda b/c of the comment bartful made saying use corn free baking soda. I had no idea baking soda had corn in it. Every way I have Googled it I only come up with baking powder not baking soda & in fact they are saying to make baking powder use baking soda & something else.

Can someone please verify if baking soda does or does not have corn in it.

[bartfull]

I'M SORRY! My mistake. You are right, it is baking POWDER that has corn, not baking soda. (I have always gotten those two mixed up. Have I told you about the biscuits I made using soda instead of powder? One bite and you knew I had made a mistake! Holy cow, they were so bad that even after spitting it out and rinsing your mouth and brushing your teeth, the taste stayed with you.)

Once again, my apologies.

[jerseyangel]

Razzle, glad the baking soda is working for you. I was thinking that if every once in a while you wanted to use a soap, I would give you the link to the shampoo bar that I used when going through a period of being seemingly chemical-sensitive. I didn't have rashes, but things like headaches and dizziness. Anyway, these are organic, and have very few ingredients. The Olive Oil and Babassu does not contain coconut, which is in many shampoos both natural and regular and is an irritant for me.

Open Original Shared Link

Another mild option would be plain castile soap. I use this everyday in the shower as most other soaps irritate and dry my skin. It can be used on hair as well.

Open Original Shared Link

[squirmingitch]

  On 8/6/2012 at 6:00 PM, bartfull said:

I'M SORRY! My mistake. You are right, it is baking POWDER that has corn, not baking soda. (I have always gotten those two mixed up. Have I told you about the biscuits I made using soda instead of powder? One bite and you knew I had made a mistake! Holy cow, they were so bad that even after spitting it out and rinsing your mouth and brushing your teeth, the taste stayed with you.)

Once again, my apologies.

LOL! Oh that's okay bartful! Don't think another thought about it. Seriously! I'm just glad to know it doesn't have corn in it. And I can see how you could say one when thinking of another --- I've done the same kind of thing myself. AND I'm laughing. So no harm, no foul.

Those must have been some wretched biscuits. My mom once got flustered by something while making some muffins or something with cinnamon in them & she put cayenne pepper instead. My dad was first to take a bite. Guess what? He never even noticed!!!!!!! He would scarf anything! Mom never told him about it. He ate all the rest of them w/o noticing or if he did he didn't say a word.

[bartfull]

Mom used to tell a story about HER Mom when she first got married. She was making a cake for my grandfather's lunches and discovered she was out of vanilla. She substituted with some type of laxative that had a sweet taste, thinking it was such a small amount, and cooking would probably kill the laxative properties anyway.

My poor grandfather came home early that day and made a mad dash for the outhouse. He tripped over the fence he tried to jump and, well, cleanup wasn't easy...

[squirmingitch]

bartful!

I'm glad I read this thread. Not only did I get some laughs but I had been wondering the other day if I could wash my hair with baking soda & how well it would work. What a timely thread! I am having to be low sals & I know my shampoo --- all shampoos are high sals & the dh in my scalp is killing me. So I thought I would like to try something low sal to clean my hair. The only low sal shampoo I could find, even online, was $14 a bottle & not that big a bottle either. OUCH!

So I'm going to try this baking soda shampoo.

[Razzle Dazzle Brazell]

I found a baking powder that is made with potato starch commercially available at my local all organic grocer. I will hafta post the brand name once I get home.

[Jestgar]

  On 8/7/2012 at 8:54 PM, Razzle Dazzle Brazell said:

I found a baking powder that is made with potato starch commercially available at my local all organic grocer. I will hafta post the brand name once I get home.

You can always just make your own: Open Original Shared Link

[Roda]

  On 8/7/2012 at 11:22 PM, Jestgar said:

You can always just make your own: Open Original Shared Link

I was gonna suggest the same thing. I've had to in a pinch when I've run out.

[Razzle Dazzle Brazell]

  On 8/6/2012 at 6:09 PM, jerseyangel said:

Razzle, glad the baking soda is working for you. I was thinking that if every once in a while you wanted to use a soap, I would give you the link to the shampoo bar that I used when going through a period of being seemingly chemical-sensitive. I didn't have rashes, but things like headaches and dizziness. Anyway, these are organic, and have very few ingredients. The Olive Oil and Babassu does not contain coconut, which is in many shampoos both natural and regular and is an irritant for me.

Open Original Shared Link

Another mild option would be plain castile soap. I use this everyday in the shower as most other soaps irritate and dry my skin. It can be used on hair as well.

Open Original Shared Link

I think olive is high sals and idk if that would be a problem for me right now. I am attempting to lower sals in my diet and it does seem to be helping. I will keep that in mind.

  On 8/6/2012 at 10:32 PM, bartfull said:

Mom used to tell a story about HER Mom when she first got married. She was making a cake for my grandfather's lunches and discovered she was out of vanilla. She substituted with some type of laxative that had a sweet taste, thinking it was such a small amount, and cooking would probably kill the laxative properties anyway.

My poor grandfather came home early that day and made a mad dash for the outhouse. He tripped over the fence he tried to jump and, well, cleanup wasn't easy...

Hahaha! Wow that is absolutely gut-bustingly funny.

  On 8/7/2012 at 11:22 PM, Jestgar said:

You can always just make your own: Open Original Shared Link

I actually had planned to but found that one already made so it made me happy.

The baking powder I bought was made by Main pure foods and is called featherweight baking powder.