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I developed a rash on my legs when I was around 20. Red, scaly, itchy. The dermatologist said it was para-psoriasis and it would go away in time.
It did not. For decades I suffered with dry, itchy skin. And it spread over 80 percent of my body.
When I was 40 I went to another dermatologist and he said I had psoriasis. After some coal tar treatments which did nothing he stuffed me in a Light Box. UVB treatment. After a few weekly treatments I started to clear. I was almost completely clear after a few months. Then he retired and no one had light treatment. The rash returned and I suffered.
A year and a half ago I decided to stop suffering and go find another dermatologist. They took biopsies and diagnosed me with psoriasis. They offered self-injectables. That kind of treatment is often hit and miss so they tried me on a pill - which did nothing. Finally I found a place that had a Light Box and again, within a month of weekly visits the rash was in retreat.
Then my scalp started flaking. Then itching. Then bleeding. Then came the scabs and the pus. A year ago my hair started falling out. I'm now 80 percent bald. During this time I saw my two dermatologists They tried a few creams and antibiotics with no effect.
Then they brought in a more experienced nurse. She took one look at my scalp and her eyes widened with horror. Steroids and a new antibiotic were prescribed along with more biopsies. After two weeks with new medications my scalp is 70 percent clear.
I now have a new diagnosis: Eczema.
The scalp may be something different but the treatment is working. The doctor is unsure if the condition scarred my scalp so hair regrowth is considered a stretch goal. I'm keeping a good attitude towards this but decades of suffering could have been avoided if I had been properly diagnosed at 20.
It did not. For decades I suffered with dry, itchy skin. And it spread over 80 percent of my body.
When I was 40 I went to another dermatologist and he said I had psoriasis. After some coal tar treatments which did nothing he stuffed me in a Light Box. UVB treatment. After a few weekly treatments I started to clear. I was almost completely clear after a few months. Then he retired and no one had light treatment. The rash returned and I suffered.
A year and a half ago I decided to stop suffering and go find another dermatologist. They took biopsies and diagnosed me with psoriasis. They offered self-injectables. That kind of treatment is often hit and miss so they tried me on a pill - which did nothing. Finally I found a place that had a Light Box and again, within a month of weekly visits the rash was in retreat.
Then my scalp started flaking. Then itching. Then bleeding. Then came the scabs and the pus. A year ago my hair started falling out. I'm now 80 percent bald. During this time I saw my two dermatologists They tried a few creams and antibiotics with no effect.
Then they brought in a more experienced nurse. She took one look at my scalp and her eyes widened with horror. Steroids and a new antibiotic were prescribed along with more biopsies. After two weeks with new medications my scalp is 70 percent clear.
I now have a new diagnosis: Eczema.
The scalp may be something different but the treatment is working. The doctor is unsure if the condition scarred my scalp so hair regrowth is considered a stretch goal. I'm keeping a good attitude towards this but decades of suffering could have been avoided if I had been properly diagnosed at 20.
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