BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Family Health Need advice

My grandmother is suffering from skin disease. Trying to help her find a product she could use to relieve her pain and arthritis, I finally had enough. Nothing seems to work. The worst pain you could ever feel is watching a family member you love suffer while you stand by helpless to do anything about it. Sometimes just the simple act of sitting drove her to tears. So seeing them suffer when they should be enjoying life was very hard to bear. I had enough. I just had to do something about it.
Out of frustration, I researched through countless books and the Internet trying to find out as much information as I could about... I came across this:

Celestone http://www.drugdelivery.ca/s3160-s-CELESTONE.aspx is a corticosteroid. It reduces swelling. Celestone is used for many conditions, among them: allergic reactions, skin diseases (psoriasis, hives), breathing problems; certain cancers, blood disorders, and eye problems; arthritis, digestive problems, and for hormone replacement.

Can anyone tell me more about this??

Has she consulted a doctor? It's my understanding that anything with a steroid in it has the potential to be harmful if used too long or too much. The two side effects I've heard of are (1) triggering your body to stop producing its own natural steroids and (2) weakening your bones; but I do not know what side effects Celestone, in particular, might produce. I'd be careful and check with a doctor. A good place to start would be with a dermatologist, if she hasn't seen one already. Dermatologists specialize in skin disorders. Also, I wonder if a neurologist could help--because painful skin could point to some kind of problem with nerve endings. A rheumatologist may be able to do something helpful with the arthritis. Good luck.

My daughter is covered from head to toe with psoriasis and suffering with joint pain as well. This is her senior year and cannot get it under control. Is there any advice to help her through this? She is showing signs of depression.

Someone please help!


Les

Using ointments and creams that lubricate the skin (emollients) once or twice a day can keep the skin moist.
Ointments containing Corticosteroids are effective, and their effectiveness can be enhanced by applying them and then wrapping the area in cellophane. Vitamin D cream is also effective in many patients.
Ointments and creams containing salicylic acid or coal tar are also used to treat psoriasis. Most of these medications are applied twice a day to the effected area.
Stronger medications like Anthralin are used sometimes, but they can irritate the skin and stain sheets and clothing. When the scalp is affected, shampoos containing these active ingredients are often used.
Ultraviolet light also can help clear up psoriasis. In fact during summer months exposed regions of affected skin may clear up spontaneously. Exposure to ultraviolet light under controlled conditions is another common therapy.
For extensive psoriasis,such light therapy may be supplemented by Psoralens drugs that make the skin extra sensitive to the effects of ultraviolet light. The combination of psoralens and ultraviolet light (PUVA)is usually effective and may clear up the skin for several months.
However, PUVA treatment can increase the risk of skin cancer from ultraviolet light; therefore the treatment must be closely supervised by a doctor.
For serious forms of psoriasis and widespread psoriasis, a doctor may give Methotrexate. Used to treat some forms of cancer, this drug interferes with the growth and multiplication of skin cells.
Doctors use Methotrexate for people who don't respond to other forms of therapy.
It can be effective in extreme cases but may cause adverse effects on bone marrow, kidneys, and liver.
Another effective medication, Cyclosporine, also has serious side effects.
The two most effective medications for treating pustular psoriasis are Etretinate and Isotretinoin which are also used to treat severe acne.
Taken from The Merck Manual