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Lyme and Psoriasis

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Posted 9/3/2009 1:40 AM (GMT -5)
Hello to all of you who have this combination,

I have chronic lyme as well as psoriasis.

I was diagnosed with psoriasis at an unusually early age of 9 years old. For those of you who are familiar with this skin condition, you know that it typically comes out mid to late 20s and that sunshine is the best medicine! Yes there are shots, soaks, topicals, etc...

I have tried them all. The only relief I got was with the sun. Until Lyme put me down, I tanned in a tanning salon to keep my condition at bay and tanned in natural sun whenever possible .

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease so having it as well as Lyme has really compromised my immune system. Since i also suffer from CFS, being in the sun really drains me and I just can't lay out any more.

I live in SoCal with a beautiful pool and, what, 95% sunshine year round?

Regardless, my condition has gotten so bad that I have ordered a home tanning bed. I look forward to getting my ugly psoriasis in remission to strengthen my immune system.

Does anyone have this same condition with your Lyme? If so, what are you doing?

I have major plaque psoriasis.

Thanks all...

Wishing you good spirits, good health and a good life.
Posted 9/7/2009 8:17 AM (GMT -5)
Hi LadywLyme,
I have a moderate case of Psoriasis on my scalp (30 to 40%). It was never like that until about a year and a half ago when it slowly started to get worse. I was diagnosed with Lyme's about 2 weeks ago. I wonder about the correlation with Lyme's as well. I simply treat it with special shampoos and anointments. Something new that has started in the last week is a strange itchy feeling in my hands and sometimes in my feet. I think it may be a reaction to all of the amoxicillin I am taking but not sure.
Posted 9/7/2009 11:29 AM (GMT -5)
I'm not sure what I have on my right arm, but I've had these deep break outs (that NEVER go away). The pop up, itch, bleed, scab over, bleed again if the scab is accidently scratched or rubbed... and they feel abut 1/4 deep into my skin. I'm going to go to a dermatologist soon and have them biopsy one of these outbreaks.... may be a type of psoriasis??? I don't know.

I live in FL, sunshine and heat almost constantly, and can't take the sun due to abx's and can hardly stand to sit out in the sun.... even though I know it helps. So strange to be cooped up with all these healthy benefits right outside my back door. It sounds so greedy of me... Lyme disease has really kept me down, I feel like I'm losing the battle.
Posted 9/7/2009 8:15 PM (GMT -5)
My Dad had pretty major psoriasis for a number of years. He tried steroids and all sorts of creams and stuff, but nothing helped. Then an astute dermatologist told him sometimes psoriasis is caused by a fungal infection. After treatment with antifungal medication, my Dad's psoriasis completely cleared up and never returned.

Could Lyme be involved? Yes, it is possible. Lyme does compromise the immune system, leading to an increased risk of opportunistic infections, and an increase chance of developing allergies and/or autoimmune disorders.

Take care,
Posted 12/7/2011 1:56 PM (GMT -5)
Hi LadywLyme,

I too have been a sufferer of psoriasis since age 9. Sucked to have an abundance of white flakes in my young hair.
Elementary school kids are merciless.
I'm a 46 yr old man in New Hampshire who lives for the Sun, St. Martin and the Caribbean.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hubcam/6472873639/in/photostream

Just got my Western Blot test back confirming what I already knew.
3 titers. Big time Lyme and have apparently had it for a while.
Completely exhausted and pain all over.
Not going to get into the neurological issues I'm now dealing with.

I'm sorry to hear that there are others with this strange combination and I guess I have a question - I have a dime sized legion that has proven completely resistant to ANY topical meds I apply to it.
That is very unusual for me and psoriasis. Yes they are annoying, but they've pretty much behaved after squirting them with Floucinionide or any other myriad applications I've used over the years.
NOT THIS GUY.
No, this legion is frigging stubborn!
I'm wondering if this might be because of the Lymes Disease which is now ravaging my anatomy ?

Any thoughts ?
John

Post Edited By Moderator (achievinggrace) : 12/7/2011 2:01:23 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/7/2011 4:07 PM (GMT -5)
Hi MassExodus,

Welcome to the forum. So sorry to hear that you are suffering from these two tricky diseases.

You might well find that treating the Lyme will go a long way to getting your Psoriasis under control. Your positive attitude will certainly be in your favor!

Please have a look at our "New to Lyme?" thread at the top of the forum -- it has a lot of very helpful info and resources.

BTW, I removed your email address from the body of the post. You don't want all the spammers in the known universe to see that! If you would like to be contacted by our membership, just enable the email option in your profile.

Again, welcome, and keep us posted on your progress.
Posted 12/7/2011 9:17 PM (GMT -5)
I would think Lyme treatment would improve the psoriasis.

I also have some persistant scaly-flaky-rough spots on my body that do not go away unless I'm on systemic steroids (contra-indicated usually with Lyme, but in my case, I had a couple of severe allergic reactions and had to have the steroids to stay alive), and the rashes come back when I'm off the steroids. Steroid & other topical creams do nothing for the rashes.

I have no idea what the rashes are, but I can only assume they have something to do with Lyme because I did not get rashes like this before my Lyme took a significant turn for the worse (2005 ~ was possibly re-exposed to Lyme while traveling, but didn't know I already had Lyme at the time).

Take care,
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