New to board - Using Baking Soda

[ravenravr]

After many years of suffering with psoriasis, and reading a lot of information on the web, I decided to join this forum. I have felt so alone and so embarrassed as my psoriasis has escalated. It is on 60% of my body and I am fearful!
My husband has been diagnosed with stage IV Esophageal cancer last year and has undergone many surgeries and treatments. I believe that stress is a big component to my psoriasis hence the increase of affected areas on my body. I just spent the last few days in the hospital with my husband as he underwent his latest procedure and I can not tell you how mortified I was throughout each day! My dried dead skin flaked off my body with every movement I made and landed on the dark cherry floors of the hospital room. It looked like sawdust! I would quietly grab a towel when I could and towel sweep the floor... gathering all the flaked skin in a pile so that when housekeeping came, they would not see as much of this questionable white substance.
We returned home today, and this evening I made my bath consisting of half a box of baking soda and bath salts. This is the most amount of baking soda I have used, but as my skin felt as if it was on fire because it was so dry, I didn't think it would hurt. And it didn't! It was very soothing and I could see that my skin was not only softening, but some of the redness was lessening and that says a lot on my skin.
I am going to keep trying this for 5 days because at this point I don't know what else to do.
It is one day at a time in my life as I walk besides my husband...I want to YEARS with him not just days! And I want to one day have the skin I used to be so proud of 5 years ago.
Thanks all!

[ravenravr]

I too do no believe in cures as I feel it is all relative to ones own distinctive body. For me, at this point, using baking soda, bath salts, and lotions are soothing the burns and itches. It is all so hair pulling!

[jiml]

Hi and to the forum, Sorry there was no one here this morning when you first posted it takes a lot of courage to put in writing your troubles. But I can assure you that you have come to a very friendly caring forum, with people that can relate to your embarrassment and often self loathing. There is usually some one not to far away to respond
I am really sorry to hear about your husband it sounds as if you have been to hell and back, cancer is a terrible disease and whilst it must be awful for you both, I think people forget that you are going through his pain with him, and need support, over here we have Macmillan Nurses for these times with cancer who support both the sufferer and the carer. I hope you have similar support systems in the U.S
I'm glad you are getting some relief from the psoriasis from your baking soda baths, a lot of people on here swear by them, but do use loads of moisturiser.
Have you had time to see a dermatologist for you!!! They can offer a whole bag of tricks one of which will work for you. I know this is not a good time to be thinking of you, but you really need to be getting it under control.
Keep coming back and let us know what is happening and whatever you do, don't tear your hair out

[Buttermak3r]

Add some Hydrogen Peroxide to your bath. It's $1 for a 32 oz bottle at the Dollar Tree, by far the best deal

[ravenravr]

Hi,
What does hydrogen peroxide do to bath water in salt?




After many years of suffering with psoriasis, and reading a lot of information on the web, I decided to join this forum. I have felt so alone and so embarrassed as my psoriasis has escalated. It is on 60% of my body and I am fearful!
My husband has been diagnosed with stage IV Esophageal cancer last year and has undergone many surgeries and treatments. I believe that stress is a big component to my psoriasis hence the increase of affected areas on my body. I just spent the last few days in the hospital with my husband as he underwent his latest procedure and I can not tell you how mortified I was throughout each day! My dried dead skin flaked off my body with every movement I made and landed on the dark cherry floors of the hospital room. It looked like sawdust! I would quietly grab a towel when I could and towel sweep the floor... gathering all the flaked skin in a pile so that when housekeeping came, they would not see as much of this questionable white substance.
We returned home today, and this evening I made my bath consisting of half a box of baking soda and bath salts. This is the most amount of baking soda I have used, but as my skin felt as if it was on fire because it was so dry, I didn't think it would hurt. And it didn't! It was very soothing and I could see that my skin was not only softening, but some of the redness was lessening and that says a lot on my skin.
I am going to keep trying this for 5 days because at this point I don't know what else to do.
It is one day at a time in my life as I walk besides my husband...I want to YEARS with him not just days! And I want to one day have the skin I used to be so proud of 5 years ago.
Thanks all!
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[Buttermak3r]

The hydrogen peroxide should help out with with the redness and scaling. I've only been using it for like a week, but it seems to really help. I soak my skin directly in hydrogen peroxide, but if 60% of your body is psoriasis affected, then taking a hydrogen peroxide bath would be more effective

[ravenravr]

Do you put the peroxide in with the baking soda? With this baking soda, I am taking a bath a day with it to keep my skin soft. It is helping with the redness too...

[Buttermak3r]

I haven't put the peroxide in the bath with the baking soda, but if I were you, I would definitely do it. Hydrogen Peroxide may be even more effective than baking soda