If I'm remembering correctly (and good gracious don't quote me on this :P) I read an article talking about the connection between FM and skin conditions.

Seems that its pretty common for FM patients to experience rashes, itchiness, and other skin issues more often than a non FM-er.

I don't know what the specific connection is - but thats what I remember. When my psoriasis gets really bad I get Tar Shampoo. Or I dye my hair.

The Tar Shampoo helps if you use it for a week or 2, and the amonia in the hair dye burns off all the extra layers of skin cells. Hurts like hell, but worth the 1-2 week break from the itching and sores.

*lots of hugs*

Thanks Calistal
I color my hair and never noticed the relief I received from the amonia. Thanks again

I have not experienced Psoriasis...I get Hives alot...pretty much whenever I am Stressed, and the Severity of the Hives Directly Relates to the Severity of the Stress..I have had Breakouts last from mere Minutes...to weeks, from being the size of Pinheads to the Palm of my Hand..this Can and Has been Devastating to me.

But it is Not Psoriasis..I hear of very little talk of it within the FM Community, however I do have a Dear Friend on here that has Both..and this has had a very Debilitating Effect on her Life..for a very Long time now..

Am trying to search out Treatments for her, with the least amount of side effects that she has not yet tried..so far no luck..so this is Why I am In this Post...Trying to get her New/Fresh Ideas !!

So will Bee Keeping {Ahem} an Eye on this Post !!

I have psoriatic arthritis on top of the FM. Have you tried a shampoo & conditioner that contains tree tea oil? That seems to help alot. The tar shampoo is ok, but it wreaks havoc on your hair. I also seem to break out more in the winter. That's when the FM seems to get worse too. I think the cold dry air just amplifies it.

I was on Enbrel, but I haven't been to a rheumatologist lately because our insurance is making me switch drs, but also because of the whole swine flu thing. It does work well for me, but it lowers your immune system. If you get sick, you have to stop taking it so you can fight the illness off.

Have you gotten any creams to apply? When I was seeing a dermatologist, he had me using this mousse like medication for my scalp. It was alot better than the liquid stuff.

When I first was diagnosed with psoriasis about 6 yrs ago, the dermatologist prescribed Cormax, then Clobetasol and finally Nizoral and Luxiq. The lesions disappeared for two years. When they reappeared, the dermatologist was only taking cancer patients, so couldn't return to him. My new DR. first gave me Luxiq, and it did lessen the lesions, but on my next visit he would not prescribe it. Gave no reason. I might try another dermatoligist, if I can find one in the area.

I was told for years I had psoriasis or eczema...both were incorrect. I have allergic reactions to chemicals, formaldehyde and more. I avoid anything with sodium laurel sulphates and don't take omega 3 fish oil anymore (broke out in hives).

Dying my hair helps with scalp itch as does tea tree oil.

I use Gardener's Dream cream when I get a "weird rash" as it's made with all natural ingredients and doesn't irritate my skin. It also helps with muscle aches and pains.

i gst all kinds of rashes my scalp itches a lot and my hair seems to be getting thiner to ...dont know what it is ..thought it was fm ..hugs

I used to get large strange blotches on my back and legs, which baffled even a dermatologist. Eventually he came to the conclusion it was some type of psoriasis (which I still don't %100 agree with). He suggested some "light" therapy. They had what looked just like a tanning bed, although you only went in for 2 mins at a time. After a few months I got very impatient and decided to take things into my own hands. I began tanning on my own, and it completely made the rashes disappear and I haven't seen them since *shrug*

These thinks like hives and sores on scalp and thinning hair often are connected to autoimmune. See it a lot on lupus board. hugs M

The first dermatologist I went to took a sample of the lesion on my head and had it analized. I was told it was psoriasis. With the medicines he gave me, it cleared up for two years, When it reappeared it was not as severe. But now it is so sore I can hardly comb my hair and my hair is falling out. I am now looking for a third dermatologist for relief. Thank you all for your input.

I don't know which I hate more. My PS or FM. I have it on my scalp, elbows, knees and small patches over my lower body. I'm pretty self conscious about it and scrub my elbows with the towel after a shower or bath and then then immediately apply "Fruit of the Earth Vitamin E skin care cream". This is in a white, 4oz. jar by the lotions. It's the BEST stuff I have without a prescription to help with the dry, scaly patches. I might be crazy but I think it actually does more than make it look less gross. I think it's helped keep mine at bay some to where I always have red, sore- and raw-looking elbows but not the ugly scales.

I don't know how many times I've had someone see my elbows and say, "Ouch! What happened to your elbows?" I tell them. "Oh, does it hurt? 'Cuz it looks painful." And then they continue to look and look.

It used to bother me but I just inform them and pretend not to notice their stare.

psoriasis is a auto immune disease and is hereditary and i have had it for 16 of my 31 years alive i also have eczema .....i was told if you have just 1 autoimmune disease it is more likely another will flare and be discovered
for your scalp.... Nuetrogena makes a shampoo in different strenghts for scalp psoriasis i know cause i have to use it my self
for body the Cetaphil soap is good and for face Nuetrogena also has awesome cleansers lotions toners and makeup for autoimmune skin
always look for these 1 alcohol free 2 fragrance free 3 hypoallergenic 2 non-comedogenic most of the products can be found at your grocery store but Nuetrogena also has a web site where you can order things and get advice on what would be best for your skin good luck

haha oops 4 non-comedogenic lol