Cryotherapy

Heat is my enemy and cold is my friend. Whenever my body heats up and starts sweating, my skin becomes very itchy. When the weather is cold, my skin calms down, so this summer I ordered a Polar Care 500 which circulates ice water through a large pad which I wrap around my legs. The cooling effect is wonderful! In addition, the tubing is long enough that I have been able to wear the ice pad to bed, which really helps a lot to stop the itchiness that I feel when I go to bed.

Light Therapy

My body has responded very well to Narrow Band Ultraviolet Light therapy (NBUVB). I was going to my Kaiser Hospital to do this 3x a week in their phototherapy room, but I now purchased a home unit (Model 2600 from The Richmond Light Company) for $2,400 from this web site, which allows me to do it every day at home:  www.trlc.com/xc_trlcp2600.htm

Pills

Allegra --I take one every morning and whenever I have a flareup. If I am really itchy I take a Benedryl pill at night. Pn causes me to have night sweats, so I also take two Doxeprin pills every night when I go to bed. Doxeprin dries up my pores which helps to prevent new PN bumps from appearing.

Ointments

Clobetasol --This is like skin acid and is one of the strongest of steroid ointments.

I also use a prescription mixed ointment of Triamcinalone and coal tar which works well to surpress my itchy skin.

Other Over the Counter (OTC) ointments you can get without a prescription that have given me relief from PN is:

Mineral Ice, Vicks Vaporub (works best when applied after a shower or bath), Gold Bond Powder, Aveeno With Menthol (I put this on after every shower)

Clothes

I try to always keep myself covered up, because if my skin is exposed, I always tend to scratch. So I wear long johns every day even in 110 degree heat here in Southern California, and I always wear full pajamas and socks when I sleep at night.

I also use detergent that is considered to be allergen free and dermatologist approved such as "All Free Cheer."

Diet

There definitely appears to be a connection between certain foods and drink causing PN to flare up and get worse. Unfortunately I am one of the worst people to ask to change my diet, because I hate having to think about food or drink. This is especially true for battling PN, because it appears that some pretty drastic changes have to be made in what you eat and drink to gain relief from PN (no dairy, no sugar, no wheat, no corn, no acidic foods, no alcohol, no spicy foods, etc). In addition, it appears to take about six months of dietary changes before you will see significant results in your PN condition.

The good news is that Optimal Thinking has posted tons of dietary information that I have listed on my web site for those with the self discipline and desire to make changes in your diet.

Bath

Whenever I take a shower I use a shampoo that contains coal tar such as Denorex or T-Gel shampoo.

Mental

PN guarantees that every day is filled with misery, so in order to keep going in life, it is vitally important to develop a good mental attitude. I do this by thinking every day of things I am thankful for throughout the day.

Spiritual

PN is a CONSTANT battle and it is a very aggressive disease, so there are days when I have infections in my sores or when major flare ups are occurring that I feel totally overwhelmed and desperate as I fight this disease. During those times it has been very beneficial for me to call or email my Christian friends and ask them to pray for me. This has always helped me. Sadly, my good God has chosen not to cure me, but at least I do get some relief whenever I feel I can't go on.