There’s one thing you may not know about me. I have suffered with psoriasis. The worst of times were on and off during my 20’s and 30’s. I would get it mostly on my lower legs, sometimes a few spots here and there on my upper legs and/or torso, sometimes on the back of my hands, and sometimes in my scalp. It’s been dormant for many, many years with only the occasional spot appearing now and then, and for that I am extremely grateful!
Love her or not, a few years ago Kim Kardashian shared with her followers a picture of her heart-shaped psoriasis. This light-hearted snap brought relief to others with psoriasis who often suffer from insecurity and lack body confidence. I was one of these people. Having psoriasis affected what I could wear (I had to keep my legs covered) and what I could do (I wouldn’t swim in public for example).
What is Psoriasis?
It is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that can affect multiple areas of your body. Psoriasis may appear differently in various areas, with each affected area needing specific and tailored treatment.
- Psoriasis is widespread, with 2-3% of the world’s population affected
- 6% or 500 000 Australians are affected
- 10% of adults with psoriasis develop the condition before the age of 12
- 40% of people who suffer from the condition avoid playing sport, 72% avoid swimming and 14% avoid leaving their home.
The cause of psoriasis is unknown, although it is well accepted that there is an underlying genetic component which, when triggered, causes the immune system to produce an excessive number of skin cells. As such it has been termed an auto-immune skin disorder. At present, there is no cure.
What I’m Lovin’ about Life
Apart from my psoriasis being dormant for many, many years and the fact that I’ve just returned from a wonderful few days up in the mountains surrounded by beautiful nature and wildlife, I’m lovin’ that there are dedicated people out there committed to creating products to help people who suffer with psoriasis!
On this occasion, I want to talk about Dr Reddy’s ‘Scytera’.
What is Scytera?
Scytera is a foam substance containing 2% coal tar that treats and relieves the symptoms of Psoriasis. It spreads easily, is quickly absorbed, and has minimal odour.
Why is Scytera different?
Every six out of 10 people who suffer from psoriasis also suffer from depression. It is without a doubt that this skin condition hampers mental and physical health. Traditional treatments exacerbate those feelings as they are unpleasant smelling, stain your skin, clothes or sheets and are difficult to apply due to the heavy and sticky texture. Scytera is a revolutionary psoriasis treatment.
The wins of Scytera
With 2% of coal tar, the new Scytera has a gentle scent of peppermint oil, musk, and wood that will fade away after a few minutes. Thanks to a new pump design, its delicate cream mousse is easy to apply (especially on tricky parts of the body), dries quickly and leaves the skin soft and smooth.
Scytera relieves the symptoms of psoriasis and can be used as a monotherapy or combination other treatments as a maintenance product.
My thoughts
I was sent some Scytera to try. Firstly, I love the lavender and white packaging. It’s fresh and uplifting – just what a psoriasis sufferer needs. So many coal tar based psoriasis products are packaged using the colours of brown and orange, so this makes a very nice change!
I don’t have any psoriasis at the moment to test Scytera on but I trialed it on my dry elbows and can tell you that I no longer have dry elbows! I can also tell you that my sensitive skin did not have any irritation or adverse reaction to using this product. It was easy to apply and you only need a small amount as it goes a long way. Those that read my blog regularly would know that I have no sense of smell. For this reason, I used my daughter as my nose. She confirms the description of a gentle scent of peppermint oil, musk and wood but with a slight disinfectant smell as well but nothing too strong to be of concern.
If my psoriasis shows any sign of coming back this product will be the first I will reach for to try. If you suffer with psoriasis why not give it a go?
You can buy Scytera at select pharmacies across Australia. Contact your local pharmacy or call Dr. Reddy’s Australia to find your nearest stockist on 1800 733 397.
Here’s where you can find out more about Scytera:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scytera/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scytera/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2bCHtipvNjUE2J9_b9z3rg
Ciao for now,
[This post was linked up with Kylie Purtell’s Capturing Life for #IBOT]
Link up here at WOTM or with another of us in the Lovin’ Life Linky team:
Leanne of Deep Fried Fruit
Lyndall of Seize the Day Project
Kathy of 50 Shades of Age
Deborah of Debbish
and Jo of And Anyways
It doesn’t matter where you link up as it will magically appear on all six blogs.
31 Comments
Coal tar sounds so interesting. Gosh these people are amazing with what they come up with. Thank goodness we have these clever people constantly creating new medicines and remedies to give people relief.
Coal tar is well known to help slow the rapid growth of skin cells. It also can help reduce the inflammation, itching and scaling of psoriasis. I agree Renee – thank goodness for clever and devoted people! 🙂
My mum has psoriasis – mostly on her head, poor love! I wonder if this is available in the UK – it looks like a great product. The mousse is a welcome change from gluggy ointments.
Your poor Mum! Not sure that this product would be available in the UK as it’s new in Australia. The mousse is a first I think .. as a treatment option for psoriasis.
I think you use that coal tar when you have skin rashes too….
I’m sure it would be helpful for other skin conditions too, yes! It helps reduce inflammation and itching etc
Sounds like something worth trying for those who need it.
Definitely!
Sounds like a great product. I hope you continue to keep your Psoriasis at bay lovely.
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful photos of your mountain stay on Instagram. It looks like a stunning spot xx
It’s certainly a very promising product Beck. I hope my psoriasis stays at bay too. It’s actually been a very long time gone. Hope I haven’t jinxed myself! So glad you’ve enjoyed the photos of my mountain stay. It’s so nice of you to say that. I loved it there! 🙂 xo
Thankfully I’ve never suffered, but friends who have struggled with it have lamented the lack of decent treatment that doesn’t make them feel worse. This appears to do that. Thanks for sharing & I hope your (fabulous looking) stay in the mountains has brought you home refreshed.
I wouldn’t wish it on anyone Jo. It’s extremely uncomfortable and very upsetting having psoriasis – dependent of course on the severity I guess. I absolutely LOVED my stay in the mountains! Nature and wildlife everywhere – completely in my element. It was so hard to leave. Next time I will book a longer stay.
Am glad you free of it now, I know of someone who has it all over and she finds it so depressing, as anyone would. Will past this post on to her.
Thank you – I’m glad to not have had any psoriasis for a long, long time. Sadly you’re never free of it though – it can reappear at any time. So unpredictable! I hope your friend find this post of help to her.
It’s good that there are products available now to treat psoriasis!
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
That’s for sure Ingrid!
I’ve only had psoriasis on my head – in times of stress so I like the idea of trying something that’s not black tar!!!
Black tar would not work so well on the head. LOL – oh the image I have in my mind!
Thanks for sharing about this product and glad it worked so well.
SSG xxx
No problem. Thanks SSG. xo
What a great resource if you suffer from this!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks Jodie! xo
It’s great that you’ve written a well informed blog post with help for a condition that plagues many. I hope it does well for you in ‘search’ because so often when I/you/we/one Dr Google something on search you arrive at a site which clearly has no idea. You do – have an idea, and a helpful solution. Great stuff!
Thanks so much Jo! Yes, sadly I do know about psoriasis and also how a person feels when suffering with it. Solutions differ from person to person – some can have improvements with the use of one product, some need to use a variety. During the worst of times I needed UV light treatment + the use of some products, other times just some product. What’s great is that the options are becoming greater with new products like Syctera coming on to the market! 🙂
My hubby suffered psoriasis for a short time when he lived in Sydney 15 years ago. I think it was the combination of work stress, continual travel back and forth, pollution and constant air con. But it seems to be OK now that he is back in Canberra all the time. He gets the occasional bout, but nothing ongoing. Phew!
I’m glad he is free of it now. He is blessed like me! I dread it coming back. It’s not only unsightly but very uncomfortable to live with too!
Glad you’ve found something you like. It’s tricky finding what works for you when it comes to sensitive skin concerns. I shall forward this post onto a friend that has it, thanks so much for all the info #teamIBOT
I haven’t tested it on psoriasis yet as I don’t have any but it worked a treat on my dry elbows. It’ll be the first thing I reach for though should any sign of psoriasis come back. I hope your friend finds this post helpful Jo.
My local family physician was honest with me and said he just simply did not have the knowledge to help me treat my psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. After about three years of trying different rheumatologists and dermatologists in the area, he sent me to the Cleveland Clinic. He told me he could keep sending me to local doctors but they have all studied the same things and gone to the same seminars etc. Or he could send me to Dr Adam. It was the best thing he ever did because he had the knowledge and resources to truly help me for the first time in over 20 years. My quality of life had so diminished and I was beyond hopeless. He helped me so much and for that, I am thankful. For my doctor, being 100% honest with me about his lack of knowledge on my disease, I am grateful to Dr Adam, here is his contact for anyone who is a victim, I know how it feels when you have psoriasis disease
adamokpoko@gmail.com or Whatsapp him on +2348151731392
My poor Hubby developed psoriasis. It itches and he’s quite self-conscious about it. He moistens his skin first with water (i.e. the shower/or splash water from the sink and allow to air dry) then he uses dermalmd psoriasis serum. It’s made a night and day difference. As long as he keeps up on it, you almost can’t see psoriasis at all.
Hi Emily – I feel for your husband. I had psoriasis quite bad when I was younger. It’s not as bad not – just the odd spot now and then *touch wood*. I’m so glad your husband has found something that helps. I remember being very self conscious too. I used to have to dress to cover myself even in summer. It was not pleasant.