Can Travelling Cause Psoriasis To Reoccur?

Brief Answer:
Consider Vit D analogues rather than steroids

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic

I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it.

Psoriasis is characterized by the presence of well defined, thick scaly plaques mainly involving the scalp, and extensor surfaces like elbow, knee, lower back etc. The disease has a chronic course and the course is fluctuated by remissions and relapses, however there is no permanent cure for psoriasis. Remissions and relapses are a part of the course of psoriasis

Specific topical treatment options for psoriatic plaques consists of ointments containing potent steroid (clobetasol e.g Dipsalic-f ointment OR Halobetasol e.g Halovate ointment) with or without salicylic acid. These are available in ointment form for plaques involving the body and as lotions/gels/foam form for scalp psoriasis.

I can understand your concern and frustration regarding the recurrence, however psoriasis often recurs/relapses after topical treatment specially if the treatment was based on topical steroids and moreover if the steroids were suddenly stopped once the disease improved (dipsalic - f is a potent topical steroid) thus precipitating a relapse (Rebound). Stress also has a role to play in relapse, so your relapse might be related to the stress of travelling.

Topical Vitamin D analogues like calcipotriol, calcipotriene etc are also effective for localized plaque psoriasis. They are steroid sparing agents/alternatives to streoids. Though they are slower acting as compared to topical steroids however, Vit D analogues can also be used as first line treatment as they have certain benefits over topical steroids e.g they are not associated with steroid related adverse effects like skin atrophy and rebound/relapse phenonmena, which is common after the steroids are suddenly stopped

Besides specific remedies for psoriasis, moisturisers form an important part in the management of psoriasis because of the thick scaly nature of the plaques. Moisturisers enhance the penetration of topical active ingredients as well as prevents or delays side effects like skin atrophy etc.

Since you seem to have localized disease, therefore I would suggest you to apply an 12% ammonium lactate based moisturiser e.g Amylac Cream twice daily. This should be followed by application of a topical potent Steroid+salicylic acid combination ointment e.g Dipsalic-f Ointment, twice daily over the patches for 2 weeks followed by switching over to a steroid sparing agents e.g Calpsor ointment (contains calcipotriol, which is a vitamin D derivative) after 2 weeks of topical steroids.

However, you must remember that psoriasis is characterized by recurrences and relapses.


Hope this helps
Regards

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