Im 30 I have psoriasis on my knuckles (bleeding all day long) elbows and knees. My thumbnail look sreallly ugly. I went to a Derm in Manhattan when I lived there and he wanted to do anythign but fix my psoriasis. He gave me almond oil for my thumbnail. His name is Howard Sobel he's supposed to be famous I think hes crap. My fingers itch and tremble on bad days which sucks becasue I work with computers. Im really worried about wasting another day going to some ass that just wants me to get plastic surgery on my nose. Its starting to get scary now because I have been having a lot A LOT of joint pain. PA scares the hell out of me. Does anyone know a doctor in PA near the lehigh valley? A good one. I need someone who will listen. This all started when i got my cat. Its really unbearable.


Hi dzabell~
I am not familiar with the area you live in...as I am in the San Francisco area. However, hopefully the Foundation's online might be useful in finding a dermatologist that is interested in treating you with your best interests in mind.
Good luck!


Hi dzabell,
Welcome to the Board! :cool: Nice to meet you. I'm sorry to hear that you're going through such a rough time. Richard (RichJ) and Elaine (IHurt) both live near you. I'm sure that they'll come along in the last day or two and share the names of their doctors with you. (I know that Richard has seen derms in both Allentown and Stroudsburg.) If you'd be be willing to travel into suburban Philadelphia, here's a link to a post that contains a recommendation to a specific derm: . Here's his name and contact info:
Dr. Robert Tokarek
Ste 214
1235 Old York Rd
Abington, Pennsylvania 19001-3841
(215) 517-1212
or:
Ste 2775
847 Easton Rd
Warrington, Pennsylvania 18976-2910
(215) 918-5620.
I have psoriasis on the tops of my hands, so I know how difficult that can be. One of the best things I ever did for myself was to switch from anti-bacterial and deoderant soaps. (I found that they irritated my psoriasis and made it drier and itchier then it already was.) (Here's a link to a previous discussion about psoriasis and soap: .) I also moisturize constantly. (Especially right after I wash my hands.) I also wear rubber gloves when washing the dishes and vinyl disposable gloves when cleaning the bathroom, etc. I also wear gloves whenever the outside temperature falls below 45 degrees F.
I hope this helps.
Good luck. Keep us posted. Let us know if you have any questions and please don't be a stranger.
Mike


In addition to Mike's great post......
Contact your local hospital and see who they would recommend for themselves. Local Dr's and Nurse's seem to have a pulse on who is good and who is in it for cosmetic reasons. My current derm, who is "a dream come true", was recommended by my Nurse PA at the derm I was at - but could not continue because of insurance changes.


PJ66 and RichJ live not too far away from you, and (my ex MIL) So you might want to ask them also.


Do cats cause psoriasis?
My mother told me that she got P after she got me. Do kids cause psoriasis?
:confused:


Do you think this might have anything to do with your cat. Cat scratch fever? Cats can be high alergic to some,especially if you pet the cat and you have open sores on your hands its the dander of the cat. I know Im fine if were in the same room, but the minute I pet the cat and go anywhere near my face, the allergy starts, eyes, nose, itchy hands etc., Might be worth checking out. :rolleyes:


Do cats cause psoriasis?
My mother told me that she got P after she got me. Do kids cause psoriasis?
:confused:
Dulane LMAO
Kids do cause a lot of stress. Right after I had my first baby (hes 22 now) I got PPP and its never gone away once. :rolleyes:


Do you think this might have anything to do with your cat. Cat scratch fever? Cats can be high alergic to some,especially if you pet the cat and you have open sores on your hands its the dander of the cat. I know Im fine if were in the same room, but the minute I pet the cat and go anywhere near my face, the allergy starts, eyes, nose, itchy hands etc., Might be worth checking out. :rolleyes:
cat scratch fever is different. It effects the lynph nodes. My daughter is super allergic to cats, cant be in the same room with them, so it could make p worse.


hi dzabell,
welcome to the pfamily. im from the l valley. born and raised here. i go to a dem in Stroudsburg. his name is alan i westheim. he is a good lisener and i think he is pretty good. he started helping me but i ended up back at my first derm (long story). his name is joseph j zaladonis jr.i think he is good to and his apointments are almost always on time. i stop going to him because he is aways from me. 1 hour back to work form him. i hope this helps alittle. welcome and nice to meet you.
have a good night all
richard
ps i hope this makes some sence. :D


Here's Dr. Westheim's contact information:
Alan I. Westheim MD
239 E Brown St
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
(570) 421-1009
And here's Dr. Zaladonis' contact information:
Joseph J. Zaladonis Jr MD
2045 Westgate Dr # 105
Bethlehem, PA 18017
(610) 868-3150
Wow, Richard! Bethlehem really is a long drive for you!
Thanks again,
Mike