As an individual that has been diagnosed with psoriasis, and with a husband that has liver disease, we have lived a life of trying anything that is available to get some relief from the misery that itchy skin can cause. I thought that if you are a victim of these irritating problems, whether it be psoriasis, a liver that is not functioning properly, or any of the many skin problems that people deal with, here are a few ideas that have worked for us and may be something you can try to relieve the everyday itching that is so miserable to live with.

We'll start with psoriasis first. I have had psoriasis for probably 15 years, and although it is somewhat moderate in nature, it doesn't make it any easier to deal with. Psoriasis is defined as a skin condition that affects approximately 1-3 percent of the world's population, and appears as red plaques covered with a silvery scale that flakes away from the skin. It is quite common to be found on the scalp, elbows and knees, but can also affect other parts of the body such as the face, feet and mucous membranes as well.

When I first got diagnosed with psoriasis it was just behind the hair line on the back of my head. It was very itchy and flaky, we described it as a snow storm when I itched it and the scales came off. It was very irritating, not only because of the itching, but also can be embarassing when it appears you have dandruff. At first I tried every psoriasis over the counter medicine there was available. All the creams and shampoos that claimed would help, but nothing worked.

Then I decided to see a dermatologist. He was able to give me some relief by using something called Derma-Smoothe. It is an oily liquid, available only by prescription, but was very effective. Since I was first diagnosed about 15 years ago, I now have psoriasis on my elbows, knees and a few spots here and there on my legs and arms. The only thing that has ever worked to get relief for me is Derma-Smoothe. I know that they now have some prescriptions out there that are very helpful in treating psoriasis, but since I had ovarian cancer a few years ago, my doctor has been very hesitant to giving me the new prescriptions, as many of them increase the risk for cancer when using them. So, if you have spots and think you may have psoriasis and haven't used Derma-smoothe in trying to treat your psoriasis, I would suggest giving it a try. It has been the only thing that has worked for me, and hopefully it could also give you some relief as well.

The second thing I would like to share with you is something that is very easy and inexpensive to treat or help with itchy skin. My husband has had liver disease for a couple of years, and although it has thankfully not turned into cerhossis or gotten much worse, his liver does not function to 100 percent, and one of the things liver disease does it cause itchy skin.

The reason for this is not actually from the liver disease itself, but it is because irritants on the skin that a normal liver usually takes care of, a liver that is diseased is unable to take care of them in its weakened state. A healthy liver usually disposes of chemicals, toxins, parasites, fungus and other substances on the skin, and even those things don't normally bother a person when their liver is healthy, but when your liver is diseased, you have a highly sensitive feel on your skin that those with healthy livers wouldn't feel. And a diseased liver is unable to properly neutralize chemicals, toxins and parasites in the body, thus trying to eliminate them in another way by going through the skin, which causes that "itchy" feeling. And this can result in rashes and brown spots on the outside of the skin as the foreign substances are pushed out through the outer skin layers.

So, that's a bit of reasoning as to why those with liver disease have itchy skin. After trying many things, be it over the counter and prescription medicine, nothing seemed to be working to help relieve the itching my husband had on a daily basis. We looked through our medicine cabinet to find anything we could to try and help and nothing seemed to help.

One day I took out the Vicks Vaporub. I'm not exactly sure what my concept was in trying to convince him to try this for his itching, but whatever it was he agreed to try. When your skin itches constantly, you are probably willing to try anything just to get a moment's relief!

Well I can't tell you how or why Vicks Vaporub works, but it has been the very best thing that has worked for him since he began itching. He uses it every night before bedtime, and although it is a bit of a greasy substance, he wears a t-shirt after applying it and it has been the best relief he has found. Since I'm not a doctor, I can't even guess the how's or why's of it working, the only thing I can do is suggest this option to anyone that has any type of miserable itching that has not been able to successfully be treated either by yourself or a medical professional. The only thing I would remind you is that Vicks is a menthol, so be sure you won't be putting it somewhere that is "sensitive". I don't think the results would be as successful if applied in the wrong area, but if you are at wit's end, this is just a suggestion that has worked for us, and hopefully it might work for you and your family.

Remember, you can't win if you don't play as they say in the lotterys, so you can't get relief if you don't try it, so give it a try. It has made night time a much better place around our home, hopefully it can do the same for you!