Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Scottsdale Naturopathic Dermatologist
Psoriasis is one of the most difficult dermatology conditions to treat. Pamela had the absolute worst case of psoriasis I have ever seen in my 23 years of experience working in conventional and naturopathic dermatology.
Ironically, Pamela was my very first official patient after I graduated from Bastyr University. I remember thinking at the time, “Really God, you couldn’t have sent me an easy case of acne for my first patient?" The patches of psoriasis all over her body had become so bad that they began connecting together into giant inflamed sections with little to no normal skin surrounding the inflamed areas. When the psoriasis began to spread to her scalp and face she panicked and sought me out as her Naturopathic Doctor.
I was truly feeling overwhelmed, shocked, and somewhat horrified by the severity of her psoriasis, and I thought to myself, “she needs to get to a dermatologist immediately.”
But the truth was, Pamela had already been to a dozen different dermatologists over the past 30 years of battling her psoriasis. The only thing that seemed to help her, was a very expensive cream that cost $400 per month, unfortunately, her insurance was not paying for the cream.
Even worse, the psoriasis that began on her elbows and knees, began to spread to her arms, legs, and the rest of her body.
It was getting so bad Pamela now needed two prescriptions of the $400 cream every month, and she could no longer afford to keep up with this expense. Pamela mentioned, she just wanted to take her grandkids to the community pool in her neighborhood and swim “without feeling like a leper.” (she and I both know that psoriasis is not contagious, however, other people swimming don’t know this.)
When the psoriasis began to spread to her scalp, ears and then her face, she contacted me for help. We began my Dermatology Detective process and left no stone unturned. I believed we truly had nothing to lose by trying a naturopathic solution. I knew from my eight years of working in traditional dermatology, that naturopathy would not harm her.
I made it clear to Pamela that nothing I could do for her was going to change overnight, and she would need to stay committed, to giving this a solid 3 months to see improvement. Close to her 12 week follow-up, Pamela called to cancel her appointment.
I immediately panicked at the beginning of her voicemail message, I worried that something had gone wrong. But as I listened, she told me “I am completely better now, and I don’t have the slightest itch while on your program. I love my new diet, and don’t even want to learn how to moderate it at this point but, I just wanted to thank you for everything you have done for me".
Pamela went on to say, "I am actually in my bathing suit right now, and headed to take my grandkids swimming at the pool, and be the fun Grandma I always wanted to be with them. I could not have done this without you.”
She also mentioned that her homemade psoriasis medicine costs her only $10 a month to make and that she doesn’t even need to use it anymore as long as she follows her naturopathic diet plan and results of her Food Sensitivity Test. When women's hormones change such as in menopause and hypothyroidism that can also cause the skin to become more dry and susceptible to psoriasis.
If you need a caring Naturopathic Doctor I would be glad to help. To treat yourself to a Naturopathic visit simply pop over to my SCHEDULE page, so you can be my next Dermatology success story! Nothing makes me happier than helping women feel good in their skin! If you or your child are not sure if you can be successful with Naturopathy please read my post on "How to Be Successful with Naturopathic Medicine" and my free 30 minute video on "Holistic Dermatology: Acne, Eczema & Itchy Skin" so I only enroll patients in to my practice that will be successful.
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
(480) 837-0900
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum Depression, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 23 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones, she presents to women the best-integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 28 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones, and Naturopathy!
