For years, David Duncan lived as a recluse because of the psoriasis which covered 85pc of his body. After trying countless skin specialists, prescriptions and quack cures, the 36-year-old is convinced he has now come up with his own effective treatment.

The inflammatory disease, which typically causes red scaly patches on the skin, developed when David was 19 years old.

"It nearly had me destroyed. My scalp, ears, hands were all covered in it as well as my body. I tried absolutely everything. My marriage broke up and I even thought about taking my own life," he revealed.

The condition left David with a constant itch, and he left a trail of dead skin everywhere he went. When they asked, he told children asked what was wrong with him, he told them he had been burnt in a fire.

Four years ago, a friend suggested that he try Argan oil, extracted from the nut of a tree found in Morocco and used widely in cosmetics. Within hours of application, the itch which had troubled him for 14 years had stopped.

David spent the next four years experimenting with different combinations of natural ingredients, using the oil as a base, with remarkable results.

"Within four weeks there was a massive improvement and after seven to nine weeks it was completely gone from my scalp.

"I know this works. It has given me back my freedom. I was a stone's throw from suicide," he said.

Before he began using his oil, 85pc of David's body was also covered with psoriasis. Now it is down to 40pc and there is no itch. David wants to market the formula he has called Abbey Oils Solutions.

One young woman who was also suffering with the condition was happy to try it out because she too had tried "just about everything".

The 24-year-old, who asked not to be identified, has also been astounded by the results.

Within two weeks, her scalp psoriasis had cleared. After seven weeks the condition which covered up to 60pc of her body had reduced to less than 5pc.

"It has changed my life immensely. It is brilliant. I was able to wear short sleeve tops and shorts when I went on holidays recently," she said.

David Duncan can be contacted at: scalppsoriasis@gmail.com.