Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition characterized by red, itchy, flaky patches on the skin. While the patches may show on the surface of the skin, the issue may be deeper than that, particularly in the immune system.
The main purpose of this article is helping people with skin problems, particularly psoriasis, by giving them a few tips on how to manage the condition.
- Keep your skin moisturized
Dry skin increases itchiness which makes you quite uncomfortable. One way that you can deal with psoriasis is by moisturizing your skin. Ensure that you use the right moisturizer to do so. Any time that you wash your hands or touch water ensure that you apply some moisturizer immediately. While there are many moisturizers that you can use, it would be best to reach out to your dermatologist and ask for recommendations. If, for example, your scalp area is one of the most affected with psoriasis, a scalp cream will come in handy. Also, during hot weather, ensure you put on your humidifier as it will help to keep your skin moist.
- Take a warm bath
Taking a warm bath after a long day can help you soothe your itchy skin. Ensure the water that you use is not too hot or too cold; lukewarm water works best. It is advisable to use mild soaps to take a bath. You can add some finely grounded oatmeal, milk, oil, or non-fragrance salts like epsom salt to your bath for better results.
Avoid rubbing your skin with a towel after the bath, as this may cause more irritation. Instead, pat yourself dry using a soft towel, then proceed to moisturize.
- Light therapy
Light therapy involves exposing the skin to either natural light or artificial light. Light therapy is also one of the proven ways to deal with psoriasis. If the condition is a bit mild, exposure to natural sunlight works well, whereas, for the more severe cases, phototherapy might be necessary. Before the phototherapy is done, there are a lot of considerations that need to be made. It is, therefore, important to have a doctor’s go-ahead to ascertain if the procedure is the best fit for you. Some examples of phototherapy treatments include UVB broadband, UVB narrowband, excimer laser, and psoralen plus ultraviolet A.
- Watch what you eat
One of the main triggers of psoriasis is the food you eat. If you are keen enough, you probably have identified some foods that make you get flare-ups. Avoiding such foods can help you ease the symptoms and avoid frequent flare-ups. Ditch the junk foods and avoid high glycemic foods such as white rice, bread, and cookies, to mention a few. Dairy products, red meat, citrus fruits, and gluten are also some of the foods that you should avoid. Eat more anti-inflammatory foods such as leafy vegetables, fruits, fish, seeds, nuts, omega-3 fatty acids. Also, if you were used to drinking a lot of alcohol, it might be time to kiss the habit goodbye, as research has shown that it might be a trigger for psoriasis.
- Oral and injectable medications
Your doctor can also prescribe oral or injectable medication, depending on the severity of the condition. Some of them include oral retinoids, methotrexate, cyclosporine, steroids, and biologics. However, note that some of these medications may have side effects which may differ from one person to another. As such, it is advisable to always consult your dermatologist before you start on any of them.
- Dietary supplements
The use of dietary supplements has increased over the years. Taking dietary supplements is also another way that may help ease the psoriasis symptoms. Vitamin D, aloe Vera, fish oil, primrose oil are good examples of supplements you can take.
- Reduce stress
Did you know that stress is a trigger for psoriasis? Well, emotional stress affects your health in many ways and may worsen your psoriasis symptoms. You should therefore avoid any stressful situations and learn to deal with things positively. Meditation, exercising, yoga, and spending time with your loved ones are some of the things you can do to reduce stress.
- Other home treatments
Home remedies sometimes do come in handy when dealing with psoriasis flare-ups. Using turmeric as an ingredient in your food or taking it as a pill may help you get some relief. If your scalp is itchy, applying apple cider vinegar may help. While home treatments are a life savior, you need to be very cautious as some of them may interfere with your medication. It is therefore advisable to always consult your doctor first.
The Takeaway
The above-mentioned tips are just but a few among many proven treatments for psoriasis. Note that what may work for one person may not necessarily work for you. It is therefore advisable to seek professional advice from your doctor before using any treatment methods.
