you might practiceself-careat home to manage your psoriasis symptoms and flares.
While medical treatment is an important part of managing psoriasis, self-care can be a healthy accompaniment.
This, in turn, can help build their confidence.
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health
Adopt a Healthy Diet
Ahealthy dietcan positively affect a person’s overall health.
A 2020 study proposed that diet could exacerbate (worsen) psoriasis.
It suggested that people avoid excess red meat, simple sugars, andalcohol.
Take Care of Your Skin
A popular way to practice self-care is with a gentleskin care routine.
Measures can include:
Avoid Scratching
Scratching cantrigger psoriasis.
Use a cool compress or moisturizer to relieve itching, or try a product containing menthol or camphor.
Remove psoriasis scales gently.Picking or scratching off scales can worsen your psoriasis plaques.
Instead, soften the scale before removing it by applying salicylic acid medications.
Prevent Winter Flares
Psoriasissymptoms can worsen during winter.
Colder weather, less sunlight, outdoor humidity, and dry indoor air can trigger psoriasis.
Incorporate self-care techniques to manage stress and reduce the chance of developing a flare-up.
There are numerous ways to relax.
Some techniques work better for some people than others.
These include:
Exercise
Regular exercise is good for physical and mental health.
Explore different options for exercise and physical activities.
Not getting enough sleep has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, depression, and obesity.
Someone with a sleep disorder should seek treatment for that condition.
Find Your Triggers
Not everyone has the same psoriasis trigger.
Part of self-care is finding what triggers psoriasis so it can be avoided.
Get the recommended check-ups, health screens, and ongoing care to maintain your best quality of life.
Each person will have a different vision of what their self-care routine should look like.
Psoriasisis a lifelong condition that has times when it is better and times when it’s worse.
Taking care of yourself can help alleviate symptoms and keep you clued in to their own health.
Summary
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes skin rashes that can itch.
There are several medical treatments available, both over-the-counter and prescription therapies.
Some people choose to incorporate self-care into their psoriasis therapy.
Your self-care plan will be unique and should include whatever you should probably be as healthy as possible.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Psoriasis.
Alsaadi DS, Jones M, Anstey A.Exploring the psoriasis self-management landscape.Future Healthc J. Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci.
2020;21(15):5405. doi:10.3390/ijms21155405
American Academy of Dermatology Associates.8 ways to relieve itchy psoriasis.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?
include:6
The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Psoriasis and the sun.
2020;183(6):1094-1102. doi:10.1111/bjd.18979
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sleep and sleep disorders.
Gupta MA, Simpson FC, Gupta AK.Psoriasis and sleep disorders: A systematic review.Sleep Medicine Reviews.
