How to Get Relief from Psoriasis Itching
Psoriasiscan cause anitchy, scaly rash on your skin.
Some itchy rashes are temporary, but psoriasis is a chronic, lifelong skin condition.
It can lead to changes in your skin that cause you physical and mental discomfort.
Goh Keng Cheong / Getty Images
People often say the itching from psoriasis feels like burning and can be very painful.
Psoriasis may not itch all the time and some types of psoriasis rarely itch.
Goh Keng Cheong / Getty Images
Why Does Psoriasis Itch?
Its not known why psoriasis causesitching, but it might happen the same way that other itches do.
For example, allergy itching starts in nerve receptors in the skin callednociceptors.
The receptors are stimulated by a substance the immune system puts out during an allergic reaction (histamine).
The substance makes the receptor misfire.
Infections, allergies, chronic diseases, drugs, and evenpregnancycan make your skin itch.
This is also the place where psoriasis starts.
Psoriasis is anautoimmune disorderthat happens because the immune system attacks normal cells in the skin by mistake.
The skin cells in the transition place start to multiply faster than they can be shed.
When they build up, you see the dry, flakyplaquesof psoriasis on your skin.
What Makes Psoriasis Itching Worse?
Psoriasis may not itch all the timeor at all.
Psoriasis can also be mistaken foreczema, which also causes itchy skin.
Some are calledantipruritics, meaning that they treat the itch itself.
Others treat skin dryness and flakiness that can make itching worse.
You might need to change your treatment to manage the condition better.
As much as you may want to scratch, try not to.
Scratching skin thats itchy and inflamed from psoriasis can make the condition worse and lead to scarring and infections.
You might need a prescription treatment to relieve the itching.
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