Psoriasis is a very common ailment. Almost 8 million people in the United States suffer from psoriasis, but doctors don’t really understand what causes it. Not only that, but there’s no certain cure. Despite these unfortunate facts, it is possible to manage psoriasis in a way that makes life livable. Recent breakthroughs are happening all the time, and some of them are quite promising. It’s always a good idea to discuss any new treatments with your doctor, but you can still search online to find the latest available options.
What Is Psoriasis?
The first thing to know is exactly what psoriasis is. It’s a skin disease that manifests in red spots and patches. These spots and patches cause irritation and itchiness. Mild psoriasis conditions might only cover a small area on your body, while more severe outbreaks can cover your entire body. It’s easy to see on any visible skin and very uncomfortable as well.
No one really knows how psoriasis is caused or what the risk factors are. The best guess is that it’s some kind of autoimmune disease. This makes it more difficult to treat as well. However, as mentioned above, there are definitely some effective ways to manage it.
7 Effective Ways To Manage Psoriasis
1. Don’t pick or scratch at the patches and spots. This is hard to do for some people as the disease can be very uncomfortable. However, if you bother the spots and patches, they will take longer to heal and may even get infected.
2. Use a cream or lotion that mentions treating psoriasis. Sometimes these specialized creams can alleviate itchy feelings. They usually work the best for those who have only a few small areas of psoriasis. Apply them right after showering or bathing, so your skin can absorb the moisture. Look for ingredients like salicylic, lactic or glycolic acid to help reduce new outbreaks. You should always talk to your doctor about getting the right brands.
3. Keep your home and office air nice and moist. A humidifier can definitely help alleviate psoriasis. Dry air leads to dry skin. Dry skin can trigger outbreaks in those prone to psoriasis.
4. Eat a healthy diet. One of the best ways to mitigate psoriasis outbreaks and symptoms is to change your diet. Some foods cause inflammation and an unhealthy immune response. Avoid red meat, eggs, gluten, nightshades and processed food with high amounts of sugar, salt and fat. On the other hand, incorporate foods like berries, fatty fish, heart-healthy oils and cruciferous vegetables into your diet. Again, talk to your doctor or nutritionist about dietary changes to control psoriasis.
5. Get more sun. Believe it or not, sunlight is a real treatment for psoriasis. In fact, it’s considered one of the most proven treatments. Work on getting natural sunlight exposure two to three times per week. Sunlight can heal current outbreaks and reduce the growth of bad cells. Wear sunscreen when you go out, and always talk to your doctor about whether it’s the best idea for your condition.
6. Stop drinking and smoking. If you currently drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, you might be making your psoriasis worse. One in five psoriasis cases is linked to cigarette smoking. Chemicals in both alcohol and nicotine can trigger outbreaks.
7. Do your research. It’s both good and bad news that there’s a lot to learn yet about psoriasis. Because of the lack of understanding, there’s plenty of room for holistic and experimental treatments. One day, some of these treatments might be the cure. Many biologic medications are being researched and used on people with psoriasis. Some work very well to reduce irritation and inflammation.
Don’t feel discouraged if you’ve tried treatments that don’t work. There are many more out there. Do your research through online sources to find out what else is available. Talk to your doctor about what you find and ask whether they might help you deal with psoriasis.