Finding Relief: Effective Self-Care Practices for Soothing Psoriasis Symptoms

0
474
Finding Relief

Psoriasis is a common skin disease that affects more than 7.5 million Americans. It is characterized by itchy, red patches on the skin that may be covered in thick, silvery scales or crust. These scales build up in certain body areas more than others, such as on the elbows and knees, under the breasts, and along the scalp line. Psoriasis can be a very stressful and isolating disease. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle living with psoriasis can also be very difficult. This can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety, which further complicate your psoriasis symptoms.

However, there are many things that you can do to help soothe psoriasis symptoms and live a more balanced life. These include;

Eat healthy foods

Eat healthy foods

Eating healthy foods helps keep your immune system strong and helps prevent flare-ups from occurring due to food allergies or sensitivities. Foods that are rich in vitamin C are especially good for people living with psoriasis because vitamin C helps the body produce collagen, which plays an important role in the production of new skin cells and reduces inflammation associated with psoriasis flare-ups. Vitamin E also helps improve circulation throughout the body, including blood flow in areas where psoriasis lesions are located; plus, it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Take daily baths

 Taking a bath can help relieve the dryness from psoriasis. Use lukewarm water and avoid using soap on your skin unless it’s a mild soap with no fragrance or dye. Try using warm water instead of hot water because hot water can further dry out your skin.The combination of heat and moisture soothes psoriasis healing stagessymptoms by improving circulation and reducing itching. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your bath water for added benefit.

Moisturize often

If you’ve ever experienced dry skin, you know how uncomfortable it can be, especially during cold winter when heating systems run full blast in most homes and offices. Psoriasis is associated with dryness because it causes inflammation in the skin’s outer layer called the epidermis. The best way to prevent further irritation is by applying moisturizer often throughout the day.

Use gentle cleansers

An overactive immune system can cause psoriasis. Soaps and other products with harsh chemicals can irritate your skin even more, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF). To avoid further damage, look for cleansers labeled fragrance-free or sensitive skin. Cleansing your skin is important for maintaining healthy skin cells and keeping the affected area clean. However, over-cleansing can strip protective oils from the skin’s surface, which can worsen symptoms of psoriasis healing stages. Instead of using soaps containing harsh detergents and chemicals, choose gentle cleansers free of fragrances and dyes.

Protect your skin

According to NPF, psoriasis is contagious in some cases and can spread from one part of the body to another through friction. Wear gloves when washing dishes or handling laundry to avoid scratching or rubbing your affected areas. If you have an active flare-up on your hands or feet, consider wearing shoes instead of sandals, especially if you’re around people who have never had a flare-up before.

Consult a healthcare professional

See your doctor if you have been diagnosed with psoriasis so they can help you determine the best treatment options based on your specific needs. Your doctor may recommend topical medications such as corticosteroids and vitamin D analogs, as well as oral drugs like methotrexate or cyclosporine, to reduce inflammation in the skin and prevent new lesions from forming. Topical steroids should only be used for about two weeks because they can cause side effects such as thinning of your skin if used for too long or improperly applied. Your doctor will also prescribe ultraviolet light therapyfor psoriasis control or phototherapy to treat milder cases of psoriasis.

Practice stress management techniques

Stress is one of the biggest triggers for psoriasis flare-ups. When you’re stressed out or emotionally overwhelmed, your immune system goes into overdrive. It attacks healthy cells in the body instead of fighting off viruses or bacteria like it should be doing. Stress may worsen symptoms of psoriasis, so try to find ways to manage your stress levels. This may include things like meditation, yoga, or exercise. Talking with a therapist or joining a support group for people with psoriasis helps relieve stress and improve your overall health.

Avoid scratching

 It may seem like a good idea to scratch those itchy, scaly patches of psoriasis skin, but it worsens things. Rubbing can irritate your skin and cause bleeding or infection in some cases. Instead of scratching your psoriasis patches, try rolling up a towel or wearing long sleeves to protect them from further damage.

Conclusion

No matter what treatment you choose, it’s important to remember that psoriasis is a chronic condition. As such, it will likely require ongoing care to keep the symptoms under control.The best advice for keeping these patches at bay is to follow the above tips for self-care practices. These simple solutions will help soothe your psoriatic symptoms and keep them under control.

Comments are closed.