Psoriasis is a very common skin condition wherein skin cells multiply more rapidly than is normal, which leads to the development of red patches and white scales. This is considered to be a chronic skin disorder, which means that it can’t be wholly cured and will recur via flare-ups. The scales and patches that are caused by psoriasis can occur on many different areas of the body, which include the hands, neck, scalp, feet, and face. The main issue with this condition is that the patches of skin can itch and ache, which can make psoriasis difficult to handle. While you can’t eliminate the possibility of flare-ups completely, there are many effective ways to avoid psoriasis flare-ups.
When you’ve been diagnosed with psoriasis, your primary goal for managing this condition is to prevent flare-ups from occurring. The following details eight ways that you can keep flare-ups at bay.
1. Consider Using a Humidifier
If you’re currently suffering from psoriasis, it’s important to understand that dry air and weather can have a negative effect on this condition. Cold and dry weather will almost assuredly worsen your symptoms and make it more likely that you experience a flare-up. While hot weather should make this condition better and lessen the likelihood that a flare-up occurs, this isn’t always the case. In order to keep your skin moist, it’s recommended that you use a humidifier, which you should turn on whenever the air inside of your home becomes too dry.
2. Avoid Certain Medications
There are several different medications that actually increase the possibility that you will suffer from a flare-up. As such, it’s important that you inform your doctor about any medications that you’re currently taking. A few types of medications that are known to make psoriasis symptoms worse include lithium, quinidine, and propranolol, the latter two of which are used for the treatment of various heart conditions.
3. Take Proper Care of Your Skin
If you treat your skin well, you shouldn’t experience as many flare-ups. For one, you should never pick at the scales and patches that are caused by psoriasis. Doing so can make the condition worse. If psoriasis is located on your scalp, topical treatments like tar shampoos will provide relief and keep psoriasis at bay. Along with tar shampoo, there are numerous additional tar solutions that can be helpful.
4. Use Lotions to Moisturize Your Skin
Symptoms of psoriasis will worsen when the skin dries out, which is why your skin should be kept moist with moisturizing lotions and creams. The best solutions will have a thick and oily consistency to them. If you want to get rid of the scales that are caused by psoriasis, consider applying cream to them, after which the area should be covered with some kind of waterproofing material. Leave this material on the affected area for several hours before removing it.
5. Lower Your Stress Levels
While dry skin and dry air are two of the primary causes that bring about flare-ups, stress can also make your symptoms worse. Whether the stress is caused by working long hours at your job or because of financial issues, reducing your stress should lower your chance of suffering from a flare-up. Along with trying to improve whatever is causing your stress, you can also practice yoga or meditation as a means of reducing the stress that you’re currently going through. These exercises are easy to perform and should help you lessen how often flare-ups occur.
6. Exercise and Eat Healthy
While there are currently no scientific studies that display a link between psoriasis and going on a diet or exercising, symptoms are known to improve when a person strengthens their health. First of all, it’s important that you exercise on a regular basis since being overweight of obese may trigger flare-ups. You should also eat a healthy diet that’s high in vegetables and fruits. Consider lessening your gluten and dairy intake to reduce the likelihood of a flare-up.
7. Mare Milk
Mare milk, also available in capsules made of powdered mare’s milk, is made from the milk of female horses and provides excellent relief for sufferers of psoriasis. The milk addresses the issues that exacerbate the problems associated with psoriasis from the inside out and provides long-lasting relief to sufferers of the disease.
8. Avoid Cuts and Infections
If you have psoriasis, you’ll need to take special care to avoid accidentally cutting yourself or suffering from an infection. Any damage to your skin can bring about a flare-up. As such, you should be very gentle when shaving. You should avoid getting any tattoos or acupuncture as well.
With these guidelines in mind, it should be easier for you to effectively avoid psoriasis flare-ups now and in the future.