Does your Psoriasis have you feeling frustrated? We understand. Although it is not contagious, its itchy red spots and patches can look unsightly and make you feel awful. But there is no need for you to endure psoriasis in secret. We understand your pain and have put together a list of four useful tips for way to help soothe your psoriasis symptoms.
1. Avoid Scratching or Picking Skin
When psoriasis breaks out, it can be incredibly itchy, so people tend to pick and remove the flaky skin. However, this makes the symptoms worse. To soothe flare-ups, try an air humidifier and lotions or moisturizers for your skin. If you need to remove the itchy patches, WebMD advises you use lactic, glycolic or salicyl acid. [1] Luckily, many cosmetic products (gels, creams, shampoos) include these ingredients. You can also try running a warm bath to soften the patches.
2. Get Lots of Sun
Sunlight can do wonders for your skin and mood by kicking off the production of vitamin D. If you have psoriasis, it’s recommended that you get some sun a couple of times each week. Skin cell growth and abnormal growth is slowed down through exposure to ultraviolet light (UVA & UVB)
With that said, you should protect yourself from sunburn, especially when you realize that most psoriasis patients have sensitive light skin. Also, go out for 10-15 minutes at a time and slowly increase by a few minutes each time. Of course, consult your doctor before you start doing this.
3. Cut Down on Alcohol and Cigarettes
According to a 1999 study by M.D. Luigi Naldi, there’s a strong link between smoking and psoriasis. [2] Still, tracking down the exact culprit among hundreds of chemicals in cigarette smoke is difficult, but smoking has been linked to break-outs, as well as heavy use of alcohol.
The trouble with drinking is that alcohol can then cause a negative interaction with medication. ScienceDaily reported that women who have two or three drinks per week have new flare-ups. [3]
Besides weakening the immune system, heavy alcohol use also goes along with bad decisions that worsen psoriasis.
4. Look For New Psoriasis Treatments
Because researches are continually coming up with new ways of treating psoriasis, you need to keep yoursefl up to date. WebMD says the latest methods of treating psoriasis include things such as steroids, oral or injectable meds, and various topical creams. [4]
Apart from that, the FDA has approved a new cutting-edge approach for psoriasis treatment called biologic medicines. In simple terms, they decrease T-cell numbers which then blocks a substance known as TNF-alpha. Furthermore, they can help reduce inflammation by binding to proteins that cause it. These are just a few of the latest biologics to help treat psoriasis according to reports from the National Psoriasis Foundation. [5]
Humira is used to block TNF-alpha
Cyltezo is closely related to Humira
Taltz blocks proteins that cause inflammation
Siliq fights interleukins as an antibody
Enbrel is another antibody that blocks TNF-alpha
Elrezi is much like Enbrel
You can be successful in treating psoriasis, first by following our simple tips, and ultimately by knowing the latest treatment options.
[2]https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/how-cigarettes-and-alcohol-affect-psoriasis
[3]https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100816162645.htm
[4]https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/research#1v
[5]https://www.psoriasis.org/life-with-psoriatic-arthritis
[6]https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis/apple-cider-vinegar#research