Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that affects nearly 8 million Americans. Some of the most common symptoms of this condition are painful rashes that present as silver scales on the skin, joint pain, and chronic dry scalp. Although many of the symptoms affect the skin, this disorder starts in the bloodstream when white blood cells begin attacking other parts of the body. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the symptoms of psoriasis at home.
Medicated Creams and Skincare Products
One way to reduce the outward symptoms of psoriasis is with medicated creams and skincare products. The silvery scales that are typically associated with plaque psoriasis are mainly caused by inflammation and dryness on the skin’s surface. When the white blood cells attack healthy surface cells, these other cells become inflamed in response. This inflammation shows up on skin as raised silvery patches of skin. Patches like these often itch, burn, and ache at any sort of contact. Rather than suffer from this uncomfortable skin, many people find comfort in medicated creams to reduce swelling.
Along with regular creams and lotions, many people turn to skin care products to take care of the more fragile facial and scalp skin. A subset of traditional plaque psoriasis known as scalp psoriasis is localized under the hair and can cause dandruff, itching, and hair loss. Fortunately, medicated shampoos can treat some of the symptoms of the disorder, such as scalp psoriasis flakes. For facial skin, certain serums and toners help regulate the skin’s moisture level, which reduces swelling and itchiness on the surface. While these products don’t cure psoriasis, they can help reduce the appearance and disturbance of the symptoms.
Regulated Humidity and Temperature
Another way to control your psoriasis symptoms at home is with humidity and temperature control. For many people, high heat triggers worse symptoms. When it’s too hot and humid outside, psoriasis scales grow and worsen, joints get stiffer, and body surfaces ache deeper. While it’s impossible to control the weather outside, keeping a steady temperature inside helps to mitigate some of the worst psoriasis symptoms. For people who live in a high-humidity climate, keeping dehumidifiers in several rooms around the house will create a safe haven to escape from painful symptoms.
While climate control is essential for people with psoriasis, sun can also help reduce surface inflammation. When done in the right amount, ultraviolet light drastically slows the growth of the unhealthy skin cells that cause psoriasis scales. When this abnormal growth is slowed, the scales will drop in size and become less noticeable. As a general rule, people with plaque psoriasis can sit in the sun for 10 to 15 minutes daily without damage to their sensitive skin. However, any serious tanning should be discussed with a doctor. In any climate, it’s essential for people with psoriasis to control their temperature and humidity.
Healthy Diet and Exercise Plan
Finally, a diet and exercise plan will help those with psoriasis control their symptoms from home. While there’s no such thing as a “bad” food, certain foods can cause inflammation in the body. A rise in gut inflammation can also increase joint inflammation and skin irritation, so keeping the GI tract healthy is vital. While junk food is delicious and easy to prepare, it’s better for those with psoriasis to stay away. Lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat dairy are all healthier options for people with psoriasis who want to reduce their symptoms.
Along with healthy eating, exercise can also make managing symptoms easier. While doing too much can worsen symptoms by wearing out the immune system, light to moderate amounts of exercise will strengthen the body and help it fight off the symptoms of psoriasis. Over time, studies have shown that regular movement and strength training can actually decrease the amount of flare-ups from the condition. While there is no known cure for this disorder, there are ways to manage it. Treatments like routine exercise are proven to work in the treatment of psoriasis symptoms.
To sum things up, psoriasis doesn’t have to spell the end of someone’s lifestyle. While the outward symptoms are annoying and even painful, there are ways to treat them from home. With these treatment options and regular medical care, psoriasis patients can live a healthy and wholesome life.
