Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition, that might also affect the nails and joints. The symptoms vary from person to person, but most commonly people experience red patches of skin covered  in shiny scales. Although there is no cure, there are many treatments, home remedies, and self-care strategies, that you can implement to reduce flare-ups. If you have psoriasis, it’s crucial to follow the advice of your doctor so that you can manage it effectively and avoid triggers. For example, there might be certain lifestyle changes that you might need to make in order to see optimum results. Today we will share our top tips to prevent psoriasis symptoms and prevent them from flaring up in the future.

Keep Your Skin Moisturised

Symptoms might get worse if your skin is dry, so it’s essential to keep it moisturised with creams and lotions. This is because dryness can trigger flares, and as a result, this can make skin scaling so severe that the skin may crack or bleed. Some of the most beneficial moisturisers for psoriasis management contain mineral oils, including liquid paraffin and petrolatum. You may also want to try moisturising with coconut oil or aloe vera gel, as both of them have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, if psoriasis affects the scalp, it is advisable to keep this area moisturised as well.

Look For Effective Treatments

As psoriasis typically flares up from time to time, you might need different types of treatment throughout your life. Therefore, it’s important to learn more about psoriasis and the various treatment options available to you. The right treatment for you will depend on the severity, site, and type of psoriasis you have. Additionally, keep in mind that one treatment may work well in one person, but might not be suitable for another. You should read more about the most commonly used treatments and consider trying more options if the first one doesn’t work as well as expected.

Prevent Skin Injuries

Skin injuries can cause the appearance of psoriasis flare-ups in areas where they are otherwise uncommon. This means that you should avoid skin injuries as much as possible. For example, you should take extra care when cutting your nails or shaving. Also, you may want to avoid getting tattoos or piercings. Be sure to protect yourself against insect bites, and always wear gloves when gardening. You should also avoid participating in dangerous sports or activities, that might result in accidents. Remember to use sunscreen and wear a hat when going outside.

Improve Your Diet

Another factor that might make psoriasis symptoms worse is being obese or overweight. You should focus on improving your diet and think about losing weight if necessary. There are certain foods that might cause inflammation in your body, such as red meat, dairy, processed foods, high-fat foods, refined sugars, and citrus fruits. However, there are many foods that can help you reduce inflammation, including fatty fish, seeds, nuts, and green leafy vegetables. If your diet is lacking certain nutrients, you may also consider taking supplements or vitamins.

Get Regular Exposure To Sunlight

UV radiation might be able to help you reduce symptoms associated with autoimmune conditions, such as psoriasis, as it can have immunosuppressive effects. As a result, UV light therapy might be a suitable treatment option for people with psoriasis. However, even short but regular exposure to natural sunlight may improve psoriasis symptoms and reduce flares. For best and safest results, it’s recommended to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to all areas of unaffected skin. To reduce the risk of sun damage, stay outside for only 10 minutes at a time. If your skin can tolerate the exposure, you can increase the amount of time you spend outside by 30 seconds to 1 minute each day.

Avoid Certain Medications

Some medications might interfere with the body’s autoimmune response, which can result in inflammation and trigger psoriasis. These medications might be lithium, which is used to treat mental disorders, and propranolol, which is prescribed for heart conditions. Therefore, it’s vital to let your doctor know about all the medications you take on a regular basis, including the over-the-counter ones. You will need to find out if they can affect your psoriasis and if so, you should ask your doctor about substitutes.

Reduce Stress

The stresses and worries of everyday life can have a negative impact on anyone, but they might be especially problematic if you have psoriasis. Typically, the body has an inflammatory reaction to stress, which can quickly cause a psoriasis flare-up. As a result, you should focus on relaxing and reducing stress during difficult times. There are different strategies you can use, such as psychotherapy, as this might help you feel more relaxed. In addition, you can sign up for a yoga class or try a few meditation and relaxation techniques like deep breathing exercises.

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