In addition to taking your medications as recommended by your doctor, dermatologist,
or pharmacist, there are several things you can do to help manage your psoriasis
flare-ups.
- Keep your skin moist and lubricated (see "Keeping your skin hydrated"
in this feature). Moisturizing will help prevent dry skin and itching. By
keeping your skin well-moisturized, you may also be less likely to scratch.
- If you feel itchy, try not to scratch your skin, as this can lead to further
psoriasis lesions. Psoriasis worsens in areas of skin injuries, so avoid picking
at existing scales.
- Prevent strep (streptococcal) throat infections. For children with
psoriasis, an attack of symptoms may occur with strep throat. These flare-ups
in children are usually of the "guttate" variety (round, small lesions).
An adult with chronic psoriasis may also develop a flare-up after a strep
throat infection. Practice good hand-washing techniques in the workplace and
at home, if someone you work or live with has had a recent bacterial infection.
Also, a healthy diet and lifestyle (see "Lifestyle modifications"
in this feature) will help to keep the immune system strong and reduce the
likelihood of bacterial infection.
- Many safe, effective treatments, such as ointments and creams, can improve
psoriasis and reduce recurrences of swelling, redness, flaking, and itching.
Some can be used to reduce new flare-ups of lesions. Use prescription and
over-the-counter psoriasis medications as directed by your doctor, dermatologist,
or pharmacist. Because psoriasis is chronic and unpredictable, it can present
a challenge to treat. Remain patient if, under the direction of your doctor,
you have to try more than one skin care regimen.
- In general, protect your skin by using mild skin cleansers, wearing cotton-blend
clothing, removing laundry-soap residue from clothing by rinsing twice, and
using sunscreens to avoid sunburn.
A final suggestion: Care for your skin and help relieve your psoriasis
symptoms by setting aside some time each day for treatment.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Psoriasis-Managing-and-Preventing-Flare-Ups
Keeping your skin moist and lubricated can help prevent dry skin and itching.
And by keeping your skin well-moisturized, you may also be less likely to scratch.
When choosing a new non-prescription skin product such as a moisturizer, ointment, or lotion, talk to your doctor, dermatologist, or pharmacist first. These products can help keep moisture in the skin, but some contain ingredients that could worsen your symptoms. Avoid creams and lotions that contain alcohol, which can dry the skin and worsen psoriasis. (For scalp psoriasis, there are numerous medicated shampoos available at most drug stores. Be sure to treat your scalp gently, as harsh shampoos, scalp massages or scratching can dry your scalp and aggravate psoriasis symptoms).
Take baths or soak affected areas of skin to replace skin moisture and soften
scales. You will benefit most by applying an ointment, cream, or lotion within
minutes after your bath to seal in moisture. Otherwise, when the water evaporates,
it will make your skin even drier. Take care to monitor the temperature of your
bath water - avoid bathing in very hot water.
Pat yourself dry (i.e., don't rub your skin) after a bath - this helps keep
skin moisturized and prevents irritation.
If you're cleansing your skin while bathing, use a mild soap instead of deodorant soaps or other harsh soaps. Employ this general rule-of-thumb: if it smells strong, it might be too harsh for your skin. If you're unsure about what soap to use, ask your doctor, dermatologist, or pharmacist for a recommendation.
Keep in mind that your skin care regimens may vary with seasonal changes. It's
important to increase your use of moisturizing creams and ointments during the
winter by applying heavier layers, especially over the areas affected by psoriasis.
Also during the winter months, remember that the humidity is generally lower,
especially in homes with forced air heating. If possible, use a humidifier in
your home during the winter months to help keep your skin well-hydrated.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Psoriasis-Managing-and-Preventing-Flare-Ups
Certain medications may be associated with worsening symptoms of psoriasis:
Antimalarial medications: Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are medications used to prevent malaria that may worsen the symptoms of psoriasis.
Beta-blockers and some heart medications: These medications are used to treat high blood pressure and other heart conditions. Doctors are uncertain if all heart medications, including beta-blockers, can worsen psoriasis flare-ups, but they believe that some (e.g., propranolol, metoprolol, quinidine) have the potential to do so.
Some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs):
- ibuprofen
- acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
- indomethacin
Lithium: This medication is used to help treat people with bipolar disorder and some other psychiatric disorders. Some people with psoriasis who take this medication experience a worsening of symptoms.
Let your doctor know that you have psoriasis before any medications are prescribed for you. If you have other conditions that may require prescription or over-the-counter medications, ask your doctor, dermatologist, or pharmacist which combination of medications (i.e., for psoriasis and other unrelated conditions) would be most appropriate for you.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Psoriasis-Managing-and-Preventing-Flare-Ups
Besides treating your skin with proper care and taking medications as directed by your doctor, dermatologist and pharmacist, you can help manage psoriasis with a healthy lifestyle.
What does that mean for people with psoriasis? Keep in mind that smoking, drinking alcohol excessively and not exercising regularly may worsen your symptoms and increase your risk of other illnesses. So put out those cigarettes, drink no more than two alcoholic beverages per day, and enjoy some form of physical activity each day. Even walking for 30 minutes daily or raking the leaves in your garden contributes to a healthy lifestyle.
Want to enjoy the great outdoors while exercising or doing household tasks such as gardening? Good news: ultraviolet (UV) light from sunshine can help clear up psoriasis in some people. UV light can help reduce inflammation and slow the overgrowth of skin cells that causes scaling. During sunny months of the year, exposed regions of affected skin may clear up on their own. The most effective wavelength, UVB, is found in natural sunlight. Daily, short, and non-burning exposure to sunlight helps to clear up the plaques on larger areas of the body. Remember that prolonged exposure to the sun increases your risk of skin damage, including skin cancer. Also, sunburns can cause psoriasis symptoms to worsen. Protect unaffected areas of skin with clothing or sunscreen that has broad spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB light, and a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Ask your doctor how the risks and benefits of ultraviolet light apply to your condition.
Taking that time to exercise helps you relax and relieve stress. And reducing stress can help prevent and manage psoriasis flare-ups.
If you're outside exercising, choose clothes with care. Wear loose-fitting clothes, shoes, and hats. Keep in mind that tight-fitting clothing can injure your skin and worsen your symptoms if you have psoriasis.
Once you're managing psoriasis with lifestyle modifications, remember to enjoy a balanced diet to also improve your general health. Researchers are unsure of the connection between psoriasis flare-ups and certain foods or combinations of foods. But planning nutritious meals and snacks goes a long way in reducing your risk of other illnesses, and contributes to overall good health and vitality. A healthy diet keeps your immune system strong, which can help prevent infections that can possibly trigger flare-ups.
And most importantly - stay positive! Try to maintain an optimistic attitude about your skin condition. You can help control your symptoms and take charge of your skin health.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Psoriasis-Managing-and-Preventing-Flare-Ups
