Find What Works For You
Jacobs psoriasis is now well controlled with biologic medications, and she says her skin, scalp, and nails stay pretty healthy. Her best advice? Work with your dermatologist to find the right treatment for you.
The availability of biologic medications was life changing to not have to deal with other messy medicines that do not work well, to not itch, and to have normal nails is wonderful, she says. This type of treatment makes me feel like a normal person again!
Psoriasis Causes And Risk Factors
Doctors arenât sure what causes psoriasis, but they know that genes and your immune system play a major role. About 40% of people with psoriasis have a close family member with the disease. Many of the genes linked to psoriasis are those that help run your immune system. In addition to your genes, these things can make you more likely to get psoriasis:
- Smoking
- Stress
Ways To Treat Psoriasis At Home
Psoriasis is a recurring autoimmune disorder characterized by red, flaky patches on the skin.
Even though it affects your skin, psoriasis actually begins deep inside your body in your immune system.
It comes from your T cells, a type of white blood cell. T cells are designed to protect the body from infection and disease. When these cells mistakenly become active and set off other immune responses, it can lead to psoriasis symptoms.
Even though theres no cure, many treatments exist to ease the symptoms of psoriasis. Here are 12 ways to manage mild symptoms at home.
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What Can I Do
There are a number of simple things that can help you manage psoriasis on your face.
A healthcare professional may recommend suitable treatments for your face.
Smooth Move: Amlactin 12% Moisturizing Lotion
AmLactin is an OTC lotion that many dermatologists recommend to their patients during flares when psoriasis plaques have multiplied, as it contains exfoliating lactic acid. Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that interrupts connections between skin cells, so dead cells can easily be shed. Bonus: It also has some major skin-moisturizing benefits.
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Caring For Your Skin All Year Round
When you have facial psoriasis your skin may be more sensitive to the weather.5
Cold weather can dry out your skin.6,7 Therefore, in the autumn and winter it is particularly important to apply a protective cream to your face and wear a hood or scarf.7
Over exposure to the sun can trigger psoriasis.2,8 Avoid too much exposure to sunlight in very sunny weather.8 Wear sun block rather than sun screen for better protection.8
Apart from during a flare-up, moderate amounts of exposure to the sun may help to clear psoriasis plaques. However, it is important to increase exposure to the sun gradually without burning.9
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
UK/IE MAT-26485Date of prep: July 2019
Tips For Living With Facial Psoriasis
Donât scratch your psoriasis. Be gentle with your skin. Use a cold compress on your psoriasis. To make a cold compress, dampen a cloth in cold water and squeeze out any extra water so itâs not dripping wet. You could also use an ice pack. But donât put ice directly onto your skin. Moisturizing the area can also help. You may want to pick a fragrance-free moisturizer.
Wear sunscreen every day. Youâd want to do this even if you didnât have psoriasis to help prevent skin cancer and wrinkles. With facial psoriasis, itâs also important to avoid sunburns because they can make your psoriasis worse.
Check on makeup. If you want to hide your psoriasis, you can ask your doctor if you can use makeup to conceal. Donât assume itâs OK to do, since some products can prevent treatment from working.
Practice stress management. Stress is a possible trigger for psoriasis. There are many healthy ways to handle stress, such as exercise, meditation, making time to relax, and spending time with people you like.
If youâre self-conscious about your facial psoriasis and itâs getting in the way of your life, consider talking to a licensed therapist. They can see if you have depression, and if you do, you can get it treated. Therapy can also help you start to build the confidence to move forward, without feeling like psoriasis is holding you back.
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Tips And Tricks To Manage Your Psoriasis
Weve briefly touched upon itching being a symptom of psoriasis. But for some people, the itching is actually so bad that it affects their everyday life.
If you have psoriasis and youre struggling with itching, heres some tips and tricks we normally recommend our NØIE users, when they deal with itching:
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Avoid excessive bathing and usage of soap since itll dry out your skin and aggravate the itching situation. However, clean skin lowers the risk of infections – so keep the showers short.
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Moisturise. This can be done pro-actively as well, keeping the skin barrier hydrated.
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Try keeping your moisturiser in the fridge. Its soothing and will increase the antipruritic effect of the moisturiser.
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Avoid wool clothing. Even without psoriasis, wool can be super irritating for the skin.
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Keep a low temperature in your bedroom or wherever you sleep.
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Dont over-do it with steroid creams as it wont help with the itching unless there are inflammatory changes in the skin.
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Cetaphil Restoraderm Calming Body Wash
Dr. Papantoniou recommends Cetaphil Restoraderm Calming Body Wash as a body cleanser for people with psoriasis. We really want to focus on products that are going to help protect the skin barrier, hydrate, and potentially reduce flare-ups and allow the skin to heal and respond to therapies, she says. You want to look for products that are made for sensitive skin and dry skin, and make sure they contain ceramides in the moisturizers.
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What Type Of Psoriasis Treatment Will I Need
Several treatment options can relieve psoriasis. Creams or ointments may be enough to improve the rash in small areas of skin. If the rash affects larger areas, or you also have joint pain, you may need other treatments. Joint pain may be a sign that you have arthritis.
Your provider will decide on a treatment plan based on:
- Severity of the rash.
- Vitamin A or retinoid creams.
Get To Know The 5 Different Types Of Psoriasis
Psoriasis can be divided into 5 different subtypes – each with very distinct characteristics, severities and frequencies. Here, we try to outline each type, hopefully making it a bit easier for you to figure out which type you have. And if you dont have psoriasis, youll just learn a lot about psoriasis.
Plaque psoriasisAround 80% of all psoriasis cases are identified as plaque psoriasis. This type is itchy and painful , and sometimes the patches can bleed and crack, making it a super uncomfortable skin condition.
Guttate psoriasisThe second most common type of psoriasis is guttate psoriasis. Youll recognise this type of psoriasis by the small, round and drop-shaped spots called papules that are red, a little scaly, and slightly raised from the skin. Usually they appear on the torso, legs and arms, but can also be found on the face and scalp. With guttate psoriasis, the affected skin doesnt necessarily get thicker than your normal skin, like youll typically see with plaque psoriasis. Unfortunately, in some cases it can turn into plaque psoriasis over time – or youll even have both of them at the same time.
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Skin Care For Psoriasis On Face
Psoriasis can be a tricky condition to manage, but the right skin care routine and lotion helps. Discover how one dermatologist with psoriasis keeps her skin glowing.
such as atopic dermatitis , psoriasis, and diabetes. How to treat dry skin on the face By making small lifestyle.
4 Common Pregnancy Skin Care Problems, And How To Solve Them While it makes sense that the hormonal changes of pregnancy can affect a womans skin, many women are surprised by how.
A dermatologist, or skin specialist, will most commonly treat psoriasis. A primary care physician can refer a person to a dermatologist. People should see their doctor about facial psoriasis symptoms.
How To Tell If You Have Psoriasis Or Dandruff Like, ever tried wearing a black top while dealing with dandruff? Its a freaking nightmare. Heres what you need to know. psoriasis, other parts of your body (like your elbows, knees, lower back, Are Those Flakes Dandruff or Psoriasis? Heres how to tell if your irritated scalp is because of dandruff. Avoid foods and
Psoriasis has well-defined, thick, red and scaly patches, especially at your elbows and knees. The patches can also appear on your face, buttocks, palms, soles and scalp. Your skin is thicker and more.
simply captioned the post, “Psoriasis Face” and left it at that.
in the past shes said seaweed-based skin-care products and light therapy have both been beneficial at clearing it up. Were glad.
Can Psoriasis Be Cured
Psoriasis is considered a chronic condition meaning it can be controlled but not really cured, says Mahto. For many people, the condition can come and go over the years. The good news is that, aside from minimising stress and other external triggers like alcohol consumption, there are a number of different treatments that can help to ease it. Depending on the extent and severity of the condition, as well as taking into account other medical problems, options include prescription creams , prescribed light treatments , tablets which suppress the immune system to reduce inflammation, and injections, says Mahto.
Its also well worth incorporating a probiotic supplement into your diet. A healthy and robust gut which is populated with lots of good bacteria can help support the immune system in functioning well. Since psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, it makes sense to focus some attention on a gut-friendly diet to help reduce flare-ups. Minimise sugar and processed food intake and take a shot of Symproves probiotic drink every morning as a good starting point.
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Raise The Bar: Dove Gentle Exfoliating Bar
Gentle, daily exfoliation can help remove the scale build-up that makes psoriasis plaques look white, explains Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. This basic bar cleanser gently removes the build-up of cells from psoriasis plaques without overly drying the skin, which is your ultimate goal, he says. If you have more-than-usual plaque build-up, skip the scruffy loofahs and use a damp, soft washcloth instead to buff the skin.
What Can I Do To Help Prevent Flare
For skin symptoms of psoriasis, good skincare can go a long way. Dry and irritated skin is more likely to cause a psoriasis flare, so keeping skin moisturized and free of irritation is key to keeping psoriasis break-outs at bay.
Heres what a good skin-care routine looks like when you have plaque psoriasis.
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Otc Treatments And Home Remedies
In addition to using steroids, rinsing the facial skin with a saline solution can also help reduce discomfort and pain.
Available OTC treatments include:
- tazarotene cream or gel, an off-label treatment that currently has approval for treating acne
- UV light, which a person should only use under a doctors supervision
If psoriasis affects the skin around the eyes, a doctor will advise taking great care when applying medications to the area. This is because many OTC psoriasis treatments can cause damage to the eyes that may lead to the development of glaucoma or cataracts.
That said, doctors sometimes recommend two off-label eczema treatments that may work especially well for treating psoriasis on the face.
These prescription drugs are tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream . People using these medications should apply them very carefully and sparingly, being sure to avoid the eyes.
These medications are unlikely to cause glaucoma. However, using them may lead to uncomfortable side effects, such as a stinging sensation.
In addition to using these topical medications, there are several precautions a person can take to reduce irritation as much as possible. These include:
- using gentle, non-soap cleansers to keep the skin clean
- applying moisturizers often
- regularly putting on sunscreen to reduce the effects of UV radiation
Practicing frequent and thorough self-care can help a person control their facial psoriasis as much as possible.
Other Treatments For Psoriasis
If youve found that psoriasis creams are having no effect upon your symptoms, you should speak to a doctor. They may suggest a more potent topical treatment, or refer you to a dermatologist for specialised treatment.
Treatment plans for severe psoriasis typically involve phototherapy with ultraviolet light, or systemic treatments given as tablets, capsules or injections.
References
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Avène skin care products are created to treat various skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, and scars. The XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream is formulated with thermal spring water to hydrate and soothe dry, irritated skin. It also helps reduce redness, itchiness, and inflammation.
The nourishing cream acts as an emollient to soften skin, lock in moisture, and strengthen the skin barrier. Its thick consistency is good for nighttime use, helping to balance and even out skin tone.
Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream is fragrance-free, though a few customers complain that the cream has an unpleasant smell. A few reviewers mention that the cream has a sticky texture and doesnt absorb well.
On The Spot: Eucerin Roughness Relief Spot Treatment
This featherlight lotion does more than youd think it would upon first application. It contains a cool 30% urea, an ingredient that helps soften rough patches . This treatment offers hydrating and exfoliating benefits, too, as it contains lactic acid, sunflower seed oil, and ceramides. The amount of urea in this little tube is around what youd get in a prescription-strength product, Dr. Zeichner adds.
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Flake Out: Kamedis Anti
If you struggle with scalp psoriasis dandruff shampoos like this one can be incredibly beneficial. This one contains zinc pyrithione, which lowers the levels of yeast on the scalp, and soapberry, a bacteria-fighting botanical. Less of those buggers means less inflammation, scaling, and itching. While these shampoos do clean your hair, you should think of them more like a scalp treatment. Apply to the scalp and let it sit while you sing Happy Birthday, then rinse it off, Dr. Zeichner advises.
Psoralen Plus Ultraviolet A
For this treatment, you’ll first be given a tablet containing compounds called psoralens, or psoralen may be applied directly to the skin. This makes your skin more sensitive to light.
Your skin is then exposed to a wavelength of light called ultraviolet A . This light penetrates your skin more deeply than ultraviolet B light.
This treatment may be used if you have severe psoriasis that has not responded to other treatment.
Side effects include nausea, headaches, burning and itchiness. You may need to wear special glasses for 24 hours after taking the tablet to prevent the development of cataracts.
Long-term use of this treatment is not encouraged, as it can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
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What Are Other Types Of Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type. About 80% to 90% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis.
Other, less common types of psoriasis include:
- Inverse psoriasis appears in skin folds. It may look like thin pink plaques without scale.
- Guttate psoriasis may appear after a sore throat caused by a streptococcal infection. It looks like small, red, drop-shaped scaly spots in children and young adults.
- Pustular psoriasis has small, pus-filled bumps on top of the red patches or plaques.
- Sebopsoriasis typically appears on the face and scalp as red bumps and plaques with greasy yellow scale. This type is a cross between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis.
Best For Intense Itch: Curl Curl Hydratherapy Itch Defense Wet Skin Moisturizer
Thanks to oatmeal extract, vitamin E, and a ceramide complex, this goes to town fast, minimizing itch and generally making skin feel better. The formula is water-activated, so youre meant to slather it on immediately post-shower . Its so great for irritated skin conditions that it has both the National Psoriasis Foundations Seal of Recognition and the National Eczema Associations Seal of Acceptance.
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What Is Facial Psoriasis
Facial psoriasis is a chronic skin condition in which there are one or more, persistent, thickened, red and dry patches on the face.
Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that may affect any skin site. Facial involvement occurs at some time in about half those affected by psoriasis. Although it is usually mild, facial psoriasis is occasionally very extensive involving the hairline, forehead, neck, ears and facial skin.
It is extremely rare to have psoriasis occurring solely on the face. Most patients also have scalp psoriasis and they may also have moderate to severe psoriasis at other sites.
Patients with facial psoriasis often suffer from psychosocial problems due to the presence of unsightly red, scalyplaques on highly visible areas.
Facial involvement presents as a therapeutic challenge because facial skin is thin, sensitive and more complicated to treat.