What To Put On Psoriasis

Home Remedies For Psoriasis

Employing these simple strategies can help control the itchy, frustrating outbreaks

If there ever was a medical condition that could convince Sherlock Holmes to get out of the business, it’s plaque psoriasis. Psoriasis symptoms are obviousafter all, it’s hard not to notice that maddening itch, the inflammation, and those bothersome silvery scales that usually occur on the elbows, knees, trunk, and scalp. But when it comes to finding its cause or cure, that’s even more of a mystery than Watson’s first name.

What is known about psoriasis is that it causes skin cells to go hyper. A normal skin cell takes about a month to mature, but in those with psoriasis, this process takes only 3 or 4 days. These skin cells are poorly developed, and they can’t shed fast enough. Instead, they pile upforming raised, scaly “plaques” that itch and leave skin below red and inflamed. Psoriasis isn’t contagious, but beyond that, researchers can’t speak about the condition’s causes with any degree of certainty.

There may be a genetic link, however: In one in three cases, the disorder can be traced through the family, although it can skip generations. Also, doctors have observed that stress can spark new outbreaks . Other suspected triggers include damage to the skin from injury, dryness, or chafing and reaction to certain drugs and infections .

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

How To Be Intimate When You Have Genital Psoriasis

If you have genital psoriasis, you can still be intimate. Following this advice can help reduce irritation:

• When the skin on or around your genitals is raw, postpone sex.

• Before sex, gently cleanse the area. Be sure to use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser. Cleansing will also help prevent psoriasis medication from rubbing onto your partner.

• Men: Use a lubricated condom. Whether a man or woman has genital psoriasis, this lessens the risk of irritating the inflamed area.

• After sex, gently wash the area. This helps reduce irritation. If you are using medicine, apply it.

Psoriasis is not contagious

If you have sex with someone who has psoriasis, you will not get psoriasis. Psoriasis is not contagious. Its not a sexually transmitted disease.

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ReferencesBergstrom, KG, Kimball AB. 100 questions & answers about psoriasis. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett.

Meeuwis KA, de Hullu JA, et al. Genital psoriasis awareness program: Physical and psychological care for patients with genital psoriasis. Acta Derm Venereol. 2015 Feb 95:211-6.

Ryan C, Sadlier M, et al. Genital psoriasis is associated with significant impairment in quality of life and sexual functioning. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015 Jun 72:978-83.

Turner J. Inverse psoriasis. National Psoriasis Foundation webinar, presented September 16, 2015.

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology

The American Academy of Dermatology gratefully acknowledges the support from Amgen and .

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Aloe Vera With Coconut Oil And Shea Butter

• Mix 1 teaspoon each of alovera, coconut oil and shea butter.
• Stir well and then apply on skin, massaging gently in circles for 2 minutes.
• Leave on overnight or rinse with lukewarm water after 20 minutes.
• Repeat daily to get relief from the itching and dryness.
• Or you can mix small amount of aloe vera gel and lukewarm coconut oil. Apply on the psoriasis affected skin and scalp areas. Rinse it off after getting few minutes.
• Add aloe vera gel to cocoa butter, Shea butter and oils with vitamin B5 to make fine moisturizing cream and use this cream to get rid of psoriasis.

Are There Alternative Therapies For Psoriasis

Conventional therapy is one that has been tested with clinical trials or has other evidence of clinical effectiveness. The FDA has approved several drugs for the treatment of psoriasis as described above. Some patients look to alternative therapy, diet changes, supplements, or stress-reducing techniques to help reduce symptoms. For the most part, alternative therapies have not been tested with clinical trials, and the FDA has not approved dietary supplements for treatment of psoriasis. There are no specific foods to eat or to avoid for patients with psoriasis. However, some other therapies can be found on the National Psoriasis Foundation web site. Individuals should check with their doctors before starting any therapy.

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Soothe Yourself With Warm Baths

A daily warm bath using a mild soap can help soothe itchy spots and remove dry skin.

Take 15 minutes to soak in the warm water. You might find comfort if you add oil, finely ground oatmeal, Epsom salt, or Dead Sea salt to your bath, but keep the water and soap mild. Hot temperatures and harsh soaps can be hard on skin that’s already sensitive.

Try not to rub your skin with the towel as you dry off. Gently pat dry instead. The rubbing action can make sores worse and even cause new ones. Follow immediately with a moisturizer.

If you don’t have time for a bath, you can still put a wet towel or cold compress on the trouble spot. Read more about skin care tips for psoriasis.

Medicated Creams For Psoriasis

Another important variety of psoriasis cream is the topical medicated treatment. These are products recommended for people with psoriasis either by a pharmacist or a doctor. You will often need a prescription to use the kinds of treatments below as they can be very potent.

The ingredients most commonly found in medicated psoriasis creams are:

• Topical corticosteroids
• Coal tar
• Dithranol

These ingredients primarily work by reducing skin cell production, however they can also have an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps to reduce soreness and itching.

Medicated psoriasis creams should be applied directly to affected areas when youre experiencing a flare-up of symptoms. They are suited to cases of mild or moderate psoriasis, and vary in potency.

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It Can Affect The Scalp Hairline Forehead Back Of The Neck And Skin Around The Ears

Did You Know?

Symptoms may include fine scaling that looks like dandruff, or appear as thick, crusted plaques that cover the entire scalp. Other skin disorders, such as seborrheic dermatitis, may resemble psoriasis. However, scalp psoriasis appears powdery with a silvery sheen, while seborrheic dermatitis looks yellowish and greasy. Scalp psoriasis is common in patients of color, but treating it can be particularly tough due to the hair type.

Scalp psoriasis may be an indicator of psoriatic arthritis , as many people have both. If you think you have scalp psoriasis, see a dermatologist to diagnose scalp psoriasis and visit a rheumatologist to screen for psoriatic arthritis.

No matter how severe your scalp psoriasis is, there are options for treating the itching and flakes â from over-the-counter shampoos and topicals to light therapy, oral treatments and biologics.

Buying Psoriasis Creams Over The Counter

You can readily buy emollients in a pharmacy, but medicated creams will typically require a conversation with the pharmacist or a prescription from your doctor.

Coal tar shampoos, including polytar shampoo, which are a treatment for scalp psoriasis, are usually available to buy without speaking to a pharmacist.

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Best For Face: Abundant Natural Health Ocean Soothe Psoriasis Relief Lotion

Finding the best face lotion is not always easy, given how the surface can be more sensitive compared to other parts of the body. Abundant Natural Health Ocean Soothe Lotion is made with 100 percent all-natural ingredients to prevent any chemical irritants from further inflaming psoriasis patches.

The formula combines seawater with aloe vera and tea tree oil. The product works by using salt from seawater, which is mixed with cucumber extract, to exfoliate the dry skin patches along the surface. The aloe vera and tea tree oil then soothe the exfoliated skin and hydrate the surface to prevent new scales.

How A Dermatologist Can Help

With so many products, it can be difficult to know what to use. If you dont see the results you like with OTC treatment for psoriasis, you may want to see dermatologist. Dermatologists are the skin disease experts. They know how to tailor psoriasis treatment to the type of psoriasis you have. Sometimes, this requires combining treatments. You may also need one treatment plan to gain control over your psoriasis and another to maintain the results.

ImagesGetty Images

ReferencesMenter A, Korman NJ, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Section 3: Guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 60:64359.

Paghdal KV, Schwartz RA. Coal tar: Back to the future. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 Aug 61:294-302.

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology

The American Academy of Dermatology gratefully acknowledges the support from Amgen and .

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Is Aloe Vera Good For Psoriasis

• Aloe vera moisturizes skin while forming a protective layer that discourages bacterial growth.
• It strengthens the immune system and increases the production of white blood cells.
• It has has mild anaesthetic, antifungal, antibacterial, skin soothing and anti inflammatory properties which reduces redness, swelling, itching, and other inflammatory symptoms of psoriasis.
• When consumed, aloe vera detoxifies the body from within and aids in proper digestion to prevent gut issues that in turn helps to get control over psoriasis.
• Aloe vera penetrates deep into skin, reducing the thickness of psoriasis rashes and flakes.
• It has 99% of water which hydrates and moisturizes the skin to prevent dryness and irritation.
• It stimulates the new cell growth along with natural steroids and nutrients.
• Aloe vera contains calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium, iron, chromium, zinc anti-oxidants, salicylic acid, enzymes, vitamins A, B, B12, C & E, polysaccharides, and amino acids, all of which keep skin healthy.

Treatment Of Associated Conditions

Health conditions associated with psoriasis include psoriatic arthritis, sleep disturbance, and depression. Treatment for these may help skin disease.

Due to the association between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome, weight loss, smokingcessation, moderation of alcohol intake, and blood pressure control may also lead to improvements in skin disease .

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Salicylic Acid: A Keratolytic

Salicylic acid is available in both over-the-counter and prescription strengths. It’s known as a “keratolytic”, which means it loosens dead skin from the psoriasis plaque to reduce scaling.

Salicylic acid is available in many different OTC formulations, such as lotions, gels, creams, foams, shampoos and others, to treat both skin and scalp psoriasis.

Salicylic acid can be used in combination with other treatments, like corticosteroid creams, anthralin, or coal tar to increase effectiveness.

• It may take up to several days before your symptoms improve.
• Common side effects of salicylic acid may include skin irritation, peeling, rash, or blanching of the skin area.

Wet Dressings And Warm Baths With Salts Or Oats

Baths and showers can be relaxing, but those that are too long or too hot can strip the skin of its oils, and this can make psoriasis worse.

Some people find that a warm bath containing colloidal oatmeal or Epsom salts is soothing and relieves symptoms.

According to , an oatmeal bath or a wet dressing can reduce itching, and a warm bath containing a suitable bath oil can help moisturize the skin.

In 2005, researchers found evidence that Dead Sea salts might help with dry skin. Volunteers immersed a forearm in water with a 5-percent concentration of magnesium salts, the most common minerals in the Dead Sea, for 15 minutes.

The participants skin barrier function improved, their skin hydration was better, and they had reduced roughness and inflammation compared with the control group who used tap water instead.

After bathing, applying an appropriate moisturizer while the skin is still damp can help prevent moisture loss.

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What Is Scalp Psoriasis And What Causes It

Psoriasis can appear on any part of the skin, even the scalp. With scalp psoriasis, scalp plaques produce excess scales and can cause your scalp to itch.

Symptoms of scalp psoriasis appear as the following:

• A small bump, called a papule, with a scale on top.
• The plaque typically is covered by thick layers of horny scale. When the scale sheds, it can look like dandruff.
• Sometimes these plaques can itch.
• Scratching these plaques can worsen the condition and lead to what’s called the Koebner phenomenon, or isomorphic response, which can cause psoriasis to develop in areas where there’s inflammation and trauma.

The causes of scalp psoriasis, like all psoriasis, is related to genetic defects that affect the immune system. It is not known if stress causes or makes psoriasis worse.

In some severe cases, scalp psoriasis can cause alopecia, or a loss of hair, which is rare and may be controlled with treatment. Scalp psoriasis can be treated with topical medications, which can sometimes be difficult to apply when the scalp is covered with enough hair that can create a barrier.

Use Of Otc Emollients And Creams

Topical emollients and creams are agents that sooth and soften the skin. Emollients, such as lanolin, are rich in fats and oils. They work by moisturizing the skin and protecting it from drying.

Regular use of emollients may lessen the need for anti-inflammatories like corticosteroids in psoriasis.

Ask your dermatologist, family doctor, or pharmacist for their top recommendations.

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Intimacy Can Still Be Possible

If you are feeling anxious about sexual activity because of psoriasis, talk to your partner and educate them about psoriasis. Let them know that psoriasis isnt contagious and help to put them at ease. It is always a good idea to discuss psoriasis before you are intimate, so it is not a surprise.

To reduce friction and pain during sexual activity, use lubricants during sex. Choose products labeled cooling over warming lubricants. Warming lubricants often contain ingredients that inflame sensitive skin and might trigger psoriasis flares.

You can also make your own lubricant using olive oil, aloe vera, or coconut oil. However, oil-based lubricants should not be used with latex condoms, as they can degrade the latex and lead to condom failure.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following ways to reduce irritation with sexual intercourse.

• Postpone sex when the skin around the genitals is raw or inflamed.
• Before sex, gently cleanse intimate areas using mild, fragrance-free cleansers.
• During sex, use lubricated condoms to reduce irritation in intimate areas affected by psoriasis.
• After sex, gently wash and dry intimate areas to reduce irritation.
• Reapply topical medications after sexual intercourse.

Following your treatment plan and taking your medications as prescribed can help to improve psoriasis symptoms regardless of where they are located on the body.

How Common Is Scalp Psoriasis

It is common and approximately half of all people with psoriasis also have it on their scalp. The reason it deserves special mention is that it can be more difficult to treat and usually requires specifically formulated treatments.

Psoriasis on the scalp forms in the same way as on other parts of the body but the hair traps the scale and so it does not rub away as it would, for instance, on the elbow. The result is that the scale can quickly build up, causing a thicker plaque which becomes more difficult to treat . This difficulty is compounded by the hair, which acts as a physical barrier obstructing the easy application of creams and ointments to the affected skin. Children can get scalp psoriasis too. Treatments will be much the same as those used for adults. On rare occasions, scalp psoriasis has been known to disappear spontaneously, but it can remain on the scalp for lengthy periods of time too.

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Forget Heels And Dress Shoes If You Have Plantar Psoriasis

Men, feel free to keep your footwear, so long as its still comfortable for you. Ladies, I know you dont want to hear this, but binding shoes and high heels may be making your plantar psoriasis worse. Skin irritation encourages plaques.

If you cant get permission to wear sneakers during a flare, consider keeping a pair of cozy slippers under your desk to wear while you are seated.

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Aloe Vera With Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is antibacterial, antiseptic, and antiinflammatory. It relieves itching, burning, and redness.

• Mix 100 ml of pure aloe vera gel, 6 drops of tea tree oil, 10 ml each of avocado oil, lavender oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, and bergamot, and 4 ml each of patchouli and 3 drops of German chamomile.
• Pour mixture into an airtight container and let stand overnight.
• Apply mixture to skin preferably after shower.
• Massage gently in circles for 2 minutes.
• Leave on for few minutes and rinse with water.
• Repeat 2 times a day.

Flare Ups: Common Psoriasis Triggers

Certain events or substances may worsen your psoriasis or cause it to come out of remission. It is best to avoid any trigger you identify that may cause a flare-up of your psoriasis.

Common triggers include:

• Cold weather, smoke or smoking
• Heavy alcohol use
• Certain medications such as lithium, high blood pressure medications , drugs to prevent malaria, and iodide products, such as potassium iodide and sodium iodide.

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