Around 8 million Americans have psoriasis and more than 100 million worldwide [1]. Sadly the root cause and cure are not known, but some of the brightest minds are trying to figure it out. The only good thing is that we figured out good treatments that can help those who have it quite a lot.
Table of Contents
What is it?
Psoriasis is a disease of the skin which causes a lot of hardship. The symptoms are vast and include itchy skin, patches, red spots and rashes, white scales, fingernail pitting, discoloration, and crumbling [2]. All of this makes psoriasis a hard thing to live with. People who have it tend to suffer a lot from these symptoms.
The root cause of this disease is not really known, but scientists think that it is most likely an autoimmune disease. This makes finding a solution really difficult and sadly most treatments don’t really work as effectively as would be expected. Luckily a lot of things are changing in the field day by day, and more effective treatments are being found constantly.
One of the best methods of keeping psoriasis in check is managing the symptoms themselves.
Treatments of the symptoms include:
1. Don’t touch the inflamed areas
While this is very hard to do, it is an important step in making things a bit better. If you pick, itch, or scratch these areas the inflamed spots will flare up and make things a lot worse. Up to 90% [3] of people with this disease have these itching problems and scratching them only makes things far worse. So it is recommended to just not touch these areas at all.
2. Lotions and Creams
The only good method of relieving the itching is by using high-quality creams and lotions. The fewer areas affected, the better the treatment is. It is recommended to apply the lotion right after baths or showers and leave them for as long as possible. The lotions and creams that help the most use ingredients like lactic, salicylic, and glycolic acid.
3. Air Humidity
Psoriasis is worse in winter due to dry air and colder temperatures. That’s why lotions are good, they keep your skin from drying out. Heaters in our homes mostly dry the air out after heating. So in order to prevent stronger outbreaks, you should get a humidifier and saturate the air with more moisture.
4. Diet
A healthy diet is always good, no matter if you have some health issues or not. The same goes for psoriasis. [5]Certain foods like eggs, red meat, wheat, processed foods, and some vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers (nightshade veggies) can cause inflammation and lead to flare-ups. Avoid them as much as possible. Foods that help with this condition are:
- Natural oils
- Fatty fish like salmon, trout, etc.
- All kinds of berries
- Cauliflower, broccoli, Brussel sprouts…
Also, avoid drinking and smoking as they are harmful even if you don’t have this disease. The chemical compounds will make things worse so avoid them at all costs.
5. Get Vitamin D
Vitamin D is very important for our health and the best way to get it is not through some pills but through the Sun! Go outside when the weather is nice and enjoy the warmth of the Sun. If your skin is sensitive, don’t spend too much time outside and try to increase the amount every now and then.
While we wait for scientists to find a solution to this disease, these treatments will make sure you stay healthy and feel well for as long as possible. Don’t be discouraged, there are many methods of managing the symptoms and the new medication is on its way! Always consult your doctor and try living a healthy life!
[1]https://www.psoriasis.org/content/statistics
[2]https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/understanding-psoriasis-basics
[3]https://www.psoriasis.org/life-with-psoriasis/managing-itch
[4]https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/faqs/weather
[5]https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis/food-triggers-for-psoriasis#foods-to-avoid
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