Plaques psoriasis (the most common form of psoriasis) can be a lifelong health condition. It can cause some complications or even can be a life-threatening condition if the disease is poorly controlled. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for the disease. Staying close with the treatment plan is the best way to cope with the problem. In addition to following your doctor’s instructions, there are also some natural treatments and lifestyle approaches you can do to help control the disease and prevent the flares from recurring.
Since skin is the main object of attack when the problem flares up, it’s so critical to always practice a good skin care every day. The following are some major checklists you should concern:
- One of the major goals of your daily skin care is to make sure that your skin is not dry. Dry skin can be a starting point for the problem to flare up.
- To keep your skin moist, you need to apply moisturizer daily. For best result, choose oily & thick moisturizers because they can work stronger in moisturizing your skin by trapping more moisture beneath the skin.
- If necessary, use occlusion (after applying a thick moisturizer cream, wrap the skin with tape /plastic wrap). But it’s better to ask first your doctor whether or not you are allowed to do this idea. If you use cream containing active ingredients with prescription, the substance may be too strong to cover which then may become counterproductive!
When the problem flares up, there are available some over-the-counter topicals for mild to moderate cases of plaque psoriasis that can be purchased without prescription. Typically they contain some active substances, particularly such as salicylic acid.
Coral tar is another common substance that can be found in some over-the-counter topical treatments for psoriasis. Bath solution with active ingredients such as jojoba /aloe-Vera may also help.
Most of these active ingredients are commonly purposed to help soothe itching, soften scales & skin, or even some can help control the overproduction of new skin cells (the key reason behind psoriasis). If the problem doesn’t improve and gets worse, see a doctor /dermatologist promptly!
It’s clear that taking care of the skin is so important to control the disease. In other words, sufferers should always be careful with their skin. They should never pick at scales /lesions because this can worsen the problem.
However, you need to know that that the disease also can affect the scalp and nails. Other common sites of the body that is often affected by plaque psoriasis are lower back, knees, and elbows.
If the problem affects your scalp, follow the instructions suggested by your doctor! Ensure that all of the topical treatments penetrate to the scalp as well – not just your hair! The use of tar solutions (soothing products) for regular bathing may also help.
It’s also recommended to trim the nail regularly to reduce the risk of the problem from recurring. But you have to do it carefully – any cut of the skin may trigger the flares!
Keeping your nails short is also useful to reduce the effect of scratching on the skin! But having short-nails doesn’t mean you are allowed to scratch your skin! Still, never scratch your skin – scratching is not your real answer, instead it can worsen the problem and make the itchy skin itch even more.
Some studies found that getting a controlled exposure to sun light (UV ‘ultraviolet’ rays) may help improve the problem.
It is thought that UV rays can help inhibit the growth of skin cells. In psoriasis, the production and growth of new skin cells can go faster than normal, causing scaly patches on the skin surface.
However, it’s critical to get some UV rays properly – but not too much. Excessive exposure to UV rays can be counterproductive.
Use sunscreen cream on the unaffected skin! Furthermore, some topical treatments for psoriasis may increase the risk of sunburn. Therefore, consult fist with your doctor about how long you should get the exposure and how to do the therapy safely!
In addition, this phototherapy can be combined with other treatments such as topical treatments and light-sensitizing medicine.
Another natural treatment option without prescription that may work is water therapy with some salts (Dead Sea salts /Epsom salts), or oatmeal for about 15 minutes. Some sufferers find that the problem improves after swimming in saltwater.
But make sure to take bathing with lukewarm water afterward (especially if you choose to swim in saltwater), and always apply moisturizer on your skin after therapy!
And again, discuss first with your doctor before taking any therapy to keep safe!