Psoriasis is a kind of a disease, which annoys and even tortures its sufferers lifelong. However, years of struggling with the disorder teach the patients to cope with and suppress flare-ups of this skin condition even without medical help, using self-care tips instead. Observing psoriasis a patient gets to know its triggers with the lapse of time and thus learns how to avoid outbreaks or at least relieve disease symptoms with the help of a number of options and things, which are always at hand.
Here is a list of the simplest things you can do to lessen the itch and skin scaling.
Do not scratch affected skin. It may be difficult to resist a temptation to scratch the itching area. Still, a patient must always control himself and not to touch the affected places; otherwise, they can bleed and become infected, which, at the end, will aggravate the condition and worsen the symptoms.
Take daily baths. Soaking in warm, not hot water will help remove scales and soothe the affected skin. Salt baths, or baths with German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) extract, coal tar solution, or oiled oatmeal are a good choice in this case. Be sure to use super fatted soaps or soap substitutes to avoid skin dryness. Always use a moisturizer after bathing.
Use moisturizers. Heavy, water-in-oil moisturizing creams or oils should always be used right after bathing, when skin is still moist. This will reduce scaling, itching, and inflammation.
Expose skin to sunlight for a short period of time. Short-term sunbaths may be beneficial for patients with mild psoriasis, helping remove scales. Many people, however, experience the aggravation of the disease symptoms after sun exposure; therefore, doctor’s advice and supervision are recommended.
Do not use irritating cosmetics or soaps. Products with drying effect and those containing alcohol are not recommended for use by patients with psoriasis, since they are likely to increase skin dryness, itching, and scaling.
Wear cotton clothes and avoid synthetic materials. Cotton clothes are best to wear during psoriasis outbreaks, since they will not irritate skin, unlike many synthetic materials, which are too rough for the affected areas. The latter thus may increase itching and irritation.
Follow a nutritious diet. Eating well-balanced food will have a positive effect on the whole body in general and on the skin state in particular. Foods that enhance work of the kidneys and liver are said to be beneficial for patients suffering from psoriasis. These include fish, turkey, celery (for cleansing the kidneys), parsley, lettuce, and lemons (for cleansing the liver). Lots of fruits and vegetables are always beneficial. Drinking plenty of water (eight glasses per day) is recommended by the majority of dietitians.
At the same time, some foods may be the triggers, aggravating psoriasis symptoms; therefore, a patient should investigate and discover which products are harmful in his case. Avoiding those foods will lower the risks of worsening psoriasis symptoms.
Maintain a healthy weight. This is especially important for those, who are prone to overweight and obesity, because these people are at the greater risk of suffering from inverse psoriasis, which tends to develop in the areas where skin folds. At the same time, healthy weight is another step in the direction of total well-being and healthy body.
Avoid stress. Stress is known to be the trigger and the consequence of psoriasis at the same time. No matter how hard it may be, avoiding stress is one of the most important tasks of the psoriasis sufferers.
Counseling groups, family members, friends, and coworkers may become the rescuers and mighty helpers for the people trying to overwhelm this stressful disorder. They are the ones to show the support and understanding, not letting the patients to struggle on alone.
Everything seems to be easier when there are people to rely on. Stress is always eliminated when a person has a friendly company.
Ivanna
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