1. Moisturize your skin
Dry skin can increase irritation and itchiness felt by psoriasis patients, resulting in scratching which causes more psoriasis patches to grow on the irritated skin. Thus, it is vital to keep your skin moist to avoid this vicious cycle. But, how to maintain the moisture? It is actually simple. After getting shower, pat and dry yourself, then instantly cover your skin with either thick ointments such as petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or heavy skin creams whichever you can find; ointments are better than creams to keep moisture.
Dry skin can increase irritation and itchiness felt by psoriasis patients, resulting in scratching which causes more psoriasis patches to grow on the irritated skin. Thus, it is vital to keep your skin moist to avoid this vicious cycle. But, how to maintain the moisture? It is actually simple. After getting shower, pat and dry yourself, then instantly cover your skin with either thick ointments such as petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or heavy skin creams whichever you can find; ointments are better than creams to keep moisture.
You can use bandage or plastic wrap to add up the moisturizing effect. Before going to sleep, you can apply ointment or cream over the affected areas, wrap them for overnight, and then rinse the areas gently in the morning. If done regularly, this can help to reduce scaling.
2. Get proper bathing
It is important for psoriasis patients to get proper bathing, not too much and not too little, as these can make the skin becomes dry. Besides, use of hot water must be avoided, instead use lukewarm water. Hot water can make the skin dry and irritate more. Pure water also may dry the skin, thus adding bathing salts, oil or oilated oatmeal is recommended so that it becomes more skin-friendly. After bathing, it is encouraged to pat the skin dry and immediately put on ointment or cream to keep it moisturized.
It is important for psoriasis patients to get proper bathing, not too much and not too little, as these can make the skin becomes dry. Besides, use of hot water must be avoided, instead use lukewarm water. Hot water can make the skin dry and irritate more. Pure water also may dry the skin, thus adding bathing salts, oil or oilated oatmeal is recommended so that it becomes more skin-friendly. After bathing, it is encouraged to pat the skin dry and immediately put on ointment or cream to keep it moisturized.
3. Get some sun
Light exposure to sunlight especially in the morning and evening is one of the best psoriasis natural treatment options. This is because the sun emits ultraviolet rays which have been proven as a good cure for psoriasis. However, excessive sunburns must be avoided as this can worsen your psoriasis symptoms. It is good to cover unaffected skin with SPF 30 sunscreen and start with minor sun exposure for at least twenty minutes per day for three days a week. If you are on any psoriasis medications, please consult with your doctor first, as certain medications are deteriorated by excessive sun exposure.
Light exposure to sunlight especially in the morning and evening is one of the best psoriasis natural treatment options. This is because the sun emits ultraviolet rays which have been proven as a good cure for psoriasis. However, excessive sunburns must be avoided as this can worsen your psoriasis symptoms. It is good to cover unaffected skin with SPF 30 sunscreen and start with minor sun exposure for at least twenty minutes per day for three days a week. If you are on any psoriasis medications, please consult with your doctor first, as certain medications are deteriorated by excessive sun exposure.
4. Stop smoking
Smoking can exacerbate symptoms of many diseases, and psoriasis is one of them. One study showed that individuals who had more than a pack of cigarette per day had twice higher chance to get severe psoriasis compared to those who smoked half a pack or less. This bad effect was seen stronger in women compared to men. Many experts believe that quitting smoking can contribute to the well-being of psoriasis patients. Apart from that, this simple action also reduces the risk of many complications such as heart disease, lung disease and cancer.
Smoking can exacerbate symptoms of many diseases, and psoriasis is one of them. One study showed that individuals who had more than a pack of cigarette per day had twice higher chance to get severe psoriasis compared to those who smoked half a pack or less. This bad effect was seen stronger in women compared to men. Many experts believe that quitting smoking can contribute to the well-being of psoriasis patients. Apart from that, this simple action also reduces the risk of many complications such as heart disease, lung disease and cancer.
5. Reduce alcohol intake
Studies showed that people who addicted to alcohol had more tendency to develop psoriasis compared to those who were not. Men’s psoriasis may be affected more by drinking than women’s. Even though there is no study to support that alcohol intake reduction can improve symptoms of psoriasis, but it will at least improve overall health. It is recommended to limit the alcohol for only two drinks per day in men and one drink per day in women; less is better.
Studies showed that people who addicted to alcohol had more tendency to develop psoriasis compared to those who were not. Men’s psoriasis may be affected more by drinking than women’s. Even though there is no study to support that alcohol intake reduction can improve symptoms of psoriasis, but it will at least improve overall health. It is recommended to limit the alcohol for only two drinks per day in men and one drink per day in women; less is better.
6. Change your diet
Generally, there is no solid relationship between any food and psoriasis, but some people claim that their psoriasis symptoms show improvement after reducing on certain foods like sugar, white flour, gluten and caffeine. Besides, many dermatologists believe that maintaining an ideal body weight is one of the keys for psoriasis natural treatment. Therefore, it is good for patients to try eliminating certain less-nutritious foods and see if there is any improvement in their psoriasis conditions. And it is always thoughtful to maintain an optimum weight by having a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and exercising regularly.
Generally, there is no solid relationship between any food and psoriasis, but some people claim that their psoriasis symptoms show improvement after reducing on certain foods like sugar, white flour, gluten and caffeine. Besides, many dermatologists believe that maintaining an ideal body weight is one of the keys for psoriasis natural treatment. Therefore, it is good for patients to try eliminating certain less-nutritious foods and see if there is any improvement in their psoriasis conditions. And it is always thoughtful to maintain an optimum weight by having a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and exercising regularly.
7. Take care your mental health
Taking care of your mental health is one of psoriasis natural treatment tips. This is a very important aspect but always being overlooked. Due to their skin conditions, psoriasis patients often feel humiliated. Patients usually isolate themselves, feel lonely, anxious and have low self-esteem. Due to embarrassment or physical soreness, most moderate and severe psoriasis patients change their daily routine or give up things they like.
Taking care of your mental health is one of psoriasis natural treatment tips. This is a very important aspect but always being overlooked. Due to their skin conditions, psoriasis patients often feel humiliated. Patients usually isolate themselves, feel lonely, anxious and have low self-esteem. Due to embarrassment or physical soreness, most moderate and severe psoriasis patients change their daily routine or give up things they like.
It is important to seek for help if you feel that your psoriasis is affecting your mental health. Consulting someone expert like psychologist or clinical worker can help you to cope with psoriasis' effect on your life. Besides, you can join any support groups for psoriasis. Speaking with others who experiencing the same challenges can really help.
