Skincare Treated

How to Soothe the Psoriasis Itch

Psoriasis is an itchy, scratchy, scaly, long-term, non-contagious, skin disease. The skin condition is caused by cells reproducing too quickly and accumulating on the surface of the skin, resulting in raised patches. Therefore any kind of psoriasis skin care is about controlling the disease rather than trying to cure it.

Areas Affected

There are different types of psoriasis. The parts of the body usually affected are the scalp, elbows, knees, armpits and genitals.

Treatment depends on the type, location and severity of the disease and how the patient has reacted to previous therapy.  Take a close look at psoriasis skin care treatments before you decide which one best suits you.

Treatment includes the use of topical products applied directly to the skin. These include emollients such as petroleum jelly.  A multitude of products are available in the form of ointments, creams and lotions.

Foams are convenient to use on hairy areas like the scalp. Tapes are used for thicker plaques on the knees and elbows.

These products contain corticosteroids, coal tar, salicylic acid and synthetic vitamin D and the challenge is finding the product that is right for you. 

Resistance to Treatment

One of the problems associated with psoriasis skin care treatment is that the disease becomes resistant.  Also, prolonged use of corticosteroids leads to thinning of the skin and dilation of blood vessels.

Topical treatments can also irritate the skin; they are awkward to apply, and have a strong odor and can stain your clothing.

Phototherapy or light therapy is often used to treat psoriasis. This involves exposure to beams of ultraviolet light, which penetrate the skin and reduce the growth of the affected cells. Natural sunlight contains ultraviolet B rays; therefore moderate exposure to sun is beneficial. Too much of sun can cause sunburn, which can aggravate the condition.

Did you know that soaking in a bath of oatmeal for 20 minutes daily enables the oatmeal and water to penetrate your skin and hydrate the layers? Skin care moisturizers and bath treatments can sooth the affected portions, but need to be used in combination with other remedies.

What Causes Psoriasis?

Research on psoriasis has shed new light on its causes. This has resulted in new skin treatments becoming available. Biologics, an injectable form of therapy, are a new treatment option which concentrates on treating the cause of psoriasis instead of just controlling its symptoms. 

Biologics involve long-term treatment and are expensive, but studies show that they are better tolerated and have fewer side effects than traditional systemic treatments.

Minimizing Flare-ups

Skin care is important in psoriasis as it can greatly alleviate the symptoms.  It can prevent skin infections and injuries and thereby minimize the recurrence of flare-ups.  Keep the skin moist, since dryness increases flaking and itching. Avoid deodorant soaps; instead, use a mild soap.

Gently pat the skin dry after a bath. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the skin as this will only make the psoriasis worse. Use a good moisturizer after a bath. Using moisturizers regularly can help to minimize itching, scaling and inflammation.

Take good care to avoid any injury to your skin. Even if you hurt the nearby skin while cutting your nails, it can result in patches of psoriasis at the site of injury as well as other parts of your body.

Psoriasis and skin care go together, and some simple tips can help to avoid flare ups. Wear loose cotton clothes, since chafing by tight and synthetic fabrics can irritate psoriasis.  Don’t wear jewellery or perfume that irritates the skin.  Avoid exposing your skin in dry and cold weather. 

Don’t avoid the sun completely, as moderate exposure provides healthy ultraviolet rays. Use a good sunscreen.  A humidifier adds moisture to the air, especially in winter.  Keep the air conditioning to the minimum required coolness to prevent the skin from drying.

Never stop any topical applications such as corticosteroids abruptly, as this can aggravate psoriasis. How would you like having to hide your skin day after day?