Touro | Managing Psoriasis

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Managing Psoriasis

The success of your medical treatment depends on you. When your health care provider gives you a treatment plan, ask when you should expect to see results. Then follow your plan. If your treatment doesn't work in the expected time, let your provider know.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder that may respond to many different treatments depending on the location, size, and symptoms each person experiences.

Some treatments are simple (tar-based therapies or topical steroids). Other treatments are complex (new biologic medicines or light therapy). Your provider will need to personalize your treatment. There is no known cure for psoriasis, but symptoms will often improve with treatment. Symptoms may become worse later if you stop treatment or if a new illness occurs. In most cases, you can get control of your psoriasis again. You will likely need to see your provider regularly about treatment choices.

Psoriasis self-care

Take baths in warm water to help soften scales.

Follow these steps to help manage your symptoms:

Keep your skin well moisturized.
Take baths to help soften scales. Use warm water, not hot water. To prevent drying out your skin, limit each bath to about 15 minutes. Add bath oil, bath salts, or colloidal oatmeal. You may also try sponge baths.
After you bathe, apply moisturizing lotion right away, while your skin is damp. Dry skin can make symptoms worse.
Use a scalp treatment as prescribed by your health care provider. There are different solutions and dosages based on your symptoms.
Get treatment right away for any illnesses or skin injuries because they can cause flare-ups.
Identify things that set off your psoriasis flares, and work to prevent them. These triggers may include cold weather, psychological stress, alcohol, smoking, certain medicines (chloroquine, lithium, beta-blockers, steroids, and NSAIDs), and infections. Learn how to manage your stress, and use relaxation methods.
Expose your psoriatic skin to sunlight for 5 minutes a day. But don’t do this if you feel that sun exposure makes your psoriasis worse. Use sunscreen on the normal, unaffected skin, and try to prevent sunburns.
Use over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream for itching to reduce scaling for active outbreaks. Ask your health care provider about long-term use.
Stick with the treatment that your provider has recommended for you, especially if it's controlling your psoriasis.
Stay away from abrasive cleansers, harsh detergents, and household chemicals.
If you smoke, work with your health care provider to make a plan to quit smoking. Studies have shown that smoking tends to make symptoms worse.
Stay away from alcohol, because it can make the condition worse.
Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and stay at a weight that's healthy for you. Recent studies have shown that obesity is a risk factor for psoriasis, and it makes existing psoriasis worse.
Ask your provider about the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, and watch out for them.

Next steps

Now that you know more about psoriasis, the next step is up to you. Follow your health care provider's treatment plan and self-care routine. Doing so can help you control your symptoms. If your symptoms don’t improve or they get worse, call your provider. Psoriasis has no known cure, but symptoms can be managed.

Getting care from mental health professionals or a psychiatrist is recommended. They can provide counseling to help you cope with issues related to self-image and or self-esteem. And they can offer treatment for depression and anxiety.

Join a support group. Talking about the challenges of living with psoriasis may help you learn more about coping and living with the disease.