What’s the best way to manage psoriasis?
Posted on January 20 2021
If you suffer from psoriasis, you’ll know how uncomfortable, and sometimes painful, it can be.
It is an immune system disorder that causes redness, irritation and flaky patches of skin. They usually appear on your knees, elbows, back and scalp, but can appear on any part of the body.
While most people only suffer from small patches, the affected areas can be itchy or sore in more extreme cases. Scratching them only makes things worse.The condition affects around two per cent of people in the UK and can start at any age.
If you suffer from a mild case of psoriasis, it can just be a minor irritation. However, it can have a significant impact on your quality of life once it takes hold.
Psoriasis is a chronic condition that can flare up at any time. You may go for long periods without suffering any symptoms, but when it flares up, it can be severe.
Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for psoriasis.
However, you can do a few simple things to manage the symptoms of psoriasis at home.
Read on to find out more...
WHAT IS PSORIASIS?
Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder linked to the immune system.When it is triggered, your body increases the rate at which it produces and sheds skin cells.
Usually, skin cells mature as they move through the layers of skin to the surface, where they are shed. It normally takes around 28 days for each new skin cell to pass through.
However, psoriasis accelerates this process to around four days, which means new cells move towards the skin surface while they are still immature.
This causes a build-up of dead skin cells which become dry, flaky and itchy. Blood flow to the skin also increases, resulting in redness and irritation.
Psoriasis is associated with several other health conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and obesity. It is also linked with depression.
Although its severity varies from person to person, psoriasis’s common symptoms include red, scaly patches of skin with sharply defined edges. These usually appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, armpits, under breasts, between the buttocks and on your genitals, or at the site of an injury.
If the patches are scratched off, it can cause bleeding and irritation.
It can also cause loosened, thickened or pitted nails.
In more extreme cases, it can lead to tenderness, pain and swelling in the joints and connective tissue. This is known as psoriatic arthritis.
WHAT CAUSES PSORIASIS?
Psoriasis is not infectious or contagious. Nor is it the result of poor hygiene.It tends to run in families, although the exact way in which it passes from generation to generation has not yet been established.
What is known, however, is that both genetics and the immune system contribute to the development of psoriasis.
The immune system protects your body against disease and infection.
If you suffer from psoriasis, it attacks healthy skin cells by mistake.
Many people’s symptoms start or worsen because of a specific event, known as a trigger.
Stress, infection, skin injuries and reacting to certain medications can all trigger bouts of psoriasis.
Environmental and emotional factors can also play a part. So too can certain lifestyle choices, including smoking and excess alcohol consumption.
WHAT ARE THE BEST HOME REMEDIES FOR PSORIASIS?
While there is no known cure for psoriasis, there are a few things you can do at home to manage the condition and ease the symptoms when they flare-up. These include:
Strengthen your immune system
Because psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, you can help keep the symptoms at bay by strengthening your immune system. Your immune system protects your body from infections caused by bacteria and viruses, while helping to remove harmful toxins and breaking down malignant cells. It is also responsible for controlling the body’s response to harmless triggers.
Lily & Loaf’s Antiox-Immune has been specially formulated to support a strong immune system and protect your cells from oxidative stress.
Natural supplements
Besides natural supplements that support the immune system, several other supplements can help prevent psoriasis from flaring up or ease its symptoms when it does.
Evening Primrose Oil is used to treat a range of skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema and acne.
Vitamin D can help regulate the skin’s immunity and slow the overproduction of new skin cells. Omega essential fatty acids, meanwhile, help to lubricate and heal the cells of the body, including those in your skin, brain and joints, and reduce inflammation.
Prevent dry skin
Keeping your skin moist can help avoid your psoriasis either flaring up or worsening, so there are several things you can do.
Stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of water, which your body will use to replenish the natural fluid balance in all your cells.
Keep your windows open or use a humidifier to ensure there is moisture in the air.
After washing or bathing, apply a light and gentle moisturiser to the areas usually affected by psoriasis patches.
And don’t use products which are heavily fragranced or have lots of dyes and chemicals in them, as these can trigger your psoriasis and irritate the skin.
Watch what you eat
The cleaner you eat, the less chance you have of triggering your psoriasis.
Heavily processed foods, or foods that are high in saturated fats and sugar, can cause psoriasis to flare up, so try to avoid wherever possible. Instead, try to eat more whole grains, lean proteins, white meat and fresh fruit and veg. Limiting your alcohol intake will also help.
Avoid stress
Be good to yourself. Stress is proven to be a significant factor in trigger psoriasis, so try to relax and avoid it wherever possible. Try to take regular breaks from work and switch off at home.
Practice yoga or meditation to clear your mind. And why not treat yourself to a nice, relaxing bath using your favourite essential oils?
Lavender essential oil and Tea Tree essential oil, for example, both have anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe sore and irritated skin while you relax. Just make sure you read the labels and follow the instructions carefully.
Check out these links to find out more:
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