7 Tips for Psoriasis Skin Care

Psoriasis Skin Care: Reduce Stress

Studies show that stress can inflame psoriasis and increase itching. Some people even trace their first outbreak of psoriasis to a particularly stressful event.

Of course, reducing stress is easier to say than do, yet lowering stress may not only help reduce symptoms, it can give you a real sense of control, too.

To reduce the stress in your life, develop a personal support system, think positively, and take the time to identify what's important to you. Then practice stress management techniques like exercise, yoga, meditation, guided imagery, deep breathing, or biofeedback.

Eating right, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of exercise can also help keep stress at bay -- and help you fight off the infections that may trigger flares.

Psoriasis Skin Care: Avoid Anything Harsh Against Your Skin

You already know that skin with psoriasis is super sensitive. Good psoriasis skin care means avoiding harsh products that can irritate it even more, such as lotions containing alcohol, deodorant soaps, and even some laundry soaps.

Scratchy, rough clothes can also aggravate your skin, so try switching to softer, less irritating cotton-based clothing.

Psoriasis Skin Care: Quit Smoking and Drinking

Smoking can trigger psoriasis flares, so quitting may improve your psoriasis, though it doesn't help everyone. Talk to your dermatologist if you're considering using a nicotine patch to help you quit -- skin patches can aggravate psoriasis for some.

Heavy drinking can also trigger psoriasis and make treatment less effective. Drinking can also lead to dangerous side effects when combined with certain psoriasis medications.

Psoriasis Skin Care: Stop Scratching and Picking

There's no doubt about it -- itchy skin begs to be scratched. Yet scratching can tear open the skin, making way for infection-causing bacteria.

To make the situation worse, scratching may cause lesions to appear where they weren't before. Picking your skin creates the same hot bed for infection.

Remember, psoriasis may not be curable, but there's a lot you can do on your own to soothe your skin.