Sunlight exposure and psoriasis
Short periods of exposure to the sun reduces psoriasis in most people. Avoid sunburn, which injures the skin and may make psoriasis worse or cause psoriasis to appear on other areas of your skin. Your skin should be examined once or twice a year for skin damage or skin cancer.
Drugs that come in pill, lotion, solution, and ointment forms (such as psoralens and tars) make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Be careful when exposing your skin to sunlight if you are using one of these products. Use sunscreen on areas of your skin not affected by psoriasis.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by patches of itchy, scaly, and sometimes inflamed skin. Although they can appear anywhere, these patches -- called plaques -- are most likely to crop up on the knees, elbows, hands, feet, scalp, or back. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the fingernails and toenails become pitted in about half of all active psoriasis cases. Up to 30% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic athritis, which causes pain, swelling and stiffness...
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