6 Pself-Care Tips for Psoriasis Sufferers

You may already understand the need to take responsibility for your everyday health and wellness. This need becomes especially urgent however, when you suffer from a chronic condition such as psoriasis. Here are six self-care tips that can help you manage your symptoms, prevent outbreaks, and generally enjoy a higher quality of life.

1. Bathe the Right Way

Regular baths (ideally in lukewarm water) soften skin scales and rid other potentially irritating debris. However, watch out for products with harsh cleansers like SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) that might actually make your psoriasis worse.You may also want to skip a day or two of using cleansers so as not to remove too many natural oils from your skin. Products such as Psoriasis Honey's Oatmeal & Aloe Bath Bomb are made with soothing salts and moisturizing aloe to soften and help exfoliate the skin gently and safely. 

2. Moisturize Your Skin

Get into the habit of applying moisturizer to your skin, not just after every bath but up to three times a day, or as needed. The added moisture reduces the dryness and flakiness of psoriasis plaques. Consider using a moisturizer rich in natural ingredients such as Psoriasis Honey Skin-Renewing Cream which contains natural oils and salicylic acid to help promote the turnover of dead skin cells to support healthy skin growth.

3. Give Yourself Some Sun (but Not Too Much)

A certain amount of daily sunlight can give your skin's health a welcome boost. The secret lies in ultraviolet light, which curbs the overgrowth of skin cells seen in psoriasis outbreaks. Just exercise caution as to the amount of sunlight your skin receives and be sure to apply sunscreen. Excessive amounts of sunlight can make psoriasis worse by drying out skin while also raising your risk of skin cancer.

4. Don't Aggravate Itchy, Flaky Skin

When you're annoyed by itchy, flaky skin lesions, you may have a natural urge to pick or scratch at them. Don't do it! (We know, it is very hard.) These behaviors won't really bring you lasting relief, instead they could damage your skin to the point that bacterial infections can set in and leave permanent scarring. If the itching gets too distracting, applying a cool towel over the area may ease the sensation and reduce your urge to pick or scratch.

5. Watch What You Eat and Drink

Since psoriasis is correlated with inflammation, it only makes sense that reducing your consumption of inflammatory foods might help you cope with the condition more successfully. Red meat, dairy products, citrus fruits, and members of the nightshade family (such as tomatoes) may all promote inflammation. Replace these foods with items rich in whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins. If you have a gluten sensitivity, try to remove this ingredient from your menu. Ask your doctor about nutritional supplements such as aloe vera, milk thistle, Vitamin D (which you can also get from sun exposure) and fish oil. If you drink alcohol, take care to drink lightly or avoid it if you can.

6. Steer Clear of Stress

Psoriasis and stress have a symbiotic relationship, with each promoting the other. Chronic stress can set off psoriasis outbreaks by overloading your immune system and provoking inflammatory attacks. Work on eliminating or reducing known stress triggers in your everyday life by adopting healthy coping strategies that include meditation, adequate sleep, regular exercise, and (if necessary) professional guidance.

Our line of Psoriasis Honey products can provide an invaluable addition to your psoriasis self-care routine. Browse our offerings today and discover our soothing scalp, skin, and nail products for yourself. Your skin will thank you for it!

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/caring-for-psoriasis

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355845

https://www.everydayhealth.com/psoriasis/diet/foods-to-avoid-if-you-have-psoriasis/

https://www.psoriasis.org/life-with-psoriasis/stress

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/psoriasis-skin-care-tips