Living with psoriasis can be stressful. However, if you have active psoriasis, then it can make you feel conscious all the time.
While everyone knows that psoriasis skin condition is not entirely curable, it can be treated to a certain extent. Besides the topical application of psoriasis cream, you can also adopt other measures to manage the occasional psoriasis flare-ups. Doctors advise psoriasis patients to be careful about their clothing, food, and lifestyle choices.
Managing Psoriasis Flare-Ups
Before you move on to the steps to managing psoriasis flare-ups and implementing them, it’s essential to understand the triggers.
If you see psoriasis suddenly flaring up, there must be some trigger. Triggers are different for every person, and how active the condition becomes depends on the trigger. If you detect and try to manage the triggers, you can easily manage psoriasis flare-ups.
Some of the most common triggers for psoriasis flare-ups are discussed below.
Stress
This is the most common trigger. Psoriasis seems to flare up when you are overwhelmed or feel under pressure.
While this may seem almost unavoidable, stress is part and parcel of busy lives, but it is manageable. Get professional help for stress management and relaxation techniques. You may practice meditation, journaling, yoga, and breathing techniques to manage stress.
You will notice a visible change in your psoriasis condition once you start living a stress-free life. And, of course, you can always use a good quality psoriasis cream to ease it out.
Weather Conditions
The cold and dry winter conditions make your skin dry and trigger psoriasis. If you notice psoriasis flare-ups when the temperature drops, you can be sure that the weather is triggering the condition.
While it is common to bathe in hot water during winter, try to use lukewarm water and limit your shower time. Hot water dries out your skin. Immediate after bathing, use psoriasis cream or lotion to seal the moisture. Reapply moisturiser whenever your skin feels dry. Also, cover your exposed skin when you step out in the winter.
If the condition worsens, it’s best to consult your dermatologist.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
A higher amount of alcohol consumption can worsen your psoriasis. You can continue your treatment, follow all advice of your dermatologist, yet see no results if you do not quit drinking. Try to limit your alcohol consumption to manage psoriasis flare-ups.
Besides drinking, smoking can also cause flare-ups—even passive smoking results in psoriasis.
Not Drinking Enough Water
People who stay hydrated, eat a nutritious diet and are careful about their weight show better results in psoriasis treatment. Dehydration causes dry skin resulting in psoriasis flare-ups. As a result, your skin may itch and become red.
Besides drinking enough water, increase your intake of fresh fruit juices and eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Following a healthy and disciplined life makes managing psoriasis easy.
The Bottom Line
Living with psoriasis can be difficult. But you should not let psoriasis deter your confidence. Instead, try to own up to the condition and live a healthy life.
Monitor the flare-ups to understand the trigger. Once you get to its root, managing and treating psoriasis will become easier. Do not try self-treatment. Whether your condition is mild or severe, a consultation with dermatologist or skincare experts can guide you on the right path.
Author Bio:
Alison Lurie is a farmer of words in the field of creativity. She is an experienced independent content writer with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She is a multi-niche content chef who loves cooking new things.