Psoriasis is a common skin condition that, in severe cases, can be debilitating and painful for sufferers. If you or someone you love is managing psoriasis and struggling to find relief, you can find some effective strategies in our guide below.
Table of Contents
Combatting psoriasis
Understanding psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes your body to rapidly overproduce new skin cells, leading to the formation of red, scaly patches known as plaques.
Plaques can start as some small patches on the elbows, or dandruff. It can then grow and become more severe, becoming very itchy and even painful.
Psoriasis patients can also experience a negative impact on their mental health from the disease. Patients tend to feel embarrassed at the appearance of their plaques when they become severe. A study of 936 patients with psoriasis found that the problems they most frequently experienced were shame, anger, worry, and disruptions to daily activities and social interactions.
Unfortunately, stress is a common trigger for psoriasis flare ups, which can create a cycle in patients. People with psoriasis are also at a higher risk of developing other health conditions, including heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriatic arthritis.
Treatment options for psoriasis
If you are experiencing symptoms of psoriasis, the first step is to be diagnosed by your doctor. They can recommend some treatments that might work well for you, depending on the type and severity of the psoriasis. Some common treatments include:
- Topical treatments, such as corticosteroids or retinoids, which can reduce inflammation and scaling
- Light therapy, using UV rays
- Immunosuppressant medication, which can lessen your body’s immune response
Lifestyle changes that can help with psoriasis
Adopting certain lifestyle changes can significantly aid in managing psoriasis symptoms:
- Hydration: Keep your skin well-hydrated to alleviate dryness and reduce the risk of flare-ups. Opt for fragrance-free moisturisers and apply them liberally, especially after bathing.
- Identify and avoid triggers: Identify and avoid triggers that may worsen your psoriasis, such as stress, specific medications, and infections. Keeping a diary can help pinpoint any specific factors that might lead to flare-ups.
- Stress management: Stress is a known trigger for psoriasis flare-ups, so try to keep to a routine of stress management techniques, like yoga or meditation.
- Sun protection: Exposure to natural sunlight can actually help to improve symptoms of psoriasis, so a certain level is good. But it’s essential to avoid burning, so still practice safe sun exposure and use an SPF.
Managing psoriasis flare-ups can require big changes to a patient’s lifestyle – but by doing so, patients can live a mostly flare-up free life.
If you’re abroad and concerned about your skin reacting to the different features of your environment, Allianz Partners can help. Our international insurance covers diagnostic tests, hospital visits and prescriptions, so you can investigate any new skin condition and get help quickly. For more information, request a call back from our team to chat through your options.
