Managing psoriasis can come across as incredibly frustrating, especially when you don’t know what is causing the flare-ups. Therefore, it is necessary for you to be patient and identify the possible triggers responsible for the frequent cycles of this autoimmune disease. Some of the common ones for psoriasis are stress, infections, smoking, drinking, dry or cold weather, specific forms of medications, skin damage like cuts or scrapes, some types of food and excessive exposure to the sun. If you can identify with any of stated triggers, then you can adopt the following measures for managing psoriasis.
- Manage your stress better – Usually, the onset of psoriasis occurs when a person is enduring a lot of mental strain. On the other hand, some patients under stress might discover their symptoms worsen. If you are coping with the same problem, then you need to unwind on a regular basis. Make it a point to regularly indulge in activities that help you relax. This could include spending time with loved ones or going for walks. You can also meditate or frequently get body massages to alleviate the tension in your body.
- Avoid smoking and drinking – Both smoking and alcohol can increase the series of flare-ups. This is because such habits can influence the treatment response and increase inflammation. Therefore, you should seriously consider quitting smoking. Alcohol, on the other hand, needs to be consumed within limits.
- Alter your diet – Have you ever observed that your psoriasis gets terrible after eating certain types of foods? For example, if you notice that after having red meat, your body starts acting up by producing scaly patches, then review your diet. This could mean that you might have to cut down or introduce moderation for red meat consumption. If you are not sure about the food-related triggers, maintain a diary which records the cycles of psoriasis which might have occurred after eating certain foods. Discuss this log with your doctor who could make some useful suggestions.
- Exercise every day – Any form of physical workout on a daily basis can improve your body’s energy and mood. This will have a good impact on your overall health and will promote better sleep as well as decrease anxiety too. You can opt for low-impact exercises such as swimming, jogging, brisk walks, cycling, etc.
- Maintain a healthy skin regime – Psoriasis aggravates when the skin is not able to receive enough hydration, resulting in the flaky and thick skin. Therefore, for dealing with such psoriasis flare-ups, especially during the winters, you need to use some good body moisturizers. Ensure that these are dermatologically approved. If you have allergies to chemicals, ask your doctor to suggest you with some organic body lotions.
- Shower with lukewarm water – Bathing with water that is too hot or cold can dry out the skin. Therefore, for managing psoriasis, shower with warm water and use the right shampoos and soaps, preferably which are free from any chemicals and fragrances.
- Reassess your medications – If you are already dealing with certain health issues that require you to take drugs comprising lithium, beta-blockers, NSAIDs, etc. then ask your doctor to alter the course. This is because the medicines recommended for psoriasis might not work well with your existing prescription.
- Lose some pounds – If you have some extra pounds, try to shed them. Managing psoriasis becomes easier when you have an ideal body weight.
- Embrace the sun – The natural UV light can help improve your condition by fighting the overactive antibodies stacking on your skin surface. Adequate exposure to sunlight can help reduce the inflammation and flakiness of the skin. However, ensure that you don’t get sunburned.
