Imagine that you are someone who suffers from psoriasis. You know that when your flare-ups get bad, they can be really uncomfortable. Not to mention, the itchiness can be unbearable at times. You may have tried different creams and ointments, but nothing seems to really help. So, what can you do to keep your psoriasis flares under “your skin”?

People with psoriasis frequently experience roadblocks, such as not knowing how to reduce or prevent flares. Flare-ups can be triggered by various factors, including stress, changes in weather, infections, or an improper diet. Since I’ve been self-educating for years, the last one always raises a lot of questions.

The study does not make the same connection between food and disease prevention as I do. However, I found benefits in my diet and maintaining a healthy weight for myself. Especially since our immune system is known to overreact and cause inflammation.

I am aware of how distressing it can be to live with psoriasis, particularly when the symptoms of the disease appear to be beyond your control. Not to mention the itchiness, which may be excruciating at times. I’ve been suffering from such symptoms for years and will reveal the secrets that I’ve discovered throughout the years.

Let’s get to the heart of the matter and find out how to keep your psoriasis flare-ups under “your skin.”

What is psoriasis and what causes flare-ups?

I’m sure you already know a lot about this disease but a little review can’t hurt. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that produces a fast growth of skin cells. This cell accumulation creates scaling on the skin’s surface. Now you know why I like to keep it under my skin. Inflammation and redness are fairly common around the scales. Psoriatic scales are often whitish-silver and appear in thick, red patches. The patches are most commonly found on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp.

Psoriasis has no single known cause, but researchers believe it is caused by a combination of inherited and environmental factors. The good news is that this skin disorder is not contagious. So you don’t have to worry about unintentionally touching someone else and giving them psoriasis.

How Do I Know If I Have Psoriasis?

If you develop any of the following symptoms and they don’t go away after a few weeks, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist:

• Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales,
• Small scale spots (most commonly seen in children),
• Dry, cracked skin that may bleed,
• Itching, burning, or soreness,
• Swollen and stiff joints.

How to keep psoriasis “under the skin”

Now that you know a little more about psoriasis, let’s move on to the main topic: How can you keep your flares under the skin?

I know how much you want to discover an easy way to reduce that terrible itching, but the truth is that there is no cure for psoriasis. However, some treatments can help improve your symptoms and keep flare-ups under control.

The first and most crucial step is to identify your triggers. Once you know what causes your flare-ups, you can take steps to avoid those triggers.

Common triggers include:

Stress:

Stress can cause a variety of physical and emotional problems, including psoriasis flare-ups. If you suspect that stress is triggering your flare-ups, try to find ways to relax and reduce stress in your life.

Weather:

Weather changes can trigger psoriasis flares. Cold, dry weather is a common trigger, so it’s important to keep your skin moisturized during these periods.

Infections:

Some infections, such as strep throat, can trigger psoriasis flare-ups. If you suspect that an infection is triggering your flares, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Diet:

There is no specific diet that has been proven to trigger psoriasis flares. However, some people find that certain foods aggravate their symptoms. If you suspect that your diet is triggering your flare-ups, try eliminating certain foods from your diet to see if your symptoms improve.

Remember, especially alcohol and smoking, can also play a role in triggering psoriasis.

Products that can help prevent flare-ups from occurring

I understand how difficult it can be to find products that help prevent flare-ups. For so many years, I’ve tried every cream, lotion, and ointment on the market, and nothing seemed to work.

But I never gave up hope, and neither should you.

I continued to search for products that would help me keep my flare-ups under control. And finally, I found a few that really work!

Here are some of the products that have helped so you can hopefully find some relief, too:

Lotions: Lotions are a good way to keep your skin moisturized. Look for lotions that contain ingredients such as Shea butter, aloe vera, or salicylic acid. Be sure to choose a moisturizer that is suitable for your skin type.

Sebamed Extreme Dry Skin Repair Advance Therapy Lotion: This lotion contains sweet almond oil, which is an excellent natural moisturizer. It also contains other ingredients that help repair dry, damaged skin.

Creams: Creams are thicker than lotions and can be helpful for people with dry skin. Look for creams that contain ingredients such as petrolatum or dimethicone.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Psoriasis Treatment: with Salicylic Acid and Ceramides: This cream contains salicylic acid, which helps to exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells. It also contains ceramides, which help to restore the skin’s natural barrier.

Hydrocortisone Cream 1% USP: This cream is a corticosteroid that can help manage flares. It is available over the counter.

Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream: This cream is specifically designed to help relieve the symptoms of eczema and other dry skin conditions.

Ointments: Ointments are usually the best choice. Ointments are thicker than creams and can be helpful for people with very dry skin. Look for ointments that contain ingredients such as petroleum jelly or mineral oil.

First Honey Sterile Manuka Honey Ointment |100% Medical Grade. Has healing properties because it offers antibacterial activity and high viscosity which helps to provide a moist protective barrier to prevent infection and minimize scarring.

Topical treatments: Topical treatments, such as salicylic acid and coal tar, can help reduce inflammation and scale production. These treatments are available over the counter or by prescription.

Using products that keep your skin moist is one of the best ways to calm down your skin.

Coconut oil: This natural oil has a host of benefits for your skin, including the ability to help heal dry, cracked skin.

Vaseline: This petroleum jelly is an excellent way to lock in moisture and keep your skin hydrated.

It is quite necessary not to scrape the irritated skin, which is among the extremely important things. Scratching could result in an infection or might make the irritation even worse.

Foods to avoid if you have psoriasis

If you have psoriasis, it’s important to avoid foods that can aggravate your symptoms.

Over the years, I noticed my immune system wasn’t working the right way. I also realized that certain foods would make this chronic condition worse. So, I decided to eliminate those foods from my daily intake. Making small changes to my lifestyle, especially my eating habits, made a big difference in my overall health, and my skin.

You probably heard about inflammatory foods before, but you may not know which foods can trigger psoriasis symptoms.

Here are some of the foods that you should avoid if you have psoriasis flare more often:

• refine grains
• sugar
• dairy
• gluten
• fatty red meat
• processed foods
• alcohol
• fried food

These are the foods that have been shown to cause chaos in our bodies and cause itchy skin.

Alternative treatments for dealing with a psoriasis flare

As we will be living with psoriasis for the rest of our lives, we might as well find ways to make our lives a little bit easier.

There are numerous different methods for reducing the risk of psoriasis flare-ups.

I remember when I got surprised by the fact that my psoriasis was flaring up again despite trying my best to avoid triggers and using the right products. It can be really frustrating, I know.

I was seeking something else to help soothe my skin, and I discovered some alternative therapies that have been quite beneficial to me.

So, if you are looking for relief, you may be interested in trying some alternative treatments. There are a variety of therapies available that do not require prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications that may be successful.

Among the most prominent alternative option are:

Light therapy: This treatment involves exposing your skin to ultraviolet light. Light therapy can be done in a doctor’s office or at home using a special lamp.

Herbal remedies: Several herbal remedies are said to help relieve the symptoms of psoriasis. Some of the most popular herbs include aloe vera, chamomile, and turmeric.

Dead sea salt: Soaking in a bath of dead sea salt is said to help relieve the symptoms of psoriasis.

Meditation: Meditation can help reduce stress, which can trigger psoriasis flare-ups.

Sun: Getting a moderate amount of sun exposure can help improve psoriasis symptoms.

While there is no cure for psoriasis, you can always try to treat inflamed skin with something different than medication.

If you are interested in trying any of these alternative treatments, be sure to talk to your doctor first to make sure they are safe for you.

When to see a doctor about your psoriasis flare-ups

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that can be unpredictable. Flare-ups can happen at any time, and it can be difficult to know when to seek medical help.

There’s no one definitive way to figure out if you have psoriasis. Doctors will look at your skin and see if you have the classic signs of psoriasis, like raised, red patches with white scales. But sometimes it can be hard to tell just by looking, so your doctor might also do a skin biopsy, where they take a small sample of your skin to look at under a microscope. 

However, some patterns can help you determine when it’s time to see a doctor.

First, if you’re experiencing frequent or severe flares, it’s important to consult a medical professional. They may be able to prescribe medication or provide other therapy options that can help reduce the frequency and severity of your symptoms.

Additionally, if you notice any changes in your body, such as new lesions or thickening of existing ones, it’s also worth seeking medical advice.

Finally, if psoriasis is impacting your quality of life or causing you distress, don’t hesitate to reach out to a doctor or dermatologist for assistance. Remember, there’s no shame in seeking help for your condition, and the sooner you get treatment, the better.

Even if you are physically healthy, having an attack of psoriasis can be quite upsetting. In particular, if you believe you are doing all possible to avoid the situation.

But if your psoriasis flares up more frequently than normal, or if you’re having difficulty managing your symptoms, you should consult a doctor.

If you think you might have psoriasis, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with your dermatologist so they can take a look and give you an official diagnosis. Once you know for sure that you have psoriasis, you can start working on finding the treatment that works best for you.

Don’t hesitate to get advice diagnosis or treatment. Don’t wait as long as I did; occasionally we need professional support. Doctors can prescribe medication that could help your body from strong outbreaks. And also provide medical advice-diagnosis to help treat psoriasis inflammatory outbreak.

Key message:

Flares can be incredibly frustrating and embarrassing, but they don’t have to control your life. There are steps you can take to help keep psoriasis “under the skin” and prevent flare-ups from occurring. I hope this article has helped give you some ideas on how to deal with a psoriasis flare-up.

If you would like more information or want to share your tips, please leave a comment below. And if you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends and family. Together, we can raise awareness about psoriasis and help people living with this condition feel less alone.

So sign up for my health and wellness tips below to get more tips on how to have a healthy and happy life no matter your diagnosis.

Take care of yourself!

Good luck, my friend. Best wishes from me to you! 

Thank you for reading. Till next time.