General Tips Psoriasis

• One needs to identify trigger that is causing the psoriasis and do ones best to avoid that trigger to the point it does not affect your health.
• Try to avoid changes in diet unless healthy changes (advice of dietician will help).
• Try to have a good balanced diet.
• Cut down on smoking.
• Cut down on alcohol consumption
• Carry a small amount of moisturising creams and apply throughout the day especially on dry and itchy areas.
• If in sweaty environments e.g. gyms, swimming pools hot areas at work, try to keep hydrated and cool.
• Avoid very sweaty routines.
• Avoid extreme temperature and humidity.
• Wear light coloured clothing as it doesn’t show scales as easily as dark coloured clothing.
• Cut down on stress, have a hobby and get plenty of sleep.
• Cut down on stress, consider:
  • Aromatherapy
  • Pilates
  • Tai-Chi
  • Yoga
  • Acupuncture therapy

• Encourage and support is essential. Please see a psychological expert if very severely affected emotionally.
• Avoid high chemicals or over perfumed shower products and bubble baths.
• If one has scalp psoriasis , de-scale your scalp before applying treatments, remember to part the hair and then treat the scalp.
• Try not to scratch or pick at skin, keep nails short and in extreme cases wear mittens.
• Get dust mite covers/sheets.
• Use non-biological powders. Give clothes an extra rinse.
• Wash bed clothes regularly.
• A variety of bed sheets and mattress and garments e.g. gloves, vests) available for psoriasis
• Especially in winter, try not to wear layers of clothing, this cause overheating.
• Apply creams straight after bathing, aids skin hydration.
• Avoid woollen clothes; wear non-synthetic fibres or use cotton or silk next to skin.
• Bath in warm water not hot as this will irritates the skin.
• Avoid soaps that cause skin dryness. Try to use Simple soaps or soap substitute’s e.g. aqueous cream
• Leave the window open at night to stay cool. Do not overheat the rooms.
• Wear high UVA/UVB protection sunscreens in spring/summer.
• Protect one’s skin from the wet and heavy manual work.
• Add a few drops of Aragon oil, as an emollient. It has high source of fatty acid and antioxidants to combat dry skin.
• Some find sunlight eases psoriasis others don’t.
• Judge for yourself and plan ahead e.g. when on holiday or outings.

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Skin tips

1. Lather up

Use a shower gel to remove dirt and grime to prevent your skin pores clogging up. The skin needs to have clearer pores so that oils form the skin can escape.
Please note- frequent showering or using soaps can cause dry skin and leaving the skin tight, try to use a product with a moistening agent that will hydrate the skin.

2. Exfoliate

The top layer of the skin continues to renew itself and sheds dead cells, the dead cells need to be removed to prevent blocked pores and hence achieve a brighter, smother and softer skin. One should buff their skin a few times a week.
Products are available to gently remove and polish away dead skin.

3. Moisturise

The skin is prone to get dry and dehydration especially the face as it has fewer oil glands.
Products contain humectants and occlusives which help soften and smooth the skin and used daily will help to improve the appearance of the skin and improve skin function.

4. Hands

Hands are constantly exposed to skin damage and are often overlooked.
Products to be used should be SPF moisturisers to protect again sun damage, antioxidant creams to reduce free radical damage as well as lather, exfoliate and moisturises to maintain a young looking appearance.

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Natural treatments and tips (DR Axe)