Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefits10 Self-Care PracticesDos and Don’tsCustom Options
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
10 Self-Care Practices
Dos and Don’ts
Custom Options
You can practiceself-careat home to manage your psoriasis symptoms and flares. While medical treatment is an important part of managing psoriasis, self-care can be a healthy accompaniment.
Self-care for psoriasis includes skin care routines and avoiding triggers but goes beyond those to include a healthy diet, exercise, and practicing relaxation techniques.
This article will discuss the benefits of practicing self-care and offers ideas on how to practice self-care when managing psoriasis.
Benefits of Practicing Self-Care If You Have Psoriasis
Psoriasisis a lifelong condition that goes through periods of remission and flares (times when symptoms surface or worsen).Since healthcare providers are focused on medical therapies for relief, some people incorporate self-care into their treatment plans to aid in treatment and improve their outcomes.
Studies have shown that people with psoriasis benefit from having some control over their healthcare decisions.When people with psoriasis practice self-care, they become more aware of how their condition affects them and what may be needed to make themselves feel better. This, in turn, can help build their confidence.
Does Manuka Honey Help Psoriasis?
10 Self-Care Practices for Psoriasis
Psoriasis self-care will look different for each person, but the focus should be on finding the right combination of behaviors that promote personal wellness and medical treatments that:
Ways to practice self-care are listed below.
Adopt a Healthy Diet
Ahealthy dietcan positively affect a person’s overall health. It can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and several other conditions that occur more often in people with psoriasis than the general population.It can also reduce psoriasis symptoms and flare-ups.
A 2020 study proposed that diet could exacerbate (worsen) psoriasis. It suggested that people avoid excess red meat, simple sugars, andalcohol.
The same study suggested that foods containingvitamin D, vitamin B12, dietary fiber, selenium,probiotics, andshort-chain fatty acidsmay reduce psoriasis symptoms.
Take Care of Your Skin
A popular way to practice self-care is with a gentleskin care routine. Taking the time for a skin care routine is a great way to be aware of how your skin changes and responds to various treatments.
Measures can include:
Avoid Scratching
Scratching cantrigger psoriasis. Use a cool compress or moisturizer to relieve itching, or try a product containing menthol or camphor.
Prevent Winter Flares
Psoriasissymptoms can worsen during winter. Colder weather, less sunlight, outdoor humidity, and dry indoor air can trigger psoriasis.
To reduce the effects of cold, dry air, make sure to do the following:
Enjoy the Sun Wisely
The sun’s UV radiation can be good for psoriasis, and enjoying outdoor activities can benefit your mental health. But be sure to protect your skin while enjoying the sun in the following ways:
Explore Relaxation
Stressis a common psoriasis trigger.In some people, psoriasis itself is a source of stress and concern. Incorporate self-care techniques to manage stress and reduce the chance of developing a flare-up.
There are numerous ways to relax. Some techniques work better for some people than others. These include:
Exercise
Regular exercise is good for physical and mental health. It can also reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other conditions that are more prevalent in people with psoriasis.
People with psoriasis report barriers to exercise, such as skin sensitivity, the type of clothing needed, self-consciousness, and how psoriasis affects their social and leisure activities.
Explore different options for exercise and physical activities. You may find a sport to enjoy, take up dancing, go for brisk walks, or use home exercise equipment.
Get Better Sleep
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that one-third of Americans do not get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, depression, and obesity.
People with psoriasis have an increased risk of sleep disorders like:
Prioritizing sleep is self-care for the whole body. Someone with a sleep disorder should seek treatment for that condition.
Find Your Triggers
Not everyone has the same psoriasis trigger. Part of self-care is finding what triggers psoriasis so it can be avoided. Common psoriasis triggers are:
Manage Your Health
Part of self-care is ensuring you identify and address your health risks. Get the recommended check-ups, health screens, and ongoing care to maintain your best quality of life. These include:
Dos and Don’ts For Psoriasis
Psoriasiscan be a confusing condition with a lot of guidelines. Here are the dos and don’ts for psoriasis:
Self-Care Is Whatever You Need It to Be
Practicing self-care is not a selfish act. Taking care of yourself will not only improve your health but help you take better care of others as well.
Each person will have a different vision of what their self-care routine should look like. There is no self-care plan or outline that will work for everyone, but self-care can include taking time to reflect on your health and long-term goals.
Psoriasisis a lifelong condition that has times when it is better and times when it’s worse. Taking care of yourself can help alleviate symptoms and keep you clued in to their own health.
Summary
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes skin rashes that can itch. There are several medical treatments available, both over-the-counter and prescription therapies.
Some people choose to incorporate self-care into their psoriasis therapy. This may include relaxation techniques, diet changes, exercise, or anything that helps them focus on themselves and their health. Your self-care plan will be unique and should include whatever you need to be as healthy as possible.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Psoriasis.Alsaadi DS, Jones M, Anstey A.Exploring the psoriasis self-management landscape.Future Healthc J. 2019;6(1):83. doi:10.7861/futurehosp.6-1-83American Academy of Dermatology.Healthy diet and other lifestyle changes that can improve psoriasis.Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(15):5405. doi:10.3390/ijms21155405American Academy of Dermatology Associates.8 ways to relieve itchy psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?National Psoriasis Foundation.Phototherapy.include:6The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Psoriasis and the sun.Yeroushalmi S, Hakimi M, Chung M, Bartholomew E, Bhutani T, Liao W.Psoriasis and exercise: a review.Psoriasis (Auckl). 2022;12:189-197. doi:10.2147/PTT.S349791Auker L, Cordingley L, Pye SR, Griffiths CEM, Young HS.What are the barriers to physical activity in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis?Br J Dermatol. 2020;183(6):1094-1102. doi:10.1111/bjd.18979Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sleep and sleep disorders.Gupta MA, Simpson FC, Gupta AK.Psoriasis and sleep disorders: A systematic review.Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2016;29:63-75. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2015.09.003
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Psoriasis.Alsaadi DS, Jones M, Anstey A.Exploring the psoriasis self-management landscape.Future Healthc J. 2019;6(1):83. doi:10.7861/futurehosp.6-1-83American Academy of Dermatology.Healthy diet and other lifestyle changes that can improve psoriasis.Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(15):5405. doi:10.3390/ijms21155405American Academy of Dermatology Associates.8 ways to relieve itchy psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?National Psoriasis Foundation.Phototherapy.include:6The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Psoriasis and the sun.Yeroushalmi S, Hakimi M, Chung M, Bartholomew E, Bhutani T, Liao W.Psoriasis and exercise: a review.Psoriasis (Auckl). 2022;12:189-197. doi:10.2147/PTT.S349791Auker L, Cordingley L, Pye SR, Griffiths CEM, Young HS.What are the barriers to physical activity in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis?Br J Dermatol. 2020;183(6):1094-1102. doi:10.1111/bjd.18979Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sleep and sleep disorders.Gupta MA, Simpson FC, Gupta AK.Psoriasis and sleep disorders: A systematic review.Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2016;29:63-75. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2015.09.003
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Psoriasis.Alsaadi DS, Jones M, Anstey A.Exploring the psoriasis self-management landscape.Future Healthc J. 2019;6(1):83. doi:10.7861/futurehosp.6-1-83American Academy of Dermatology.Healthy diet and other lifestyle changes that can improve psoriasis.Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(15):5405. doi:10.3390/ijms21155405American Academy of Dermatology Associates.8 ways to relieve itchy psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?National Psoriasis Foundation.Phototherapy.include:6The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Psoriasis and the sun.Yeroushalmi S, Hakimi M, Chung M, Bartholomew E, Bhutani T, Liao W.Psoriasis and exercise: a review.Psoriasis (Auckl). 2022;12:189-197. doi:10.2147/PTT.S349791Auker L, Cordingley L, Pye SR, Griffiths CEM, Young HS.What are the barriers to physical activity in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis?Br J Dermatol. 2020;183(6):1094-1102. doi:10.1111/bjd.18979Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sleep and sleep disorders.Gupta MA, Simpson FC, Gupta AK.Psoriasis and sleep disorders: A systematic review.Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2016;29:63-75. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2015.09.003
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Psoriasis.
Alsaadi DS, Jones M, Anstey A.Exploring the psoriasis self-management landscape.Future Healthc J. 2019;6(1):83. doi:10.7861/futurehosp.6-1-83
American Academy of Dermatology.Healthy diet and other lifestyle changes that can improve psoriasis.
Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(15):5405. doi:10.3390/ijms21155405
American Academy of Dermatology Associates.8 ways to relieve itchy psoriasis.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?
National Psoriasis Foundation.Phototherapy.
include:6
The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Psoriasis and the sun.
Yeroushalmi S, Hakimi M, Chung M, Bartholomew E, Bhutani T, Liao W.Psoriasis and exercise: a review.Psoriasis (Auckl). 2022;12:189-197. doi:10.2147/PTT.S349791
Auker L, Cordingley L, Pye SR, Griffiths CEM, Young HS.What are the barriers to physical activity in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis?Br J Dermatol. 2020;183(6):1094-1102. doi:10.1111/bjd.18979
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sleep and sleep disorders.
Gupta MA, Simpson FC, Gupta AK.Psoriasis and sleep disorders: A systematic review.Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2016;29:63-75. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2015.09.003
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
