Firsthand Advice on Managing Psoriasis Flares

From healthcentral.com

Get the inside scoop on what really works from those living with this challenging skin condition 

No matter where you sit on the psoriasis spectrum from mild to severe, experiencing a flare can seriously impact your day and your quality of life. What's your go-to plan when your symptoms begin to worsen? What's that, you don't have one?! Then you need this cocktail of smart strategies that psoriasis warriors have discovered through trial and error over the course of their disease (and many flares). Check out these go-to flare fighters that get them back to living their on-the-go lives quickly—and see which ones might work for you.

Moisturise Often

Dory Zayas of New York City is a beauty editor and writer, so she knows a thing or two about choosing a rich moisturizer—which is key for keeping the psoriasis on her wrists and elbows at bay. She chooses intensely hydrating formulas without irritating extras to soothe and lock in hydration without harming sensitive skin. Her picks: "I use CeraVe Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream ($17.99, target.com) in the morning. And at night, I'll use the Aquaphor Itch Relief Ointment 1% Hydrocortisone ($9.99, amazon.com)." You can also look for products with the National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Recognition or our own sensitive skin awards winners.

Go for Oatmeal

Colloidal oatmeal has been studied for multiple skin concerns, and research in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found it was particularly good for psoriasis. In the study, which monitored 60 women with psoriasis using a topical cream with colloidal oatmeal over the course of four weeks, 96% reported fewer skin symptoms. It's a trick Zayas knows well: Come wintertime, she finds herself reaching for Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Soothing Oatmeal Bath Treatment ($8.49, walgreens.com). Not only does the oatmeal soothe her skin, but, she says, "I find that most baby products are usually very gentle and natural."

Prioritise Sleep

Suzanne S. of Louisville, KY, who asked us not to use her last name for privacy, recently started a new job, so while she's adjusting, she knows she needs to be extra careful to get enough zzz's (after all, psoriasis flares are linked to insomnia). She stays on track with designated wind-down periods before heading to bed every night. "I make sure that I have at least 30 minutes where I'm not working and I'm not active—no laundry or cooking." This helps her turn off her brain, so to speak, to help ease herself into dreamland. What may also help? Staying away from blue-light devices like your phone before hitting the hay.

Cover Your Skin and Scalp

Using protective barriers over areas of psoriasis can sometimes be helpful—that's why your doc may have advised you to (loosely!) layer on breathable clothes in the cold months to prevent moisture loss. Aasiyah Abdulsalam of New York City found that was the case for her scalp psoriasis. She explains, "My scalp was so sensitive that I couldn't put in braids or do normal styles, so I started wearing wigs." In hopes of helping others with PsO, she created a wig-fastener called the Wig Fix ($29, therenatural.com), a silicone grip band that holds the wig in place without putting stress on the hairline.

Practise Smart Cleansing

Most folks with psoriasis will probably agree that happy skin begins in the shower. This means looking for a gentle, non-irritating cleanser without extras like fragrance, to ensure you're cleaning without stripping away moisture. Zayas' favourite: CeraVe Psoriasis Cleanser ($13.99, target.com). Abdulsalam also finds going gentle with her shampoo to be key. She reaches for Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Shampoo ($28, sephora.com), which also happens to contain soothing oatmeal for extra calming action! Also be sure the water isn't too hot, which can be drying.

Ask About Red Light

Abdulsalam has seen some success with red light therapy, an emerging treatment that's building buzz for its ability to reduce psoriasis plaques on the skin and scalp thanks to its anti-inflammatory action. It uses light-emitting diodes at a specific wavelength to target the skin and improve PsO patches. One review in Lasers in Medical Science found the therapy cleared between 60% to 100% of plaques with twice-a-week sessions for a month. As a bonus, Abdulsalam, adds that for the scalp, red light devices are also marketed for hair growth. Be sure to see your doctor before giving it a try.

Consider Emu Oil

Suzanne S. found the answer to her psoriasis woes in an unexpected source: emu oil. For those who can move past ethical issues of sourcing skin products from animals, know that there is some research to support the use of emu oil in preventing plaques from popping up (a study in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences showed it to be effective at reducing itching and scales). "Use it when you get out of the shower when your skin's a little damp," Suzanne says. This locks in moisture to keep skin hydrated all day long. Try Emu Joy Emu Oil ($31.50, amazon.com).

Look at Your Diet

Here some trial-and-error comes in again, since not everyone's skin responds to foods in the same way. Suzanne S. began paying more attention to her diet over the years to help manage her psoriasis. For her that has meant cutting out foods containing a lot of white flour. "Those sorts of things seem to not do so well for my skin," she says. Another way she stays on track is to drink water all day. "I'll get a big Yeti [cup] and make sure it's filled with ice and water." The Psoriasis Foundation has a guide on specific diets for your skin.

Find Ways to Stay Positive

For Abdulsalam, a key element of keeping her scalp psoriasis from running her life is mental. "I had to detach myself from the notion that my hair was indicative of my beauty or self-worth," she says. "Going through that eventually gave me a lot of confidence." How she got there was by looking up other influencers in the space. Watching their process of cutting their own hair off on YouTube and loving the results, she says, "I was really encouraged!" The influencers on this list can help you feel less alone and that's a huge help when you're flaring.

https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/firsthand-advice-on-managing-psoriasis-flares