Must-Have Vaccines for Psoriatic Arthritis

 From everydayhealth.com

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints and often causes psoriasis on the skin and nails. People with PsA are at higher risk for severe symptoms and infections like pneumonia that can lead to hospitalization. So it’s especially important to be up-to-date on your vaccines. 

“An autoimmune disease like psoriatic arthritis affects the immune system negatively, so people don’t always respond sufficiently to viruses,” says Jonathan Greer, MD, a clinical professor of biomedical sciences at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. “This means the consequences of infections are potentially more severe for them.” 

But an even bigger issue is that PsA is typically treated with immunosuppressant medications, and these reduce your ability to fight infections.

Because of these factors, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has made specific vaccination recommendations for people with PsA and other rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Though the list of vaccines for people with PsA is in line with recommendations for the general population, in some cases, vaccines are recommended at younger ages, or at stronger doses.

Can Vaccines Trigger a Flare?

It’s also important to address the concern that vaccines can trigger a flare. The vast majority of studies have not shown an increased rate of flares after the flu vaccines. For other vaccines, results were similar but there have been fewer studies.

“There’s a lot of reticence to get any vaccines these days, a lot of misinformation and disinformation,” says Dr. Greer. He encourages people to speak with their own doctors and follow the recommendations from the ACR. Each person is different, the severity of their disease is unique, and people take a wide range of medications. 

Here are the recommended vaccines for people with PsA and experts’ advice on how and when to get them.

                                                                                                                  Jaka Pilar/Getty Images

Annual Flu Shot

The flu shot is recommended every fall for everyone 6 months and older, but people with PsA may need to get a higher dose. People at increased risk want the most protection possible, because the flu vaccine is only about 40 percent to 60 percent effective, depending on how well the vaccine matches the season’s strains. But even if you do get the flu, the vaccine can reduce your symptoms.

People with PsA who need more protection include those between 18 and 65 who are taking an immunosuppressant medication and anyone 65 or older. If you fall into these groups, it’s recommended that you receive a high-dose flu vaccine or an adjuvant vaccine. 

The high-dose flu vaccine contains four times as much of the antigen as the standard-dose vaccine. Research has found that in older adults, who are considered high risk, a high-dose vaccine is 24 percent more effective at preventing flu and reducing complications that lead to hospitalization than the standard dose.

An adjuvant vaccine contains an ingredient that increases the immune system’s response to the antigen in the vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters

The COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective at preventing serious symptoms and hospitalization. It’s less effective at protecting you from catching the virus in the first place, but it does offer some protection. Studies show that in people who are immunocompromised, protection against infection and severe symptoms is lower, so it’s especially important to stay up-to-date on your vaccines.

If you’re unvaccinated, it’s important to get the initial two-shot series of COVID vaccines, followed by the latest available dose after a certain period of time. 

If you’re immunocompromised and you’ve had the initial vaccine series, you should get two doses of the most recent vaccine, spaced six months apart.

RSV and Pneumococcal Vaccines

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection typically causes a cold and cough but can develop into pneumonia. An estimated 110,000 to 180,000 adults ages 50 and older in the United States are hospitalized for RSV each year. The risk increases with age and with certain risk factors, including a weakened immune system. The CDC recommends adults ages 50 to 74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease get an RSV vaccine. If you have PsA, and are younger than 50, talk to your doctor about whether you should get the vaccine. 

To prevent pneumonia, anyone with PsA who is taking immunosuppressive medications should get the pneumococcal vaccine. If you have PsA but aren’t taking immunosuppressive drugs, the vaccine may still be recommended. The recommendation for the general public is for all adults 50 and older to get the vaccine as well as adults over 50 who have underlying medical conditions. One vaccine is all many people need.

Shingles Vaccine

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, can be a devastating illness, causing burning, stabbing pain, and other potential complications. The virus occurs in people who have had chicken pox earlier in life. The virus lies dormant, but can be reactivated along nerve pathways at any time, often when the immune system is weakened. The pain, called postherpetic neuralgia, can persist or recur.

According to research, people with PsA are 23 percent more likely to get shingles than people without psoriatic disease. Factors that increase the risk of shingles in people with PsA include age and certain immunosuppressant medications such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. 

“Over the age of 60, the chance of having post-shingles pain is about 60 percent,” says Greer. “In people who are immunosuppressed, the pain can spread throughout the body.”

The guidelines strongly recommend that people 18 years and older who’ve had chicken pox and who are taking immunosuppressive medications get the shingles vaccine, called Shingrix. “If you ever had chicken pox, get the Shingrix vaccine. It’s not something to trifle with,” says Greer.

Other Vaccines

You may need to get other vaccines when you travel, and you should talk to your doctor about your medical and vaccine history to make sure you’re up-to-date on everything, such as your tetanus shot.

Should You Stop an Immunosuppressant Drug When Getting a Vaccine?

Some immunosuppressant medications may reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, so it’s sometimes recommended that you temporarily stop taking your immunosuppressant medication before you get a vaccine. One example is the drug methotrexate. It’s recommended that you stop taking it for two weeks when getting the flu vaccine. 

With attenuated live vaccines — where a weakened version of the virus is injected — people taking immunosuppressants may need to defer taking or interrupt their medication for a period before and after their vaccination.

Always check with your entire healthcare team, including your rheumatologist when receiving vaccines, especially live vaccines, to make sure they are safe to administer while taking certain medications.

A task force from the American College of Rheumatology recommends withholding abatacept, belimumab, and most conventional (such as methotrexate and azathioprine) and targeted (JAK inhibitors) immunomodulatory therapies for one to two weeks after each COVID-19 vaccine dose, if disease activity allows.

The Takeaway

• People with an autoimmune condition such as psoriatic arthritis are at higher risk of catching infections and having more severe symptoms. 
• Staying up-to-date with vaccinations can help prevent certain infections or minimize the symptoms and need for hospitalization. 
• This includes getting a yearly flu shot, COVID-19 vaccination, and potentially RSV, pneumococcal, and other vaccines. 
• Talk with your doctor about which vaccines you need and when you should get them and if your medications need to be adjusted.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatic-conditions/must-have-vaccines-for-psoriatic-arthritis/

The social experiences of young people with visible differences

From psoriasis-association.org.uk

The Centre for Appearance Research have published their findings after speaking to young people with visible differences about their social media experiences. We're sharing the results as Psoriasis can be classed as a visible difference. 

Researchers spoke to people aged between 13-17 years (9 girls, 3 boys) who expressed how using social media makes them feel.

“I was constantly comparing myself to other people’s lives, which made me quite unhappy”

“You've got people commenting horrifying things to people just because there's that screen and there’s the anonymity”

Young people talked about how spending time on social media can be harmful to their mental health.

They felt that beauty standards and social comparisons could negatively impact their self esteem and daily life. They felt that online interactions could be harsher due to anonymity, leading to unwelcome comments and questions about their visible differences.

“If people are negative, you can just block them.”

I’ve got a private account that I just let a few people follow and that’s where I usually put my day-to-day stuff”

Young people talked about ways they protected themselves online, such as being mindful of their audience when sharing content, and using strategies to cope with negative reactions.

“I think it just feels good that people are supporting me and what I go through”

"A lot of people I’ve found similar to me that I probably wouldn't have found if I didn't use social media”

“I feel like this [an image of a midsize model with vitiligo] shows I don't have to be perfect. I don't have to be perfectly slim. I don't have to be ashamed of my birthmark.”

Young people found social media valuable for connecting with others who have visible differences, sharing their experiences, and forming supportive relationships.

They felt that increased representation on social media could help reduce stigma and positively impact their self-esteem and how they felt about their appearance. Supportive reactions to posts about visible difference boosted their confidence and sense of belonging.

Many young people wanted to use social media to support and uplift others.

They believed that increasing representation of people with visible differences doing everyday tasks could challenge narrow beauty ideals, prompting people to question their own beliefs and ultimately encouraging societal change.

“If they [people who react negatively to visible differences] see more stuff on social media with visible differences, and they get more used to it, they'll stop commenting on it so much and they'll stop commenting badly on visible differences”

“[My goal is] to help other people that are also going through alopecia to know that they're beautiful and then just to make a stand as well."

Young people used social media intentionally, choosing content and setting limits to maintain a healthy balance.

They found it helped them remember happy memories, express emotions, and show gratitude. They felt the impact of social media depended on how people chose to use it, including who they follow and how much time they spend online.

So what?

• This study provided valuable information about what it is like to use social media for young people with visible differences.
• Centre for Appearance Research will be combining these results with results from two other studies - one with adults with visible differences, and one with influencers with visible differences.
• This will give us a better understanding of what it’s like to use social media for people of different ages and roles who have visible differences.
• The findings will be used to create resources to help increase awareness of the risks of social media and tips to use it in a positive way.
• These resources will emphasise the importance of peer support and involving young people with visible differences in decision making, helping their voices be heard.

https://www.psoriasis-association.org.uk/news/the-social-media-experiences-of-young-people-with-visible-differences

Try This Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Psoriasis

From healthcentral.com

A first-of-its-kind study shows that an anti-inflammatory eating pattern may dramatically improve psoriasis symptoms 

A new treatment is making waves in the psoriasis community and it doesn't involve drugs. Researchers behind a randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Dermatology found that following a Mediterranean diet rich in extra virgin olive oil, polyphenols, and omega-3 fatty acids led to dramatic improvements in psoriasis severity in just 16 weeks. The findings add weight to growing evidence that nutrition could be a powerful tool in managing the condition and offer people with psoriasis an effective way to take control of their health.

How Diet and Psoriasis Are Connected

Psoriasis happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, triggering chronic inflammation and causing thick, scaly patches called plaques. While this immune misfire isn’t fully understood, its effects go far beyond the skin. Psoriasis is now recognized as a systemic inflammatory condition that can affect the heart, metabolism, and other organs.

People with psoriasis face higher rates of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar, all of which raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. That’s why lifestyle approaches that calm inflammation can be especially meaningful.

“Improving blood sugar control may reduce systemic inflammatory signalling that sustains the disease,” says Javier Pérez Bootello, M.D., dermatologist at Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal in Madrid and lead author of the MEDIPSO study. One of the most effective ways to lower inflammation levels? Rethinking what’s on your plate.

Powerful Proof: Food Matters

In the new study, 38 adults with mild to moderate psoriasis who were already using topical medications were split into two groups. One received standard low-fat diet advice. The other completed a 16-week Mediterranean diet program with ongoing nutrition counselling.

The results? Nearly 70% of participants following the Mediterranean diet saw at least a 50% reduction in psoriasis severity, without changing their medications. Almost half saw a 75% reduction. (By comparison, none of the control group reached that level of improvement.)

The more closely someone followed the diet, the better their psoriasis became. Participants also reported less anxiety and insomnia and an overall boost in quality of life.

An added bonus: The Mediterranean diet group improved their A1C, which measures long-term blood sugar and corresponds to heart disease risk. “This dietary pattern simultaneously targets inflammation—the core of psoriasis biology—and addresses an additional major disease burden that affects long-term prognosis,” says Dr. Bootello.

And importantly, people didn’t need to lose weight to benefit. “The Mediterranean diet group showed a significant reduction in A1C despite minimal weight change,” Dr. Bootello says. “This suggests that improved metabolic control, not just weight loss, may be one of the mechanisms through which diet helps improve psoriasis.”

Why Go Med?

                                                                                               GettyImages/vaaseenaa

While previous research has suggested that very low-calorie diets may help reduce psoriasis (weight loss alone has also been linked to symptom improvements), simply trying to “eat healthier” doesn’t always lead to measurable changes, says Jessica Kaffenberger, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist specializing in psoriasis at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

That’s where the Mediterranean diet comes in. “Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease, and the Mediterranean diet has a well-documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant profile,” says Dr. Bootello. Its abundance of extra-virgin olive oil, omega-3s, fibre, polyphenols, and antioxidants helps lower oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction, and inflammation—all key pathways involved in psoriasis.

Try It Yourself

The Mediterranean group didn’t count calories or track macros. Instead, they focused on eating more of certain foods and less of others. Key guidelines included:

• 4+ tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil daily

• 2+ servings of vegetables (at least one raw) a day

• 3+ pieces of fruit daily

• 3+ servings each of legumes, nuts, and fish weekly

• Pick poultry and lean meats over red or processed meat

• Choose whole grains, not refined ones

• Avoid sugary drinks, pastries, and ultra-processed foods

While those guidelines led to symptom improvement in the study, it’s still important to stick with your current psoriasis treatments, says Dr. Kaffenberger. Dietary changes work best alongside prescribed therapies, not instead of them.

Still not sure what to eat? Get guidance if you can. Nutrition counselling helped participants turn the diet into real, sustainable habits. Monthly check-ins with a dietitian made it easier to personalize goals, troubleshoot challenges, and stay motivated.

Bottom Line

Early research suggests the Mediterranean diet may be a powerful add-on to standard psoriasis treatment, helping lower inflammation and support overall health. It’s not a cure, and it doesn’t replace medication, but it may offer a meaningful, everyday tool to help people feel and function better. If you’re considering a dietary shift, work with a dermatologist and a registered dietitian to help tailor a plan that fits your personal health needs and long-term goals.

https://www.healthcentral.com/news/psoriasis/mediterranean-diet-for-psoriasis?ap=nl2060&rhid=67ec2b8321f52bf01b0cca01&mui=&lid=141093361&mkt_tok=NTQxLUdLWi0yNDMAAAGexqegy_Iz7vkXBBwGMxpD0ACyFW_VzLsHR41tpu-bxfpNf9GqHNA7_IsQMlUK4IohM9M5x20c_09QyhT0NqF3ni4qbW4UzfYI1h5uHzOQHM0_H8g

Why Winter Is the Perfect Season for Skin Treatments

From healthcare.utah.edu

When we think about skin care, summer often comes to mind—sunshine, vacations, and plenty of selfies. But summer isn’t the best time to treat skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and psoriasis. Winter is actually the ideal time to start.

According to Robert Sylvester, DNP, who specialises in paediatric dermatology at University of Utah Health, winter offers unique advantages for skin health, especially for treatments involving lasers, retinoids, and moisturizing regimens.

Here’s why:

1. Winter Air Increases Dryness

Cold, dry air naturally pulls moisture from the skin, making existing conditions like eczema and psoriasis more noticeable. While that might sound like a drawback, it makes issues easier to treat effectively.

2. Gentler Sunlight Means Safer Recovery

Treatments that involve lasers or retinoids leave skin extra sensitive to UV light for a period of time. Winter’s weaker sunlight reduces that risk, which means easier recovery and opens the door to more treatment options.  

3. More Time Indoors = Better Care

Cold weather often keeps us inside, which creates an excellent opportunity to take care of your skin post-treatment. This allows you to consistently apply proper skin care products and adhere to the treatment plan set by you and your dermatologist.

“Winter doesn’t have to be a time to hide your skin—it can be a time to heal,” Sylvester says. “Take this time to focus on proper moisturization, avoid hot water, and give your skin a little extra TLC through skin care treatments.”

Tips for Healthy Winter Skin

1. Choose thick creams. Switch from water- or alcohol-based lotions to thick creams. The greasier, the better!
2. Moisturize frequently. Apply creams at least twice a day, especially after cleansing, to hold in moisture.
3. Use a humidifier. Add moisture to the air in your home to prevent excessive dryness.
4. Don’t skip sunscreen. UV rays are weaker in the winter but not absent! Sunscreen is especially important in high altitudes or when UV light is reflected off snow or water, which increases your chance of UV damage.

https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2025/12/why-winter-perfect-season-skin-treatments 

Did you know your nails can signal psoriasis? Doctor shares 5 changes in hands and nails indicating underlying disease

From hindustantimes.com

Your hands and nails can offer warning signs of underlying disease and even chronic conditions like arthritis or psoriasis. Dr Sood shares 5 signs

Long before a health condition becomes obvious, the body often sends out quiet, easily overlooked signals that something isn’t quite right. While some warning signs are well known, others can seem unusual or unrelated at first glance - making them harder to recognise or connect to an underlying illness. This is where awareness becomes powerful, especially when it comes to subtle changes in the hands and nails that can offer valuable clues about what’s happening inside the body.

Dr Kunal Sood, an anaesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine physician, has highlighted five key changes in the nails and hands that may signal underlying health issues - and in some cases, chronic conditions such as arthritis or psoriasis. In an Instagram video shared on December 9, the physician explains that recognising these subtle signs early can aid in identifying serious health conditions and support timely diagnosis and treatment.

Clubbing

According to Dr Kunal Sood, clubbing causes the fingertips to appear rounded with curved nails as the soft tissue enlarges - a physical change that can sometimes signal underlying lung or heart disease. He explains, “It occurs when megakaryocytes bypass the lungs and release growth factors like VEGF and PDGF at the fingertips. It is linked to chronic lung disease (lung cancer, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis) and heart conditions with long-term low oxygen such as cyanotic congenital heart disease or endocarditis.”

Spoon-shaped nails

Koilonychia or spoon-shaped nails might be an early warning sign of iron deficiency anaemia. Dr Sood highlights, “Koilonychia creates thin, concave nails due to impaired keratin formation when iron-dependent enzymes weaken. It often reflects iron deficiency from blood loss, heavy periods, low intake, malabsorption, or increased need in pregnancy. These nail changes can precede other symptoms for months.”

Red nail streaks

If you notice red streaks on your nails, Dr Sood states that it might be an indication of blood vessel inflammation. He explains, “Splinter haemorrhages look like red-brown lines under the nails from ruptured capillaries. While trauma is common, multiple streaks or those near the nail base raise concern for systemic conditions such as vasculitis, lupus, connective-tissue disease, or infective endocarditis.”

Swollen finger joints

Swollen joints on your fingers are a classic sign of arthritis. The physician points out, “Swelling may reflect osteoarthritis from cartilage loss or inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis involving synovial inflammation. Because trauma, gout or metabolic issues can mimic this finding, clinical exam and imaging help distinguish causes.”

Pitting in nails

According to Dr Sood, pitting in nails is a hallmark sign of nail-matrix involvement in psoriasis. He elaborates, “About one-third of psoriasis patients show pits, and prevalence increases with disease duration. It may accompany discoloration, thickening or onycholysis and is common in psoriatic arthritis, making it a useful early clue.”

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/did-you-know-your-nails-can-signal-psoriasis-doctor-shares-5-changes-in-hands-and-nails-that-indicate-underlying-diseas-101765380863882.html

 

Cleansers for Psoriasis: What to Look For, What to Avoid

From everydayhealth.com 

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that usually involves patches of dry, itchy, painful skin, known as plaques. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body, causing inflammation that leads to skin symptoms.

The skin involvement in psoriasis means it’s important to choose a soap, body, or face wash that doesn’t aggravate your symptoms or increase dryness. Harsh soaps can exacerbate psoriasis issues by disrupting the skin’s natural functions.

That’s why gentle, moisturizing cleansers are a good bet — they’re less likely to irritate and can even soothe. There are also medicated products available, which can help manage more severe symptoms.

The right cleanser can make you feel more comfortable in your skin every day. Here are our expert-backed picks.

Best Product Types and Ingredients to Look For

Gentle, moisturizing soaps, facial cleansers, and body washes can help you care for your skin barrier when you have psoriasis. Your skin’s barrier serves a crucial role — it protects you from environmental damage, infection from microbes, and helps regulate hydration, among other essential functions — so maintaining its integrity is key, especially when you have psoriasis.

“Psoriasis skin is characterized by impaired barrier function,” says Kseniya Kobets, MD, the director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in Elmsford, New York. “It’s also more prone to water loss through the skin, which makes it more likely to become irritated, dry out, and crack.”

According to Dr. Kobets, the best cleansers for psoriasis are:

• Gentle
• Moisturizing
• Fragrance-free 

These three qualities help support skin barrier function and prevent irritation due to dryness, Kobets says. With the right cleanser, you can help reduce flares, and keep your skin smoother and more comfortable.

Synthetic Detergent (Syndet) Bars and Liquid Cleansers

Synthetic detergent, or syndet, bars and liquid cleansers — both body and face washes — are commonly marketed as safe for sensitive skin, and they can typically be used with psoriasis. They have a lower pH than traditional alkaline soaps, which means they’re less likely to throw the skin’s naturally slightly acidic pH level out of balance. Keeping the skin’s pH stable helps preserve the skin barrier and may prevent irritation.

Kobets says using syndets can improve skin hydration, reduce flaking, and decrease itching.

Look for these cleanser ingredients when you’re dealing with psoriasis:

• Ceramides
• Glycerol (also called glycerine)
• Petrolatum (also called petroleum jelly)
• Paraffin
• Urea
• Hyaluronic acid

“Ceramides have been shown to improve the appearance of the skin as well as helping with itching and improving cracks in the skin,” says Kobets.

She says that ingredients like petrolatum, paraffin, glycerol, and urea will help with dryness, flaking, and itching as well.

Hyaluronic acid is often found in formulations made for psoriasis. This is because it may reduce symptoms by hydrating skin, repairing the skin barrier, and reducing inflammation.

Colloidal Oatmeal Cleansers

Colloidal oatmeal soaps, facial cleansers, and body washes are another option to soothe psoriasis. Colloidal oatmeal's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can calm skin and prevent cellular damage.

“Oat-derived ingredients have also been shown to be helpful for mild to moderate psoriasis,” Kobets says.

 “Some of these components include oat flour, oat oil, and oat extract.” You can also look for natural oils, like olive or coconut. These soothing ingredients can ease dryness, itching, and scaling.

Coconut oil, however, is comedogenic — known to clog pores — so if you have acne-prone skin, ask your dermatologist before you try it.

Goat’s Milk Soap

Goat’s milk soap is another natural option to soothe skin that’s irritated from psoriasis. Kobets notes that evidence of its efficacy in psoriasis is limited, though.

Goat milk is rich in fatty acids and vitamins that can nourish the skin. Plus, it contains lactic acid, which provides mild, non-irritating exfoliation.

Kobets says that goat milk also naturally contains the bioactive compounds lactoferrin and lysozyme, which have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. These compounds may even help regulate the immune response in people with psoriasis.

“We do not have good clinical trials that support the use of goat milk soaps in psoriasis at this time,” Kobets says. 

She recommends goat milk over cow’s milk, as it’s less likely to contain allergens. “I [also] typically recommend avoiding fragrance and other additives in the products due to the risk of increased irritation,” Kobets says.

Medicated and Exfoliating Cleansers

If you have stubborn symptoms that don’t respond to other products, you may want to try a medicated option. 

It’s important to speak to your doctor before using them, though. Medicated and exfoliating cleansers can be irritating, and shouldn’t be used on sensitive areas or broken skin.

Coal Tar Soap

Coal tar is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an over-the-counter treatment for psoriasis, in formulations that contain 0.5 percent to 5 percent of the active ingredient. “Coal tar soaps work by preventing both rapid skin cell growth as well as reducing inflammation,” says Kobets.

There are potential side effects, including:

• Irritation of the skin
• Folliculitis (a bumpy rash)
• Allergic reactions
• Staining of the skin, clothing, and countertops
• Worsened psoriasis symptoms
• Increased sensitivity to ultraviolet light, which can lead to sunburn 

That means it’s important to follow proper dosing to avoid staining, burning, and irritation. Follow the package insert or your doctor’s instructions for use.

Kobets says that coal tar should be avoided during pregnancy because of safety concerns.

Salicylic Acid Cleansers

Cleansers with salicylic acid can help with absorption of topical psoriasis medications by removing flaky scales prior to application. “Salicylic acid can be helpful to soften the thick plaques and to reduce the amount of scaling,” says Kobets.

The acid helps soften, dissolve, and exfoliate thick plaques, which allows medications to penetrate the skin more deeply. It’s important to note that concentrated salicylic acid products can cause irritation if left on too long. Kobets says that salicylic acid cleansers may also cause allergic reactions. 

“It should also not be used in children under 12 years old or in people who have impaired kidney or liver function,” she says. “It can also only be used sparingly in pregnant and breastfeeding women. In pregnancy we try to limit the use to small areas and for shorter durations to prevent significant absorption by the body.”

Sulfur or Zinc Pyrithione Soap

Sulfur and zinc pyrithione soaps can reduce the flaking and itching associated with scalp psoriasis. These ingredients also have antifungal and antibacterial properties.

“Sulfur soaps and shampoos can be helpful for people with psoriasis,” says Kobets. Sulfur “is a good anti-inflammatory agent and can help break down the dead skin seen in the scaling of the plaques of psoriasis.”

She says that zinc pyrithione may not do much for plaque psoriasis, or most other forms of the condition. “Zinc pyrithione has been shown to be helpful for scalp psoriasis but does not seem to be helpful for any psoriasis outside of the scalp,” Kobets says.

Cleanser Types and Ingredients to Avoid

Good psoriasis management means paying attention to how your skin responds to products and treatments and tweaking your routine as you go. It’s not one-size-fits-all.

“Choosing the wrong soap can make psoriasis worse,” says Kobets. “For example, harsh and alkaline soaps can further disrupt the skin barrier and create more dryness.” This skin irritation can potentially trigger a flare or cause itching.

Ingredients to avoid include:

• Fragrance and dyes
• Alcohols
• Sulfates, like sodium lauryl sulfate
• Physical exfoliants, like those in scrubs

Fragrances and dyes are common allergens and irritants that can cause redness and itching and may trigger new psoriasis plaques.

“Alcohol in [cleansers] significantly dries out the skin, leading to irritation and impaired barrier function,” says Kobets. “It strips away the natural oils from the skin layers that are important for keeping the moisture in the body and keeping the skin barrier intact. Alcohol topically can also make skin cells divide more rapidly (not what we want in psoriasis), and stimulate inflammation.”

Sulfates are strong detergents used to create a rich lather. They can be too harsh for sensitive skin. “Patients should avoid harsh detergents in their soaps like sodium lauryl sulfate because they can disrupt the skin barrier and cause irritation,” says Kobets.

Physical exfoliants irritate the skin. This includes abrasive exfoliants and scrubs that are sometimes added to cleansers. Any trauma to the skin, such as forceful scrubbing, can trigger the Koebner phenomenon, causing a new plaque to form at the site of the injury.

If you’re looking for specific products that might be helpful or you aren’t sure if something you want to try is safe, ask your dermatologist.

The Takeaway

• With psoriasis, gentle, mild cleansers without harsh ingredients are the best options for cleansing your skin.
• Soothing and moisturizing ingredients include oats, goat milk, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides; they can help ease symptoms and restore hydration.
• Medicated soaps with coal tar, salicylic acid, and sulfur can reduce scaling, but they may be irritating.
• Choose cleansers without fragrance, alcohols, sulfates, and rough exfoliants to avoid irritating your skin.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-conditions/cleansers-for-psoriasis-what-to-look-for-what-to-avoid/