7 science-backed holiday gifts for people with psoriasis

From medicalnewstoday.com

The holiday season is just around the corner. For those wondering what to buy a loved one with psoriasis, look no further. These research-backed ideas are helpful, thoughtful, and take the guess-work out of shopping with psoriasis in mind.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by thickened, raised, and often scaly patches of reddened or discoloured skin. Known as psoriasis plaques, these lesions can be painful and itchy and can be a source of significant physical and psychological distress.

As a chronic condition, daily life often revolves around psoriasis and its symptoms, and the gift-giving seasons are no exception. Buying gifts for a loved one with psoriasis can be challenging. Certain ingredients, products, fabrics, and foods may cause symptoms to worsen or flare up.

While it is always good practice to learn more about a loved one’s unique psoriasis needs and preferences before buying a gift, research does suggest certain presents may be more beneficial than others.

1. Over-the-counter (OTC) body products

OTC products, or those that do not require a prescription, are often a large part of a psoriasis skin care routine. Packaging several strategic products together in a gift basket can make a great holiday present for someone who has psoriasis.

Consider including OTC products containing coal tar or corticosteroids, which can help reduce inflammation and itching in psoriasis.

Incorporate other OTC body products that contain salicylic acid, urea, or lactic acid. These ingredients can help effectively remove scalesTrusted Source on psoriasis plaques. Just try not to overdo it, as too much of these ingredients may make symptoms worse.

Pairing these ingredients with a fragrance-free moisturiser can also help combat skin dryness and irritation.

Finally, be sure to avoid products that contain potentially irritating ingredients, such as:

• alcohol
• dyes
• fragrances
• abrasive exfoliants

2. Humidifiers

Dry air is a known enemy of psoriasis skin.

When the humidity in the air is low, it causes moisture to evaporate rapidly from the skin. However, moisture is essential to maintaining skin barrier function. When skin is already affected by psoriasis, dry air can compound skin irritation by pulling away skin moisture.

Gifting a humidifier may help. Humidifiers convert water to vapor, which gets distributed into the air and increases humidity. Humidifiers come in all shapes and sizes, from large units that cover an entire room to mini USB devices for vehicles.

3. Oatmeal-based products

Oatmeal has a long history of use in the treatment of skin conditions. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic, antioxidant, and antifungal properties. It also appears to promote skin barrier repair.

Oatmeal products, like other OTC products, can make a great gift-basket addition for a loved one with psoriasis.

Or, consider gifting a blender or food processor that can be used to make colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal is finely ground whole oats. When mixed with water, it makes a thick paste that can be applied directly to psoriasis plaques or used as an oatmeal soak to relieve skin symptoms.

4. Breathable clothing

Clothing items that make good gifts for a loved one with psoriasis are those at are loose-fitting and made from natural fabrics such as:

• cotton
• linen
• bamboo
• silk

Keep in mind that tight-fitting clothing and nonbreathable fabrics are a no-go for psoriasis. These items can worsen psoriasis symptoms by trapping sweat and irritants against the skin and increasing friction.

In fact, one study from 2022Trusted Source found cotton gloves were superior to gloves made from a semipermeable material in terms of comfort and practicality for people living with skin conditions on their hands.

Fabric gifts do not have to be limited to clothes. Linen or bamboo sheets or cotton towels are examples of other options.

5. Nutritional support items

Gifting food or nutritional supplements to someone with psoriasis can be tricky due to personal triggers, but several products may be safe additions to a gift list.

A 2022 review suggests curcumin, one of the main active ingredients in turmeric, may be an effective treatment for psoriasis through multiple mechanisms, including reducing systemic inflammation. Oral turmeric is available as a powder, capsule, tablet, or liquid.

Another food item to consider is coffee. A 2018 studyTrusted Source found higher coffee intake was associated with less severe psoriasis symptoms. Though it may not be fool-proof, as an older study from 2012Trusted Source found no association between coffee intake and psoriasis risk among people assigned female at birth.

One last option to include is black cumin. Also known as black seed, black cumin seed oil can be purchased in an oral oil or capsule form. A recent rodent-based 2023 study suggests black cumin seed oil is an effective supplement for treating moderate psoriasis. However, more research is necessary on humans to prove the benefits.

6. Medical-grade honey

Honey makes a great gift for just about anyone, regardless of their skin. In psoriasis, however, honey may also serve as a powerful healing aid.

The topical application of honey to damaged skin is a time-honoured healing practice. Honey has been used throughout historyTrusted Source for its ability to promote healing and prevent infection in skin and tissue wounds.

A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysisTrusted Source found topical honey to be an effective treatment for plaque psoriasis and mild-to-moderate scalp psoriasis.

While any honey will do as a gift, medical-grade honey can be applied confidently to the skin without concern for contaminants — and it is edible, too.

7. Cookbooks

Diet modification is a common aspect of chronic disease management. According to a 2021 reviewTrusted Source, people living with psoriasis should focus on eating a diet that is:

• low in saturated fats
• high in polyunsaturated fats
• high in micronutrients

Recommended diets that fit these recommendations include:

• gluten-free diet
• vegetarian diet
• Mediterranean diet

Picking up some cookbooks that focus on these types of eating plans can help a loved one with psoriasis try new recipes that may make dietary modifications less of a hassle.

Summary

When it comes to gift-giving, there are plenty of safe options for people with psoriasis. Soothing products, household appliances, food items, and clothing all make the list of science-backed gifts.

When in doubt, asking a loved one about their unique psoriasis needs can help avoid purchasing gifts that may trigger symptoms or cause a flare-up.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/psoriasis-science-backed-holiday-gifts 

How Does High Temperature Affect Skin Infections, Allergies, And Inflammation? A Review By Doctors

From msn.com/en-au/health 

1)  Expert opinion from Dr. Anuvitha Kamath

MBBS · 3 years of experience · India

High temperature leads to excess sweating and can aggravate skin allergies, irritation, and inflammation. It leads to heat rashes. Skin irritation or heat rash is a group of tiny blisters formed on the skin due to excess heat and sweating. Some of the remedies to cope with skin irritation are keeping the body cool and dry by taking a cool shower, using fans and air conditioners, application of calamine lotion for a soothing effect from friction, wearing cotton clothing, wearing loose-fitting clothing to avoid friction, drinking excess fluids to avoid dehydration, and taking anti-itch medicines in cases of severe irritation.

2)  Expert opinion from Dr. Alan Thomas Charly

MBBS · 1 years of experience · India

Heat can aggravate skin infections, allergies, and inflammation. Heat and humidity provide an environment where bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens can grow, raising the risk of skin diseases. Sweating in hot temperatures can also cause skin irritation, particularly in allergy sufferers. Increased perspiration and heat exposure can aggravate inflammatory skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis. To reduce these effects, maintain good personal cleanliness, keep the skin dry, and use appropriate skincare products, such as sunscreen and moisturisers, to protect against UV radiation and maintain skin health in hot weather.

3)  Expert opinion from Dr. Himabindu Sreenivasulu

MBBS · 1 years of experience · India

High temperatures can exacerbate skin infections, allergies, and inflammation. Heat and humidity can create favourable conditions for the growth of bacteria and fungi, leading to skin infections like athlete's foot or fungal rashes. Additionally, sweat can irritate the skin, aggravating conditions like eczema and causing flare-ups of allergic reactions. Inflammation can increase in response to heat and sun exposure, potentially worsening conditions like psoriasis. To mitigate these effects, maintain good hygiene, use sunscreen, wear breathable clothing, and consult a healthcare professional for appropriate treatments if needed.

Disclaimer: This is for information purpose only, and should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from an external panel of individual doctors or nutritionists and not to be considered as opinion of Microsoft. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Medical advice varies across region. Advice from professionals outside your region should be used at your own discretion. Or you should contact a local health professional. 

https://www.msn.com/en-au/health/wellness/how-does-high-temperature-affect-skin-infections-allergies-and-inflammation-a-review-by-doctors/ar-BB1mbKZP?item=personalization_enabled%3Afalse&apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1

Sleeping with the heating on could be causing your skin to flare up

From glamourmagazine.co.uk

Time to take the heat off

We don't know about you, but when it's cold and drizzly outside, all we want to do is crank up the heating, snuggle down in bed and hibernate until Spring (waking up momentarily for Christmas, of course). But as cosy as a warm house sounds, it could be causing all manner of skin concerns, including making existing issues like eczema and psoriasis worse.

According to experts, central heating is one of the biggest contributing factors to dry skin over the winter months. "It is really our lifestyle habits that change with the season, not our skin itself," says Olivia Thorpe, Founder of Vanderohe. "Alongside exercising less and eating less healthy food, we are also exposed to skin-drying central heating - and the colder it gets outside, the worse it gets."

Similarly to air-conditioning, central heating reduces the moisture levels in their air, causing skin to become dry and tight. "Central heating adds an extra level of stress to managing dry skin, which is especially problematic when you have a pre-existing skin disease such as psoriasis or eczema," explains Dr Adam Friedmann, Consultant dermatologist for Stratum Dermatology Clinics. "Warning signs that your skin might be too dry are if it feels rough to the touch, looks scaly or begins to flake."

As well as causing dry conditions inside, central heating also causes problems due to the contrast in temperatures from outside. "The temperature changing from warm and cosy inside to chilly outside, also causes blood vessels to dilate, making the redness of acne and rosacea appear much worse," says Dr Friedmann.

Rather than sit at home shivering, there are some helpful alternatives to try and alleviate problems caused by central heating. For starters, it could make a huge difference to your skin if you simply turned your heating off at night. "Making sure the heating is off during the night is an excellent way of easing skin dryness (especially if you have any skin conditions such as eczema or other inflammatory issues) as well as saving you a bit of money," says dermatologist Dr Hiba Injibar from Dermasurge Clinic on Harley Street.

It might also be a good idea to try and replenish the moisture levels in the air: "If you have dry and dehydrated skin, you should use a humidifier, especially in the winter months when the air is drier," recommends Dr Friedmann. A humidifier is a simple device which help to regulate the moisture levels in the air. Traditional humidifiers rely on a tank of water, which boils to emit steam into the air, while more advanced devices use ultrasonic vibrations to create water vapour for a more hygienic and a safer option.

It's also beneficial to avoid exposing skin to either very hot or cold water: "The mixture of hot water and cold temperatures can leave your skin feeling raw and exposed," says Dr Friedmann. Make your showers shorter and cooler and stick to warm baths to help you relax and moisturise your skin, especially if you add some nourishing bath oils.

And finally, remember as a general rule - if you have very dry skin, the thicker the cream the better. "If moisturisers are too thin, they will evaporate very quickly and leave skin drier," explains Dr Friedmann. Of course, very thick creams are also more difficult to tolerate as they can feel greasy but it's well worth trying in order to soothe the skin.

https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/central-heating-skin-problems

Psoriasis: Why sufferers might be experiencing a flare-up at this time of year

From yahoo.com

Psoriasis is a skin condition affecting around 2% of the UK population, according to the NHS.

It is characterised by “red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales”.

High profile sufferers of the condition include Cara Delevingne and Kim Kardashian.

Typically, psoriasis sufferers rejoice during summer because the weather improves their condition.

“Many patients find that their psoriasis improves in the summer months due to increased sun exposure,” explains Dr Thivi Maruthappu, consultant dermatologist and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation.

“In fact, UV light therapy (phototherapy) is one treatment option we use to treat psoriasis in the clinic,” he adds.

However, for some patients, the opposite effect is true.

“Psoriasis varies between individuals, warns Maruthappu. “Although patients often notice that their psoriasis improves with sun exposure, over-exposure and burning can actually trigger flare-ups.”

Consult the British Skin Foundation website for further information on sun safety and how to avoid over-exposure – which can also increase skin cancer risk.

Psoriasis isn't always better during the summer – for some sufferers it's the opposite. [Photo: Getty]

Excessive sweating can also be detrimental to the condition – “in some patients this can actually be very irritating and cause exacerbations”.

Dry conditions can also be a trigger for psoriasis symptoms – which is bad news if you are sitting in an air-conditioned office all day.

“Avoid sitting close to the air vent and consider using a rich emollient several times a day to minimise these effects,” advises Maruthappu.

Finally, dry heat can be a trigger for psoriasis sufferers – so if you struggle with managing your symptoms, it may be that a holiday to Dubai or South Africa is off the cards.

“Generally, dry heat is considered more likely to flare psoriasis as there is increased water loss from the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) which in turn promotes scaling and itching,” explains Maruthappu.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/psoriasis-sun-sunlight-bad-134641466.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAD3fTa84uN5WCf0qZ2KnfASsMlcb5PM3i-W8XdRUdyDjuYwNX-E6hADrUeQ-wMXdcjwl5FSdlLpAApfoa5XOIp3NrvdiSQS9pXFzjWRtllssQLc0XtNWnRLQRwRULP_J4x2JNc73e_4rhtEwFhbDDLPhmNmu4z6ZU9-3gp7i5mnq