Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Characterised by red, scaly patches on the skin, psoriasis can be itchy, painful, and unsightly. Understanding and managing psoriasis symptoms is crucial for living well with this long-term condition.
The first step in managing psoriasis symptoms is to understand what causes them. Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, causing them to grow and multiply at an accelerated rate. This leads to the formation of thick, scaly patches on the skin, known as plaques.
Managing psoriasis symptoms can involve various lifestyle changes, topical treatments, and potentially systemic medications. One of the most critical lifestyle changes is maintaining overall wellness and actively avoiding triggers that can worsen symptoms. This includes avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and stress.
Topical treatments are the most commonly used treatment for psoriasis. These include creams and ointments that are applied directly to the skin. They work by slowing the growth of skin cells and reducing inflammation. Some common topical treatments include corticosteroids, vitamin D3 analogs, and retinoids.
Systemic medications are taken orally or by injection and work by suppressing the immune system. These medications are typically used for more severe cases of psoriasis or when topical treatments are not effective. Some common systemic medications include methotrexate, cyclosporine, and biologics.
Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, is a psoriasis treatment involving exposing the skin to ultraviolet (UV) light. The most common forms of light therapy used to treat psoriasis are UVB and PUVA.
UVB (ultraviolet B) therapy involves exposing the skin to UVB light, a specific wavelength of UV light most effective for treating psoriasis. UVB light therapy is typically administered in a dermatologist's office or clinic, but home UVB light therapy is also available.
PUVA (psoralen + UVA) therapy involves taking a medication called psoralen, which makes the skin more sensitive to UVA light. The patient then exposes their skin to UVA light, which helps slow down skin cell growth. PUVA therapy is typically administered in a dermatologist's office or clinic.
Both UVB and PUVA therapy work by slowing down the growth of skin cells and reducing inflammation. This can help to clear psoriasis plaques and improve symptoms such as redness, itching, and scaling.
UVB therapy is considered to be more effective for treating mild to moderate psoriasis, while PUVA therapy is more effective for treating moderate to severe psoriasis.
Lifestyle choices.
Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and stress can all have a negative impact on psoriasis symptoms.
Smoking: Smoking can worsen psoriasis symptoms by reducing the effectiveness of topical treatments and increasing the risk of skin infections. Smokers are also more likely to develop psoriasis and have more severe symptoms than non-smokers.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can also worsen psoriasis symptoms by reducing the effectiveness of topical treatments, increasing inflammation, and impairing the immune system. Additionally, alcohol can also interact with some medications used to treat psoriasis, making them less effective.
Stress: Stress can trigger psoriasis symptoms or make them worse. Stress activates the body's immune system, leading to inflammation and exacerbating psoriasis symptoms. Stress can also make it difficult to stick to a treatment plan and make self-care more challenging.
It's important to note that avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and stress, as well as maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, can help reduce symptoms and improve the skin's overall condition.
Healthy changes that cant hurt
Several lifestyle choices coulld help to improve psoriasis symptoms:
- Eating a healthy diet: Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats can help to reduce inflammation and improve overall health.
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing psoriasis and make symptoms worse. Losing weight through diet and exercise can help to improve symptoms.
- Managing stress: Stress can trigger psoriasis symptoms or make them worse. Finding ways to manage stress, such as through meditation, yoga, or exercise, can help to improve symptoms.
- Getting enough sleep: Lack of sleep can make psoriasis symptoms worse. Aiming for 7-8 hours of sleep a night can help to improve symptoms.
- Avoiding triggers: Certain triggers, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and certain medications, can worsen psoriasis symptoms. Identifying and avoiding these triggers can help to reduce symptoms.
- Keeping skin moisturized: Keeping the skin moisturized can help to reduce itching and scaling associated with psoriasis.
- UV light therapy: UV light therapy is considered a safe and effective treatment to reduce symptoms of psoriasis.
It's important to note that these lifestyles affect people differently and should be discussed with your GP or healthcare provider. Additionally, not all lifestyle choices may be effective for all individuals, and some may cause allergic reactions or skin irritation.
How to live happily with psoriasis.
Living with psoriasis can be challenging, and it's understandable to feel frustrated or overwhelmed sometimes. However, there are several things you can do to improve your emotional well-being and find happiness despite living with psoriasis.
- Connect with others: Joining a support group for people with psoriasis can provide a sense of community and help you feel less alone. Talking with others who understand what you're going through can be incredibly comforting.
- Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally is crucial for managing psoriasis symptoms and improving overall well-being. This can include eating a healthy diet, exercising, getting enough sleep, and finding ways to manage stress.
- Seek help: Friends, therapists, your GP or a counsellor can help you work through the emotional challenges of living with psoriasis. They can also provide coping strategies and support.
- Learn as much as possible: Understanding psoriasis, its causes, and the available treatment options can help you feel more in control and better manage your symptoms.
- Find an activity you enjoy: Engaging in activities you enjoy, whether it's reading, painting, or playing a musical instrument, can help to take your mind off of psoriasis and improve your mood.
- Be kind to yourself: Remember that living with psoriasis can be difficult, and it's okay to have bad days. Try not to be too hard on yourself - A bad day is not a bad life!
It's important to remember that everyone's experience with psoriasis is unique and what works for one person may not work for another. Experimenting with different strategies and finding what works best for you is an ongoing process.