August is National Psoriasis Awareness Month!
Psoriasis affects more than 8 million Americans, and over 125 million people worldwide. That is why we’re providing the buzz on this common, treatable autoimmune infection.
Many psoriasis patients are tempted to endure psoriasis in secret, but there’s no need to hide it. This National Psoriasis Month, try out these home remedies that may help soothe psoriasis’ symptoms.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Psoriasis
Everyone experiences different symptoms when it comes to psoriasis, so there’s no need to worry if a patient’s history with the infection is not exactly as described.
For example, not everyone gets psoriasis in the same place on the body, or at the same time in life. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, the age of onset can vary, but patients often experience symptoms between the ages of 15 and 25.[1]
Our Tried and True Home Remedies
1. Avoid Scratching or Picking Skin
When psoriasis breaks out, it can be incredibly itchy, so people tend to pick and remove the flaky skin. However, this makes the symptoms worse. To soothe flare-ups, try an air humidifier and lotions or moisturizers for the affected skin. If it becomes necessary to remove the itchy patches, WebMD advises patients to use lactic, glycolic, or salicyl acid. [1] Luckily, many cosmetic products (gels, creams, shampoos) include these ingredients. Running a warm bath could also help soften the patches.
2. Get Lots of Sun
Exposure to sunlight aids the production of vitamin D, which is excellent for skin and mood. It’s recommended that psoriasis patients get sunlight several times a week. Skin cell growth and abnormal growth is slowed down through exposure to ultraviolet light (UVA & UVB).
With that said, psoriasis patients should always protect themselves from sunburn due to their sensitive light skin. They should go out for 10-15 minutes and slowly increase by a few minutes each time. Of course, their doctors should be aware of this before doing it.
3. Cut Down on Liquor and Cigarettes
According to a 1999 study by M.D. Luigi Naldi, there’s a strong link between smoking and psoriasis. [2] Still, tracking down the exact culprit among hundreds of chemicals in cigarette smoke is difficult, but smoking has been linked to break-outs, as well as heavy use of liquor.
Too much consumption of liquor could cause a negative interaction with medication. ScienceDaily reported that women who consume booze two to three times per week have new flare-ups. [3]
Besides weakening the immune system, excessive use of liquor also goes along with bad decisions that worsen psoriasis.
4. Look For New Psoriasis Treatments
Because researchers are continually coming up with new ways of treating psoriasis, patients need to update themselves. WebMD says the latest methods of treating psoriasis include things such as steroids, oral or injectable medicines, and various topical creams. [4]
Besides that, the FDA has accepted a new cutting-edge method for psoriasis treatment called biologic medicines. In simple terms, they decrease T-cell numbers, which then blocks a substance called TNF-alpha. Furthermore, they can help reduce inflammation by binding to proteins that cause it. According to reports from the National Psoriasis Foundation, these are just a few of the latest biological innovations to help treat psoriasis. [5]
Humira is used to block TNF-alpha
Cyltezo is closely related to Humira
Taltz blocks proteins that cause inflammation
Siliq fights interleukins as an antibody
Enbrel is another antibody that blocks TNF-alpha
Elrezi is similar to Enbrel
5. Natural Remedies
We have good news for people who are into natural remedies. They can use apple cider vinegar for treating their psoriasis. This precious liquid has been used as disinfectant for a long time, probably since skin infections were well widespread in the late 18th century.
The apple cider vinegar can relieve the itchiness caused by psoriasis, especially in those areas around the scalp. This is a very popular solution for our grandmas, and it has also been proven from a scientific angle. It is considered very effective as well as very powerful. Even though this treatment method is effective, it’s advisable to apply only small doses. Otherwise, it could burn the skin.
On the other hand, those who prefer a more fancy home remedy can always go and get some Aloe Vera. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) aloe vera is very helpful when it comes to reducing redness and scaling, which are the most common psoriasis symptoms. This plant’s gel can be used up to three times a day. And patients that don’t have or don’t want to grow this herb at their place, there are some creams that contain 0.5% aloe and can be as effective as the plant itself.
Anybody with psoriasis can successfully treat it when they follow our simple suggestions and keep themselves up to date of the latest treatment method.
[1] “Statistics.” National Psoriasis Foundation. https://www.psoriasis.org/content/statistics
[2] “Topical Treatments for Psoriasis.” WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/topical-treatments-psoriasis
[3] JAMA and Archives Journals. “Women who drink beer more likely to develop psoriasis.” ScienceDaily, 18 August 2010. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100816162645.htm
[4] “The Latest in Psoriasis Treatment.” WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/research#1v
[5] “Living with Psoriatic Arthritis.” National Psoriasis Foundation. https://www.psoriasis.org/life-with-psoriatic-arthritis
[6] “Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help with Psoriasis?” Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis/apple-cider-vinegar#research
[7] “How cigarettes and alcohol affect psoriasis.” National Psoriasis Foundation. https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/how-cigarettes-and-alcohol-affect-psoriasis