Psoriasis Treatment Recommendations
When treating psoriasis, it is important to treat the symptoms of psoriasis in as many ways as possible. If you modify your lifestyles, eating habits and reduce stress you may experience a greater degree of improvement in your psoriasis.
While treating the symptoms of psoriasis that are most visible and distressing, you should try to treat the cause! If we find and treat the cause, then maybe all the symptoms of psoriasis need not occur!
Before implementing the lifestyle changes, take a picture of your psoriasis so you can see the cause and effect of each lifestyle change in your psoriasis skin in 2-3 months by taking an "after" picture.
Lifestyle changes can be an effective addition to any psoriasis treatment.
1. Keep the body well hydrated with water. The smallest person should consume at least 8 eight-ounce glasses of water a day. The average person should consume 10 to 12 glasses daily. A person with an above-average exercise program, or who lives in a cold climate, should have 12 to 16 glasses.
2. Keep the skin hydrated with creams or lotions such as Jojoba oil (found in most health stores), Keri lotion, 10% urea cream, or Eucerin. Vaseline and ointments can block sweat glands and cause rashes to worsen, therefore they should be avoided.
3. Antihistamines, such as Benadryl by Parke-Davis (25 mg.), can be taken after 7:00 PM to control itching, which tends to be worse at night.
4. Keep nails clean and short to prevent scratching, which can cause infection or irritation.
5. Avoid skin irritants such as animal dander (dogs and cats), feathers, harsh fabrics (denim and corduroy), tight clothing, and sometimes even wool and silk. Cotton clothing is recommended as much as possible.
6. Launder clothing with mild soap or detergent (Dreft, Ivory Snow, certain sans-additive detergents such as Tide Free). Avoid additives such as enzymes or fabric softeners. Wash new clothing prior to wearing.
7. Avoid temperature and humidity extremes, don't overdress or overheat. When humidity is low as during the winter in heated homes, a humidifier may be helpful.
8. Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools. Lake and ocean swimming is fine. Apply moisturizers afterwards.
9. Reduce or eliminate coffee and other stimulants, including alcohol.
10. Use soap substitutes such as Cetaphil 'gentle cleansing bar for dry sensitive skin', Emulave, or Neutrogena. Use of Bubble bath should be limited as it may cause dryness and irritation of the psoriasis.
While treating the symptoms of psoriasis that are most visible and distressing, you should try to treat the cause! If we find and treat the cause, then maybe all the symptoms of psoriasis need not occur!
Before implementing the lifestyle changes, take a picture of your psoriasis so you can see the cause and effect of each lifestyle change in your psoriasis skin in 2-3 months by taking an "after" picture.
Lifestyle changes can be an effective addition to any psoriasis treatment.
1. Keep the body well hydrated with water. The smallest person should consume at least 8 eight-ounce glasses of water a day. The average person should consume 10 to 12 glasses daily. A person with an above-average exercise program, or who lives in a cold climate, should have 12 to 16 glasses.
2. Keep the skin hydrated with creams or lotions such as Jojoba oil (found in most health stores), Keri lotion, 10% urea cream, or Eucerin. Vaseline and ointments can block sweat glands and cause rashes to worsen, therefore they should be avoided.
3. Antihistamines, such as Benadryl by Parke-Davis (25 mg.), can be taken after 7:00 PM to control itching, which tends to be worse at night.
4. Keep nails clean and short to prevent scratching, which can cause infection or irritation.
5. Avoid skin irritants such as animal dander (dogs and cats), feathers, harsh fabrics (denim and corduroy), tight clothing, and sometimes even wool and silk. Cotton clothing is recommended as much as possible.
6. Launder clothing with mild soap or detergent (Dreft, Ivory Snow, certain sans-additive detergents such as Tide Free). Avoid additives such as enzymes or fabric softeners. Wash new clothing prior to wearing.
7. Avoid temperature and humidity extremes, don't overdress or overheat. When humidity is low as during the winter in heated homes, a humidifier may be helpful.
8. Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools. Lake and ocean swimming is fine. Apply moisturizers afterwards.
9. Reduce or eliminate coffee and other stimulants, including alcohol.
10. Use soap substitutes such as Cetaphil 'gentle cleansing bar for dry sensitive skin', Emulave, or Neutrogena. Use of Bubble bath should be limited as it may cause dryness and irritation of the psoriasis.
posted by Nick Riley @ 11:05 AM
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