Psoriasis Skin Care Guide

For people with psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, taking good care of their skin can alleviate some of the discomfort that may be experienced, such as itching, cracking, and bleeding of the skin. While managing the skin condition can be a challenge, dermatologists provide tips to help psoriasis patients experience relief.

It’s extremely important for people with psoriasis to protect their skin from excessive sun. Being exposed to the sun for too long can worsen existing psoriasis and cause new psoriasis to form.
Dermatologists offer these additional tips to care for psoriasis:

• Try to avoid skin injuries, such as nicks, cuts, and bug bites.
• Treat your psoriasis. One of the most effective ways to stop the itch is to treat the psoriasis. When the psoriasis clears, the itch usually disappears.
• Try not to scratch. Scratching can worsen psoriasis. To alleviate the itch:
  • Apply a cold compress.
  • Apply medication as directed by your dermatologist to your skin until the psoriasis clears.
  • Moisturize every day. For best results, use a lotion during the day. In addition, apply a cream or ointment before you go to bed.

“If you have joint pain or your psoriasis is extensive, be sure to see a board-certified dermatologist,” said Dr. Stone. “Psoriasis has been shown to affect other areas of health, including heart health.”

Psoriasis is characterized by raised, red, scaly plaques that appear on either certain areas of the skin, such as the scalp or elbows, or the skin on the entire body. The condition is believed to occur due to an interaction of multiple genes, the immune system, and the environment.

© 2019 American Academy of Dermatology. All rights reserved. Reproduction or republication strictly prohibited without prior written permission. Use of these materials is subject to the legal notice and terms of use located at https://www.aad.org/about/legal