Since dry skin is often itchy, moisturizer is key to fighting the uncomfortable sensation. Green, who prefers creams to lotions. As good as hot water can feel, it robs the skin of moisture, leading to irritation that causes itching. It also increases blood flow, which can trigger itching. To keep hot water from harming your skin, use lukewarm water and limit showers to about five minutes and baths to about 15 minutes. So stick to your regular showering schedule, which may be daily or every second or third day, depending on your activity level.
Wash with a mild cleanser Dr. Gohara recommends Dove , and moisturize afterward. Psoriasis causes skin cells to divide about 10 times faster than normal and the excess cells build up into scaly thick patches of itchy, dry skin. It can also improve the results you get from itch-relieving products, according to the American Academy of Dermatology AAD.
Ingredients like salicylic acid, which soften skin and break down the outer layer of cells, are often used to remove scale. Since it can be difficult to avoid scratching completely, keeping your fingernails short and filing them so the tips are smooth can prevent you from scratching too hard.
Cool compresses or products that create the sensation of coolness help by reducing the perception of itch. Scalp psoriasis , in particular, can be very itchy, and special shampoos and medications —including those that contain coal tar, salicylic acid, and steroids — are often needed to control it. One of the worst-case scenarios with scalp psoriasis is hair loss, a common problem that results from damage to the hair shaft or follicles that can be caused by scratching.
Luckily, this hair loss is almost always temporary and hair tends to regrow once your scalp clears. To make your scalp feel less dry, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends conditioning hair after every shampoo.
Bonus: Using a non-medicated conditioner can help reduce the often-unpleasant scent of a medicated shampoo. Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease. Dermatologists often use a narrow band of ultraviolet-B rays from artificial light sources to penetrate the skin and slow the growth of affected skin cells. Just be sure to keep periods of sun exposure brief, since, according to the Mayo Clinic , too much sun can actually trigger or worsen psoriasis outbreaks.
Exercise is a proven stress reliever, and yoga, in particular, is an effective way to exercise your body and calm your mind in the comfort of your own home. Here is a very gentle yoga routine you can even do in bed. Another option recommended by Richard Fried, MD, PhD, a dermatologist and clinical psychologist in Yardley, Pennsylvania, is progressive muscle relaxation , where you clench and then relax your muscles one by one starting at one end of your body and working your way up or down your body.
To find relief , mix equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and water. Dab the solution on your scalp two to three times a week. Rinse after a few minutes to keep your scalp from becoming irritated by the vinegar. One caution: Don't try this if the skin on your scalp is cracked or bleeding. Many people with psoriasis find that a cold-water bath or cold compresses help relieve their itch. Most dermatologists recommend that people with psoriasis avoid hot showers because hot water can dry the skin — and dry skin itches.
But Yosipovitch's research shows that for many people, hot showers offer more itch relief than cold ones. His theory: Hot water activates nerve fibers that inhibit itch. Yosipovitch's ultimate recommendation is to do what works best for you. If you find hot showers help relieve itch, keep them short to avoid drying out your skin too much.
Acupuncture works for some types of itch, and psoriasis seems to be one of them, says Yosipovitch. Though more scientific evidence is needed before dermatologists can say for sure that acupuncture is an effective treatment, a review published in May in The Journal of Pain found that acupuncture can help relieve chronic pain, and psoriasis symptoms can include chronic pain. Acupuncture also can provide stress relief , which Yosipovitch believes can be good because "any aspect of stress reduction can also help reduce psoriasis itch," he says.
Because relieving stress is a key component of treating psoriasis symptoms, it helps to try a variety of stress-relief strategies. Among its many benefits — including greater flexibility and lower blood pressure — yoga is also a great stress reducer, says Yosipovitch, because it combines breathing and relaxation techniques with movement. You'll get the most from yoga if you do it regularly for at least 15 to 20 minutes per session. Occlusion involves slathering on skin products, such as moisturizers and topical cortisone creams, and holding them in place for long periods of time by wrapping each area you treat with plastic wrap or large adhesive bandages.
The dead cells move quickly to the outer layer of your skin and build up, forming red patches covered in flaky, silver scales. The skin also turns red and inflamed. Instead, they would determine the severity of the disease based on the number of scaly patches a person had. The itching is caused by psoriasis scales, flakiness, and inflamed skin. When you have an itch, the temptation is to scratch. Yet scratching can increase inflammation and make itching even worse. That creates a vicious pattern known as the itch-scratch cycle.
Scratching can also damage the skin, leading to the formation of even more itchy plaques and even infection. Stress is another itching trigger. Weather conditions can also influence itching. In particular, very dry conditions and warm weather have both been known to trigger or exacerbate itchiness. No matter how bad the itching gets, try not to scratch or pick at your plaques. Scratching can make you bleed and worsen your psoriasis.
Many of the therapies your doctor prescribes to treat psoriasis, including phototherapy and steroids, can help with the itch.
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