Fast Itch Relief for Psoriasis: 7 Easy Tipe

Written by Christine Yu

• Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
• Treat Your Scales and Flakes
• Bathe Every Day
• Cool It
• Try Acupuncture
• Meditate
• Use Aloe Vera
• More

If you have psoriasis, you probably know what it’s like to live with a constant urge to scratch. As many as 9 out of 10 people with this autoimmune condition get an itchy or burning feeling on their skin. That may happen even when you avoid triggers such as alcohol, smoking, and cold, dry air that can set off flares.

But sometimes, you need relief fast. Here are some home remedies to ease your symptoms without scratching, which can damage your skin and worsen your symptoms.

Did we say moisturize? It’s the first rule of psoriasis skin care. Extra hydration may help relieve the dryness and itching. It can even help your skin heal itself. Heavier ointments are more moisturizing than lighter lotions. Apply to damp skin right after a shower or bath to lock in moisture. When your skin starts to itch and prickle, reach for your skin cream.

The buildup on your skin can prevent anti-itch medicated cream from penetrating deeply. So keep your scales and flakes in check. Products with salicylic acid soften the scales. Resist picking at or pulling the sloughed off skin. That could worsen your psoriasis. Instead, brush off the softened scales gently while moisturizing.

Not just a regular old bath. Add colloidal oatmeal, Epsom salts, or Dead Sea salts to your tub. These products may help soothe your irritated skin and soften scales. Stick with lukewarm water and a mild soap. Hot water can make your skin feel itchier. Soak for no more than 10 minutes. Any longer and the water can dry out your skin. And don’t forget to moisturize afterward!

Hot water and heating pads may amp up your urge to scratch. But a cool compress will provide itch relief for psoriasis. The cold short-circuits the nerves that send signals to your brain to say your skin is itchy.

This traditional practice is used in Asian medicine. Practitioners stimulate specific points on the body, usually with thin needles inserted into the skin. Studies have found that acupuncture may help treat psoriasis symptoms and make you more comfortable.

Stress is a known trigger for a psoriasis flare. If you can keep your stress in check, you may be able to keep curb the itch, too. Meditation and other mindfulness-based therapies like yoga can help calm and relax you — and even may ease your psoriasis symptoms.

You may think of it only as an after-sun balm. But aloe vera can also relieve the itchy, burning sensation of psoriasis. Look for aloe extract cream. Apply several times a day for at least a month. Aloe is even more calming when it’s been cooled in the refrigerator. But skip aloe tablets. High doses of aloe can be dangerous if you take it by mouth.

Most importantly, stick with your psoriasis treatment plan. Medication can help stop itching before it starts. If nothing seems to help, talk to your doctor.

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June 28, 2020

Itching in psoriasis is one of the most annoying symptoms. It exhausts and reduces the quality of life. If the cosmetic manifestations of the disease can be hidden by clothing, then itching cannot be hidden. It becomes the result of excessively rapid division of epithelial cells, their keratinization. Cells are layered on top of each other, inflammation, dryness and itching appear. Sometimes it can be perceived as a slight tingling, but sometimes it leads to the desire to scratch the skin until it bleeds.

Antipruritic drugs

Since psoriasis rashes are foci of chronic inflammation, topical preparations should be used to relieve itching. During an exacerbation, the doctor prescribes an ointment. There are non-hormonal ointments for psoriasis according to the recipe of V.F. Maca that are not addictive. The ointment relieves itching well and alleviates the patient’s condition. Her recipe is based on medicinal herbs, so it does not harm the body and does not interfere with taking other drugs if necessary.

See also: “Overview of effective ointments for psoriasis: which is the safest.”

There are no specific pills for itching in psoriasis, antihistamines are prescribed, which suppress allergic inflammation reactions in the body. Antihistamine tablets work well in tandem with local remedies. The doctor should prescribe treatment, based on the degree of skin damage and the general condition of the patient. Some doctors offer patients local hormonal agents, glucocorticosteroids, but there are already more modern, safe non-hormonal ointments that do not have a systemic effect on the body.

Another way to relieve itching in psoriasis

Physiotherapy can alleviate the condition. But their use is important to discuss with a dermatologist, because some of them in the stage of exacerbation of psoriasis can only increase the intensity of the rash.

The patient must adhere to a diet, avoid allergenic foods, such as citrus fruits, as well as spicy, highly salty, smoked foods. But dairy products will have a beneficial effect on the condition.

Comfortable room temperature, loose clothing made from natural fabrics, the absence of rough seams on linen, water procedures and moisturizing will help to quickly relieve exacerbations and reduce itching. So that the skin does not dry out, new keratinized crusts do not form, soft hypoallergenic products are used.

Treatment of psoriasis requires an integrated approach. Itching is evidence that the disease has intensified and is in the acute stage. To alleviate the condition, remove itching in psoriasis, use ointments and antihistamines prescribed by your doctor. Protect the skin from any mechanical impact, moisturize it, stick to a diet, and then remission in psoriasis will come faster.

June 28, 2020

Author of the article: dermatologist Mak Vladimir Fedorovich

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Psoriasis and everything you need to know about it – FxMed

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease characterized by increased formation of keratinized cells of the skin epithelium. This overgrowth can lead to thick, scaly plaques that can be itchy or uncomfortable.

There are several different types of psoriasis, which vary depending on the appearance of the scales and their location on the body.

Environmental triggers often cause flare-ups of psoriasis. Although a person cannot cure these symptoms, recent developments in the treatment of psoriasis mean that they can reduce the severity and number of flare-ups, thus keeping psoriasis under control.

What are the symptoms of psoriasis?

The main symptoms of psoriasis are red, scaly, hard patches that may have easily shedding silvery scales covering them. They can also cause severe itching, burning, and discomfort.

Psoriasis has an undulating course with periods of exacerbation and remission. Remission periods last an average of 1 month 1 year. However, the duration of both exacerbations and periods of remission can be difficult to predict.

Symptoms range from mild to severe and may present differently depending on the type of psoriasis.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation:

• Mild psoriasis affects less than 3% of the body
• Moderate psoriasis covers 3-10% of the body
• Severe psoriasis involving more than 10% of the body

Plaques can develop anywhere but are usually found as small patches on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp.

Forms and types of psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis

About 80-90% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis. It usually appears as raised, inflamed, red plaques covered with silvery white scales, most commonly on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back.

Inverse psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis develops in the following areas:

• armpits
• groin
• underbust
• other skin folds, such as around the genitals and buttocks

Inverse psoriasis has red lesions, usually without scales. Damage can be smooth and shiny.

Irritation from rubbing and sweating can aggravate this type of psoriasis due to its location in skin folds and tender areas. It is more common in people who are overweight and have deep skin folds.

Erythrodermic psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis is a particularly inflammatory but rare type that can cause large areas of fiery redness all over the body.

People with unstable plaque psoriasis, where the lesions do not have well-defined margins, may develop erythrodermic psoriasis. There may also be peeling or peeling of the skin, severe itching and pain.

Erythrodermic psoriasis disturbs the chemical balance of the body. This interference can lead to loss of protein and fluid, which can lead to serious consequences. So, for example, the water-electrolyte balance in the body can be disturbed, which leads to edema and impaired regulation of body temperature.

Erythrodermic psoriasis can also lead to pneumonia and congestive heart failure. Complications of erythrodermic psoriasis can be dangerous. Anyone showing symptoms of this condition should see a doctor immediately.

Guttate psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis often begins in childhood or young age. It looks like small, red, isolated spots on the skin. The patches are usually not as thick or as hard as psoriasis patches.

A number of conditions can trigger the development of psoriasis, such as:

• upper respiratory tract infections
• streptococcal infections
• tonsillitis
• stress
• skin injury
• certain medicines, including antimalarials, lithium, and beta-blockers.

Pustular psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis affects adults more than children and accounts for less than 5% of psoriasis cases.

It looks like white pustules or blisters with contents surrounded by red skin. It is more common in certain areas of the body, such as the arms and legs, or most of the body. Pustular psoriasis is not contagious.

Pustular psoriasis tends to have a cycle in which pustules and scaling follow skin redness.

Although psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body, the following are some of the most common areas.

What are the complications of psoriasis?

Other health problems can develop as a result of psoriasis. While some people think of it as a skin condition, psoriasis can also affect bones, muscles, and the metabolic system.

Psoriatic arthritis

Up to 30% of people with psoriasis have joint inflammation with symptoms of an arthritis known as psoriatic arthritis.

This type of psoriasis causes inflammation and progressive joint damage most commonly in people aged 30 to 50 years.

People with psoriasis may experience social isolation, image problems, and low self-esteem. Together with the physical discomfort, itching, and pain of psoriasis, this can affect their overall quality of life.

The social and physical demands of this chronic illness can contribute to depression and anxiety. People with psoriasis are twice as likely to be depressed as those who don’t have the disease.

Psoriasis may also lead to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, including head and neck cancer and tumors of the digestive tract.

Why does psoriasis occur?

Although the cause of psoriasis is still unclear, scientists believe that it is an autoimmune disease.

Autoimmune diseases affect the immune system, which produces T cells to protect the body from infectious agents.

In people with psoriasis, triggers can cause their genes to instruct the immune system to target the wrong cells. T cells respond to the trigger as if they were fighting an infection or healing in a wound. They produce chemicals that cause inflammation.

In psoriasis, this autoimmune activity leads to overgrowth of skin cells. As a rule, skin cells live for about 21-28 days, and then they exfoliate (die off). However, in people with psoriasis, they take about 2-6 days.

Triggers will be different for each person with psoriasis, but common triggers include:

• stress and anxiety
• skin injuries
• infections
• hormonal changes

Medications that can aggravate psoriasis include:

• lithium
• antimalarials
• quinidine
• indomethacin

Some people have linked psoriasis to allergies, diet, and the weather, but no evidence has yet supported these theories.

It is important to note that psoriasis is not contagious. Knowing this can help people with this illness deal with the more difficult aspects of communication.

Risk factors

Several factors increase a person’s risk of developing psoriasis.

These factors include:

• cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome
• skin injury
• family history of disease

About 1 in 3 people with a close relative who has psoriasis also develops the condition. If one parent has psoriasis, there is a 10% chance that their child will develop the disease. This risk increases to 50% if both parents have psoriasis.

This correlation in families suggests a major genetic component. However, the symptoms of the disease may not appear if the environmental factor does not cause its activation. At least 10% of the population may have the gene that causes psoriasis, but only 2–3% of people develop it.

In younger people, psoriasis may flare up after an infectious disease such as a sore throat. Symptoms will become noticeable 2–6 weeks after an earache or respiratory infection in 33–50% of young people with psoriasis. Common respiratory infections include strep throat, bronchitis, and tonsillitis.

Psoriasis is equally common in men and women. It can start at any age, but is most common between the ages of 15 and 35. The median time of onset is 28 years.

Approximately 10-15% of people have the first manifestations of psoriasis before the age of 10 years.

Diagnosis of psoriasis

Today there are no tests that will confirm the diagnosis of psoriasis.

A person who is concerned about a rash should see a dermatologist. Often, early detection and treatment of symptoms improves long-term outcomes of psoriasis.

Only after the examination, the doctor will be able to exclude or confirm the diagnosis of psoriasis. In some cases, a skin biopsy may be necessary to rule out other conditions, such as eczema.

Treatment of psoriasis

If the doctor confirms psoriasis, treatment will depend on the type and severity of the disease. The main options include topical therapy and phototherapy.

People with psoriasis should use moisturizers to keep their skin hydrated during other treatments. This precaution can help reduce itching and irritation and may reduce the number of lesions or plaques that develop.

What topical drugs are prescribed for the treatment of psoriasis?

A number of topical medications are available for people with psoriasis.

Some over-the-counter products can help relieve the symptoms of mild psoriasis.

These include:

Coal tar: can help relieve psoriasis, itching, and lesions on the scalp, palms, and soles. People can use coal tar alone or along with other treatments.

Hydrocortisone creams: they reduce inflammation and soothe itching.

Salicylic acid: this can help reduce swelling and remove scales, often in people with scalp psoriasis.

Anti-itch products. These may include products containing calamine, hydrocortisone, camphor or menthol.

Topical therapies

Topical therapies are available to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis. It is usually a first-line treatment for mild to moderate symptoms that aims to slow the growth of skin cells, reduce inflammation, and relieve itching or discomfort.

These treatments are available over-the-counter or by prescription and include nonsteroidal and steroidal drugs.

Corticosteroids: People have been using them to treat psoriasis for decades. There are many different steroids available such as gels, foams, creams, sprays and ointments.

Synthetic vitamin D: People often use it with corticosteroids. It can help smooth out plaque, slow down the growth of skin cells, and remove scales.

Retinoids: This is a synthetic vitamin A that can help slow the growth of skin cells, reduce redness, and soothe itching. People usually combine Tarazotene, a topical retinoid, with corticosteroid treatment or UVB light therapy.

Pimecrolimus cream and tacrolimus ointment: This is an eczema treatment that a doctor may prescribe to help symptoms of inverse and plaque psoriasis. People often combine them with a course of steroids.

Systemic Therapy

Systemic Therapy works through the whole body system and is prescribed by dermatologists for people with moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. They reduce the progression of the disease and reduce the number of exacerbations.

Biological treatment: These are protein-based preparations that come from living cells. Biologics target T cells and immune proteins that cause psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved at least 10 biologics. These include etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab.

Biologics are effective and their benefits far outweigh their risks.

Methotrexate: is indicated for extremely severe psoriasis that limits daily function and does not respond to other treatments. Methotrexate is effective in psoriatic arthritis.

Cyclosporine: Doctors usually prescribe drugs in this group to prevent organ rejection after transplantation.

Oral retinoids: People with severe psoriasis can take a drug called acitretin, which works against the effects of the disease throughout the body. It does not reduce immune activity, making acitretin safer for people with HIV who also have severe psoriasis.

People with all types of psoriasis except inverse psoriasis may benefit from oral retinoids.

Phototherapy

Phototherapy involves regular exposure of the skin to ultraviolet light under medical supervision. Light can slow cell growth, suppress immune activity, and reduce irritation.

People can have phototherapy at home or in the clinic using a lightbox or portable device if their initial treatment is successful.

Some people may need to take psoralen tablets before exposure to make their skin more sensitive to light.

Home remedies for psoriasis

Psoriasis flare-ups cannot be avoided, but some strategies can help reduce the risk of psoriasis flare-ups.

Tips include:

• stress reduction through yoga, exercise, meditation
• eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight
• recognize and avoid food triggers
• join with
• do not smoke or drink alcohol in excess

Home remedies to relieve itching include:

• Keep skin hydrated. A dermatologist can recommend a product that is right for your skin.
• Take a cold shower for up to 10 minutes or use a cold compress.