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Psoriasis Management! What is it? How can you manage it?
When it comes to issues with our skin, there are certain conditions all of us are aware of. A huge majority of teenagers suffer from some form of acne, and this can even carry on into their adult years.
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Eczema is also a common skin complaint, again with varying degrees of severity. But one that isn’t quite so well-documented in the public eye is psoriasis.
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Psoriasis is a chronic illness, meaning it lasts for a long period of time. It is categorised by the red, flaky patches of skin it causes, which are also covered with silvery scales, and is caused by an increased production of skin cells.
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In the US, around 7.5 million people have some form of psoriasis, although it can take varying levels of severity.
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For some people, it is nothing more than a minor irritation – for others, it can hugely affect their quality of life. If you are currently living with psoriasis, you may know first hand just how it can affect you on a day-to-day basis.
But there’s no reason why you can’t live a normal and happy life even when you have psoriasis – here are some tips for managing the condition.
Creams and ointments
Often, a cream or ointment will be the first port of call from your doctor when they first begin treating your psoriasis. .
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Unfortunately, there is no known cure for the condition, but specially devised creams do have a good track record of easing some of the symptoms.
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If you have been prescribed the cream to help manage your psoriasis, bear in mind that it won’t rid you of your symptoms overnight.
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Usually, these ‘topical’ treatments take at least six weeks to take effect, so remember to bear with it.
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Some of these ointments contain steroids, while others use high amounts of vitamin D to help regulate the afflicted areas of skin.
Lifestyle
The kind of lifestyle you live can hugely correlate to the severity of your psoriasis. If you have poor physical or mental health (or a combination of the two), you may find that your condition worsens, or flares up more frequently.
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Make use of services such as leo psoriasis, where you can read advice from other people living with the condition and even download an app to help you manage it.
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If you are struggling with the psychological implications that a skin condition like psoriasis can bring, visit a counselor or confide in a trusted friend.
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Being very stressed can make the chances of a flare up more likely, so try and stay on top of your mental health.
Phototherapy and table-based treatment
If your psoriasis is severe or if other treatments haven’t worked for you, you may be referred by your doctor for phototherapy.
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Phototherapy is where the affected areas are treated by ultraviolet light – you usually have to go to the hospital a couple of times a week for a couple of months to see if this treatment has any effect.
There are also some types of oral medication available for those suffering from aggressive psoriasis. Speak to your doctor about which one would be right for you and always make sure that it won’t have an impact on any other medications you are taking.
