5 Ways to Manage Plaque Psoriasis – No Medication Needed

5 Ways to Manage Plaque Psoriasis – No Medication Needed

When you are diagnosed with plaque psoriasis, you have to avoid certain triggers that can result in flare-ups and make your symptoms worse. On the other hand, you can have years without severe episodes if you find the triggers and manage them accordingly.

Another thing to understand is that not every person has the same trigger or type of psoriasis. The symptoms may differ as well. However, some of the triggers mentioned below are said to be common among psoriasis patients.

1. Avoid Stress

The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown and scientists are working to find the best treatment for it. All that is known is your immune system plays a key role in the onset of psoriasis. Since mental strain and physical stress are known to directly affect the immune system, it is not surprising that they can worsen your psoriasis.

The following are some things that you can try in order to manage your stress levels:

• Meditation – As meditation is a form of mental exercise and requires you to focus on your surroundings, it is an excellent way to calm your mind.
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• Exercise – When you exercise, your body releases endorphins – chemicals that help relieve stress and pain, boosting your energy at the same time. So, include a workout in your daily routine.
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• Seek others’ help–If the above methods fail in containing your stress, consider taking a stress management course. Alternatively, you can join one or more support groups.

2. Skin-Related Injuries

Once you have psoriasis, there is a 25% chance you also might develop psoriasis lesions in places where you haven’t had them earlier due to the slightest of skin irritation. This condition is called the Koebner phenomenon. In such people, the following types of injuries can cause a flare:

• Cuts
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• Tattoos
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• Bug bites
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• Sunburn
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• Acupuncture

To protect your skin, you can do the following:

• Don’t scratch your skin at the affected site or nearby
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• Make sure to quickly treat any skin irritation you may have
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• Use sunscreen whenever you go out

3. Avoid Certain Medications

There are certain drugs can cause psoriasis to flare in some people. The following are a few such drugs that you may want to avoid after discussing with your doctor:

• Indomethacin, an anti-inflammatory drug typically used by people with arthritis
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• Lithium that is widely used for the treatment of bipolar disorder
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• Taking Inderal, which is a medication commonly known to help control high blood pressure in individuals, can cause allergic reactions
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• Ointments for malaria can cause allergic reactions typically after 2 to 3 weeks of applying

Whenever you see a doctor and get a new prescription for any ailment, make sure to inform them that you have psoriasis and never fail to ask if this medicine is safe for you. Also, do keep your primary doctor posted on every medicine you take.

4. Winter Can Be Dangerous

In winters, our skin starts to lose moisture and tends to dry out. If you have psoriasis, winter scan make your condition worse. In order to protect your skin in winters, you might want to try out the following:

• Make sure you wear a scarf, woolen cap, and gloves whenever you need to go out
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• Frequently apply a good quality moisturizer on your skin
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• Replace a hot shower with a soak in the bathtub

5. Be Mindful of What You Eat

Based on certain studies, it is said that antioxidants, vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium, and carotene can help make a difference with psoriasis inflammation. Some other studies suggest consuming fatty acids found in fish can be helpful as well. Here is a list:

• Leafy greens
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• Fruits like cherries and berries
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• Spices and herbs that are rich in antioxidants like cumin, thyme, and ginger
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• Fishes like sardines, salmon, and others rich in omega-3 fatty acids
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• Healthy sources of fat like nuts, seeds, and olive oil

On the other hand, there are some foods which have adverse effects on inflammation. Foods which you need to eat lessof include

• Fatty cuts of red meat
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• Processed foods
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• Dairy
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• Refined sugars

Conclusion!

Plaque psoriasis affects more than 7 million people in America. Since there is no cure for psoriasis as of now, all you can do is take care of yourself and avoid foods and activities that can worsen your inflammation.