Psoriasis - Home Treatment

Home Treatment

Skin care at home can help control psoriasis. Skin care and treatment may include using creams or lotions, pills, baths or soaks, and ultraviolet (UV) light. Skin care for psoriasis includes the following:

• Take care of your skin, and keep it moist and lubricated.
• Gently soften and remove psoriasis crusts by putting cream on the crusts and then peeling the loose crusts off. Removing crusts may help creams and lotions to be absorbed in the skin. However, this should be done very carefully so that the skin is not irritated.
• Follow instructions for skin products and prescribed medications. It may take a period of trial and error until you know which skin products or procedures work best for you. For mild symptoms of psoriasis, various nonprescription medications, such as aloe vera, may be soothing.
• Follow your schedule for sunlight or ultraviolet light treatments.
• Seek information or counseling from your doctor. Psoriasis day care centers may be available in limited locations. To find a center near you, ask your doctor or contact the National Psoriasis Foundation at http://www.psoriasis.org.

For more information on caring for your skin, see:

Skin care for psoriasis.

Other helpful suggestions to control psoriasis include:

• Protecting your skin. Treat all infections promptly, and try to avoid skin injuries and irritation.
• Taking care of your scalp. When you have psoriasis on your scalp, treat your scalp, not your hair.
• Trimming your nails. Keeping your nails trimmed may prevent the spread or flare-ups of psoriasis.
• Being careful in the sun. Although short periods of sun exposure reduce psoriasis in most people, too much sun exposure can damage the skin and cause skin cancer. In addition, sunburns can trigger flares of psoriasis.
• Being aware of possible medication reactions. Certain medications can trigger psoriasis or make symptoms worse.

Studies have not found any "psoriasis diet" that can cure or improve the condition, despite claims over the years. Try to eat a balanced, low-fat diet and maintain a healthy weight.