Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition affecting as many as 125 million people worldwide. Due to an overactive immune system, the skin cells overproduce, leading to an extra build-up on the skin. This is what leads to the development of crusty patches of skin, oftentimes covered with silvery scales.
To help you treat the itchy, uncomfortable symptoms of this autoimmune disease, we’ve put together a list of 5 natural remedies for psoriasis.
1. Moisturize
Keeping the skin hydrated is a great way to combat the itchy and perhaps even painful symptoms of psoriasis. Unfortunately, many creams and skin care products contain harmful ingredients that can worsen symptoms instead of improving them.
That’s why we love this Organic Manuka Honey Skin Soothing Cream. Made with 100% natural ingredients - including the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory Manuka honey - it’s perfect for sensitive skin. Rich in emollients, it helps keep plaque and scaling under control without any burning or stinging!
2. Watch What to Eat
As psoriasis is an inflammatory disease, it’s best to avoid foods that cause inflammation. Common culprits include red meat, refined sugar, dairy, and gluten.
On the other hand, anti-inflammatory foods can reduce the severity and frequency of flare-ups. These helpful foods include fatty fish, leafy greens such as kale and spinach, and olive oil. If you’re not sure which foods are triggering your psoriasis, you might want to consider trying an elimination diet. This works in the same way as an eczema elimination diet. Essentially, it involves removing the consumption of certain foods for a certain amount of time and then incorporating them back in over time to determine which cause a reaction.
To learn more about the link between psoriasis and diet, check out our post: Psoriasis and Diet: To Eat or Not to Eat.
3. Dry Wrap Therapy
Dry wrap therapy is an excellent treatment for psoriasis. Not only does it help provide long-term relief for flare-ups, but it also helps prevent further irritation. Simply apply a natural moisturizer, such as the Manuka Honey Cream mentioned above, and cover with a hypoallergenic sleeve.
Remedywear™ sleeves are great for treating psoriasis because they’re made with eco-friendly TENCEL and embedded with zinc oxide, known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Dry wrap therapy works best when worn overnight or for a minimum of 2 hours.
4. Reduce Stress
Stress is a trigger for many skin conditions — including eczema and psoriasis. Learning how to manage stress is an important step in reducing flare-ups and easing symptoms. Some helpful de-stressing activities include yoga, meditation, taking leisurely walks, and even journaling. Remember, your emotional health is just as important as your physical health.
5. Lifestyle Changes
Finally, there are some simple lifestyle changes you can make to control your condition. One way is to reduce or quit your consumption of alcohol. Alcohol increases the risk of a flare-up by disrupting the various pathways of the immune system. You should also avoid hot baths and stick to lukewarm baths instead. It would also be helpful to take shorter showers or baths altogether and pat dry with a towel instead of rubbing.
Do you have any favorite natural remedies for psoriasis? Let us know on our Facebook page!
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