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How to Treat the Symptoms of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a condition that affects your skin, and can develop at any age. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, more than 7 million people in the U.S. suffer from it. Psoriasis symptoms manifest as silvery bumps or patches on thickened, reddened skin. The patches can be itchy and unsightly, causing irritation and embarrassment. The specific cause is unknown, but medical studies link it to the body's immune system as well as stress and certain medications.
Psoriasis generally appears in cycles, flaring up for a few weeks, then entering a remission phase. Learn how to treat your symptoms and reduce future flare-ups to better manage your condition.

  1. Recognizing Psoriasis Symptoms

    • Psoriasis can erupt on your skin suddenly or appear slowly. Look for reddish itchy patches of skin on your body. Patches are most likely to appear on your legs, arms, scalp or torso. Also look for silver, flaking skin on the thickened patches. Your skin will probably itch or feel otherwise irritated. Rarely, you may see blisters that burst and release pus.

    Topical Psoriasis Treatments

    • Many psoriasis treatments consist of topical medications applied directly to the skin. Your doctor may prescribe cortisone creams and ointments for your skin, and some might contain coal tar or anthralin. Other ointments that can reduce the white scales include ingredients such as salicylic acid, lactic acid and vitamins D and A. For psoriasis patches on your scalp, there are shampoos designed to clean your hair and treat the condition. A simple dandruff shampoo may also help with scalp psoriasis. Some people benefit from photo-therapy treatments, which exposes the skin to ultraviolet light.

    Systemic Psoriasis Treatments

    • Your doctor can prescribe medicines that can help boost your immune system and treat your psoriasis from the inside. Some effective medicines include methotrexate and cyclosporine. Biologic treatments, including adalimumab, etanercept and stelara seem to have a positive effect on psoriasis symptoms as well. In some cases where psoriasis has caused infections in your body, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help with healing. Another oral medication that often helps with psoriasis is retinoids, or vitamin A.

    Reduce Flare-Ups

    • To reduce the severity of your psoriasis and minimize flare-ups in the future, take some measures for your skin. Psoriasis triggers might include stress, cold weather, alcohol, smoking and a skin injury such as an insect bite. Certain infections such as strep throat can also trigger a flare-up. Do everything you can to eliminate these triggers from your life. Take care of your skin during remission by keeping it moisturized. Indulge in oatmeal baths by pouring 1 cup of oatmeal into a tub of warm water. Soak in the oatmeal bath to keep skin moist and smooth. Whenever you can, soak up some sunshine, but avoid getting sunburned. The sun's UV light might minimize psoriasis outbreaks.

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