There is no cure for Psoriasis. But you can definitely benefit from relief measures, at-home treatments, or soothing body butters to alleviate the symptoms. They can help ensure that the disease barely makes any disturbance in your life.
You can use topical corticosteroid creams to prevent itching. But frequent application can make a mess. They stain your clothing and leave a bad smell behind. It's also very cumbersome to be hooked on medication.
The key to treating psoriasis is to tweak your lifestyle. A change of pace to a more holistic, grounded way of living will give you the strength and headspace to tackle the illness. Here’s how you can bring about a change in your lifestyle habits when Psoriasis is a part of your life.
Exercise
Exercise helps tackle milder symptoms of Psoriasis. Cardiovascular exercises and effective workouts help mitigate mild-severe symptoms. It reduces your chances of developing other health issues related to the disease like Psoriatic Arthritis.
Exercise helps fight inflammation in the body. Its not a proven cure but its definitely a big help along the way. Of course, make sure you consult with your doctor before adopting any fitness regimen. Moderate intensity to vigorous exercise reduces the risk of psoriasis and is recommended for patients with expert guidance, of course.
Eating Healthy
There is no fad or miracle cure diet for Psoriasis. But you need foods that fight inflammation like berries, cherries, leafy greens, salmon, and sardines. Essentially, fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, herbs, and spices rich in antioxidants like Thyme, Sage, Cumin, are recommended. Also, get healthy sources of fat like olive oil, and nuts.
Diets are also not a cure, but a healthy diet will help you resist inflammation. But some foods can trigger flare ups so you need to decipher which foods may be possible triggers. Foods like red meat, dairy, gluten, processed foods, nightshade plants containing solanine like Tomatoes, Potatoes, Eggplants, and Peppers may be possible triggers. Alcohol is also a notorious trigger for Psoriasis.
If you suffer from Psoriasis, avoid highly processed, fast foods, sodas, and candies. Packaged and baked goods are best avoided to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Also keep excess sugar at bay in your diet.
Hydration
Lack of hydration in your skin can trigger flare ups. Extra dry skin can worsen your symptoms. Psoriasis patients need to maintain their skin hydration levels. You can always use moisturisers, but you also need to replenish your body’s natural store of water by drinking the required levels of water every day. Also eat plenty of water rich foods.
Super hydration levels are vital for psoriasis patients since it will improve symptoms and prevent possible flare ups. Alter your water consumption, based on the season, the diet you’ve been getting. Also alter the temperature of the water depending on the weather. Patients suffering from Psoriatic Arthritis will benefit from super hydration since it helps with joint support.
Mental Health
Psoriasis patients are often diagnosed with depression and anxiety. There is a very well-known connection between Psoriasis and Mental Health. This is mainly attributed to the fact that since the symptoms are so obviously visible on your skin, it can wreck your social life.
Although everyone’s social life has gone low-key during the pandemic, psoriasis patients still go through significant psychological impact and stress. In fact, bipolar disorder is also common among psoriasis patients. If you have severe body image concerns, seek help from a mental health specialist immediately.
The connection between Psoriasis and mental health is multi-layered. People suffering from severe symptoms can feel like they’re inherently flawed. They also struggle with low self-esteem, anger issues, and a host of other self-deprecating behaviours. The stigma around the visible symptoms can make things worse. Women with Psoriasis may be perceived as unattractive, and men may feel socially isolated because of their condition.
There may also be a lot of embarrassment, worry, and fear especially when friends and family do not validate the feelings of psoriasis patients. People also go through a lot of pressure to not appear weak or sick. These bottled-up feelings are definitely a concern for one’s mental health.
Conclusion: There needs to be healthy conversation around psoriasis. If you see a lack of it in your environment, be an initiator. Invest in your well-being, there’s no shame in stocking up on wellness products, if they relieve symptoms and give your body confidence a boost. Try our range of body butters that soothe symptoms of psoriasis and reduce risk of flare ups.
