The primary treatments that people with psoriasis use to control their symptoms and manage the condition are therapies such as topical medicines, systemic medicines, biologics, and light therapy. However, there are certain lifestyle considerations that may be helpful for some people to incorporate into their daily life in addition to the therapeutic options recommended by their healthcare provider. These include:
Be sure to consult your healthcare provider when you are considering any types of lifestyle changes. They will be able to provide advice and guidance on how to make these kinds of changes safely and effectively.
What types of dietary changes can help improve psoriasis symptoms?
No type of diet will cure psoriasis or make it symptoms go away completely. However, there are certain dietary changes the people living with psoriasis can make that may have a positive effect on both their overall health and their psoriasis symptoms. These include:
- Eating a heart-healthy diet
- Eating a diet to help reduce chronic inflammation
- Eating a diet that can help with weight loss
Maintaining a heart healthy diet is important for people with psoriasis, who have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure. Following a heart healthy diet can also help a person to lose weight when combined with portion control and regular exercise. Having a healthy body weight can reduce the risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular problems (which are more common among people with psoriasis). Another type of dietary strategy is to avoid foods that are known to contribute to inflammation and seek out foods that may help to reduce inflammation. Reducing the amount of inflammation in the body can help to reduce psoriasis symptoms.
For more information about dietary considerations and psoriasis, see here.
Can exercise help to improve psoriasis symptoms?
Together with a healthy diet, regular exercise is a key component of good overall health. People with psoriasis are more likely to be overweight, and the severity of psoriasis symptoms tend to increase the more overweight a person is. Regular exercise will not cure psoriasis, but losing weight (if you are overweight) has been shown to improve psoriasis symptoms and reduce your chance of developing cardiovascular conditions and type 2 diabetes2. Exercise also triggers the release of chemicals called endorphins in the body, which can reduce your stress levels and improve your mood.
For more information about exercise and psoriasis, see here.
How can stress management help with psoriasis symptoms?
Stress can have a big impact on psoriasis. Experiencing stress can contribute to a psoriasis flare-up, and having a psoriasis flare can increase your stress level3. Living with psoriasis can be stressful in many different ways, and researchers believe that emotional stress can trigger inflammation in similar ways that injury or infection can. There are a variety of different techniques that you can use to help manage your level of stress and reduce the impact that it has on your psoriasis symptoms.
For more information about the link between stress and psoriasis, see here.
What homeopathic remedies can help to improve psoriasis symptoms?
There is a range of homeopathic remedies that can help to relieve discomfort that is caused by psoriasis symptoms, including:
- Applying emollients and/or oils to affected skin
- Bathing and bath additives
- Using occlusive dressings
Emollients are thick moisturizers such as creams and lotions. They can help to make areas of plaque feel softer and less scaly, and also help to reduce the risk of cracking and bleeding. Many people find that a daily bath or shower can temporarily relieve symptoms, and bath additives such as oils, salts, or oatmeal can make them more effective in softening the skin and calming irritation. Occlusive dressings can be used with some kinds of emollients and topical medicines to help them penetrate more deeply into the skin (but check with your healthcare provider about which kinds are safe for use with occlusion)4.
For more information about the home remedies for psoriasis, see here.