Your Psoriasis Has Cleared! Now What?

Yay! You’ve finally found a treatment that cleared up your psoriasis, but now what? Just because your skin is clear doesn’t mean you’re cured. Unfortunately, you still have psoriasis.

You’re likely thinking about it in the moments when you’re treating it: putting on topical creams, injecting a biologic, taking an oral medication, or even visiting your doctor’s office for light treatment. When the physical appearance of the plaques is gone, it’s more easily forgotten.

Tips to keep psoriasis remission

Psoriasis shouldn’t ever be the only thing that you think about, but unfortunately, it is possible for treatment or brand of medication to fail even if you’ve been successful on it for years.

You could also choose to stop treatments for any number of reasons, so it’s a good idea to actively keep psoriasis top of mind to stay ahead of potential new flares. Here are a few ways to do that:

Trying new skincare products

We know how important it is to moisturize daily. If you plan to test out a new skincare product, do some research into the ingredients and plan to test the new product on a small patch of skin before applying it all over.

This one takes some patience, but take it from someone who’s done it and gotten a bad reaction. It’s better to have a bad reaction in a small space rather than your entire leg.

Actively manage stress

Stress causes flares and flares cause more stress. It’s a vicious cycle and one that should be actively managed. It’s not just beneficial for a psoriasis patient and flare management, but good for your overall wellness.

Life is more and more stressful and we all manage through it differently. It could be journaling, exercise, meditation, reading, etc. However you manage stress, find time to incorporate it into your day especially when you feel the stress coming on.

Stay healthy

If you have a weakened immune system, you may be at risk for additional flares and fewer remissions. Smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity are three of the most common triggers. Taking care of your body includes: kicking your tobacco habit, eating a healthy diet, getting more exercise, and trying to avoid infections or illnesses.

Many autoimmune conditions such as psoriasis can benefit from dietary changes. If you have psoriasis, you may find it beneficial to include plenty of anti-inflammatory foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and healthy oils.

Enjoy your remission!

Psoriasis remission, or disappearance of your symptoms, is possible, but keep in mind psoriasis never really “goes away.” Remission means your symptoms aren’t visible on your skin, but it’s still possible to have flare-ups in the future.

Enjoy your remission while you have it and use it as an excuse to keep taking care of yourself!