Home Remedies to Manage the Symptoms of Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis results in skin cell buildup forming dry, scaly patches. It is one of the most common types of psoriasis. Dry and raised skin lesions covered with silvery scales are the primary indicator of a developing condition with varying levels of severity. It covers a small or large area of the body, and the red patches of overgrown skin are extremely painful. Besides doctor-prescribed treatment, some home remedies can help alleviate plaque psoriasis symptoms.
Topical cream
Creams are great and easy to apply topical home remedies, especially for skin diseases like plaque psoriasis. The smooth texture of the cream can gently hydrate the dry, red and scaly skin to ensure the outer layer doesn’t dry out.
Apple cider vinegar
This is one of the most versatile ingredients that can be used for both consumption and topical application to provide relief from the prolonged symptoms of chronic autoimmune disorders. Apple cider vinegar is a great home remedy to manage the urge of itching the affected area. Psoriasis primarily affects soft tissue areas on the body where it is not possible or advisable to use topical medications.
Light therapy
Light therapy is another inexpensive solution to combat the symptoms of plaque psoriasis and associated types of psoriasis. A vitamin D deficiency can aggravate the symptoms which is why medical professionals recommend patients suffering from skin disorders to spend some time out in the sun. The ultraviolet rays can help slow the rapid growth of skin cells, one of the primary triggers of psoriasis. However, the sessions must be conducted under the supervision of a doctor as too much exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer.
Draw a bath
Epsom salt baths will provide relief to the dry and scaly skin patches by gently hydrating the epidermis. Ensure that the bath water is lukewarm and the salts have dissolved properly before taking a dip. One must not spend more than fifteen minutes in the bath as the activated salts will help shed the dead skins and extra growth within the timeframe. Apply a gentle moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated after drying off to ensure there is no further scaling or irritation. It is advisable to consult with a skin specialist or dermatologist to determine which salts will be the best for a warm bath. It is also a good idea to use organic and unscented soaps and fragrances that don’t contain any chemicals. Scented fragrances can irritate the skin and aggravate the inflammation as a result of concentrated chemicals that produce the fragrant aroma.
Herbs
Turmeric is an excellent home remedy, one of the most affordable herbs to help provide relief from plaque psoriasis symptoms including dry, itchy, and scaly skin. Turmeric can be incorporated in a dish or can be used as a topical remedy to reduce the risk of flare-ups as a result of inflammation under the skin. FDA recommends no more than 3 grams of turmeric on a daily basis to help counter the varied symptoms of multiple types of psoriasis.
Humidifier
It is a good idea to buy and install a humidifier at home to make sure the air is moist and the surrounding environment pleasant enough to ease the discomfort caused due to various symptoms of plaque psoriasis. It is easy to control the temperature and humidity at home to stop the skin from drying up frequently. One can periodically use a moisturizer in addition to the humidifier to further manage the symptoms effectively.
Healthy diet
Skin disorders like plaque psoriasis can also be triggered or aggravated due to an improper diet. Vitamin deficiencies and lack of essential nutrients in the body trigger an imbalance in the neutrophil levels. One must limit and gradually eliminate the use of red meats and processed foods that are high in fat. Such foods can aggravate flare-ups and trigger inflammation under the skin. Red meats can be substituted for fish and other foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids that have the ability to reduce inflammation. Olive oil is a great topical remedy that can be gently applied to the affected area to hydrate and soothe the dry scaly skin patches.
Note that the symptoms of autoimmune skin disorders like plaque psoriasis and similar health complicitous are easily manageable at home with a few lifestyle changes. A nutrition rich diet and proper exercise will help combat mild to moderate symptoms of the condition.