5 Tips To Avoid Psoriasis Outbreaks
To avoid psoriasis outbreaks it is essential to know its triggers and the habits that can help alleviate it. We tell you what you can do to optimize the treatment of the disease.
It is very important to know that psoriasis is not a contagious disease. One person cannot get it from another and neither can they pass it on. What can happen is that it can spread to other parts of the body when it develops. How to prevent psoriasis flare-ups?
This skin disease is a very common autoimmune disorder in the population. It occurs due to an excessive production and accumulation of cells on the skin, which gives rise to the appearance of red, dry and thick patches in areas such as the elbows, knees and scalp, among others.
Its symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on the type of psoriasis and the measures taken to treat it. Therefore, it is essential to know what can trigger flare-ups and how to improve your lifestyle to make the condition more bearable.
Why do psoriasis flare-ups occur?
Psoriasis can manifest itself in different ways in each person, depending on the type of psoriasis and the immune response. The most common form is plaque psoriasis, with thick, shiny patches or scales that can be accompanied by dryness, redness, itching, and sometimes pain.
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation , mild cases manifest as patches that cover up to 3% of the body. In contrast, the most severe cases of the disease can affect up to 10%. While its exact causes have not been established, two key factors have been identified: genetics and the immune system.
Also, there are certain environmental and lifestyle components that could play a role in the appearance or worsening of flare-ups. Although some are difficult to avoid, others can be kept away to reduce the risk of complications. The most common are:
- Infections anywhere in the body
- Cigarette smoking
- Cuts or burns
- Constant exposure to stress
- Dry air, either from the weather or from being in a heated room
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Taking certain medications (such as lithium or drugs for high blood pressure)
- Have vitamin D deficiency
- Suffer obesity
Tips to avoid psoriasis flare-ups
For obvious reasons, the best way to avoid psoriasis flare-ups to other parts of the body is to improve your lifestyle. This makes it possible to reduce exposure to its possible triggers and, therefore, complements medical treatment.
1. Adopt a healthy diet
Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the essential habits to avoid psoriasis flare-ups or make it worse. It is essential that affected people correct their eating habits, completely avoiding alcohol, gluten sources and all kinds of irritating foods.
Instead it is convenient to increase the intake of foods rich in omega 3, vitamin D and antioxidants; vegetables, fruits, and fish oil are highly beneficial. However, it is best to plan your diet with your doctor, as nutritional needs may vary from person to person.
2. Avoid tobacco use
Tobacco is as harmful as alcohol on psoriasis patients. In fact, its consumption is classified as one of the causes of outbreaks of the disease. Therefore, in case of having the bad habit of smoking, it is essential to access strategies to curb its consumption.
3. Protect the skin
Skin care plays a very important role in preventing psoriasis flare-ups. Since the disease directly compromises your health, habits should be reinforced to protect it from different environmental factors.
Sunburn, pollution, and cuts can make symptoms worse. Therefore, you must follow a series of tips:
- Make sure to use sunscreen every day. Use mild formulas, with ingredients that do not cause allergies.
- Moisturize the skin every day, using a cream for sensitive skin. Also, consume plenty of water during the day.
- Be careful of cuts or scrapes. Treat them properly.
- If possible, install a humidifier to keep the air in your home or office humid. This minimizes the risk of dryness.
- Avoid using perfumes or irritating products. Also, stay away from showers that are too hot.
4. Manage stress
It is normal to have episodes of stress when psoriasis symptoms get worse or do not show improvement. However, it is essential to manage these emotions well, since it has a negative impact on the disease. To reduce it, it is recommended:
- Have a flexible schedule at work
- Spend time in enjoyable activities
- Spending time with family or friends
- Keeping the body healthy through diet and exercise
- Adopt a routine of meditation and breathing exercises
5. Sleep well
Having a good quality of sleep, in a period of 7 or 8 hours a day without interruptions, can help prevent psoriasis flare-ups. Good sleep strengthens the functions of the immune system, curbs stress, and helps maintain a healthy weight. All of this has a positive effect on psoriasis control.
However, it should not be ignored that the symptoms can cause sleep disorders. Therefore, simple strategies should be adopted such as wearing appropriate clothing, ensuring the comfort of the room and avoiding the use of distracting elements (computers, mobile phones or similar).
Are you worried that psoriasis will spread to other parts of the body? Take into account the recommendations given. Additionally, he requests regular medical check-ups to assess the status of the disease and learn about other options for its treatment.
