Anyone who suffers from psoriasis knows all too well that there are good days and bad days. Here are some tips on how to make psoriasis more bearable, even on bad days.

 

Relieve itching

 

A bath with certain additives helps to provide lasting relief from the unbearable itching. Some tried and tested bath additives to relieve itching caused by psoriasis are

- Baking soda: Three sachets of baking soda as a bath additive for a sitz bath or twice as much for a full bath relieves itching and has proven to be particularly effective against the itching caused by chickenpox.

- Herbs: Notoriously dry skin itches less with a bath with camomile and rose petals.

- Oatmeal: A few teaspoons of oatmeal in the bath water can help relieve itchy and rough skin, for example after a sunburn. Colloidal oatmeal from the pharmacy is best, as it combines particularly well with the water. Alternatively, you can put conventional oatmeal in a nylon stocking and soak it in the bath water. Caution: Oatmeal makes the water slippery, so be careful when getting in and out of the bath!

- Vinegar: A cool bath with two cups of vinegar acidifies the skin and soothes the itching. The acetic acid kills bacteria that increase the spread of psoriasis.

- Vegetable oil: A long, warm bath relieves itching, but can make the skin even drier, which worsens the condition afterwards. An oily bath additive prevents the skin from drying out and helps to regulate the moisture content.

 

Fresh air

 

Sunlight and fresh air are the best remedy against psoriasis. You should spend 30 minutes in the fresh air every day. Sunlight reduces the activity of the skin's T-cells, which produce cytokines. Cytokines are substances that can cause inflammation.

When out in the sun, you should apply adequate sun protection to avoid the risk of sunburn.

 

Moisturising creams

 

Moisturising lotion should be applied immediately after bathing to lock in the skin's natural moisture. Apply extra moisturiser to the affected areas of skin. Skin lotions that are too liquid dry too quickly, so heavy and greasy creams are more suitable.

Skin lotions containing urea or camomile are good.

Rub a few drops of tea tree oil into the affected areas of skin several times a day to soften the skin and reduce inflammation.