Psoriasis - Easy ways to deal with breakouts
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition and auto- immune disorder, where body mounts immune assault against itself. A normal skin cells takes 28 days to mature and is shed from the body unnoticed, but a psoriasis cell takes only 3 to 4 days to mature and quickly moves up, leading to a pile-up at the surface. It is not an infection and therefore is not contagious. Touching the affected skin and then touching someone else will not transmit psoriasis. However, the red scaly skin can become infected, especially when there are splits in the skin, these thick red skin patches are called plaques. Even though there are no other telltale signs, this flushed appearance of the skin could become slightly embarrassing. Psoriasis can be inherited. Some people carry genes that make them more likely to develop psoriasis. Just because a person has genes that would make him more likely to have psoriasis doesn’t mean he will have the disease. About one third of people with psoriasis have at least one family member with the disease. Certain factors trigger psoriasis to flare up in those who have the genes. Psoriasis is more common in women in age group 15 to 35.
How to treat psoriasis:
1. Reduce stress. Psoriasis is significantly aggravated by stress.
2. Apply topical ointments, twice each day, to slow down the overactive growth of skin cells. Ointments that contain tar preparations, anthracite and salicylic acid work well. Try corticosteroid creams. These are most effective when covered with a piece of saran wrap. It enhances the drug’s penetration into the skin. Use it twice a day, wipe it off at bedtime, and then apply the tar preparation or anthracite at night.
3. Avoid injuring the skin. This aggravates psoriasis.
4. Avoid exposure to cold. This also aggravates psoriasis.
5. Keep your skin from drying out. Dry skin causes psoriasis to worsen.
6. Avoid washing your skin excessively. This makes skin feel sore and scaly. Use lukewarm water when washing.
7. Reduce itching by soaking for 15 minutes in water containing a tar solution or Epsom salts.
8. Remove thick scalp plaques by applying a 10 percent salicylic acid in mineral oil with a toothbrush before going to bed. Wear a shower cap when you sleep. Wash out the 10 percent acid with a tar-based shampoo the next morning.