- What are the characteristics?
- Symptoms of psoriasis
- Classification of psoriasis
- What are the causes?
- What does psoriasis look like?
- Psoriasis - what should be avoided?
- How should you wash skin affected by psoriasis?
- Is it possible to bathe with psoriasis?
- What treatments are available?
- Skincare for Psoriasis
- What do Skincare preparations dedicated to people with psoriasis contain?
- An additional advantage will be the content of substances such as:
- Keratolytic agents
- Salicylic Acid
- AHA
- Facial skincare
- Sun protection
- Conclusion
Imagine waking up every day to red, itchy patches on your skin, not knowing if today will bring relief or another flare-up. For millions of people worldwide, this is the daily struggle of living with psoriasis. Beyond the physical discomfort, there’s the emotional toll of dealing with visible skin lesions and the social stigma that often comes with them. Understanding psoriasis is crucial—not just for those who have it, but for everyone, to foster empathy and support.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. The mechanism of autoimmune diseases is based on the body’s immune cells attacking it. Autoimmune diseases include psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, and alopecia areata. According to the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations IFPA, more than 125 million people worldwide have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. At the same time, 77% of such people experience discrimination due to illness. Psoriasis is a non-infectious chronic skin disease. Failure in the process of skin regeneration leads to accelerated recovery of its cells.
What are the characteristics?
Psoriasis is associated with other comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, metabolic and cardiovascular disease, depression, migraines, multiple sclerosis, asthma, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and some liver and kidney diseases.
Symptoms of psoriasis
The signs are diverse and can appear in anyone, regardless of gender, age group, and ethnicity. Some symptoms are the most common:
- Dry red spots, with whitish peeling
- Itching
- Burning sensation and pain
- Dryness and bleeding
- Dark or white spots after the red ones improve
- Thicker, yellowed, and irregular nails.
- Peeling scalp
- Joint pain
- Nail becomes white
- Scalp becomes red
Classification of psoriasis
The characteristics of the lesions and the place on the body where they appear may be different for each person. Based on these differences, the disease can be classified as:
- Ungueal: affects the nails, whether on the hands or feet.
- Gutta: generally appears after bacterial infections and manifests itself on the trunks, arms, legs, and scalp.
- Inverted: appears in the most humid areas of the skin (armpits, groin, and under the breasts).
- Pustular: affects bullous lesions with pus.
- Scalp: affects this region.
- Arthropathic: causes joint pain.
- Erythrodermic: damages the entire body, and is accompanied by fever and chills. It’s the rarest.
- Vulgar: affects white and pink spots caused by peeling. It’s the most common.
What are the causes?
Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease of genetic origin that can be triggered by several factors. These are psychological stress, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, trauma to the skin, some infections (such as HIV and streptococcus), and the use of some medications (such as lithium, interferon, beta-blockers, anti-inflammatories, and others).
The disease usually appears between the ages of 20 and 40 and may occur in various degrees of severity. Through an appropriate lifestyle, you can delay the manifestation of the disease, stop it, or make its course almost invisible. It should be mentioned that the factors that can particularly accelerate the manifestation and exacerbation of the disease are:
- Smoking cigarettes, drinking and abusing alcohol
- A diet low in omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 acids, with particular emphasis on omega-3
- Little or no physical activity
- Chronic stress
- A diet low in antioxidants
- Deficiencies (especially vitamin D)
- Lack of constant medical care
- Care is based on drugstore cosmetics, not intended for sensitive skin.
What does psoriasis look like?
Flaky red areas, itching, burning, and dead skin in clothing or hair are signs of psoriatic skin. Psoriatic plaques resemble to some extent the changes characteristic of atopic dermatitis. These are diffuse red lumps accompanied by small flakes of exfoliation. The areas where the lesions occur vary, but the most typical are the bends of the joints and the hairline.
In advanced stages of psoriasis, lesions appear all over the body, and even develop psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis is caused by impaired keratinization of the epidermis. Skin cells in a healthy person exfoliate on average every 28 days, while in a person with psoriasis, this process takes only 3-4 days! Psoriasis is not an infectious disease, you should not be afraid of contact with sick people.
Due to the high visibility of the disease on the skin, patients struggle with severe discomfort, shame, stress, and low mood daily. At the same time, some psoriasis is found exclusively on the scalp and feels like severe dandruff, while others have spots all over the body, and it can be quite exhausting, both physically and mentally.
Psoriasis – what should be avoided?
Above all, the patient should avoid stress and an unhygienic lifestyle. He should make sure he gets enough rest and a proper diet. The diet should contain healthy fats, such as eggs, fatty fish, or avocado, and products with a low glycemic index. The patient should avoid processed food.
When it comes to cosmetics themselves, you should avoid perfumed, cheap, and unknown products. Strong cleaning agents will also be harmful as they disrupt the hydrolipid barrier, which in turn slows down the healing process. Preparations for psoriasis should not contain alcohol or dyes. In the case of psoriasis, the fabrics we wear every day are very important. They should be natural, made of cotton, linen, or viscose. Polyester should be avoided.
How should you wash skin affected by psoriasis?
When washing, try not to rub or stretch the skin. Showers are preferable to baths, as they dry out the skin. However, for the sake of relaxation, you can sometimes take a bath, but on the condition that it will not be too long and the water will not be very hot – a maximum of 37-38 °C. Soap should be neutral and fragrance-free. After washing, do not try to remove the cornified skin on the elbows and knees.
Dry the skin with a towel very carefully, slightly pressing it to the body. Thoroughly dry all folds and hidden areas of the skin. At the same time, special attention is paid to the ear canals and the skin behind the auricles, armpits, skin folds under the mammary glands, the umbilical region, and the groin, as well as the skin between the toes.
Is it possible to bathe with psoriasis?
Bathing with psoriasis is possible, but not during exacerbations, when the skin is particularly vulnerable. It is necessary to explain to others that psoriasis is a non-contagious disease, and they do not risk anything by being near you.
Before swimming in the pool, apply petroleum jelly to the plaques to protect them from chlorine and other chemicals added to the water. After leaving the pool, rinse your skin with warm, clean water. The skin is dried with a soft towel, patting it lightly on the body
What treatments are available?
Treatment is determined by the type and severity of the course of psoriasis and the area of the affected skin areas. Your doctor will likely start with gentle treatments, such as creams, ointments, and other topical products applied to the skin.
When the disease is not controlled with topical therapy – or in more severe and extensive forms – phototherapy (a controlled form of application of ultraviolet radiation or exposure to the sun) and systemic medications (for example, immunosuppressants and immunobiological) can be used.
Treatment is divided into 3 categories:
- Locally – creams and ointments are applied to the skin.
- Phototherapy – the skin is exposed to certain types of ultraviolet light.
- Systemic – oral and injectable drugs that affect the entire body.
Psoriasis treatment can be complex and includes drug therapy, physical therapy, following a diet, and giving up bad habits. Treatment methods may change and be combined at the discretion of the doctor.
Skincare for Psoriasis
When it comes to skincare, look out for moisturizing ingredients that can help soothe and soften dry, flaky patches that often get worse when winter hits and it gets colder. Use moisturizers to reduce dry skin and choose products that contain glycerin, medicated oils, extracts, and ceramides. They prevent skin dehydration, soothe, relieve inflammation, and help regenerate areas of dry skin.
Several rules should be followed by a patient who wants to provide relief and accelerate the healing of eruptions. These are rules such as:
- Regular moisturizing.
- Selection of appropriate emollients.
- Soothing the unpleasant sensations of eruptions.
- Anti-inflammatory effect.
- Reconstruction of the hydrolipid coat.
What do Skincare preparations dedicated to people with psoriasis contain?
- Emollients – look for ingredients such as Cetearyl alcohol, caprylic/capric triglyceride, Paraffin, squalene, oils, and other fatty substances.
- Various types of humectants will moisturize the affected area.
- Anti-inflammatory substances such as allantoin, bisabolol, and betaine.
- Salicylic acid and urea – these two substances work great on the keratinized psoriatic plaque. They allow you to moisturize it and remove it.
- Ichthyol – regulates the processes of epidermal cell division and relieves itching. It has antibacterial properties and normalizes the process of division and exfoliation of epidermal cells.
An additional advantage will be the content of substances such as:
- Ceramides
- Glycerine
- Vitamin E
- Chlorophyll
- Sulfur
- Betulin
- Shea butter
Bathing with salt or mud from the Dead Sea will also help care for your skin at home. Dead Sea mud stimulates cell regeneration, increases skin oxygenation, and supports its efficiency in removing toxic substances. It stimulates the skin’s metabolism and strengthens its defensive functions. Minerals (especially magnesium and zinc) contained in Black Mud support the anti-psoriasis effect.
Keratolytic agents
Keratinization of the skin is a normal process, during which the skin is renewed at the expense of keratinocytes. Keratinocytes make up the main population of epidermal cells and produce keratin. With psoriasis, their functioning is disturbed, as a result of which the stratum corneum of the epidermis thickens and is covered with scales. Since the exfoliation of keratinocytes in psoriasis is disturbed, the skin becomes rougher.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid, which has a keratolytic and antiseptic effect, is an active substance that is part of many products used for skin irritation and peeling. Urea acts as a keratolytic and moisturizing agent. The so-called alpha-hydroxy acids and fruit acids (for example, glycolic and citric) have long been used in cosmetology due to their exfoliating and smoothing effects, as they help remove excess dead cells.
AHA
Stronger alpha-hydroxy acids (with a lower pH) have a more pronounced exfoliating effect. For psoriasis, you can use only the weakest alpha-hydroxy acids, for example, ammonium lactate. Keratolytics are produced as part of creams and emulsions, they help remove dead epidermis and scales. These products are especially recommended to be applied to thickened and scaly skin of the body and scalp.
Facial skincare
If the skin of the face is not affected by psoriasis, you can use any product suitable for your skin type to clean it, including soap, water, makeup remover, cleansing milk, or gel. In the presence of blackheads, it is better to use soft cleansing gels. If the skin is dry, it is recommended to use cleansers that do not contain soap, toilet soap, or milk. If the skin is affected by psoriasis, it is necessary to carefully monitor its cleanliness, cleaning it in the morning and the evening and every day (or even several times a day in case of severe dryness) apply a moisturizing cream to it.
Sun protection
Although sunlight has a positive effect on the skin in psoriasis, it must be protected from the harmful effects of UV-A and UV-B. There are special sunscreen products for atopic dermatitis patients. SPF50 (sun protection factor 50) lotion for children with a high degree of protection can do a good job.
Conclusion
Psoriasis is a lifelong battle where the immune system attacks the skin, leading to red, scaly patches that can be both painful and embarrassing. Affecting millions globally, psoriasis is more than just a skin condition—it’s a daily challenge. Managing it means embracing a healthy lifestyle, using the right skincare, and relying on treatments like creams, light therapy, or medications. Everyone must understand and support those with psoriasis, helping to break the stigma and make their lives a bit easier. Together, through awareness and empathy, we can improve the lives of those living with this challenging condition.
