Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin, causing redness and peeling of some areas, as well as discomfort. There is no cure for this disorder, but you can take steps to eliminate the symptoms. To reach the remission stage of psoriasis, you need to find effective treatments for you and then reduce the factors that trigger the breakouts so they don't come back.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: with drugs
Step 1. Go to the doctor
If you are unable to control the disease, make an appointment with your doctor, who can recommend medications and lifestyle changes to help reduce symptoms and ease the condition's recession.
Finding the right treatment is crucial and you have a better chance of getting the right treatment if you work closely with your doctor
Step 2. Use a topical cream
A topical cream or lotion is typically the first approach recommended by the dermatologist; you can find several over-the-counter or prescription products.
- A fairly common treatment for psoriasis is corticosteroids, as they are able to reduce the inflammation of the lesions.
- Among the most common remedies on sale are acetylsalicylic acid and coal tar.
Step 3. Undergo phototherapy
This is a procedure that exposes the skin to sunlight or ultraviolet light; it must be performed under medical supervision in an outpatient or clinic. Once you have reviewed the problem with your doctor, you can proceed with this treatment at home, using a portable device.
- One type of phototherapy uses psoralen, a drug that makes the skin more sensitive to certain types of UV rays; this treatment is performed for specific types of psoriasis, such as plaque or guttate.
- In case of localized psoriasis it is possible to proceed with laser treatments.
- Remember that phototherapy is very different from using tanning beds; if you suffer from psoriasis, you should not expose yourself to the latter, because they can trigger the symptom picture.
Step 4. Try prescription drugs
They are available for severe cases or for those who do not respond to other treatments such as over-the-counter creams and phototherapy; these are active ingredients that must be taken orally or intravenously.
- The two types of drugs prescribed in these cases are biological or systemic; the latter act on the entire immune system, while the biological ones are "specialized" only for some of its parts.
- Usually, the dermatologist does not prescribe them, unless they can find other effective alternative treatments.
Method 2 of 3: Preventing Acute Phases
Step 1. Moisturize the skin
Dryness is a factor that triggers psoriasis; if you have managed to reach a phase of remission, moisturize the epidermis regularly to avoid new crises for as long as possible; choose a good lotion or other type of moisturizer to apply every day.
- Ask the dermatologist what is the best product to protect the skin.
- When you have to expose yourself to weather conditions that can dry out your skin, such as intense cold or low humidity, apply more lotion to avoid flare-up symptoms.
Step 2. Expose your skin to sunlight but for short periods
Be careful to go outside when the disease is in remission; a sunburn not only increases the risk of cancer and skin aging, it can also trigger a crisis. However, a little sunlight is beneficial and may even help you manage mild symptoms.
- Spending 10-15 minutes in sunlight is the best way to get your daily dose of vitamin D.
- If you go outdoors, limit the duration of exposure to direct sunlight and never forget to apply a sunscreen.
Step 3. Manage your stress
It is believed to be a fairly common trigger; the disease itself is a source of stress. You must therefore find a way to limit it and consequently reduce the chances of an acute phase of psoriasis.
- Find the method you prefer to get rid of emotional tension; you can try meditation, yoga and deep breathing exercises.
- Talk to friends or family about things that are bothering you so you can manage stress better.
Step 4. Gently wash your skin
You should shower or bathe every day, but be careful to use only gentle products. Do not rub the skin vigorously and do not undergo exfoliation treatments using cloths, sea or vegetable sponges; treat it gently to avoid acute phases of the disease.
When you dry off after the bath, pat your skin dry without rubbing too hard
Method 3 of 3: Maintain the Remission Phase
Step 1. Find the right treatment
Remission can occur spontaneously without any known stimulus or with proper treatment. If you have found the treatment effective, the symptoms may disappear temporarily; as a result, the doctor may declare the psoriasis "dormant" phase.
It may take some time to find the right treatments; always work with your dermatologist to try different therapies until you find the one that works for you
Step 2. Be aware that a treatment can lose its effectiveness
When you find a cure that can make the disease regress, remember that it is a "fixed-term" solution; the body adapts to the therapy or a different active ingredient may be needed to manage the disease. This means that you need to change care after some time.
Work actively with your doctor to keep the disorder under control. If the symptoms reappear after following the same treatment for a while, the doctor can make adjustments to bring the psoriasis back into remission
Step 3. Know that the remission phase is not permanent
If you find the right treatments, it is possible to reach it, but only for a little while; even if the symptoms go away, they are very likely to come back in the future.
