Self-Care Guidelines
For mild and moderate psoriasis:
- Bathe daily to help remove scale and moisten the skin. Avoid harsh soaps; soap-substitutes are milder for your skin.
- Apply moisturizers to all scaly psoriasis patches after any water exposure or bathing. Heavier, oilier ones help to retain water in the skin better than lighter moisturizers.
- Apply hydrocortisone cream (0.5 or 1%), available over the counter, to help reduce itch and redness.
- Use coal tar products, available over the counter as a shampoo, oil, gel, or cream. This is an old form of therapy, which can help, but it has a mild odor.
- Use products with salicylic acid (shampoos, cleansers, and ointments) to help with removal of heavy scale.
- Follow a healthy diet and stay at the right weight. (Being overweight may make psoriasis worse.)
Small doses of natural sunlight may be helpful, such as 10–15 minutes 2 or 3 times a week. Avoid too much sun, however, and protect your healthy skin from sun exposure.
These measures may also be helpful for people with severe psoriasis, who generally require medical care as well.
When to Seek Medical Care
See your doctor if you have severe psoriasis or if self-care measures are not helpful. Also, see your doctor if your psoriasis worsened or appeared after a sore throat; psoriasis can be triggered by a strep infection.
Signs and Symptoms
