Natural Remedies for Psoriasis
Oils
Consider exploring different types of oils. Coconut oil, for example, is an excellent choice if you’re experiencing symptoms of psoriasis. Applying a liberal amount of coconut oil to your skin as part of your bathing and skincare routine can add an amazing amount of moisture to your skin, encouraging your psoriasis to repair itself and stop flaking so much. In doing this, it can relieve the itch and pain significantly.
Another oil to try out on psoriasis is tea tree oil. This one’s got quite a strong smell, so you may want to apply this in the evening before bed, instead of when you’re heading off to work. This one works more in the way that it can help avoid infections due to psoriasis. Mix it with a moisturizer or oil of your choice, so it’s not too harsh on your skin. It’s especially ideal for those who suffer from scalp psoriasis.
Keep In Mind
There are an abundance of natural remedies for psoriasis, and you’ll encounter many products during your travels that claim to help treat psoriasis. Don’t rubbish them all, sometimes it’s worth a shot, and you’ll stumble across an amazing find that does wonders.
It’s not always just the big brand names that have the best quality products. Sometimes it can be the local naturopaths at the market that come up with an incredible mix of natural ingredients to help ease our stressed and sore flare-ups. It’s a matter of trying and experimenting until you find some solutions you like.
Over-the-Counter Topical Psoriasis Treatment
Over-the-counter products are primarily used to relieve discomfort and improve the appearance of your skin. They can help to decrease scaling, prevent cracking and relieve itchiness. Over-the-counter products are used daily by many people living with psoriasis as a means to hydrate the skin.
Coal Tar and Salicylic Acid
Two commonly used ingredients in over-the-counter treatments are coal tar and salicylic acid. Coal tar is an old but effective remedy that relieves itchiness and slows down the growth of skin cells. Many people use shampoos that contain coal tar to relieve psoriatic lesions on the scalp.
Be careful with coal tar if you’re out in the sun a bit, as its application can make your skin quite sensitive to sunlight. If you’ve used coal tar and you’re planning on going out in the sun, try covering the affected areas, so the skin isn’t damaged.
Salicylic acid helps to reduce scaling by gently peeling away excess layers of skin.
Hydrocortisone Cream
Some people use hydrocortisone cream or preparations that contain antihistamines. Check with your dermatologist regarding over-the-counter agents.
Topical Prescription Medications
Topical prescription medications help to slow the rate of cell growth, reducing plaque formation. They have anti-inflammatory actions that decrease pain and itchiness, and many come in forms that hydrate the skin. Several kinds of topical prescription medications are available. Steroidal and non-steroidal medications are available.
Steroid Creams
Depending on the severity of your psoriasis flare-up, your doctor may suggest trying steroid creams. There is a variety of steroid creams available that you can apply directly to the affected areas. The doctor may recommend you don’t go out in direct sunlight when you’ve applied steroid creams as it can affect the skin.
Many people do try to avoid topical prescription medications if they have steroids in them, and this may be recommended if your flare-up is quite small and can be managed with other options. However, if you’re sufferer an extensive flare-up, sometimes the steroid options are a quick solution that can rid you of the annoyance and pain in a relatively short amount of time. Sometimes it can be a matter of a week or so for a flare-up to fade and become more manageable with natural alternatives when you’ve used a steroid cream for a little while.
If you do decide to try a steroid option, listen to your doctor to find out about the correct method of applying, as sometimes they may recommend alternating and using different strengths at different times of the day.
