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Round and oval patches of red, dry, scaling skin – also known as psoriasis – is painful, itchy, and most of all embarrassing. My entire family and I suffer from psoriasis outbreaks, so I know first hand what it can be like. While there is no cure from psoriasis there are ways to slow the growth of psoriasis causing skin cells and reduce inflammation and the size of your sores.
Stress is one of the biggest known causes for the spread and growth of psoriasis. Do what you can to relax and distress. Skin injuries and infection are also known to cause outbreaks. Avoiding alcohol consumption can also help to reduce any patches you might have.
Keeping your skin hydrated and moist with creams, ointments, and lotions from your local drug store can help reduce the size of psoriasis patches.
There are many over-the-counter lotions that are designed for helping reduce psoriasis. There are also shampoos and other hair products that help treat psoriasis of the scalp. Exposing your skin to natural sunlight has helps reduce and even illuminate psoriasis outbreaks.
One popular way to handle psoriasis is by occlusion therapy. After applying moisturizes and medicated creams to your psoriasis sores, wrap the skin with tape, fabric or plastic. This helps to keep the area moist and increases the medicated creams' absorption and effectiveness.
While natural sun light is known to help with psoriasis, many people also use ultraviolet UVB light in addition to creams and ointments. If exposed 3 times a week the UVB light is known to improve psoriases.
You can do this at a doctor’s office or purchase an ultraviolet light and do it at home. My family owns an ultraviolent light and I have seen phototherapy work first hand.
Moderate to severe psoriases can be treated by taking oral medications in addition to topical creams and exposure to UVB rays. The most common oral medications are methotrexate, reinoids and cyclosporine. Ask your doctor for more details and to see if any of these medications might be right for you.
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