Psoriasis in Summer

Psoriasis is a common disease that affects the majority of the population. It is characterized by rashes on the skin, and the symptoms of psoriasis are itchy and burning. Exacerbation of the disease occurs due to a number of reasons, which are associated with cold, the wearing of clothes made of synthetic materials, improper nutrition.

Today, home treatment of psoriasis is very popular, and the warm season provides all the necessary conditions for this.

Treatment of psoriasis in the summer

Ultraviolet rays have a beneficial effect on the rash, so in summer you should be more in the sun. The main thing is not to overdo and burn, as this will only exacerbate the condition and cause additional problems. Sunbathing is possible in the morning and evening, when the sun is not as active as in lunch. Before sunbathing on the skin, it is recommended to apply sunscreens, which include only natural components.

Seawater will make psoriasis treatment more effective. Useful substances contained in salt water will help to clean the skin from rashes and relieve pain. It is not necessary to be in the sea all day, it is enough to moisten the body with water and you can go to sunbathe. Taking sunbaths and water baths together will have a calming effect on the affected areas of the skin and will relieve inflammation.

Summer diet for psoriasis

Treatment of psoriasis is directly related to proper nutrition. In summer, you can easily go on a therapeutic diet, as an abundance of fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs will help to create a full diet and cleanse the body of toxins. Many people say, "I treat psoriasis, I follow a diet, and my rashes don’t go away," possibly because of bad habits. Alcohol and smoking should be avoided, as harmful hobbies cause an exacerbation of the disease at any time of the year.

In the summer, psoriasis is very sensitive to drafts, so air-conditioned rooms should be avoided. The skin should always be kept moist and such rooms have dry air, so psoriasis can quickly worsen. The abundance of herbs in the summer period allows you to drink therapeutic teas and wipe the rash with herbal decoctions of chamomile, St. John's wort, pure body.

Why Summer Can Be Worse

In some patients, summer, on the contrary, becomes a period of exacerbation. This may be triggered by:
Excessive sun exposure. Sunburn triggers the Kebner phenomenon, the appearance of new plaques at the site of a skin injury.

Sweating increased. Wet environments increase irritation and inflammation. Stress. In summer, many people experience increased workload, travel and leisure planning, which in itself can be a trigger. Changes in nutrition. In heat, people often increase their consumption of spicy, fatty foods and alcohol, which can also worsen the condition.
Taking some medicine. Certain drugs (eg, tar ointments, hormonal creams, retinoids, some antibiotics) make the skin more sensitive to the sun.
Type of psoriasis. There is a conventionally "summer" form of the disease, in which exacerbations are provoked by the sun's rays. On the contrary, such patients are advised to avoid the active sun

What to do in the summer

To minimize risks and maintain remission, I recommend following several rules:
Protect your skin from the sun. Apply to open areas means with SPF 30-50, which protect against both UVA and UVB rays. It is better to choose physical filters (based on zinc or titanium). Apply the cream 20 minutes before going out and renew every 2 hours.

Avoid peak solar activity. Try not to be outside from 11:00 to 16:00, when the UV rays are most active.

Keep your skin hydrated. Regularly use moisturizers (emollients) to compensate for the loss of moisture.

Control stress. Practice relaxation methods: yoga, meditation, breathing exercises.

Eat well. A balanced diet, with enough vegetables, fruits, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, can help.

Do not interrupt treatment. Even if the summer has become easier, it is not necessary to stop the therapy prescribed by the doctor on your own.

Important advice

If you notice that the skin condition has worsened in the summer, be sure to discuss it with a dermatologist. Doctors help identify individual triggers and adjust the treatment plan. Self-medication may be ineffective or even dangerous.

Remember: there is no universal answer "in the summer is always better" or "in the summer is always worse". It's very individual. The main thing is to listen to your body and act in concert with the doctor.