If you have even moderate Psoriasis, winter may not be your most favorite time of the year for several reasons:
Psoriasis can make the skin exceedingly dry and the cold weather literally sucks away any moisture left on your already dry skin.
Indoor heaters can make your skin dry and since winter forces you to stay indoors longer, you risk having your skin dried out further, resulting in inflammation and itchiness.
The low temperatures can exacerbate the painful symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.
Here’s how you can beat the cold without aggravating your symptoms:
Layer Up
Who doesn’t need a good old warm jacket in the cold winter months? While a big jacket will keep you warm, it could also lead to excessive inflammation and itchiness. For warmth and greater comfort, it is best to protect your skin with layers of cotton clothing.
Cotton is a natural fiber and is therefore more comforting to the skin; you are less likely to experience excessive flare-ups. Most multilayered puffy jackets are made from nylon and polyester, which can causes too much sweating without absorbing the sweat.
Warm up the natural way
Why not make your own hand warmers? DIY hand warmers are super fun and easy to make. These allow you to throw in additions such as lavender, which not only smells wonderful but also has been shown to be soothing to psoriatic skin.
Why not make your own hand warmers? DIY hand warmers are super fun and easy to make. These allow you to throw in additions such as lavender, which not only smells wonderful but also has been shown to be soothing to psoriatic skin.
Drink Up
A simple way to stay moderately warm is to enjoy hot beverages such as soups, stews and teas. Spice things up by adding a tinge of chili to your soups and stews.
However, you want to watch out on the amount of caffeine you consume as too much of it can trigger flare-ups.
Light Up
Light therapy can be a low stress noninvasive way to keep warm while easing the symptoms of psoriasis. Light therapy uses a lamp that emits ultraviolet light directed toward the affected areas of the skin.
When the light penetrates the skin, it slows the growth of the affected cell and may prevent future inflation and itching. Before using UVB phototherapy at home, be sure to consult with your dermatologist.
Choose warm vacation destinations
Just because it is winter does not mean you have to go on a skiing vacation. Consider warmer destinations such coastal regions that offer a moderate climate to soothe your psoriasis.
Your plan in the winter should be to get away from the cold even if just for a couple of days or weeks; your skin will thank you for it.
Summary:
Perhaps the only great thing about winter for people with psoriasis is that less sunshine can help to ease the symptoms of psoriatic flare-ups.
Do not let the winter blues and chill cause havoc on your already sensitive skin. As you go on with your psoriasis treatment regiment, be sure to keep warm in ways that are noninvasive and gentle to your skin.