How to Prevent Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes extreme patches of dry skin that can appear red and crusty. These flare-ups can be uncomfortable, and even embarrassing if they happen in a visible place. It usually affects the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back, but can actually appear on any part of your body. Psoriasis outbreaks can’t be completely prevented, but you can minimize symptoms by treating your skin with care and taking care of your body in general. Make sure you moisturize your skin on a daily basis. You should also use a humidifier, avoid overexposure to the sun, eat well, and minimize the amount of stress in your life.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Minimizing Stress

1
Try relaxation techniques several times each week. Stress can be a big trigger for psoriasis flare-ups. Reduce the amount of stress and anxiety in your life in order to avoid these unwanted symptoms A great way to minimize stress levels is to practice relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga. These methods are proven to reduce stress and improve overall life satisfaction.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Doing yoga is also a great form of physical exercise, which can work to additionally minimize stress levels in your life.
2
Exercise at least 3 times per week. Exercising is one of the best ways to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Virtually any kind of physical activity will work to clear your mind, increase endorphins, and improve your mood. ^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Be sure to consult with your doctor before you begin any strenuous activities. It’s always better to start slower (like walking before you start jogging) and then build your way up to more intensive activities.
3
Say no to things that cause stress in your life. Everyday life is full of stressful situations and events. But that doesn’t mean that you have to welcome them into your life. Prioritize the things in your life so that you can make a conscious decision to cut out the things that are less important. Consider what makes you feel fulfilled, and what seems to just be causing you too much stress.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- This includes things like hosting dinner parties, inviting family over for long visits, or taking on volunteer responsibilities at school or work.
- If there are things in your life that are stressing you out too much and making you feel overwhelmed, try to get out of them, if possible. Try to find someone else to organize your company’s Christmas party, or tell your church you just don’t have the free time to teach Sunday School classes anymore.
- Listen to your body and know when you need to take a break. It’s okay to say no to things or to ask for help when you need it. Tell your friends that you’re too stressed out to meet them for drinks, or ask your parents to babysit your kids for the weekend.
Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Preventing Skin Injuries

1
Use a moisturizing lotion on your body. Keep your skin from getting too dry by using a moisturizing lotion daily. Apply the lotion all over your body and let it soak in. The best time to lather up is right before bed or directly after a shower.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Get separate moisturizing lotion for your face that is intended for use on facial skin. This will help prevent psoriasis flare-ups on your face.
2
Moisturize your scalp with a coal-tar shampoo for psoriasis on your scalp. Use a specialized shampoo (coal-tar) that is intended for use on scalps with psoriasis. These shampoos slow the growth of skin cells and reduce inflammation, while also moisturizing the skin around the scalp.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Massage the shampoo gently into your hair and use your fingers to work it thoroughly into your scalp.
- You can use regular conditioner even if you have psoriasis on your scalp.
3
Place a humidifier in your bedroom. If you suffer from psoriasis flare-ups, you may want to consider using a humidifier in your home. This machine can add extra moisture to the atmosphere in your house and help keep your skin moisturized.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Keep the humidifier running in your bedroom so that you can soak up the effects while you’re sleeping.
4
Steer clear of cold, dry weather. Psoriasis flare-ups are more common in cold, dry climates because this type of weather makes your skin more prone to develop a psoriasis flare-up as there is less sun exposure.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Hot weather and moderate exposure to sunlight can often improve psoriasis symptoms, though this isn’t true for everyone.
5
Avoid getting sunburned. Some sun exposure is actually good for preventing psoriasis, as ultraviolet rays can slow the growth of skin cells. But overexposure to the sun and the subsequent sunburn can trigger a psoriasis flare-up.^{[8]XResearch source}
- If you must be outdoors, always use sunscreen that is at least SPF30. And reapply it frequently to avoid a sunburn.
- Try to stay out of the sun for more than 20 minutes at any given time.
6
Take care not to cut your skin. Be careful when dealing with any cuts or wounds, as this could cause your psoriasis to spread. This includes scratching your skin, picking at scabs, and avoiding scrapes altogether.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Be extremely cautious when handling any object that could create a cut or slice in your skin.
Advertisement

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Avoiding Infections and Medication Triggers

1
Avoid medications that cause flare-ups. Some medications can cause your psoriasis to act up, so make sure you talk to your doctor about your condition before you begin any new medication. Your doctor may be able to recommend some alternatives if you have a condition that requires one of these medications. Some common medications that are known to cause psoriasis flare-ups include:^{[10]XResearch source}
- Lithium
- Quinidine
- Propranolol
- Antimalarials
- Inderal
- Indomethacin
2
Wash your hands often. Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease, so it’s important to avoid exposure to germs because getting sick can put undue stress on your immune system. This can result in a psoriasis flare-up. To minimize your chances of getting sick, wash your hands often every day, especially when you’re out in public places.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Use soap and water each time you wash your hands.
- Consider carrying a small bottle of antibacterial gel in your purse or pocket to help keep your hands clean when you might not be able to wash them immediately.
3
Keep wounds covered. If you have a cut, scrape, or another kind of open wound, be sure to keep it covered and cared for to prevent developing an infection. This means that you should put bandages on any open wounds, especially when you’re in public or around other people.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Clean wounds thoroughly and use antibiotic cream. Apply a small dab of antibiotic cream directly on the wound before you cover it with a bandage. Do this several times each day.
4
Avoid people who are sick. A good way to prevent infection is to stay away from people you know that are sick, especially children. Catching an illness could cause a psoriasis flare-up, so you should avoid people who could spread viruses or diseases to you.^{[13]XResearch source}
- If you come into contact with a sick person, wash your hands immediately afterwards.
Advertisement

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Eating a Healthful Diet

1
Maintain a healthy weight. Carrying extra weight on your body can increase your risk of flare-ups. You can limit that risk by managing your weight and staying within a healthy weight for your height.^{[14]XResearch source}
- You can determine your healthy weight based on your height or body fat percentage.
- Eating a balanced diet and exercising can help you manage your weight.
2
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. If you want to minimize your psoriasis flare-ups, a great way is to eat a healthy balanced diet. Eat plenty of fruits and green, leafy vegetables, especially those that reduce inflammation. These types of food will assist with weight loss (another way to reduce psoriasis flare-ups) and help you feel more healthy in general.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Since psoriasis is an anti-inflammatory disease, it’s helpful to indulge in foods that have been proven to help reduce inflammation like carrots, kale, spinach, sweet potatoes, broccoli, strawberries, mangoes, and blueberries.
- Avoid foods that increase inflammation, such as processed foods, greasy foods, refined carbohydrates, sugary foods, processed meats, full-fat dairy, and trans fats.^{[16]XResearch source}
3
Maximize fiber and minimize protein intakes. Be sure to get enough fiber in your diet, but limit your protein intake. Eating fewer protein-dense foods (like meat and dairy products) can help minimize your psoriasis flare-ups. Adding more fiber will help your digestive tract get rid of many psoriasis-triggering toxins in your intestines.^{[17]XResearch source}
- To minimize the amount of unhealthy protein in your diet, try to eat fish (at least twice per week) and eliminate other meats from your diet.^{[18]XResearch source}
- High fiber foods include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
4
Spend 20 minutes a day outdoors. While sunburns can cause flare-ups, short periods of time outside can actually help you avoid flare-ups. Sunlight will slow the growth of your skin cells, which makes a flare-up less likely.
- You should still wear sunscreen when you go outside.
- If you are prone to sunburn, spend less time outside so that you don't risk a burn.
- Talk to your doctor if you're taking any medications, however, as you may be more sensitive to sunlight.^{[19]XResearch source}
5
Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Eliminating (or at least reducing) how much alcohol you drink could be one of the most significant ways to prevent psoriasis flare-ups. Studies have shown that psoriasis flare-ups are much more common in people who drink heavily, and that eliminating alcohol consumption can reduce the severity and frequency of psoriasis flare-ups.^{[20]XResearch source}
- Alcohol can also interact negatively with certain psoriasis drugs (like methotrexate and acitretin), so be sure to discuss your alcohol use with your doctor before beginning any new medication.
Advertisement