The winter is possibly the worst time of year if you suffer from psoriasis as it brings multiple psoriasis triggers.
The only good thing about it, according to many psoriasis sufferers, is that you spend much of the time with your skin covered up.
However, in terms of the skin condition itself as opposed to just having more opportunities to cover it up with clothing, winter is a time when people often get their worst psoriasis flares.
The drop in air humidity coupled with the turning of central heating can ap moisture from skin which can make itchier and drier, which can trigger a psoriasis flare.
In addition, the lack of sun during the dark short winter days can also make psoriasis flares more likely as UV light helps relive psoriasis flares
But you don’t have to dread winter by succumbing to winter flare-ups. Dermatologist Dr Eva Melegh gives seven tips to help manage the severity and frequency of winter psoriasis flares.
1.Time for Tea
While drinking hot drinks is a great way to stay warm in winter drinking more coffee can be detrimental to skin prone to psoriasis.
Instead drink more tea, in particular green tea, ginger and turmeric teas as these all contain natural anti-inflammatories which can help manage skin flares.
Drink at least 4-6 cups of these herbal teas a day during the winter months
2. Safe Keep Your Scalp
Scalps are particularly vulnerable to dryness during the winter months so its important during this problematic time of year to switch up your shampoo for one that helps to supress plaque formation and doesn’t contain any chemicals or perfumes that might trigger irritation when the scalp is dry and sensitive.
Try Oregon Shampoo and Oregon Conditioner. The psoriasis shampoo, which is designed for use on scalp psoriasis, contains plant-derived ingredients that help to regulate skin cell turn-over and so helps to control the formation of skin plaques and the conditioner contains chemical and perfume free ingredients to deeply moisturise the scalp and hair.
If possible wrap damp washed hair with the psoriasis conditioner applied, in a towel for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off conditioner with tepid water.
3. Up Your Omegas
Fish from oily fish such as mackerel and sardines can hugely help improve the moisture and flexibility of skin prone to psoriasis. Tinned fish is just as beneficial when it comes to getting your daily dose of omegas as fresh fish so there is no excuse that you can’t get to the fish market.
Just stack up on tinned fish and eat it mashed on toast or muffins for breakfast, or on a baked potato or with pasta or rice for main meals. For vegetarians eat vegetables drizzled with flaxseed and linseed oils.
4. Layer Up Naturally
Puffa coats may keep the chill away, but they can also be insulating, which may exacerbate psoriasis flares.
Instead of one big jacket, wear several layers of cotton with something woollen o the outer layer for added warmth. Cotton and wool fabrics are a smarter choice for people with psoriasis because they breath better.
Synthetics, nylon, and polyester lack the absorbing properties of cotton, which can make you sweat more.
5. Get Your Oats
Bathing in colloidal oats can be highly beneficial over the winer months to skin prone to psoriasis particularly before bed in order to reduce itching and soften rough and irritated skin patches. Just make sure the bath water isn’t too hot as this can trigger flares.
6. Protect Problematic Patches
If you have psoriasis, you’ll know the areas where you have a tendency to get flares. For many people its in the skin crooks where it most common, such as behind the ears and knees and on the elbow cracks and below the breasts. Extremities such as hands and feet also tend to get more affected.
Rather than waiting for skin flares to appear on these areas, treat them between flares with intense skincare. Serums and salves are better than moisturisers for these problematic patches.
Try Oregon Rescue Serum, an intensive but non-sticky natural psorisis treatment serum containing a plant extract or Oregon Grape Root which is proven to help supress skin cell production and so acts as an effective preventative where psoriasis skin plaques have a tendency to break out. Apply the serum twice daily and preferably to damp skin post bathing and allow time for it to sink in before wearing clothes or bed clothes.
7. Expose Yourself
Even though its cold outside, exposing your skin to the daylight can still hugely benefit skin prone to psoriasis. It’s a misconception that is has to be bright and sunny for the skin to benefit from UV exposure. Cloudy overcast days still allow UV rays through so getting your skin out for at least half and hour to an hour a day preferably in the middle of the day in winter can help you get a regular dose of UV light therapy for your psorisis.
Exposing the underside of the wrists, the scalp, back of the neck and the legs and arms can all help give a boost of vitamin D and aides in supressing psoriasis flares. Body warmers and insulated shorts iwth warm boots and gloves are a great way to keep the body and extremities warm while still exposing the arms and legs.
