Scales. Plaques. Flaking. When you’re knowingly (and frustratingly) nodding your head, then you definitely’re possible aware of the autoimmune illness psoriasis, which impacts greater than 7.5 million adults within the US, in response to the Nationwide Psoriasis Basis (NPF).
“Psoriasis is an inflammatory pores and skin situation that [can cause] very purple, scaly plaques,” Helyn Alvarez, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin tells SELF. (There are various kinds of psoriasis; the sort wherein thick plaques seem is known as—fittingly—plaque psoriasis.) These patches can pop up anyplace in your physique, however are principally discovered on the scalp, elbows, and knees.
Specialists aren’t positive precisely what causes plaque psoriasis, however they do realize it sometimes follows a cycle of flare-ups and remission that may final weeks or months. And there are a lot of potential triggers, together with stress, damage to the pores and skin, modifications within the climate, and sickness, in response to the NPF.
Regardless of there being no remedy for psoriasis, there are many therapy choices for softening these uncomfortable scales and plaques, Regine Mathieu, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Behr Laser and Pores and skin Care Heart in Fresno, California, tells SELF. She recommends visiting a board-certified derm, who can assist you construct a therapy plan which will embody oral tablets, injectables, or a prescription topical steroid cream.
One other key device in your package: an amazing over-the-counter moisturizer. One of the best moisturizers for psoriasis can play an essential position in sustaining wholesome pores and skin, Dr. Mathieu says. “If the pores and skin is simply too dry, then it could actually crack,” she explains. “Any interruption of the pores and skin barrier in psoriasis has a possible to trigger new lesions to kind, so it’s essential to moisturize.” Simply keep in mind, she provides, {that a} moisturizer alone possible isn’t sufficient to deal with psoriasis.
We tapped derms for his or her favourite soothing, hydrating picks from trusted manufacturers like CeraVe and La Roche Posay—store their recs beneath.
Our prime picks
What do you have to search for whereas purchasing for a moisturizer for psoriasis?
Whereas it might be tempting to start out with any previous bottle of physique lotion, Dr. Alvarez says that not all moisturizers are proper for individuals with psoriasis. “The factor about this situation, in comparison with eczema, is that the dimensions can actually construct up and turn into fairly thick,” she says. “Once we take into consideration a moisturizer, you want totally different components than [you’d find] in your common eczema cream.”