Ways to Soothe Psoriasis in Summer Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Psoriasis
6 Ways to Soothe Psoriasis in the Summer
To enjoy the sunny season without flare-ups, read on for advice about sunscreens and moisturizers and warnings about chlorine and air-conditioning. By Mikel TheobaldMedically Reviewed by Ross Radusky, MDReviewed: May 3, 2021Medically Reviewed Although some sunlight can do psoriasis good it s important to protect your skin from sunburns
Bonnin Studio/StocksyFor people who have psoriasis, summer can be a tricky time. While humidity and sunshine can help soothe symptoms, air-conditioning and chlorine can dry skin and trigger psoriasis flare-ups. Fortunately, there are ways to keep psoriasis flares at bay during the warmer months so that you can enjoy yourself all season long. RELATED: 5 Ways to Play Sports Safely With Psoriasis721 Embrace the Humidity
Guille Faingold/StocksyEver wonder why your psoriasis feels better in the summer? It has to do with the air. While humidity can wreak havoc on your hair, it’s good for your skin because the extra moisture makes psoriasis patches less prone to cracking, says Abby Jacobson, an assistant professor at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. On extra hot and humid days, though, you may not want to stray too far from air-conditioning. When you’re overheated and sweaty, you’re more likely to experience a flare, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF). On the flip side, too much air-conditioning can dry out skin, so be sure to moisturize frequently if you are often in air-conditioned buildings and cars. RELATED: 10 Signs It’s Time to Call Your Dermatologist About Psoriasis722 Schedule Time in the Sun
A.J. Schokora/StocksyAlthough it’s not a substitute for medical-grade light therapy, some people do find that a little sun exposure helps soothe their psoriasis, says Delphine J. Lee, MD, PhD, chief of dermatology and residency program director at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California. Ultraviolet B is present in natural sunlight and is an effective treatment for psoriasis, says the NPF. Sunlight also helps the body create vitamin D, which may play a role in psoriasis. Research suggests that people with psoriasis often have lower than normal levels of vitamin D. Using sunlight to treat psoriasis is not recommended for everyone, however. Be sure to talk to your dermatologist to formulate a sunscreen plan and figure out a time limit. RELATED: Light Therapy for Psoriasis: What You Need to Know723 Shield Yourself From Sunburn
Irene Wisse/Getty ImagesSunburns are technically an injury to the skin, explains Jacobson. And for some people, psoriasis forms at the site of an injury, a response known as the Koebner phenomenon. Exposure to UV radiation from the sun is also associated with skin cancer, including melanoma. Though it’s not fully understood why, research suggests that people with psoriasis run a higher risk of developing melanoma compared with the general population. To guard your skin against sun damage, apply an ounce (about a shot glass’s worth) of high-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen to exposed areas of your face and body a half hour before you go outside, and reapply every two hours. It’s also a good idea to put on a hat to protect your scalp, wear a rash guard or swim shirt at the pool or beach, and cover up with lightweight, loose clothing if you’ll be out in the sun for a prolonged period of time. RELATED: How to Avoid 7 Summer Health Hazards, According to Experts724 Moisturize Moisturize Moisturize
Studio Firma/StocksyWhile humidity is good for your psoriasis, many aspects of summer, like air-conditioning and chlorine, can lead to dry skin. If you know this will be an issue, compensate by applying extra moisturizer. In the case of chlorine, shower after swimming to minimize any potential irritation; then, to lock in moisture, apply an ointment or cream (free of chemicals, fragrances, or dyes) within three minutes of showering, Dr. Lee advises. Ointments and creams are thicker in consistency than lotions, which makes them better. “Lotions tend to have a high water content, which may evaporate rapidly, and then, as a result, be more drying in the end,” Lee explains. RELATED: How to Find the Right Moisturizer for Your Psoriasis725 Take a Dip in the Ocean
Jovo Jovanovic/StocksySoaking in water helps rehydrate dry, flaky lesions on skin, notes Lee, but splashing in the ocean may be even more beneficial than lounging in the tub. Although more research is needed to evaluate the possible benefits of sea salt on psoriasis, there’s definitely something about salt water that helps soothe psoriasis. Some studies have found, for example, that water from the Dead Sea can be helpful for psoriasis and may also enhance the transmission of UV light therapy. Though you may not be traveling to the Dead Sea any time soon, a trek to the beach on your next day off may help ease your irritation. Swimming in ordinary salt water can be beneficial by removing dead skin and improving the look of psoriasis, according to the NPF. Salt water can be drying, though, so it’s a good idea to rinse off and moisturize after swimming. RELATED: 10 Celebrities With Psoriasis726 Cut Down on Alcohol
Helen Rushbrook/StocksySummer is prime time to indulge in a cocktail — or two — at happy hour. But if you have psoriasis, you may want to limit how much you drink, Jacobson says. Even moderate drinking can reduce your response to psoriasis treatments, and alcohol can have dangerous side effects when combined with certain psoriasis medications. Research also suggests that excessive alcohol consumption may contribute to systemic inflammation and exacerbate other conditions known to occur in people with psoriasis, including cardiovascular disease and depression. If you have psoriasis and would like to enjoy a sunset cocktail, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends a limit of one drink per day for women and two for men. Additional reporting by Julia Califano. RELATED: 8 Foods That Affect Psoriasis Most Recent in Psoriasis
11 Potential Causes of Hair Loss and Baldness
Best and Worst Drinks for Psoriasis
Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss 9 Things You Need to Know
Painless Bloodless Tattoos Possible With New Microneedle Technique
NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Psoriasis Newsletter
SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Psoriasis
What s a Typical Day Like With Psoriasis
By Howard ChangSeptember 30, 2022 Best and Worst Drinks for Psoriasis
Can drinking more water help ease psoriasis symptoms? How good or bad is alcohol, tea, or soda? Here’s how to make the healthiest choices for your skin...By Becky UphamSeptember 30, 2022 FDA Approves Sotyktu Deucravacitinib for Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis
This daily pill could be an option for patients who want to avoid injectable medications.By Becky UphamSeptember 12, 2022 My 5 Biggest Psoriasis Mistakes
By Howard ChangSeptember 2, 2022 My 4-Part Action Plan for Building Confidence
By Howard ChangAugust 15, 2022 FDA Approves New Treatment for People With Plaque Psoriasis
Zoryve is the first steroid-free topical cream to specifically demonstrate efficacy for psoriasis found in skin folds.By Becky UphamAugust 1, 2022 6 Ways Psoriasis Is Different for Women
From emotional health to the impact of sex hormones, women with psoriasis have special concerns.By Pamela AppeaJuly 26, 2022 How to Safely Remove Psoriasis Scales
Removing psoriasis scales can have benefits, but don’t pick or peel them, which can trigger flares. There are several safe and effective ways to free ...By Elizabeth YunJuly 26, 2022 What to Know About CBD for Treating Plaque Psoriasis
This component of cannabis doesn’t bring on a “high” — but it may help fight inflammation and ease anxiety and stress that trigger flares.By Johanna NeesonJuly 26, 2022 Psoriasis Has Changed How I Eat
By Howard ChangJuly 7, 2022