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Diet may play a role in managing psoriasis. Eliminating red meat and fatty foods have been effective for some. The National Psoriasis Foundation lists soy, nuts, chocolate, and cranberries as a few “functional foods” for treatment.
You can add psoriasis to the long list of health problems that smoking makes worse. In one study, people who smoked more than a pack a day were twice as likely to have serious psoriasis as those who smoked half a pack or less. Smoking’s bad effect was even stronger in women who already had the skin condition.
A controlled amount of sunlight can significantly improve lesions, but too much sun can trigger or worsen outbreaks and increase the risk of skin cancer. Before beginning any sunbathing program, ask your doctor about the best way to use natural sunlight to treat your skin. Keep a record of when and how long you’re in the sun to help avoid overexposure. And be sure to protect healthy, unaffected skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or perspiring.