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Dietary Changes for Psoriasis

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PSORIASIS: THE ENEMY OF YOUR SKIN

I honestly don’t know why I’m doing this piece on psoriasis, but due to circumstances beyond my control it’s been a very long time so it’s better something than nothing, right?
Psoriasis is a complex, reoccurring autoimmune disorder characterized by red, flaky patches on the skin. Even though there is no cure, many treatments exist to ease the symptoms.
Dietary supplements may help ease psoriasis symptoms from the inside. Fish oil, vitamin D, milk thistle, and evening primrose oil have been reported to help some sufferers (NPF, 2012). It’s important to only take supplements that do not interfere with other pre-existing conditions or have harmful side effects. Fish oil applied directly to the skin has also been known to work well for some.
Moisturize:
Use a humidifier to keep the air in your home or office moist. It can prevent dry skin before it starts. Sensitive-skin moisturizers are also great at keeping your skin supple and from forming plaques.
No Dyes or Perfumes:

Most soaps and perfumes have dyes and fragrances in them. Sure, they can make you smell great but they also can inflame psoriasis. Choose products labeled as “sensitive skin” – these are made without the dyes and perfumes that can irritate skin (NPF, 2012).

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Diet:

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.


Oats:
Oats are considered one of nature’s best skin soothers. There is no scientific evidence to support the use of oats to relieve psoriasis symptoms. But many individuals with psoriasis report applying an oat paste or taking a bath in oats relieves their itchy skin and reduces redness.
Consider Diet Changes
There is no solid evidence that any specific food makes psoriasis better or worse. At the same time, many people say their sores improved after cutting down on certain foods like sugar, white flour, gluten, and caffeine. It doesn’t hurt to experiment, especially when you cut out not-so-healthy foods.

Olive oil:

As healthy as olive oil is inside your body, it can have extra benefits for the skin. Applying olive or vegetable oil to scales and patches of psoriasis can lock moisture and nutrients in. Try massaging a few tablespoons on your scalp to help loosen troublesome plaques during your next shower.

In the Bathtub:

Dermatologists say that hot water is the skin’s enemy, but a lukewarm bath with Epsom salt, mineral oil, milk, or olive oil can soothe the itching and infiltrate scales and plaques. Moisturize immediately after your bath for double benefits.
Aloe Vera:
Gel from the aloe plant can be applied to the skin up to three times a day. Some research shows it can help reduce redness and scaling associated with psoriasis. Look for creams containing 0.5% aloe. No benefit has been shown from taking aloe in tablet form and it can be dangerous.
Get Rid of the Smoke!

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.

Unfortunately, there is no one single answer to stop psoriasis. What’s worse is the fact that not everything works for everyone. Using some of the tips shown here, as well as using other treatment options, you can custom-tailor your daily routine to keep problem itching and flaking to a minimum.

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.

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