Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes itchy, flaky patches of skin which form scales.
It is a common, long-term (chronic) disease with no cure.
Psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body, but it is most commonly found on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. There is no cure for psoriasis, but treatment can help manage the symptoms and reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups.
The cause of psoriasis isn’t fully understood. It’s thought to be an immune system problem that triggers the skin cells to grow too quickly. This causes a buildup of skin cells on the surface of the skin, leading to the characteristic plaques.
The painful condition tends to go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding for a while. Flare-ups can be triggered by a variety of factors, including stress, infections, and certain medications.
Right now I am in the middle of a psoriasis flare up. It is back on my scalp and one of my feet. It is a serious pain 😭
Usual treatment options for psoriasis include topical creams and ointments, phototherapy, and oral or injected medications. In addition to medical treatment, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and managing stress can also help reduce symptoms and improve overall well-being for those living with psoriasis.
Stress can be a trigger for psoriasis. Avoiding stress will lessen flare ups. Not an easy task I know. I have been very busy lately meaning I am stressed! And being busy and stressed the first thing that goes out the window is healthy eating. Another way to avoid flare ups is a Mediterranean diet. This is inspired by Greek eating habits. The Mediterranean diet includes lots of healthy foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, seafood, beans, and nuts. “This diet is high in anti inflammatory nutrients which may lessen severity of psoriasis”
The first picture is of psoriasis on my foot last Wednesday night. I put a generous layer of One for All balm on before bed and covered it with a cotton stock.
The second photo was Thursday morning. If you zoom in you can still see the red patches but the scales and the itch were so much better.
This is an amazing option to now have. In the past I would have been reaching for a steroid cream. I can use the One for All for all long as I need it with no side effects.