Eczema and psoriasis are among the most common skin conditions. Even though they are two different skin conditions, they share many symptoms, including dry, tight, and itchy skin. In addition, these conditions are not contagious, meaning they cannot be passed from one person to another.
Before we look at ways to manage eczema and psoriasis, let’s first understand these conditions.
What is eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition that affects the skin and causes the patient’s skin to become red, irritated, and itchy. It manifests most frequently as dry or scaly patches on any body part. Eczema is a chronic condition, which means that it is a long-term condition that will not go suddenly. Additionally, there are moments when it might improve or worsen, so it can be difficult to predict how it will behave. It is important to point out that eczema does not spread from person to person because it is not infectious.
There is still a lot of mystery about what triggers eczema. On the other hand, eczema is thought to be brought on by a combination of genetic and environmental variables among medical professionals. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is almost always a genetic condition a person has acquired from either their parents or family member.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin condition that manifests as a rash characterized by itchy, scaling spots. Psoriasis appears most frequently on the knees, hands, elbows, trunk, and scalp. Just like eczema, it is a long-term chronic disease with no cure. But there are various kinds of treatments to manage it.
With that said, let’s take a look at home remedies for eczema and psoriasis that can help you manage them.
Living with eczema or psoriasis can be very frustrating. You have to learn to find ways to manage them better. There are also medications to help manage the symptoms. A drug that doctors usually prescribe for this condition is Taltz. However, you should take prior authorization for Taltz and read about its dosage, reactions when taken with other medications, and possible side effects when you start taking it.
- Moisturize your skin regularly
Look for a product that works well for your skin. Some of the products you can try on your hands with eczema include creams, bath oils, sprays, or ointments. Oil for dry skin also ideal as it will help moisturize the skin. You should moisturize at least twice a day. That’s in the morning and before you go to bed. Moisturizing after bathing and before going to bed can help reduce itching. You can speak to a dermatologist if you are stuck on which moisturizer to choose.
- Minimize itching and scratching
Itching and burning can be the worst symptoms for many people with eczema and psoriasis. So if you can’t resist the urge to scratch your skin, keeping your fingernails short is good so that the scratching doesn’t lead to bleeding. Bleeding can lead to infections. That’s why you should never scratch your skin to the point that it starts to bleed.
- Wear cool, smooth-textured clothing
Avoid wearing clothes that are rough and tight since they may trigger itchiness. You should also ditch dry and scratchy bedding. Wool is known as a trigger for many people with these two skin conditions, so you avoid it as well.
- Learn how your diet plays a role in your skin condition
Eczema patients are more likely to have allergic conditions such as hay fever or asthma. This could also be true for specific food allergies. People with eczema are more likely to be sensitive to dairy products, soya, nuts, etc. So you should talk to a dermatologist about this concern. But it’s still crucial to eat a healthy balanced diet to help you manage eczema and psoriasis. You should also try and identify foods that trigger your nail psoriasis and avoid them.
- Take warm baths
It is not advisable to take hot shower baths for patients with eczema or psoriasis. Hot water can strip your skin of its moisture, leaving it dry. So whether you shower or wash your face, use lukewarm water. Do not stay in hot water for too long, too. Dermatologists recommend not taking more than 10 minutes in the shower. Then moisturize when the skin is damp to help the moisturizer penetrate deeper onto the skin and help retain it.
- Stay away from irritants.
Some irritants can irritate the skin triggering eczema or psoriasis. For instance, irritant contact dermatitis develops when an individual comes into contact with substances that directly irritate or damage the skin. Such irritants include detergents, bleach, soaps, perfumes, hair products, cold wind, etc. Once you have identified some of these irritants that damage your skin, you can ditch them.
- Manage stress
Studies have shown that stress can trigger eczema or psoriasis. Stress can worsen the symptoms of these skin conditions. That’s why you need to find ways to relax and incorporate them into your daily routine. Some top practices to manage stress include getting enough sleep, yoga, meditation, etc. All these practices can help reduce your eczema and psoriasis flare-ups and relieve symptoms.
