Living with psoriasis is a constant battle. Imagine waking up to your skin covered in red patches and scaling spots and dealing with stiff, swollen joints. And it doesn’t stop there; these patches are itchy and burn, but you can’t scratch them as it worsens the condition. This painful experience leaves you uncomfortable.
Apart from the blemishes, this condition affects your emotional well-being. A look at the mirror reminds you of it every time, and sometimes, negative thoughts of how your friends will react to it grip you. It hurts your self-esteem and confidence, which makes finding an effective treatment crucial.
For psoriasis patients, psoriasis creams designed to manage the condition can be a huge relief. These creams soothe the skin, relieving the inflammation and itching and easing discomfort.
Wondering what psoriasis is all about and how does this miraculous cream work? We’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Keep reading to discover.
What is Psoriasis?
Irritating skin with red patches probably comes to mind whenever psoriasis is mentioned. Although it’s exactly the case, psoriasis is more than that. It’s a chronic autoimmune disease that affects your physical and emotional well-being.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), psoriasis results from the rapid growth of skin cells due to faulty signals relayed by the immune system. This leads to the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy skin cells. Consequently, the skin surface becomes filled with excess skin cells, characterized by flare-ups that usually appear as red patches covered with silvery-white scales.
The symptoms range from red patchy rashes, dry and cracked skin, dandruff-like scaling, itching, sorned and burning sensation, and swollen and stiff joints to ridged nails, and can occur anywhere on your body, from scalp to elbows and knees. It even occurs in sensitive areas like eyelids, thighs, genital areas, and between butts.
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What Causes Psoriasis
The exact cause of psoriasis isn’t fully known, but it is believed to be caused mainly by genetics, environment, and immune system dysfunction. However, various types of psoriasis, including nail, plaque, inverse, guttate, erythrodermic, and pustular, appear differently on the skin with unique symptoms. One or more symptoms could be based on the type or severity of the condition.
1. Genetic Factors
Psoriasis is mostly passed down the bloodline. If psoriasis runs in your family, it’s not a direct ticket to the condition, but it means you are more vulnerable.
2. Environmental Influences
Most people with psoriasis genes live freely for many years. However, this could change when environmental or external factors trigger psoriasis. Factors such as cold weather, smoking, drinking alcohol, stress, vaccination, and dry skin are known to cause psoriasis flare-ups.
3. Immune System Dysfunction
An abnormal immune system functionality could lead to inflammation and rapid skin cell production, which plays a role in psoriasis development. Additionally, poor immunity could cause other health problems such as vitiligo, alopecia, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Can Cream Help in Treating Psoriasis?
Psoriasis creams are a perfect topical option for managing psoriasis and are available over-the-counter (OTC), meaning you don’t need a prescription.
What makes them effective? They are designed with beneficial ingredients that improve the skin’s moisture retention, strengthen skin batteries, and exfoliate it, making it stronger and healthier.
By targeting the symptoms of psoriasis, the creams reduce inflammation and slow down skin cell growth, which helps relieve the itchiness and burning sensations and keep them manageable.
There are various creams for a successful psoriasis treatment to suit the different psoriasis types. They include:
- Anti-Itch Psoriasis Cream
Anti-itching psoriasis creams infuse methanol, hydrocortisone, camphor, and calamine that help relieve the Itching.
- Moisturizers
Adequate skin hydration with cream is at the core of psoriasis treatment. Using moisturizers regularly helps hydrate the skin, which clears and reinforces the skin barrier.
- Corticosteroid Creams
Corticosteroid creams are perfect for relieving inflammation in psoriasis. However, it should be used sparingly and in weaker concentration, especially when applied to sensitive areas like the face.
- Salicylic Acid Creams
Salicylic acid creams are rich in exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties that help eliminate skin blemishes. It should be applied in affected areas after a warm shower or bath without excess use to avoid irritating the skin.
- Coal Tar
Dermatologists recommend coal tar creams for easing scaling, Itching, redness, and swelling common with psoriasis patients. However, follow the recommended dosage to avoid skin irritation.
For severe cases of psoriasis, you’ll need a prescription for more powerful creams. These medicines need proper care to avoid being used in sensitive areas. Stronger creams include corticosteroid creams, tazarotene creams, anthralin creams, Vitamin D analogues, Calcineurin inhibitors, etc.
Conclusion
Psoriasis is a crippling chronic condition that lowers the quality of life. Fortunately, there are many treatment options including moisturizers, creams, therapies and medications. Creams being prescription-free and easily available are a great way to manage this condition and relieve the pain and discomfort that accompanies it.
With a good understanding of psoriasis, you are at the best place to manage it and follow through with the treatment. Combine these treatment options with other remedies like phototherapy for the best results. Additionally, managing flare-ups effectively and avoiding future recurrence by making lifestyle adjustments is important. Be sure to avoid potential tigers, and start a practical skincare routine.
As usual, it’s avoidable to talk to your healthcare provider before using any cream for psoriasis treatment to minimize the side effects and optimize results.
