The key to combating psoriasis is proper disease management. Psoriasis is a chronic condition that waxes and wanes. Moisturizers play an integral role in safely managing the main symptoms of psoriasis.
Aim of Management
Psoriasis is considered to be a chronic condition for which there is no definitive cure. Long-term management requires that treatment measures can be carried out in the long-term, safely, and conveniently.
One important factor to consider is that most psoriasis cases are considered mild, affecting less than 3% of the body’s surface. Symptom management is usually straightforward in these mild cases. In managing mild psoriasis, the primary goals are:
- Reduce itching.
- Reduce skin shedding or scaling.
- Improve the visual appearance of plaques, particularly if visible areas of the skin are affected.
- Management strategies should be safe for long-term use.
Moisturizers help control psoriasis symptoms:
- Moisturizers strengthen the skin’s barrier function and provide it added protection.
- Moisturizers remove excess scaling that occurs in psoriasis and reduces the chances of cracked skin.
- Noticeable improvement can be seen if the lesions are moisturized. This effect can last for several hours.
- Moisturizers can help quell itching.
- Regular moisturizing can minimize the chances of psoriasis flares.
- Moisturized skin feels better, especially in the affected areas of the skin, which are typically dry.
Moisturizers are safe and reliable for daily use:
- Moisturizers do not contain any drugs which have harmful interactions.
- Moisturizers can be used daily.
- Moisturizers do not lose effectiveness over time, as some medications do.
- Moisturizers interact well with other topical treatments for psoriasis.
- Moisturizers prepare the skin better to absorb other topical treatments.