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The most important thing you can do to manage psoriasis is work with a dermatologist to create a treatment plan that’s right for you. However, in addition to working with a dermatologist, you can manage psoriasis at home through self-care.

Psoriasis is often marked by flares and periods of remission. Self-care strategies may help relieve symptoms during times of psoriasis activity and extend the time in remission.

Effective self-care may supplement treatment and lead to better outcomes, as well as decrease the need for follow-up appointments.

Keep reading to learn more about self-care strategies that can help you live as comfortably as possible with psoriasis.

Soaking in a lukewarm bath can help soothe skin affected by psoriasis.

Be sure to keep these tips in mind to avoid skin irritation:

  • Limit your time in the bath to no more than 15 minutes each day.
  • Wash your skin with your hands. Avoid loofahs and washcloths, as they can irritate your skin.
  • Cleanse with a gentle soap made for sensitive skin.
  • Gently pat your skin to dry off. Leave a little water on your skin so that it’s still damp.
  • Apply a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer while your skin is still damp, which can lock in moisture and help prevent your skin from drying out.

Cleanse your skin with a gentle, fragrance-free soap made for sensitive skin.

Moisturize regularly, especially after washing areas affected by psoriasis. This may:

  • keep moisture in your skin
  • reduces redness or other color changes and itching
  • help your skin heal

As much as you can, avoid scratching skin with psoriasis. Try applying a cool compress to the area to reduce the urge to itch.

Using over-the-counter products containing menthol or camphor can also help soothe itchy skin.

Be gentle with psoriasis scales. Use medication like salicylic acid to soften scales before attempting to remove them.

Stress is a common psoriasis trigger. If you feel that your psoriasis gets worse when you’re stressed, it’s important to take steps to manage stress.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests trying relaxation techniques, such as:

In a 2019 survey conducted by the National Psoriasis Foundation, 10% of respondents said they had tried meditation to relieve psoriasis, while a little over 8% said they had turned to yoga for help.

High quality sleep may also help reduce feelings of stress.

Further, there’s some evidence that lack of sleep can make psoriasis worse. A 2022 study found that sleep deprivation may worsen symptoms of psoriasis.

At the same time, a psoriasis flare can make it harder to sleep.

The study also found that individuals with psoriasis may be more likely to have sleep disorders, such as insomnia.

Psoriasis-related pain and itchiness are often the main culprits behind sleep loss. Taking steps to manage psoriasis symptoms may, in turn, help you get better sleep.

A balanced diet and regular exercise can help improve overall physical and mental health, according to the AAD.

Diet and exercise may help prevent health conditions related to psoriasis, such as:

Healthy lifestyle habits can also lead to weight loss, which may reduce flares. This can also help your psoriasis treatment work better, which may mean that you need less medication.

People living with psoriasis may also have an increased risk of developing anxiety and depression. Following a healthy lifestyle can help support mental wellness.

If you smoke, quitting smoking can decrease the amount of flares you experience and increase the length of psoriasis remission.

Limiting alcohol can:

  • increase treatment effectiveness
  • increase remissions
  • decrease your risk of liver damage from psoriasis medications

Limiting or avoiding these habits can reduce your risk of developing other health conditions that affect the heart, blood vessels, liver, and gums.

It can also reduce the risk of developing other autoimmune diseases, like Crohn’s disease.

According to the AAD, some common triggers of psoriasis include:

  • stress
  • skin injury like a cut, scrape, or bite
  • smoking
  • alcohol use
  • cold or warm weather
  • systemic infection like earache or bronchitis

Try keeping a journal of when your psoriasis gets worse, noting what else you were doing at the time of a flare.

Once you can pinpoint your psoriasis triggers, you can take steps to avoid them. This can help you manage psoriasis flares and increase periods of remission.

Exposing skin affected by psoriasis to ultraviolet light on a regular basis through phototherapy can help slow the growth of affected skin cells.

UVB phototherapy is done under medical supervision. There are two different types of phototherapy:

  • broad band
  • narrow band

Narrow band phototherapy may clear psoriasis faster and produce longer remissions. It may also require fewer treatments.

There are also different forms of phototherapy. These include:

  • Localized units: Some units use traditional UV lamps or bulbs, while others may use LED bulbs. They’re small units used for targeting specific areas, such as the hands and feet.
  • Excimer laser: The excimer laser emits a high intensity beam of UVB for areas of the skin affected by mild to moderate psoriasis. However, there’s not enough long-term data on how long improvements will last.
  • Home treatment: If you’re interested in home treatment, you’ll be treated at a medical facility before you can begin using a light unit at home. It’s important to follow a healthcare professional’s instructions and continue with regular checkups when doing phototherapy at home.

All phototherapy, including home treatment, requires a prescription. Talk with your doctor about phototherapy. They’ll be able to take your individual needs into consideration when deciding on a treatment plan.

In addition to following your treatment plan, taking additional steps to manage psoriasis can help alleviate symptoms, decrease the frequency and severity of flares, and lengthen periods of remission.

Following a psoriasis-friendly lifestyle can also improve your overall mental and physical well-being.

Some self-care methods that may help you manage your psoriasis include limiting alcohol and nicotine use, adopting healthy eating habits, exercising regularly, and managing stress.