Back toUpdated on October 22, 2024
Ask a coach about winter-weather care for psoriasis.
Transcript
Hi, Dr. Day. So I've been experiencing mixed results with my psoriasis treatments, and I find it especially difficult to prevent outbreaks
during the winter months. Do you have any advice for me? [MUSIC PLAYING] This is a great question and one that I know a lot of people
need help with, because there's a lot of evidence that shows winter weather can aggravate psoriasis symptoms. So first, it's important to know what about winter weather
is so pernicious. And it comes down to a few factors. It's cold, and it's dry. This means in the winter we need to wear layers
and our skin gets dried out because of that. And there's a lot of variance as to when flare-ups happen for different people, but these factors
tend to be important-- what the skin makes contact with and how dry it is. So with those in mind, what can we
do to battle through those winter months? Well, for starters, you can wear some soft clothing. Try to avoid straps, belts, man-made fibers,
or tight clothing if you find these cause flare-ups. Keeping track of which fabrics might aggravate your psoriasis
may make a big difference. And I know we all like to be bundled up because of the cold, so just make sure that you're bundling
in something that your skin also likes, and to take wet clothing off as soon as you can when you come in from the cold.
Next, we're working to stay moisturized. So-- you guessed it-- moisturize. And one thing I want you to keep in mind--
not all moisturizers are created equally, especially when it comes to taking care of your unique skin.
So if you have products that you already love, that's great. And if you don't, it's a good time to experiment.
What we generally want is something unscented and heavy. A lot of times lotions are not the way to go,
so think ointments and creams. And don't be afraid to break out the big stuff like petroleum jelly. It's winter we're talking about here.
Along the same lines, owning a humidifier is a great way to keep the air in your home less dry, meaning your skin
can get a bit more moisture and won't suffer as much because of the weather. So if you don't own one, think about getting one.
And if you do, use it. They really do allow the skin to absorb more moisture throughout the day and especially
while you sleep at night. Finally, don't stop those things you normally do to keep your psoriasis under control.
I know I can get a little lax about my healthy habits during the colder winter months, but with psoriasis that can mean more flare-ups, like in your case.
And those can add to stress, which may make you want to rely on unhealthy habits, which creates a negative cycle.
So definitely be sure to take care of yourself. And as always, don't hesitate to reach out to your health care
professional to see if there are other treatments that may work better for you. Thanks again for your question, and best of luck to you.
