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One-to-One: Psoriasis in the Spring

Do you get terrible psoriasis flare-ups in the Spring? Dermatologist Dr. Doris Day has some advice for you to get out and enjoy the season.

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Transcript

00:00
With spring finally here, I can't wait to get back outside. But every year around this time, it feels like I could get
00:07
really bad flare-ups. Any advice on how I could keep my psoriasis in check as I get back out there? [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:16
This is a really important question. And yes, I'm so excited to be getting outside more again too.
00:23
But this is definitely an issue people face. So I'm glad you brought it up. And my first piece of advice for you
00:29
is to keep track of your triggers. If you feel like this time of year can cause flare-ups, why do you think that is?
00:36
And you don't need an answer right now. But having some way to track when and why flare-ups occur can go a long way towards finding solutions
00:44
that really work for you. Spring is often a time when we switch our routines. We change our wardrobe.
00:51
We do all that great, not so great, spring cleaning. This is a time to check to see if you may have any triggers related to these changes or new habits.
01:00
Although it's less common, some may find specific foods or alcohol or environmental factors or allergies can trigger their psoriasis.
01:08
And there's always the common causes to look out for. These include dryness. And in the spring weather, it isn't that humid yet.
01:16
So even though it's warmer, you might be getting drier skin than normal, especially if you're doing it right and getting outside.
01:23
So for you, I want you to add a step to your daily routine. Whenever you finish bathing, I want you to gently pat yourself dry and apply
01:31
a heavy ointment based moisturizer while your skin is still damp. If this seems to help, I want you to pick a couple more times in the day to reapply.
01:39
And per usual, keep exercising. Keep managing your stress. Healthy living is always a priority.
01:47
Also, don't be afraid to contact your doctor. There may be treatments out there that can help you control those flare-ups more effectively.
01:54
Best of luck. And enjoy your spring. [MUSIC PLAYING]

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