13 Tips to Soothe Your Skin

Use these self-care tips to relieve symptoms of the scaling, itching, burning skin that can come with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

One of the best remedies for scaling skin is a moisturizer. Apply frequently to relieve dryness and itching and promote healing. The thicker the cream, the more moisture it will hold in. Look for products that contain ceramides, lipids or hyaluronic acid; some people prefer straight shea butter, cocoa butter or coconut oil.

Moisturize your skin from the inside out by staying well hydrated. You can tell if you are getting enough water by the color of your urine. If your urine is pale yellow or straw colored, your water intake is on target. If your urine is darker yellow, have another glass or two.

Soothe your skin and help clear lesions in the tub by adding oilated oatmeal, bath oils, Dead Sea salts, or epsom salts. Just be sure your bath water isn’t too hot – stick with cool or lukewarm soaks of about 15 minutes to help keep your skin from drying out.

Derived from coal, these topicals may help slow the overgrowth of skin cells, relieve inflammation and improve your skin’s appearance. Crude coal tar, extracts, and various scalp and skin products are available at different strengths. The seldom-used Goeckerman regimen combines coal tar and ultraviolet light therapy.

Shampoos containing salicylic acid, ketoconazole (an antifungal) and propionate (a topical steroid) can help relieve scalp psoriasis.

Ointments containing hydrocortisone, a corticosteroid, can relieve itching and reduce skin lesions. Using too much can result in unwanted side effects, so consult your doctor about how much and how often you can apply steroid creams.

Take short, warm or cool showers (or baths) to avoid drying the skin. Use gentle soaps and avoid liquid soaps, which tend to be harsher than bar soaps. After bathing, pat your skin dry with a clean towel and immediately apply your favorite moisturizer.

Doctors often prescribe phototherapy, the use of ultraviolet light to slow rapidly growing skin cells. You can get a similar effect by spending time in the sun. Talk with your doctor about how much sun exposure you should start with, and how to increase exposure over time. Be sure to protect unaffected skin with sunscreen.

Always protect unaffected skin with a high-quality, dye-free, fragrance-free sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Sun damage not only increases skin cancer risk, but it may cause your psoriasis to flare.

Trauma to your skin can cause psoriasis to flare. Wear shoes to avoid stepping on sharp objects, clip nails carefully and wear gloves when cleaning or doing yard work. Avoid bug bites by wearing protective clothing and an insect repellent without DEET, which can irritate your skin. Bug bites may not directly affect your psoriasis, but scratching itchy bites can.

Topical vitamin D creams deliver a high concentration of the active vitamin directly to the skin. Used regularly, the cream may thin psoriasis plaques. It can also be used in combination with topical corticosteroids for added benefit.

Using a humidifier in your home can help alleviate dry skin, especially in the winter. You can also put pots of water on or near your radiators or heating vents. Some people like to add essential oils for the calming or invigorating scents.

Slough the scales and flakes from your skin to ease the burning and itching. Clearing the scale will also help your lotions and ointments work better. Look for lotions with ingredients like salicylic acid, lactic acid, urea, or phenol to help soften and remove built-up skin.