All posts tagged: psoriasis

Does Working Out Help Psoriasis or Make It Worse?

Does Working Out Help Psoriasis or Make It Worse?

Published by Jenni Sidey

If you have psoriasis, you probably know that it’s an inflammatory condition. And if you exercise regularly—say, by sweating it out in a HIIT class or lifting heavy weights—you might be scratching your head, perhaps literally and figuratively, wondering if the acute inflammation from these workouts is sending your system into overdrive. We asked dermatologists to see if your workouts of choice can either help or hurt psoriasis, and how to adjust your routine to avoid exacerbating flares. Can you safely exercise with psoriasis? The good news: You don’t have to choose between your skin and your six-pack. Exercising isn’t just safe for most people with psoriasis; it’s encouraged. According to Sandra Oska, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, consistent exercise helps to reduce systemic inflammation. “Exercise can help lower pro-inflammatory cytokine activity,” she says, including TNF-alpha and IL-6, “both of which are relevant to the inflammatory cascade in psoriasis.” In addition, exercise helps improve metabolic factors—including insulin sensitivity and visceral fat—associated with psoriasis. “Higher BMI and higher body fat are associated with greater …

Sarah Pidgeon Says Carolyn Wardrobe Gave Her Psoriasis

Sarah Pidgeon Says Carolyn Wardrobe Gave Her Psoriasis

Published by Daniella Wilson

Sarah Pidgeon is opening up about how playing Carolyn Bessette Kennedy wasn’t always as glamorous as it looked. During a recent Beauty Secrets video for Vogue, Pidgeon revealed she developed a skin condition while filming the record-breaking Disney+ and Hulu show Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette last summer. Filming in Hyannis, Massachusetts — where the Kennedy Compound is located — Pidgeon said she wore heavy clothing despite it being hot weather. “When we were shooting Love Story, we were out in Hyannis and I was wearing a cashmere turtleneck and jeans,” Pidgeon said. “I got a heat rash because it was like 90 degrees outside, and then that turned into psoriasis all over my body.” She then showed a patch on her arm. “I get it on my chest, get it on my tummy. It’s really everywhere,” Pidgeon said. “It comes in waves, it’ll go away, and you can always cover it up.” According to the Mayo Clinic, Psoriasis is a long-term disease that causes itchy, scaly patches on the skin. It …

9 Tips for Guys with Psoriasis and Other Skin Conditions

9 Tips for Guys with Psoriasis and Other Skin Conditions

Published by Jenni Sidey

7) Easy Does It Skip the scalding water. Prioritize lukewarm H2O instead, as Dr. Miller warns that hot showers worsen all three conditions. When it’s time to towel off, pat (rather than rub) yourself dry. “Friction alone can trigger irritation or breakdown of the skin barrier,” he says. 8) Scale Things Back During a Flare “Across all three conditions, the biggest mistake I see is overcomplicating routines,” says Dr. Miller. When you’re in the thick of inflammation, pare things down and stick to a simple skincare routine: a cleanser, your prescribed treatment (if you have one), moisturizer, and SPF in the daytime. Dr. Miller also advises against using exfoliants, retinoids, and new products, all of which can make a bad situation worse. The one exception to this rule is if you have psoriasis. “If tolerated, keratolytic ingredients like salicylic acid can help remove surface scales,” he says. 9) Consult a Derm While the tips and tricks above can reduce flare-ups, make your skin feel more comfortable, and improve your appearance, know when it’s time to …

What to Eat (and Avoid) for Psoriasis Relief, According to Experts

What to Eat (and Avoid) for Psoriasis Relief, According to Experts

Published by Jenni Sidey

Psoriasis is more than just itchy skin that won’t cooperate. It’s a condition driven by an overactive immune response beneath the surface. “Under the skin plaques, in addition to intense inflammation, there is also angiogenesis, or the abnormal growth of blood vessels,” says William Li, MD, physician, scientist, and author of Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself. “These new blood vessels deliver even more inflammatory cells and cytokines to the skin, making the lesions and symptoms worse in a vicious cycle.” Medical treatments for psoriasis are designed to target those pathways, and it turns out that certain foods can also impact them—for better or worse. There’s no miracle diet that can make psoriasis disappear. But what you put on your plate could dial down inflammation or rev up the intensity or frequency of your flares. Ahead, discover what’s worth eating and limiting to help keep them in check. The best foods for psoriasis The dietary pattern with the strongest evidence behind it hails from across the Atlantic. …

From eczema to psoriasis: what’s really causing your itchy skin – and how to fix it

From eczema to psoriasis: what’s really causing your itchy skin – and how to fix it

Published by Daniella Wilson

It’s easy to brush off an itch as something minor, but the truth is it can really take a toll on your quality of life – especially when it becomes a chronic issue with no end in sight.  The first step is getting to the bottom of what’s causing your itching, but from there you can look into how to solve it – and that doesn’t necessarily mean medication.  A pharmacist told us about some sure-fire natural treatments to try, including tried-and-tested home remedies that aren’t just myths. According to pharmacist Pilar Pérez, pruritus (the medical term for chronic itching) can be triggered by a variety of factors, ranging from simple surface irritation to more complex internal health issues – but thankfully, there are remedies that can help. The expert highlights the following common culprits of chronic itching: Dry skin (xerosis): Often the simplest and most common cause. Atopic eczema: A long-term inflammatory condition that leads to dry, irritated skin and intense itching. Psoriasis: An autoimmune condition that results in itchy, scaly patches (plaques) on the …