ReadOns.com | Discover New Blogs Daily

10 healthy habits that help with psoriasis management

Taking care of one’s overall health can ensure a wholesome life. However, various factors, such as age and genetics, can possibly trigger health complications, affecting one’s quality of life. Psoriasis is one such skin condition that causes a rash with scaly, itchy patches commonly noticed on the elbows, knees, trunk, and scalp. While there are treatments to manage psoriasis, one can also try these daily habits to reduce flare-ups.

Shower daily
One of the leading causes of psoriasis flare-ups is the lack of proper daily hygiene. Therefore, one needs to follow habits such as taking daily baths to keep the symptoms of the skin condition at bay. In the shower, they must gently wash rather than scrub their skin. One must also use lukewarm water and mild soaps with added oils or fats to ensure skin nourishment. Other ways to manage psoriasis during a bath include soaking the skin in bathwater enriched with Epsom salts or oatmeal.

Moisturize the skin
Psoriasis can flare up when the skin is dry. So an individual with the condition should apply moisturizer regularly to keep their skin moist. They must do this, especially after bathing, by gently pat drying the skin and applying the product while the skin is still moist. Extremely dry skin may require oils or heavy ointment-based products to maintain moisture levels. These options stay on the skin for longer than regular creams or lotions. Furthermore, if moisturizing helps improve the skin, the individual should use the product more than once daily. If the air where the individual resides is dry, they must use a humidifier to increase the moisture in the atmosphere at home.

Cover the affected regions at night
Another healthy habit to follow at home that may help manage and improve psoriasis is covering the affected regions before bed. One can wrap the affected area with a plastic sheet after applying the moisturizer to the skin. The wrap can be removed in the morning. One can also wash away any scales and repeat the process every night.

Expose the skin to sunlight
Exposure to small amounts of sunlight regularly can also complement skin health. The process, known as heliotherapy, can help fight psoriasis and reduce its symptoms. One should log their time in the sun and protect the unaffected skin with a hat, sunscreen (SPF of at least 30), or clothing. Excessive amounts of sunlight may trigger or worsen outbreaks and put one at risk of skin cancer. Therefore, the individual should consult with an expert about the ideal amount of time to spend outdoors.

Refrain from scratching
Psoriasis can lead to multiple symptoms that may compel one to scratch the affected skin. However, the act may lead to flare-ups and worsen the existing condition. Therefore, one needs to avoid scratching the skin affected by psoriasis. One can always speak to an expert about applying ointments or anti-itch creams that can ease the urge to itch. If psoriasis has affected the scalp, the individual can look for shampoos with coal tar that provide a soothing effect. Furthermore, keeping the nails trimmed can also help, as it won’t hurt if the individual subconsciously scratches their skin.

Keep the body cool
Hotter temperatures are one the most common factors that contribute to psoriasis. So one should look for ways to keep their body cool in such climatic conditions. They should wear light clothing before going outside on a hot day to avoid feeling too hot. Using air conditioning can also help beat the heat on hotter days. Moreover, one can also press ice packs against the affected regions of the skin to bring down psoriasis flare-ups. Cooling the moisturizer in the refrigerator before the application can offer a cooling effect that helps with skin management.

Try stress reduction techniques
While the research isn’t conclusive, experts have seen potential links between stress and psoriasis flare-ups. The immune system of people with skin conditions releases excessive chemicals, usually released during an infection or injury, which can increase stress. Therefore, one should speak to an expert about managing the mental health phenomenon. A few stress-relieving methods include simple exercises, yoga, and spending time doing things the individual enjoys.

Follow a healthy lifestyle
One of the best habits to reduce the effect of psoriasis is to follow a healthy lifestyle. A few changes one should make to their lifestyle include eating foods that can improve their overall health and getting sufficient exercise regularly. However, one must speak to an expert before changing meal regimes or workout routines. It can prevent any underlying complications from trying these lifestyle changes. Part of following a healthy lifestyle also includes avoiding meal choices that can worsen psoriasis, such as foods rich in sugars, gluten, saturated and trans fats, and even certain dairy products.

Make regular healthcare appointments
Another healthy habit to prevent skin conditions like psoriasis is to make regular healthcare appointments. Even if an individual has no underlying symptoms, a professional can help identify potential health complications early and offer respective treatments. One should ask the expert about any doubts regarding their condition and set future appointments. Moreover, they must visit the professional immediately if they notice sudden changes in their skin condition.

Prevent skin injuries
People with psoriasis are more prone to lesions and flare up if they suffer from injuries. This effect is known as the Koebner phenomenon. And while it isn’t possible to altogether avoid skin injuries, one should take all measures to limit their occurrence. A few ways to steer clear of harm include:

Avoiding tattoos or piercings
Taking additional care while cutting nails or shaving
Staying cautious during food preparations

Other things to remember to avoid injuries are to protect the skin against insect bites, wear gloves while gardening, and avoid indulging in high-intensity sports like soccer, hockey, and football.

Popular Reads

11 useful tips for anxiety management

Nearly 84% of participants in a particular mental health survey were said to have some form of anxiety. The severity of symptoms did vary from person to person, but the fact remains that we live in a world where almost everything is a potential trigger for anxiety. And living in denial about having a psychological trigger only worsens the problem. Luckily, it is possible to manage anxiety by following the suggestions recommended by experts. Identify the triggers Anxiety is mainly triggered due to an event or episode where one finds themselves in a difficult position. It could be something that puts a person out of their comfort zone. Doctors advise people to identify these triggers and avoid them. Any comment, action, or situation that did not work out in favor triggers anxiety. So, make a list of such events and instances and ignore them the next time something happens related to that event. At the same time, try to remain positive as it can help strengthen the mind to manage anxiety better. Keep busy Distraction is one of the simplest ways to prevent a panic or anxiety attack. You can perform simple chores or indulge in a favorite task to stay physically and mentally occupied for a few hours. When the mind is occupied, there is hardly any scope for negative thoughts to trigger unnecessary overthinking. Some creative activities to boost cognitive performance include taking a walk, painting, drawing, listening to music, meditating, praying, and reading. You can opt for any of these to stay busy. Try mindfulness techniques Deep breathing and mindfulness techniques have helped thousands overcome their fear or anxiety time and again. Focused deep breathing is a method where one inhales for four counts and exhales for the same duration; this is practiced for minutes. It helps lower heart rate, which, in turn, calms the mind and body.

Atrial fibrillation – Causes, symptoms, and management tips

The human heart is susceptible to several health complications, including atrial fibrillation (AFib). The condition is the most common type of treated heart arrhythmia, which is a term describing when the heart beats unusually slowly, fast, or irregularly. AFib is estimated to affect between 2.7 million to 6.1 million individuals in the country. An individual with the complication experiences irregular beating in the heart’s upper chambers, affecting blood flow, leading to health complications. Causes Irregularities in the structure of the heart are the most common cause of atrial fibrillation. Sometimes people may develop the condition without any known heart damage or problems. Risk factors like age may also contribute to the development of atrial fibrillation. Other potential causes of the phenomenon include a heart attack, sick sinus syndrome – issues with the heart’s natural pacemaker, coronary artery disease, congenital heart defect – A heart defect that an individual might be born with, high blood pressure, lung diseases, heart valve problems, use of stimulants, including certain prescriptions and caffeine, physical stress caused due to pneumonia, other illnesses, and also surgery, sleep apnea, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), metabolic imbalances, viral infections, and complications due to earlier heart surgery. Symptoms A person who develops atrial fibrillation may not notice symptoms, and the condition is detected only after a physical examination. But some people experience signs and symptoms before a diagnosis. A few common symptoms of AFib include being unable to exercise to one’s full potential, feelings of weakness, throbbing pain in the chest, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations and sensations of a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat, and feeling extremely fatigued. Therefore, the symptoms of atrial fibrillation differ from one person to the other. Occasional symptoms (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) Here, a person may experience something that lasts from a few minutes to a couple of hours.

Macular degeneration – Types, causes, and remedies

Macular degeneration is a condition that affects a person’s vision and develops as people age. This progressive eye disorder involves the deterioration of the macula, which is a part of the eye’s retina. It is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults and may develop in one or both eyes. This condition is of two main types – dry and wet. Read further to learn about the disorder, its causes, and its types. Dry macular degeneration People are more likely to have dry macular degeneration than wet form. It is also less severe and develops when tiny yellow protein deposits under the macula. These deposits dry and thin the macula, causing gradual central vision loss while the peripheral vision remains intact. In the advanced stages, the dry form can progress to the wet form. People with dry macular degeneration need to test their eyes daily at home using an Amsler grid. One must consult a health expert immediately if any vision changes are observed. Wet macular degeneration In this condition, the blood vessels grow beneath the retina and macula and cause blood and fluid to leak into the retina. This build-up of fluid results in scarring, leading to permanent loss of central vision. The wet form can cause a sudden change in eyesight resulting in a severe loss of centralized vision when left untreated. People with wet macular degeneration may require repeated treatments. Symptoms Macular degeneration may not cause any symptoms during the early stages. However, as the condition progresses, it can cause distortion and blurry vision. It can result in difficulty reading, driving, and identifying colors. Macular degeneration occurs mainly in people aged over 50. Blurred vision Dark, blurry areas appear in the center of the vision, leading to increased blurriness in reading printed words. Visual distortion The person may experience visual distortions, such as straight lines that look wavy or crooked, and objects may appear distorted.