6 tips to weather the winter with psoriasis

Winter isn’t a time for people suffering from psoriasis. Cold winds, low humidity and less sunlight because of shorter days can cause psoriasis to flare up at this time of year.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder characterized by skin cells that multiply five times faster than normal. The skin over the dead skin cells doesn’t have enough time to sluff off, so people are left with red, scaly, itchy spots on their body.

Here are six tips for keeping psoriasis under control in the winter from Nick Grimm, PA-C, who offers dermatology services with Plastic Surgery & Skin Specialists by BayCare Clinic.

• Take shorter, tepid showers (the hotter the water, the more skin oils are stripped away)
• Avoid using soap all over the body
• Use an indoor humidifier
• Use fragrance-free products
• Use moisturizers with a synthetic ceramide, which this seals moisture into the skin, especially after a bath or shower
• Cover your face in the wind or cold

If you think you have psoriasis, set up an appointment with a dermatology services provider.

“Early diagnosis is very important in psoriasis,” Grimm says. “We want to make sure we’re not missing skin cancer and that the patient is being educated on what they have.”

To request an appointment for dermatology services at Plastic Surgery & Skin Specialists by BayCare Clinic, please use our online form or call 920-288-8240.

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