How to Get Glowing Skin When You Have Psoriasis.

Dr. Carolyn Jacob treats psoriasis in her patients, but she also manages her own psoriasis. Here, she spills her secrets for healthy, clear skin.

Carolyn Jacob, MD, director of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology, doesn’t just treat patients with psoriasis - she manages her own. Dr. Jacob has been living with Psoriasis since she was 14 years old.

Jacob’s psoriasis primarily affects her scalp and nails, both of which can be tough to hide. “I hated it when I had scalp involvement, which would show flakes on my clothing and itch constantly,” Jacob says.

Embarrassed about her nail psoriasis, Jacob used to paint them a color that would mask her symptoms. The National Psoriasis Foundation says that about half of all people with psoriasis will have symptoms affecting the nails, which can include changes in color, thickening of the nails, separation of the nail, and the formation of pits or holes.

An Accessible Skin Care Routine

For healthy skin, Jacob knows she has to keep her skin clear and moisturized as much as possible. 

Other daily psoriasis treatment tips that Jacob offers her patients and practices herself include:

·         Cleanse and moisturize your skin just once daily to avoid drying.
·         Use a soft cloth or your hands to lather up with cleanser; never use a loofah on skin that’s actively flaring because the rubbing and scratching could worsen symptoms.
·         If you have psoriasis on your face, Jacob advises against using harsh toners because they can be aggravating.
·         During the frigid Chicago winters, Jacob switches to a cream or moisturizing cream from a lighter lotion because it’s more hydrating for thirsty winter skin.
·         For scalp psoriasis, she recommends over-the-counter favorites like Psoriasis Cream, or those containing salicylic acid, for something stronger.

Natural supplements that show promise to Psoriasis

Limited studies show support for some natural therapies for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Among them:

Fish oil: Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which the body converts into anti-inflammatory chemicals. A study of 30 patients by researchers in Spain published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology in 2011 found that the group given two fish oil capsules daily for eight weeks showed clear improvement in their plaque psoriasis.

Curcumin: Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are both linked to systemic inflammation, and curcumin, the active ingredient in the Indian spice turmeric, has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. A study published in the January-February 2013 issue of the journal BioFactors found that curcumin works in several ways to help improve a number of inflammatory diseases.

Probiotics: A study published in January 2015 in Arthritis & Rheumatology found that people diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis had less abundant bacteria in their gut. Common products such as yogurt and some milks contain probiotics, and probiotics also are available as supplements. Scientists are still studying whether probiotics could one day become part of a psoriasis treatment. In the meantime, patients interested in probiotics should discuss the topic with their doctor. You can also read about the National Center for Biotechnology Information's research on probiotics.

Vitamin D: This is used in many effective topical treatments for psoriasis, and while we don’t know that dietary supplements of vitamin D and sunlight have the same effect, healthy levels of vitamin D are generally considered by medical doctors to be important for overall health and skin health.