Sun kissed: living with psoriasis

I will be looking for psoriasis treatment tips from the internet, magazines and from people stopping by and leaving their comments.

I found these video clips on Psoriasis

Start with this article on Psoriasis from the Federal Citizen Information Center. One of the best places to get info.

Federal Citizen Information Center

Below are two articles from News Canada that I thought were good. And at the Bottom of the page are 5 more Articles on Psoriasis. And at the Bottom are 6 more articles!!!

(NC)-When shorts are being pulled out of closets and swimming pools are opening up, most Canadians are rejoicing. Summer is upon us.

But, enjoying the warm weather comes at a price for the nearly one million Canadians with psoriasis [pronounced 'sore-EYE-ah-sis']. Canadians with psoriasis often avoid summer clothing and water activities due to the appearance of their skin.

Psoriasis occurs when faulty signals in the immune system cause skin cells to grow too quickly every three to four days instead of the usual 30-day cycle. Extra skin cells build-up on the skin's surface. They then form red, flaky and scaly patches that are often itchy and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, psoriasis is highly visible and can appear anywhere on the body - and most commonly on the joints, limbs and scalp.

"Too many people with psoriasis feel they have to cover-up their condition," says dermatologist Dr. Norman Wasel. "Rather than feeling the warm sun and gentle breezes on bare skin, many of my patients are hiding in pants and long sleeve shirts because they are embarrassed about their condition."

Tips that can make summer more fun, and more tolerable, for psoriasis-sensitive skin:

Avoid sunburns - Moderate sun exposure can actually help psoriasis symptoms, but skin trauma such as sunburns can be a trigger for psoriasis. So limit your time in the sun, apply SPF 30 sunscreen faithfully, and enjoy the sun responsibly.

Be careful about combining sunlight and medication - Psoriasis sufferers should consult their doctors about sun exposure, particularly if they have been undergoing phototherapy. Some of the medications used in phototherapy may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, resulting in painful sunburns, or even an increased risk of skin cancer.

Moisturize! - Being in the sun all day can dry your skin. The use of a good-quality emollient in a cream form will keep skin moist, reduce itching and cracking, and soothe scaly plaques.

Wear loose, light, comfortable clothing - Tight, ill-fitting clothing or shoes can irritate skin and aggravate psoriasis symptoms. Choose cool, loose clothing in soft natural fibers, such as cotton, and comfortable shoes or sandals loose enough to accommodate minor foot swelling in hot weather.

Talk to your doctor about new treatment options - There are many different treatments for psoriasis. A new class of treatments are available that work with the body to treat the condition and keep the symptoms at bay. One of the newest therapies is called Raptiva and unlike conventional therapies it can be administered at home and will offer continuous control of psoriasis symptoms.

Be sensible about nutrition, alcohol and smoking - Remember that a healthy lifestyle is important to keep your psoriasis symptoms under control. So eat sensibly, limit your intake of alcohol, and try to quit smoking. Your body, and your psoriasis, will be better for it!

More psoriasis information is available online at www.psoriasisinfo.ca.

- News Canada

Let me know if this video was a help to you...

Top Five Psoriasis Myths

1. Myth: Psoriasis is contagious.

Fact: Psoriasis is not contagious. It is a life-long, immune mediated skin disease.

2. Myth: Psoriasis is caused by poor hygiene.

Fact: There is no link between hygiene and psoriasis. Psoriasis is a disease that no amount of washing or scrubbing can remove the scaly areas, or ensure they don't come back.

3. Myth: Psoriasis is just an annoying skin rash.

Fact: Once thought to be a skin condition, research has shown that psoriasis is actually a disease of the immune system that causes abnormal growth in skin cells.

4. Myth: Psoriasis can be cured.

Fact: Psoriasis is a chronic disease for which there is currently no cure. Once symptoms appear, patients have psoriasis for life.

5. Myth: Psoriasis only affects patients physically.

Fact: There is a significant emotional impact experienced by psoriasis sufferers including feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, anger, frustration and even depression.

- News Canada

Tips on Psoriasis

While there's no cure, there are many treatments
With out over scrubing you want to keep the affected areas clean. You see bacteria can get into the scales of psoriasis. Choose a mild body wash. For shampoos try using a tar-based product.