Psoriasis: Skin, Scalp, and Nail Care

How can you protect your skin, scalp, and nails?

Caring for your skin

If you have psoriasis, your skin is very sensitive. Here are some tips you can try to help protect your skin and keep it moist.

• Avoid harsh skin-care products that can irritate your skin. Use a mild soap instead of deodorant soaps or other harsh soaps.
• Use moisturizers after bathing. Oil-based moisturizers work better than water-based lotions. Look for products that contain glycerin, mineral oil, petrolatum, or shea butter. Avoid products that contain alcohol. They can dry the skin and make psoriasis worse.
• Take baths or soaks once a day. This replaces skin moisture that may be lost due to cold, dry climates or to medicines that dry the skin. You will benefit most by applying an ointment, cream, or lotion while your skin is still damp to seal in moisture. Otherwise, when the water evaporates, it will make your skin even drier. Adding bath oils to your bath water can also help, but this can make the tub slippery. If you add oils to your bath water, be very careful.
• Try occlusion therapy. This therapy involves applying creams or lotions, then wrapping the area with fabric or plastic to keep the skin moist.
• Be careful in the sun. Short periods of sun exposure reduce psoriasis in most people. But too much sun exposure can damage the skin and cause skin cancer. And sunburns can trigger flares of psoriasis.
• Prevent skin injury. Don't scratch and pick your skin or cuts and scrapes. An injury to the skin can cause psoriasis patches to form anywhere on the body, including the site of the injury. This includes injuries to your nails or nearby skin while trimming your nails. Tight shoes, clothing, watchbands, and hats can also irritate the skin.
• Use a home humidifier to increase moisture in the air. Follow the directions for cleaning the machine.
• If your doctor prescribes medicine, use it exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.

Caring for your scalp

Here are some tips you can try to help protect your scalp.

• Do not dig, scratch, or pick at your scalp.
• Use a shampoo that contains salicylic acid.
• Shampoo as often as needed to control scaling and allow medicines to reach the scalp. Work shampoo into a lather, and let it stay on for at least 5 to 10 minutes before you rinse it out.
• If your doctor prescribes medicine, use it exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.

Caring for your nails

Here are some tips you can try to protect your nails.

• Soak them before trimming.
• Trim them short and file the edges smooth to avoid injuring them or scratching yourself. Avoid excessive cleaning under the nail, because it may promote psoriasis scale buildup.
• Do not cut, tear, or bite the skin around your nails (cuticles).
• Use colorless nail polish to protect your nails.
• Wear gloves when working with your hands.
• Be safe with medicines. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Contact your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.