What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a common skin condition which may occur in both children and adults, and tends to continue throughout life. Many people with psoriasis have a skin rash, which can affect any area of the face or body skin. Psoriasis can also affect specific sites of the body including the scalp, nails or genital area. Although there is no cure for psoriasis, there are many available treatments which aim to control the condition and help to improve patients’ experience of living with psoriasis.
An overview of psoriasis can be found here:
https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/psoriasis-an-overview/
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General advice for managing your skin
If you have eczema or psoriasis, it is very important to find a moisturiser that you like to use, and make a commitment to using it every day. This will help to strengthen the natural barrier that your skin provides to the outside world. Moisturisers are also known as ‘emollients’ and are available in many different forms, such as gels, creams, ointments and lotions. The right moisturiser for you is often found by trying different types and products until you find something you find helpful.
It is important to note that some moisturisers can be flammable and therefore pose a fire risk, especially if moisturiser soaks into your clothing after application. It is important to check the packaging of your moisturiser and avoid any exposure to naked flames (such as candles) or smoking cigarettes after you have applied moisturiser.
Moisturisers can be used to:
- Relieve symptoms of itch and discomfort
- Reduce skin dryness
- Reduce skin scaling and crusting
- Improve your skin’s natural barrier
- Reduce the risk of flare-ups of your condition
Resources
Leaflet: what are moisturisers and emollients? (Source: Dermnet.nz)
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/emollients-and-moisturisers
Leaflet: using a moisturiser (or ‘emollient’) in skin conditions
https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/emollient-use-in-skin-conditions/
Leaflet: how to care for your hands
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Understanding steroid creams and ointments
Steroids for application onto the skin is usually found in either a cream or an ointment form.
The strength of steroid cream or ointment will be either ‘super potent’ (very strong), ‘potent’ (strong), ‘moderately potent’ (medium strength) or ‘mildly potent’ (weak).
The size of the tube of steroid cream or ointment is usually either 30 gram size or 100 gram size.
It is important to become familiar with how to apply steroid to your skin and how to select the right steroid to treat your skin. If you need to use steroid creams or ointments, your Dermatologist should have given a guide for you on which treatment to select when you have a flare or when you need to maintain good control of your skin.
Resources
A guide to understanding different strengths of steroid cream is found here:
https://gmmmg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GM-Steroid-Ladder.pdf
(Greater Manchester Medicines Management Group)
Topical treatments for psoriasis may include creams, ointments, lotions or gels. A wide range of treatments are available, many of which can be found on prescription from your GP. A summary of available treatments can be found here:
https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/psoriasis-topical-treatments/
More information on the safe use of corticosteroid creams and ointments in psoriasis can be found here:
https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/topical-corticosteroids/
Topical calcineurin inhibitors are used in psoriasis for specific sites, such as the face. These will be discussed with you during your Dermatology appointment if they are felt to be suitable. More information on this can be found here:
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Patient support groups for patients with psoriasis
Patient support groups for patients with psoriasis
The Psoriasis Association
Dick Coles House
2 Queensbridge
Northampton, NN4 7BF
Tel: 0845 676 0076
Web: www.psoriasis-association.org.ukPsoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance (PAPAA)
3 Horseshoe Business Park
Lye Lane
Bricket Wood
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL2 3TA
Tel: 01923 672837
Web: www.papaa.org