The 6 Best, All-Natural Ways To Calm Psoriasis Without Medication

So, it's happened again. The red, flaky patches have started to pop up on your skin, and you're feeling itchier than ever. You want to scratch, but you know you shouldn't. You've been there, done that, and it's only made things worse.

But you definitely don't want to rely on medication to get you through the next few months, as you know it can come with some pretty unpleasant side effects. So what's a person living with psoriasis to do?

Luckily, there are natural options that can help relieve your symptoms and get your skin back to its happy place. And in this article, we'll explore some of the best ways to calm psoriasis without medication. But first, let's take a quick look at what psoriasis is and what causes it.

What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that initially manifests as excessively dry and flakey skin but soon progresses into forming red, flakey, and crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales. While it's often worse in areas like the elbows, knees, scalp, and back, psoriasis can occur anywhere, including the face and even eyes.

This condition occurs when the skin cells turn over at an accelerated rate, causing them to build up too thickly on the skin's surface instead of being shed normally. It typically takes about a month for new skin cells to form, mature, and push old ones to the surface of the skin, where they eventually flake off. In people with psoriasis, however, this process can occur in just a few days, resulting in the build-up of excess skin cells.

What's more, psoriasis is considered to be an autoimmune condition mediated by T-lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell that plays a role in the body's immune response. In other words, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, which leads to inflammation and the faster turnover of skin cells as our system tries to get rid of the "invaders." 

This inflammatory condition affects millions of people worldwide, and it’s assumed that 2-3% of the total population has psoriasis, according to the World Psoriasis Day consortium. Psoriasis has genetic predisposition components to it, which means it very often runs in families.

2-3% of the total global population has psoriasis.

Psoriasis can also be caused by external factors such as injury in the form of mechanical, chemical, and radiational trauma, as well as internal factors like psychological stress, alcohol, smoking, obesity, and health issues like hypocalcemia, a condition that happens when the levels of calcium in blood are too low.

The 6 Best Natural Ways To Calm Psoriasis

Psoriasis is usually kept under control through a variety of treatments that are determined based on the type and severity of the condition. Those struggling with psoriasis are usually given topical steroid creams or systemic medication that can be oral or injected and works throughout the entire body.

While these can help control psoriasis, they also come with a long list of side effects that can sometimes be worse than the condition itself, including skin thinning and bruising, liver damage, an increased risk of infections, and steroid withdrawal symptoms, which is a rather serious condition that mimics psoriasis but it's actually caused by discontinuing the use of topical steroids.

For these reasons, many people opt for more natural methods to soothe and calm their psoriasis without having to suffer through the side effects of medication. Here are some of the best ways to calm psoriasis naturally:

1. Avoid Fragrance in Cosmetic Products

Fragrance in skincare, haircare, body care, and even makeup products can be extremely irritating and can trigger psoriasis flare-ups, alongside other inflammatory conditions such as dermatitis. So, if you're struggling with this condition, make sure to always read through the ingredients list of any cosmetic product before making your purchase, and avoid anything that has the word "fragrance" or "parfum" listed as one of the ingredients.

2. Apply Olive Oil to Your Skin

Olive oil is a great natural moisturizer that can soothe the skin and soften the scales caused by psoriasis. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the redness and itchiness associated with this condition. It can be applied on the scalp, elbows, knees, and even throughout other areas of the face and body where the condition is present. It can also be used for full-body soaks by adding two teaspoons of warmed olive oil to your bathtub.

While olive oil can provide some relief for psoriasis, it can potentially clog the pores and lead to breakouts. Which is why you should avoid applying it on the face and leaving it for long periods of time on the skin, as this can cause other issues in some cases.

3. Get Some Sun

Generally, summer improves psoriasis, while winter aggravates it. This is believed to be because sun exposure helps reduce the turnover of skin cells, which is one of the main causes of psoriasis. Additionally, exposure to sunlight encourages vitamin D production, which has been shown to be beneficial for those struggling with psoriasis, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to stabilize the immune system.

Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties and can stabilize the immune system.

However, while sun exposure can help improve the symptoms of psoriasis, spending time in the sun should always be done in moderation, and you should make sure to apply sunscreen whenever you're going to be exposed to direct sunlight. Sunscreen doesn't block the body's ability to produce vitamin D, so you'll still be able to receive the benefits of sun exposure without having to worry about the risks associated with spending too much time in the sun.

4. Epsom Salt Soaks

Epsom salt soaks are another great way to manage psoriasis symptoms. Soaking in a salt bath can help soften the flakey scales and relieve the itch associated with them.

Epsom salts are a rich source of magnesium and sulfur. Magnesium is known for its ability to reduce inflammation, so it can be beneficial for those struggling with psoriasis. Sulfur, on the other hand, is a mineral that's known for its keratolytic properties, which means that it can help break down the thick scales associated with this condition and stabilize the turnover of skin cells.

5. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a holistic treatment that involves trained practitioners inserting fine needles into the skin to stimulate specific points and reactions within the body. This treatment can help relieve psoriasis symptoms in several different ways, including by reducing inflammation, promoting circulation, helping to balance the immune system, and reducing stress, which is a common trigger for psoriasis flare-ups.

And while more research is definitely needed in this area, several studies have shown promising results that suggest acupuncture can be an effective way to control psoriasis.

6. Infrared Saunas

Infrared saunas differ from traditional saunas in that they use infrared light to heat the body, as opposed to hot air. This type of therapy has proven to be more efficient in removing toxins from the body and can help improve circulation as well as reduce inflammation.

When it comes to relieving symptoms of psoriasis, numerous studies have shown that the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is an inflammatory marker, were decreased after just a few infrared sauna sessions. It's also considered that by regularly getting infrared sauna therapy, you can help control the progression of the condition, lower the frequency of flare-ups, and even prevent other inflammatory skin conditions.

Additionally, infrared saunas can help to promote relaxation, which can be beneficial for those struggling with stress, one of the main triggers of worsening psoriasis symptoms.

Can Psoriasis Go Away Completely?

Psoriasis is a chronic condition that can show up from birth or at any time throughout a person's life. There is currently no cure for psoriasis, and the condition waxes and wanes with flare-ups. It is possible for the condition to go into remission, which means that symptoms may lessen or go away completely for a period of time.

However, there are treatments that can help control the uncomfortable symptoms that include itching, pain, and flaking skin. So if you're struggling with psoriasis, you definitely have many options available in terms of maintenance, both natural and medical treatments that can help relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Closing Thoughts

Psoriasis can be a frustrating and painful condition because it can flare up at any time and turn your life upside down. It can also take a huge toll on your self-esteem, as the visible symptoms can be difficult to deal with and can easily make you feel powerless against it. But fortunately, there are many things that you can do to help soothe your psoriasis and get it under control. Some of them are fairly inexpensive and available at any drugstore, while others may require investment and dedication.

But the important thing is that you don't have to suffer through psoriasis flare-ups alone, and while there is no cure for this condition, it’s possible to put it into remission.

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