Advice to manage psoriasis of the feet

How to find relief for feet psoriasis

Between treatments and lifestyle changes, there are many steps you can take to help control your symptoms. Start with these strategies to help you manage psoriasis of the feet and get back on your feet.

1. Try topical drugs

The first line of defense against the symptoms of psoriasis is drugs, according to Mark Lebwohl, MD, professor and president of the Dermatology Department of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. For soft cases, topical steroids could be sufficient to reduce thrusts, says Dr. Lebwohl.

Over -the -counter and prescription lotions, ointments, creams, sprays and mosses reduce swelling and itching and can help you make yourself more comfortable, notes Lebwohl. In addition to topical steroids, there are topical analogues of vitamin D and topical retinoids, according to psoriasis and the alliance of psoriatic arthritis.

Since psoriasis is also characterized by thick scaly plates, the use of topical drugs to effectively eliminate the scale is useful. In some cases, wet wraps using topical prescription drugs can effectively hydrate the skin and eliminate the scale.

Ask your doctor if over -the -counter treatments with salicylic acid or lactic acid suit you.

2. Search for phototherapy

If topical drugs do not work, Lebwohl recommends switching to a phototherapy treatment for your feet psoriasis. Phototherapy, or light therapy, is generally prescribed by a dermatologist, according to the NPF. It is a question of regularly treating the affected areas of the skin, like the lower feet, with an ultraviolet (UV) light.

These treatments can be performed under medical supervision in the office of your dermatologist or at home with personal phototherapy unit. Light therapy has been shown to slow down the growth of skin cells on the feet affected by psoriasis, says Lebwohl.

3. Continue other treatment options

If your symptoms of psoriasis for the feet persist, it may be time to consider biological therapy.

Injectable biologicals, which target specific parts of the immune system, block cells or proteins that play a role in the development of psoriasis, or systemic oral drugs are used to calm the underlying inflammation in the body.

4. Avoid foot trauma

Any type of foot trauma can trigger psoriasis, notes Dr. Van Vorhees. Psoriasis can be transformed into a previously unaffected part of the skin following a bump or a minor bruise, known as the Koebner phenomenon, according to research. It is therefore essential to protect your feet against injuries for people with psoriasis.

The NPF recommends avoiding tight shoes and high heels due to the pressure they exert on the toes. The type of material whose shoe is made is less important than adjustment, explains Van Vorhees.

In general, the front of the shoe must be round, rather than triangular, and loose shoes that cause friction or friction on the heel must also be avoided, explains Van Vorhees. Tongs or other open-end sandals must be worn with caution, because they can expose your toes to a possible injury, she adds.

5. Focus on diet and exercise

There is no study showing that particular food can exacerbate or take advantage of psoriasis, explains Lebwohl. However, a healthy general food, combined with exercise, can have great advantages, he said.

This is because there is a strong correlation between obesity and psoriasis. Often those who are obese experience more serious symptoms of psoriasis. Conversely, weight loss can have a radically positive impact on people with psoriasis.

“Exercise and diet which specifically leads to weight loss can help,” notes Lebwohl. “There are many studies that have shown that weight loss in combination with therapy improves psoriasis.”

In addition, psoriasis drugs have been more effective for those who have lost weight, he said.

A review of clinical trial data has revealed that weight reduction through food and exercise is an “accessible, inexpensive and stimulating method” which gives people with psoriasis more control over their symptoms.

In this review, the researchers used a psoriasis area and an index of gravity (pasi) to measure the gravity of psoriasis according to the quantity of covered bodies and the appearance of plates. The results revealed that the exercise improved PASI scores in people with feet psoriasis.

When to call your dermatologist

Above all, seeing your dermatologist is essential to manage the symptoms that affect your feet. Indeed, feet psoriasis can sometimes be confused with something else, like a fungal infection like the athlete’s foot.

Bad treatment for poor condition can worsen symptoms and lengthen their duration.

“Each person has a unique situation,” says Lebwohl. “Their dermatologist is best trained to help.”