How to Relieve Psoriasis with Home Remedies

Although psoriasis isn't contagious, the itching, soreness or social discomfort that results from the plaques can begin to affect your quality of life. If you've been living with a moderate case of the skin condition, you may find great relief using natural psoriasis treatments known to soothe the inflamed skin and improve the appearance of the accompanying scaly rash. Consider these methods to relieve psoriasis with home remedies that will help you prepare for the next flare up.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Relieve psoriasis with home remedies that reduce the itch and sensitivity with emollients that will soothe and soften the skin. Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly over affected patches of skin after patting them dry after a bath or shower. Make this treatment for psoriasis more effective by wrapping areas covered with petroleum jelly with a soft cloth overnight.

2. Try to reduce the scaling and redness by applying salicylic acid as a natural treatment for psoriasis. Available in gels, lotions or ointments, salicylic acid treatments in concentrations up to three percent can help remove the scales and soothe inflamed skin. Purchase the topical psoriasis treatment specifically for the affected area (such as a shampoo with salicylic acid if you have scalp psoriasis) and use as directed. Avoid leaving the psoriasis remedy on your skin too long to avoid irritation.

3. Soothe inflamed skin by applying apple cider vinegar (the grocery store variety) directly to areas affected by psoriasis. If the skin condition affects your finger or toenails, for example, try soaking them in a small dish of cider vinegar or dab it on with a cotton ball. You may also find relief and restore your skin's pH balance by pouring a cup of apple cider vinegar to a warm bath.

4. Reduce the itching of outbreaks on your torso by bathing in oatmeal as a natural treatment for psoriasis. While running a warm bath (hot water can further inflame or dry scaly skin), add two cups of dried oats and a half cup of dried milk to the water. If you'd rather not bathe with the oats floating around, add the ingredients to a thin mesh bag that you can place in the tub.

5. Modify your diet to eliminate triggers as a way to relieve psoriasis with home remedies. Cut back on foods with gluten (found in wheat products), sugar, alcohol and excessive acid (like coffee, tomatoes and soft drinks). Conversely, eating foods rich in vitamins A and D (like salmon, eggs, liver and dark green vegetables) has been touted as a natural psoriasis remedy since they may improve skin health and even slow skin cell growth and reduce inflammation.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're trying to relieve psoriasis with home remedies and notice that stress is a trigger for psoriasis flare ups, consider joining a support group to help reduce your anxiety, discuss life with the skin condition and find additional psoriasis remedies or mental outlooks to combat it.