7 Tips for Psoriasis Skin Care The itchy, inflamed skin that comes with psoriasis is treatable. Making simple tweaks to your daily routine can promote healing and calm flare-ups.

1. Keep Your Skin Moist

It's one of the most effective yet easiest things you can do for irritated skin. It can help your skin heal and reduce dryness, itching, redness, soreness, and scaling.

Choose your moisturizer based on how dry your skin is. Ointments are thick, heavy, and good at locking in moisture. Lotions are thinner and get absorbed more easily. Or, you can pick a cream that falls somewhere in between. Remember, a product doesn’t have to be expensive to work well. Look for a fragrance free moisturizer.

After your bath or shower is a good time to gently pat on the lotion. Reapply throughout the day and when you change clothes. Use more on cold or dry days.

Another way to keep your skin moist is to use a humidifier in your home, especially when the air is hot and dry. If the heat is on, turn on the humidifier. It will help your skin retain moisture better.

2. Soothe With Warm Baths

A daily warm bath using a mild soap can help soothe itchy spots and remove dry skin.

Take 15 minutes to soak in the warm water. You might find comfort if you add oil, finely ground oatmeal, Epsom salt, or Dead Sea salt to your bath, but keep the water and soap mild. Hot temperatures and harsh soaps can be hard on skin that's already sensitive.

Try not to rub your skin with the towel as you dry off. Gently pat dry instead. The rubbing action can make sores worse and even cause new ones. Follow immediately with a moisturizer.

If you don't have time for a bath, you can still put a wet towel or cold compress on the trouble spot.