10 Natural Treatments to Help with Psoriasis Relief

While we’re going to talk about psoriasis in this article, it’s important to remember that psoriasis and eczema are two separate skin conditions, yet, they share symptoms of dry, tight and itchy skin so these remedies can be applied occasionally for both skin conditions. Many people use products that go beyond their doctor-prescribed medications as a complementary method to manage the skin conditions.

However, before considering any kind of treatment, it’s important to discuss it with your dermatologist and to try to learn more about the triggers of your psoriasis symptoms. Sadly, psoriasis is a skin condition which has no cure.

However, there are plenty of natural cures which can temporarily relieve the symptoms of this skin condition and reduce dryness. That said, here are 10 natural or home remedies that may help alleviate symptoms of this skin condition.

1. Keep Your Skin Hydrated

Moisturize your skin properly. Keep your skin hydrated as much as possible to keep scales and dryness away. This will also speed up the healing process. Opt for an all-natural moisturizer to keep your skin from feeling dry. Apply it soon after you bathe to prevent dry skin. Apply coconut oil for this purpose. Psoriasis is a skin condition which begins from dry skin, moisturizing the affected skin is one of the easiest home remedies for psoriasis.

2. DIY Oatmeal Bath

Oatmeal baths are also well known for soothing itch. Grind plain oatmeal and add a cup of the fine powder to a lukewarm bath; soak for 15 minutes. Another option is to soak in dead sea salts. According to a study in the International Journal of Dermatology, bathing in the salt solution is not only well-tolerated, but it may also improve skin barrier function and lead to a decrease in skin roughness and inflammation.

3. Eat Turmeric

Many psoriasis and even eczema treatments require topical care, but this one has more to do with what you ingest. Studies have linked the active compound in this spice, curcumin, to reduced inflammation in a number of skin conditions, including psoriasis.

A 2015 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, published in BioMed Research International, compared treatment with a combination of topical steroids and a commercially available curcumin supplement with topical steroids alone in psoriasis patients. The researchers found the curcumin and topical steroid were more effective in treating psoriasis compared to a topical steroid alone after 12 weeks; those in the curcumin group also had lower levels of certain inflammatory markers.

4. Apply Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has long been used to soothe skin inflammation and burns, and it is also an astringent. If you have psoriasis sores, apple cider vinegar may help ease itching and scaling. (Do not use if you have open sores.) Add about a half-cup to a tubful of water. When it comes to eczema, you can apply witch hazel to a lesion; the witch hazel also has astringent properties that can help dry it out.

5. Apply Oils

Flax, hemp seed oil, or neem seed oil contain fatty acids that may help soothe psoriasis. This is a nice thing to apply instead of scratching, which will only aggravate the area.

6. Avoid Your Triggers

There are many things in your environment that can trigger eczema flares, including outdoor allergens (like grasses), dust mites indoors, harsh chemicals like dyes and scents in detergents, and chemicals in water that you bathe in. Do your best to decrease your exposure to these:

Run the air conditioning (with a good filter) in the summer when the pollen count is high, use dust-mite resistant coverings on bedding and pillows, wash with free and clear detergents, and get a filter for shower water.

7. Apply Essential Oil

Add one or two drops of lavender or rose essential oil to a lukewarm bath.  Essential oils are blended with carrier oils before they’re applied to the skin because direct use onto the skin can cause irritation. You can dilute the oil with a carrier oil like jojoba, and apply the mixture directly to the skin. This is very healing.

8. Apply Aloe Vera

Pure aloe vera gel is rich in anti-inflammatory and healing compounds and provides a nice cooling sensation for itchy skin. A 2018 study in Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences found the use of a mixture in an ointment form of propolis (50 percent) and aloe vera (3 percent) led to noteworthy improvements in patients with mild to moderate psoriasis after 12 weeks compared to the placebo group. If you have psoriasis, specifically, aloe vera may help ease the discomfort of psoriatic lesions. Pure aloe vera gel is a great choice to keep around to nourish and protect your skin at home or on the run.

9. Use Tea

Part of reducing the chance of a flare-up is proper stress management. Drinking calming teas before bed, like chamomile, lavender, and lemon balm can soothe your nervous system. You might also consider brewing the tea and, once cooled to lukewarm, using it as a warm compress on affected areas.

10. Eat Fish Oil

A 2016 study in Dermatology Practical & Conceptional has linked the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil to improvement in eczema and psoriasis. While the nutrient may decrease inflammation, overall the data is promising—but limited. In lieu of popping supplements, you can eat whole food sources of these fatty acids, like salmon, sardines, and flax and hemp oil. 

The Takeaway

There are plenty of options to help your psoriasis or eczema with natural remedies. So before you take the medical route, or if that hasn’t worked for you already, then give these tips a try and choose a natural skin care line that’s formulated to help soothe, protect, repair, and hydrate your skin condition! Shop Wild Naturals today.