Once a person is diagnosed with the gene that causes psoriasis, they begin to think about the future. Two of the first questions asked are: 1) How will I cope with the disease? And 2) What exactly should I do to control the symptoms?

As of this writing, I have not come across any medical literature suggesting that there is an absolute and definitive cure for psoriasis. So to answer the question of whether there is a guaranteed cure for psoriasis, I must inform you here and now that there is currently NO CURE for psoriasis.

It is no different from the common cold, for which we all know, there is still no absolute cure.

But don’t despair, this doesn’t mean we can’t continue to manage the condition, just like we manage and continue to treat the common cold.

To control the disease, we must stand firm and be vigilant in managing the symptoms so that it does not get out of control.

Here are a couple of guidelines and tips that you can start applying today to manage psoriasis symptoms wisely:

1. The best weapon against peeling skin and itching is simply MOISTURE! Trust me, it is your best defense against psoriasis. By applying moisturizing agents that include emollients, your itching won’t go away completely, but psoriasis flare-ups will be much more subtle.
2. Vitamin D is another good fighter against psoriasis flare-ups. Now in a previous post I mentioned that you should always wear sunscreen. Sunscreen is extremely important when exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. However, the different wavelengths of sunlight, including UV A and B for SHORT but frequent exposures to natural sunlight, is what is needed to replenish vitamin D to fight psoriasis. Therefore, keep your exposure sessions short, that is, 10 minutes at a time to build up good stores of vitamin D in your body.
3. One of the most difficult disciplines you should try to learn is DON’T CHOOSE the dry crusty skin that sits on top of the psoriasis plaques. Once you have properly softened the affected areas with moisturizing agents as mentioned above, these areas of scabbed skin can be safely removed. It’s hard for all of us not to itch the infected areas, but trust me, once you break the habit of itching, things will go a lot better. Now, even when you remove dry skin after using proper hydration, you must be very careful not to cause more or further damage to the skin. STOP if you feel the skin underneath is raw or exposed immediately. If you are not sure how to safely remove dead skin, consult your dermatologist. He will show you how to remove the skin without damaging the underlying new skin.
4. I must emphasize that there is no guarantee that all known psoriasis treatments will actually work for you as an individual. You may need to try different treatments and prevention methods on your own skin and find the best solution for you personally. It is quite possible that a combination of treatments will work perfectly for me, but not so much for the next person and vice versa. It will take some time and effort on your part to find the right solution for you. You can also resort to UV therapy. However, this is a procedure that is done in a doctor’s room and could cost a substantial amount of money.
5. Make sure not only to take special care of your skin on the outside, but also on the inside, that is, your stress levels. Stress can be a major factor in your psoriasis flare, but it could also be detrimental to your overall well-being. Avoid polluting your body unnecessarily with processed foods, artificial enhancers, and carbonated drinks. Make natural foods like fresh fruits and vegetables and organic meat products a priority on your shopping list. The benefits will be staggering.