Helping Other Psoriasis Sufferers
- Actress La La Anthony, 39, has been vocal in the past about one of her secret weapons for her psoriasis: baking sodaand it only costs a few bucks.
- Though the former MTV VJ does get more intense flare ups when things like stress or even humidity strike, La La can mostly manage by paying attention to what type of skincare products or make-up she is using, hence why she came out with her own beauty line: Motive Cosmetics.
- If these every day tips don’t work, be sure to see a dermatologist who can help tailor your treatment with topical ointments and creams, and for more severe cases, there are stronger medications given as injections that work wonders.
Actress La La Anthony, 39, has been vocal in the past about one of her secret weapons for psoriasis: baking sodaand it only costs a few bucks!
Read More"It's tricky, it gets worse. There are points where I am perfect with nothing and all of a sudden, it is the craziest flare up ever. It is hard to pinpoint," she said. "Doctors say stress, what you eat, I monitor all that stuff. And when it wants to go crazy, it goes crazy!"
Luckily, it seems the La La’s Full Court reality starwho has bonded with fellow psoriasis fighters Cyndi Lauper and Kim Kardashianhas been having some good luck as of late, as she recently posted a body confident bikini shot.
View this post on Instagram
LaLa, who has partnered up with the National Psoriasis Foundation in the past to help others struggling with body and skin confidence, shared more tips that might by useful:
- Make-up can cause flare-ups, so make sure to find products that work for you (the more natural the better!)
- Ditto on skincare. LaLa’s beauty company Motives Cosmetics has non-oily moisturizing products and gentle exfoliators for more sensitive skin.
- La La gets flare ups on her scalp, so she styles her hair a certain way or covers up with a scarf when experiencing redness.
- If nothing seems to be working, talk to a dermatologist who can tailor a treatment plan specifically for you and the severity of your condition.
- Don’t let psoriasis get in the way of your dreams. There’s help out there!
Psoriasis Symptoms
Like some types of viruses, this chronic autoimmune condition is often asymptomatic, or symptomless, so people who have psoriasis will not be dealing with constant outbreaks.
"Some patients report itching [or a] burning sensation, but that doesn't tend to be the norm. It certainly can happen," Dr. Khattri explained to SurvivorNet. "Then if you have psoriasis in the genital area, it can feel uncomfortable just because it's in a very sensitive part of the body. But for the most part, it tends to be asymptomatic."
What is Psoriasis? Understanding the Different Types and Symptoms of this Rare Skin Condition
Dr. Khattri recommends seeing a dermatologist if you notice red, scaly spots on the body so a doctor can make a proper diagnosis.
Psoriasis patches can vary in how they appear on the skin. The disease may present as just a few spots with dandruff-like scaling or as rashes that cover large parts of the body. The most commonly affected areas are the lower back, elbows, knees, legs, soles of feet, scalp, face, and palms.
Treating Psoriasis
Topical treatments are considered a mainstay for psoriasis.
Dr. George Han, a dermatologist at Northwell Health/Lenox Hill Hospital, says that topical treatments are often a convenient option for patients.
"The majority of patients with psoriasis overall are managed with topicals only," Dr. Han explained to SurvivorNet. "And I would say part of this is from convenience, and you could argue certainly patients with more milder forms of psoriasis, it's justifiable to just treat topically."
Topical Ointments & Creams for Psoriasis: Breaking Down the Options
Doctors do have to be careful when prescribing ointments or lotions, however, because psoriasis is a chronic condition. Some products may be good for specific outbreaks, but may not work in the long-term due to potential side effects.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) guidelines, topical medications are used to treat patients with mild to moderate psoriasis. If your outbreaks are more severe, there are stronger options given as injections.
Talk to your doctor for more targeted methods to treat your specific psoriasis.
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