How to Ease a Severe Psoriasis Flare-up

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition, but symptoms can come and go. If your skin condition has been in remission for years, you may not know how to manage the itching and pain that occurs from an unexpected psoriasis flare-up. 

At Associated Skin Care Specialists, our skilled and compassionate board-certified dermatologists understand the emotional and physical toll of a severe psoriasis flare-up. We do our best to prepare patients so they know how to manage the discomfort.

Read on to learn more about how to ease a severe psoriasis flare-up.

Keep your skin moisturized

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin condition that triggers an overproduction of skin cells, creating thick, dry, scaly patches of skin that itch. Applying moisturizer to the dry skin may reduce the uncomfortable symptoms and support skin healing.

We recommend using a heavy moisturizing cream or ointment rather than a lotion to lock in the moisture. Apply often during a flare-up and after a shower or bath. 

Use hydrocortisone to ease the itch

If your skin rash is small, you may get relief from the itchiness and inflammation with an over-the-counter (OTC) hydrocortisone cream or ointment. If your rash affects several parts of the body, you may benefit from a prescription corticosteroid cream.

If your skin is cracked, we recommend a hydrocortisone ointment instead of a cream to soothe discomfort. 

Apply scale softeners

Scale softeners are OTC and prescription products that contain salicylic acid, which softens and helps remove the scaly skin. Reducing some of the thick, scaly skin may improve the effectiveness of other psoriasis treatments you're using to manage the flare-up.

Use psoriasis scale softening products as instructed on the label. Applying too much salicylic acid may worsen your skin condition.

Try coal tar 

Coal tar is a common ingredient in OTC and prescription treatments for psoriasis and comes in many forms, including creams, shampoos, and liquids (to use in a bath). The active ingredient in coal tar reduces itching, swelling, and scaling and slows skin cell production. 

Not everyone tolerates coal tar, so you’ll want to test it on a small patch of skin to make sure it doesn't cause irritation.

Identify your triggers

Your psoriasis flare-ups may occur from an outside trigger such as stress, dry weather, getting too much sun, or an injury to the skin. Identifying your psoriasis triggers may reduce the frequency of your flare-ups or help you better prepare for the skin rash to decrease the duration of the flare-up.

We can help you find your psoriasis triggers and create a plan to manage them. We also offer light therapy, excimer laser treatment, and biologics for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

You don’t have to suffer through your psoriasis flare-ups. We can provide the treatment and guidance you need to put your skin condition in remission. Call the office most convenient to you. We offer dermatology care at our Blaine, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Coon Rapids, Fridley, and Minneapolis, Minnesota locations. 

Our dermatology research center is located at our office in New Brighton, Minnesota. There, we do clinical trials for many skin conditions like psoriasis.