“The itch that rashes.”

Managing the symptoms at home can seem can seem daunting, but patients can take control of this condition with changes to the daily routine and a stepwise approach when symptoms worsen.

Prevention (do this every day, always):

Apply moisturizer twice a day.

• Ointment – most effective, greasy, hard to apply. Won’t burn the skin if it is scratched and dry.
• Creams – next most effective, thick.
• Lotions – least effective, easiest to apply.

Apply the maintenance steroid cream once a week as a proactive treatment to prevent flares.

Avoid drying the skin when bathing

• Shorter showers (not baths) are better.
• Use cooler water, less than 104 °F (40° C).
• Use a simple bar soap like a Dove bar. Fancy soaps have fancy chemicals.
• Soap the Face, Armpits, Groin, Feet, Hands. Other areas do not need soap unless they are soiled or very dirty.

Minor flare – use your steroid every day!

• Apply your regular steroid to all affected areas twice a day, Monday through Friday. Take a break on the weekend to ensure the steroid continues to be effective.
• Continue to use moisturizers and avoiding long hot baths.

Severe flare – time for a stronger steroid!

• Apply stronger steroid twice a day, again Monday through Friday.
• As always, keep using the moisturizer, and maintain your normal skin therapies.
• When symptoms improve you should work your way back to Prevention in steps. First treat as a Minor flare and only reduce your use of regular steroid when your symptoms are back under control.

Links

Topical Steroid Potency Chart: National Psoriasis Foundation