living with psoriasis
Self care
Self care is an essential part of your daily life. It involves taking responsibility for your own health and wellbeing with support from the people involved in your care. Self care includes taking action to stay fit and maintain good physical and mental health, prevent illness or accidents and care more effectively for minor illnesses and long-term conditions.
People with long-term conditions can benefit enormously from self care. They can live longer, have less pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue, have a better quality of life, and be more active and independent. Having a care plan will help you manage your treatment so that it fits with your lifestyle.
Keep up your treatment
It is important to use your treatment as prescribed, even if your psoriasis improves. Continuous treatment can help to prevent flare-ups. If you have any questions or concerns about your treatment or any side effects, talk to your GP or healthcare team.
Regular reviews
Because psoriasis can be a long-term condition, you may be in regular contact with your healthcare team. Discuss your symptoms or concerns with them as the more the team knows, the more they can help you.
Help with health costs
If you regularly pay for more than three prescriptions a month, you may save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). To check the cost of a PPC, call 0845 850 0030 or check leaflet HC12 (available in some pharmacies or GP surgeries).
Want to know more?
- Your health, your way: self care and care plans.
- The Psoriasis Association: patient podcasts.
- The Psoriasis Association: more than skin deep (PDF).
- Help with health costs: prescription costs.
- Common Health Questions: where can I get a prepayment certificate?
- Money Advice Service.
Healthy eating and exercise
People with psoriasis have a slightly higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease, although it is not known why. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are recommended for everyone, not just people with psoriasis, because they can help prevent many conditions, including heart disease and many forms of cancer. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly can also relieve stress, which may have an effect on your psoriasis.
Want to know more?
- PAPAA: psoriasis and the heart.
- PAPAA: psoriasis and smoking.
Emotional impact of psoriasis
Due to the unpleasant effects that psoriasis can have on physical appearance, low self-esteem and anxiety are common among people with psoriasis. This can lead to depression, especially if the psoriasis gets worse.
Your GP or dermatologist will understand the psychological and emotional impact of psoriasis, so talk to them about your concerns or anxieties.
Want to know more?
Psoriatic arthritis
Between 10% and 20% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. This causes tenderness, pain and swelling in the joints and connective tissue, as well as stiffness. It commonly affects the ends of the fingers and toes. In some people, it affects the lower back, neck and knees. About 80% of people affected develop psoriatic arthritis after the onset of psoriasis, and about 20% develop it before the onset of psoriasis.
There is no single test for psoriatic arthritis. It is normally diagnosed using a combination of methods, including looking at your medical history, physical examinations, blood tests, X-rays and MRI scans.
Psoriatic arthritis can be treated with anti-inflammatory or anti-rheumatic medicines.
Want to know more?
- The Psoriasis Association: psoriatic arthritis.
- PAPAA: psoriatic arthritis.
Pregnancy
Psoriasis does not affect fertility and women with psoriasis can have a normal pregnancy and a healthy baby. Some women find that their psoriasis improves during pregnancy but for some it gets worse.
Talk to your healthcare team if you are thinking of having a baby. Some treatments for psoriasis can be harmful to a developing baby, so use contraception while you are taking them. This applies to both men and women. Your healthcare team can suggest the best ways to control your psoriasis before you start trying for a family.
Want to know more?
Talk to others
Many people with psoriasis have found that getting involved in support groups helps. Support groups can increase your self-confidence and reduce any feelings of isolation, and give you practical advice about living with the condition.
Want to know more?
- The Psoriasis Association. Call the helpline on 0845 676 0076 , Mon-Thurs 9.15am-4.45pm and Fri 9.15am-4.15pm (calls are charged at local rate).
- PAPAA: The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.
- The Psoriasis Association: patient podcasts.
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Last Reviewed: 28 November 2011
Next Review Date: 7 November 2013
