There’s really no way to prevent psoriasis. It’s believed that psoriasis is triggered by an immune problem that may be inherited, and let’s face it—you can’t pick your parents. However, following these tips may improve your symptoms or help reduce psoriasis flare-ups:

• Try to avoid the cold. Cold weather may make your symptoms worse, while sunlight may help. (However, hot humid weather might worsen certain types of psoriasis, too.)
• Don’t scratch! Yes, it’s itchy. In fact, the word “psoriasis” comes from the Greek word for itch (psora). But scratching an affected area can allow bacteria to enter and cause an infection.
• Quit smoking. If you have psoriasis, then that’s just one more reason to quit. Smoking can make psoriasis worse. If you are trying to quit, talk to your doctor for help. Avoid using nicotine patches, which can also aggravate psoriasis.
• Limit drinking alcohol. Studies show that heavy drinking may trigger psoriasis and even interfere with certain treatments.
• Get a handle on your stress. You may find that your psoriasis flares up when you’re stressed out. While stress is a natural part of life, there are certain things you can do to get it under control. For example, exercise, listen to music, and practice deep breathing.
• Treat your psoriasis. You can’t get rid of it forever, but the right treatment can improve your skin.

Talk to your dermatologist about Dermarest^®—to help your skin look its best.