How to manage psoriasis

Whether it’s eczema, acne, or rosacea, symptoms of skin conditions can leave you feeling deflated – and it’s no different when it comes to psoriasis.

A common skin condition that impacts many, psoriasis may come and go in severity, but it can’t be cured. However, there are ways you can look to manage symptoms at home, helping to alleviate some of the itching and potentially painful symptoms.

In this article, we’ll look at five home remedies to manage psoriasis, including good creams for psoriasis and how to go about psoriasis scalp care.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a skin condition causing a build-up of skin cells resulting in dry red scaly patches. That’s because the body is producing skin cells at a much quicker rate than usual.

You can't catch psoriasis, rather it typically develops in adults between the age of 20 to 30. However, it’s possible to get it at any age, with two in 100 of us experiencing psoriasis at some point in our lives, according to the NHS.

Some people have distinct triggers that cause their psoriasis to flare up too, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, hormonal changes, stress, or infection. During flare-ups, you may notice your daily symptoms get worse than they usually are:

• Red skin.
• Inflammation.
• Dry, cracked skin.
• Sensitive skin.
• Itching.
• Soreness.
• Flaking skin.

It’s common to get psoriasis on the elbows, knees, lower back, or scalp. However, you can also get psoriasis around the eyes, on the palms of your hands, and soles of your feet as well.

While psoriasis can’t be cured, there are ways to manage it, many of which can be done from the comfort of your own home.

5 home remedies to manage psoriasis

General psoriasis treatment is all about being gentle and treating the affected area with care.

For example, if your psoriasis itches, then try your best not to scratch it. It’s important not to pick the area as well, even if you’re using specific psoriasis treatment that causes flakes to loosen, as being too rough can worsen your symptoms.

However, there are plenty other methods for treating psoriasis as well that can be used alongside your prescribed creams, ointments, and emollients. You can find five home remedies to manage psoriasis, below.

1. Limit alcohol consumption

Limiting the amount of alcohol you consume is good for a healthy diet, but it’s also something to consider when it comes to treating psoriasis.

Alcohol can dry out the skin, leading to an increase in inflamed, flaky skin and a decrease in the elasticity and moisture levels of your skin. If you have psoriasis, the skin in impacted areas will already be quite dry and inflamed, so you may find alcohol worsens this or causes a flare up.

Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink, or cutting it out completely, can help stave off psoriasis flare ups.

2. Get some sunlight

Some people with psoriasis may see their symptoms improve when the weather is sunny.

Studies suggest the sun’s ultraviolet rays can slow down the production of skin cells. As psoriasis is caused by skin cell production being faster than average, this impact may explain why symptoms improve for some.

However, it’s important to be careful with sun exposure, as too much can be harmful for the skin and body. Keep your time in the sun to 20 minutes maximum, stop when there’s any risk of burning, and never use a sunbed as they can increase the risk of skin cancer. Additionally, you should continue to use sunscreen all over the body, as sunburn can cause psoriasis flare ups. However, it’s best to keep inflamed areas free of sunscreen, keeping those areas covered with clothing instead.

3. Try out creams

There are a range of good creams for psoriasis that can help soothe the area of itching, redness, inflammation, and irritation.

You can find plenty of psoriasis creams over the counter, but always be cautious when trying out new products, as they can worsen symptoms. If you notice your symptoms do get worse, then stop using the cream right away.

If you’ve previously received a psoriasis diagnosis, then you may wish to see your GP about potential new psoriasis treatments. They will be able to provide you with specific creams to help soothe the area. 

4. Use gentle shampoo

Psoriasis scalp care can feel particularly tricky, especially if the affected area is underneath hair. However, there are ways to manage symptoms here too.

It’s best to use gentle hair products when dealing with psoriasis on the scalp or in any areas where the product may touch. Anti-dandruff shampoo can be purchased over the counter, and this may help with any flaking skin caused by scalp psoriasis.

You may also find it beneficial to try out medicated shampoos for particularly stubborn scalp psoriasis. Typically prescribed by your primary care clinician, medicated shampoos help with psoriasis scalp care by softening the scales, reducing flaking and dryness.

If you dye your hair, then you’re okay to keep doing that, as long as your psoriasis is controlled. However, if you’re having a flare up, then it’s best not to apply any chemicals to your scalp that aren’t directly prescribed from your doctor.

5. Regular exercise

Since stress can cause psoriasis to flare up, it’s important to try to alleviate it when looking for psoriasis treatment – which is where regular exercise in.

Yoga is a good exercise for psoriasis, as not only does it lower stress levels that can help alleviate symptoms, but it also increases blood flow to psoriasis-impacted areas. Proper circulation helps spread nutrients to the skin, which may improve its appearance.

It’s best to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day to treat psoriasis. This can include things like yoga or going to the gym, but walking and light stretches are beneficial too for a low impact exercise routine.

How can Benenden Health help with psoriasis and other skin conditions?

As a Benenden Health member, you can get access to a 24/7 GP Helpline from day one. You’ll be able to book an appointment about your health concerns and speak to a health care professional over the phone or video consultations.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for more ways to get fit or you’re in need of some stress busting tips, head over to our Be Healthy hub.

Medically reviewed by Dr Cheryl Lythgoe in March 2025.