Are you suffering from psoriasis and feeling the full effects of the condition? What's happening?
Usually, in the vast majority of cases, psoriasis tends to worsen in winter. Cold temperatures, psychophysical stress at work and seasonal flu: these are some of the main reasons why psoriasis worsens during this period. As a result of an unstable state of epidermal growth in some parts of the body, this skin condition tends to appear and disappear spontaneously.
However, it's no coincidence that winter leads to a worsening of psoriasis symptoms in affected patients, with increased redness of the plaques and intense itching.
Causes? Among the many factors that can affect the course of psoriasis is seasonality. It is the cold, dry air, in particular, that weakens and sensitizes the skin, as it does not allow it to maintain its natural moisture. This worsening can also be linked to several factors.
First of all, in winter, and in the cold season in general, the beneficial effect of solar radiation and sun exposure is missing. In winter, the "sunny" effect is extremely reduced and the skin suffers.
Also, during the winter season, our bodies are almost completely covered by clothing such as jackets, gloves, hats and scarves. This doesn't allow us to benefit from even those few rays of sunshine present in winter.
So, among other things, these garments can themselves be the cause of worsening psoriasis in winter. Especially when sweating is greatly reduced due to synthetic clothing or unnatural fibers.
Even spending time indoors, where there is poor oxygen exchange, possibly linked to too much space heating, can lead to psoriasis worsening further in winter.
In addition, winter is also a time when eating styles tend to change significantly. We tend to prefer foods that are highly nutritious, but at the same time, they are also those that inflame the body, aggravating psoriasis. In addition, the amounts of food we eat tend to increase in winter, affecting our weight and metabolism and therefore, indirectly, psoriasis.
Finally, even physical activity is reduced in winter, except for very sporty people. The explanation? Either because of the cold, excessive comfort or various other reasons that may arise. This is also a factor affecting the worsening of psoriasis at a metabolic level.
Although there is no definitive cure for psoriasis, there are many measures that can relieve discomfort and improve skin condition.
As the itching, pain and spread of psoriatic lesions can vary according to lifestyle habits and climatic conditions, it is important to do all you can to boost your immune system. The general advice is to exercise regularly, eat a varied and balanced diet and avoid stress factors. It is also important to adopt some good behavioral practices that are useful for relieving psoriasis symptoms.
"Especially at this time of year, it's essential to moisturize your skin several times a day and avoid dry environments where possible. If this is not possible, then the advice is to increase the humidity level in the air, for example by using a humidifier to reduce dryness. Also, be careful when choosing clothing: it is best to avoid direct contact with wool, as it irritates the skin more easily and consequently increases itching.", advises Dr. Mihaela Sușcă, specialist in rehabilitation, physical medicine and balneology at the Ensana Health Spa Hotels.
Also, as mentioned above, "it is important to adopt a balanced diet (psoriasis patients tend to have hypercholesterolemia). In these patients, stress is the main trigger leading to exacerbation of lesions. Combating stress is essential. Psychotherapy, acupuncture or magnetotherapy (magnetodiaflux) may be recommended for these patients. Phototherapy also helps in the remission of skin lesions.", adds the balneologist.
In other news, if you suffer from psoriasis, you probably know that the condition may not only affect your skin, but also your joints and organs.
Psoriasis is an inherited skin disease. The onset of the disease is facilitated by various internal or other types of factors, such as emotional stress, physical trauma or medication, and can affect the nails, joints, blood vessels, heart, liver or metabolic processes, as well as the skin. The severity of the disease differs in each affected person. In the Ensana treatment base, the symptoms of psoriasis can be treated naturally with the help of thermal water. Water with unique healing properties from Sovata is the miracle solution for the successful treatment of this tormenting disease.
"Psoriasis is not curable, but in the Ensana treatment base, patients have several options to relieve symptoms, reduce the duration of the acute phases of the disease and avoid new outbreaks. Sapropelic mud and salt water, both extracted directly from Lake Ursu, have good results in the following skin conditions: psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (especially in children) and chronic eczema. The two elements coming from Ursu Lake, both sapropelic mud and salt water have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, bacteriostatic, emollient, desquamative, regenerating, emollient and antiallergic effects on the integument due to the increased content of NaCl , CaCO3 and organic substances (including human-like estrogen released in the Ursu Lake water by the crustacean Artemia salina). In addition to all this, the sedative climate of the Sovata resort stabilizes the immune system through a neurovegetative effectexplains the specialist.
We are waiting for you in Sovata, to enjoy a more skin-friendly winter!
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