Is your skin plagued by dry, itchy, red patches? You aren't alone. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the common condition known as psoriasis affects 7.5 million people in the United States alone.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that not only affects the skin, it may also affect the joints, fingernails, toenails, the insides of the mouth and soft tissues of the genitals.
In the video above, Health.com shares six things you can do to make psoriasis better, from losing weight to avoiding harsh skincare products and monitoring your exposure to the sun.
Psoriasis can be triggered by many factors, including diet, stress, injury, medication and infection. Obesity can increase your risk of psoriasis while losing weight has been known to improve the condition.
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, up to 30 per cent of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis that can cause swelling, stiffness and pain in the joints. If diagnosed early, treatment of psoriatic arthritis can relieve pain and prevent joint damage.
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