As cool winds blow, psoriasis flares

As the days of summer give way to cool autumn breezes, most folks many skin suffers breathe a sigh of relief. But this may not be the case if you suffer from psoriasis a chronic condition affecting the skin and joints of upwards of 4.5 million adults in Amercia and 2% of the population in the UK, as well as many children.

Indeed, as autumn rushers in colder air and we start to put the heating on and cover our bodies with warmer clothes, psoriasis can worsen -sometimes inviting more of the dry, scaly, itchy red patches associated with this condition to develop.

Psoriasis most commonly appears on the scalp, knees, elbows, and torso but can develop more readily in areas where skin is traumatized or ‘broken’ anything that causes that to happen -like cool, dry air can also exacerbate the disease. We live in homes with double glazing so that our houses are well insulated and our air is dry and warm which can effect our skin leaving it dry and dehydrated.

According to the National psoriasis Foundation, this irritating skin condition comes in several different forms with varying levels of severity. In nearly all
cases, however, it begins when the normal system of cell turnover goes awry.

Normally the top layer of skin makes itself over every 28 to 30 days, the old cells are microscopically shed, while the new ones take their place. In psoriasis, however,
this natural process is sped up dramatically, cells can turn over as quickly as every two to three days. The old cells don’t shed off normally and new cells multiply so quickly they stick together and form lesions called patches or plaques. In the most common form of this condition, the end result can be dry, scaly, red, and sometimes
itchy patches of skin. And the drier your skin gets, the worse the patches can look and feel.
Continued use of a good penetrating moisturizer, as well a bath oil, is absolutely vital to controlling psoriasis in any weather, but particularly during cold weather.
Always apply a moisturiser as often as possible, particularly after bathing.

Have a look at our website www.pureandgentle.com for moisturisers and bath oil that are kind to your skin.