The most common -- and uncomfortable -- symptom of psoriasis is patches of thick, red skin. They're often covered with white or silvery scales. You tin can remove these flakes.

Taking off the dead peel helps medications and ointments work better. Information technology can also aid you lot feel better about how you lot await. But you need to do it safely to avoid pain, infection, and haemorrhage.

one. Use an exfoliating acid. Practical to the pare, products with these acids work by weakening the bonds between pare cells. This causes the outer layer to shed, which softens and removes scales. Yous tin can buy creams, lotions, gels, ointments, foams, and shampoos with these acids. They're available over the counter (OTC) or in stronger doses past prescription. Side effects include irritation, stinging, and burning.

Some used for psoriasis include:

Salicylic acid: Likewise found in acne medicines, it's i of the almost common treatments for psoriasis. Past softening a protein in your pare called keratin, salicylic acrid helps psoriasis scales come off faster. Make certain to follow your doctor'south orders when you lot use it. If too much is absorbed into your body, it tin can cause health problems. Y'all shouldn't employ it to large areas of skin or leave it on for long periods of time. And children shouldn't use products that comprise it at all.

Blastoff-hydroxy acids: This category includes glycolic and lactic acids. They may exist as effective as salicylic acid, but gentler on the pare.

Urea: This thins and moisturizes the skin.

2. Consider coal tar. This evil-smelling, sticky substance has been used to treat psoriasis for more than than 100 years. Like exfoliating acids, it likewise causes you to shed the outer layer of dead pare. It can also reduce the inflammation and itching of psoriasis.

It comes in a diversity of forms, such as soaps, creams, and lotions. Coal tar tin stain your clothing. It also makes your skin more than sensitive to sunlight. Studies testify it works best in people who are besides taking steroids for their skin.

3. Lock-in wet. When y'all choice off dry scales, information technology tin can issue in dots of blood. This is chosen pinpoint bleeding. To prevent it, you should showtime soften the dead skin with moisture before y'all choice it. Utilize a heavy ointment or oil, such as vitamin Due east. Then encompass the area with plastic wrap for a few hours or overnight.

Once the skin is loose, use a clean fingernail or tweezers to gently push abroad the scale. It should slide off hands. Don't force it. Likewise much pressure can crusade pain and haemorrhage. Detect out more than on the types of topical treatments for psoriasis.

four. Soak in the tub. Water softens and loosens dead skin, making it easier to remove. Have 15 minutes to sit in a bathroom. Because hot temperatures are drying, go along the water lukewarm. High amounts of magnesium in Dead Sea and Epsom salts helps gently slough off dead skin and get rid of redness caused by psoriasis. Avoid harsh or scented soaps, which can strip the skin's natural oils.

After bathing, gently remove the skin with your fingers, tweezers, or wet washcloth. Yous can also apply a pumice stone or nail file on very thick scales. Simply take extra care not to tear or damage the skin below. So use a moisturizing ointment, foam, or oil. Get more dos and don'ts tips on bathing with psoriasis.

5. Oil your scalp. Roughly half of people with psoriasis become scales on their scalp. Thick scales on your brow, hairline, behind your ears, or on the back of your neck tin can be softened with coconut, olive, or peanut oil. Massage a modest amount into your scalp, then put on a shower cap overnight, and shampoo in the morning. Repeat for ii or three nights. The dead skin should soften and wash away.

You can use a comb to elevator off the softened scale. Concord it nigh apartment, and gently motion it in a circular movement. Don't scrape your scalp. Read more on the unlike ways to treat scalp psoriasis.

6. Use a salicylic acid shampoo. Available past prescription and over the counter, this product helps break down scales. You lot may demand to go out the shampoo on the scalp for near 5 minutes. Apply equally directed past the label. For some people, salicylic acid tin can cause temporary hair loss.

Later using one, follow with a regular shampoo. This will make sure you lot get rid of any odd "medicine" smell and make your hair easier to style. Learn more than about the types of shampoo used to treat psoriasis.