Under the guidance of your doctor, home remedies might provide symptom relief for dry, itchy, inflamed psoriasis skin.
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition featuring thick, red, scaly patches of skin called plaques. While 5 different types of psoriasis exist, plaque psoriasis is the most common, affecting
When you live with psoriasis, plaques can form in many different shapes and sizes. They can appear anywhere on the body, but tend to develop primarily on the scalp, elbows, knees, or lower back.
Psoriasis is often itchy and painful, and scratching can make it worse. While many people treat psoriasis effectively with prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) products, some home remedies may also help soothe symptoms.
Before starting any home care regime, speak with your doctor. Psoriasis triggers, which are conditions or factors that worsen symptoms, can be different for everyone. Some home remedies may aggravate your psoriasis even if they’ve worked well for other people.
There’s currently no cure for psoriasis. This means no home remedy can completely relieve your symptoms with a guarantee they won’t return someday.
There’s also no universal “best” home remedy. Psoriasis can be very unique to each individual. What irritates your skin might not bother someone else, and what works for someone else might not work for you.
The “best” psoriasis home remedy will be one that provides relief, fits into your lifestyle, and doesn’t cause any concerning side effects.
However, here is a list of six of the best options.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a medicinal succulent plant supported by research as a skin-healing agent. It has thick leaves that contain a gel-like inner substance that can be directly applied from the plant or incorporated into skin care products.
According to a systematic
If you’re not using aloe directly from a plant, the National Psoriasis Foundation recommends looking for OTC products that contain at least 0.5% aloe.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a type of vinegar made from fermented apple juice. While originally used as a food preservative and ingredient, it’s also a popular home remedy for a variety of conditions. Due to its antimicrobial properties, it may help reduce itching for some people with psoriasis.
Not much research supports the use of apple cider vinegar for psoriasis, however. In fact, recent studies reviewing its effects in atopic dermatitis, another inflammatory skin condition, found that 0.5% ACV soaks had no significant effects on
If you’re looking to try ACV as a home remedy for psoriasis, you can apply a diluted solution (equal parts ACV to water) several times per day, allowing it to dry before rinsing.
Colloidal oatmeal paste
Colloidal oatmeal refers to finely ground oatmeal powder. When mixed with water, it can create a thick paste that’s popular for its anti-inflammatory benefits and soothing effects on the skin. You can make your own colloidal oatmeal by grinding whole oats in a blender or food processor.
Like some other psoriasis home remedies, there’s not much research to support using colloidal oatmeal paste for psoriasis, but some people report less itchiness after using an oatmeal paste or taking an oatmeal bath.
Oatmeal is gentle and can be used daily. How often will depend on your personal preference. Some people apply pastes for 10 to 15 minutes, twice daily, while others take oatmeal baths once or twice weekly.
Turmeric
Turmeric powder has a long history of being used in food preparation, medication, and spiritual practices throughout many parts of the world. While it’s a flowering plant related to ginger, turmeric powder comes from the plant’s underground stems called rhizomes.
Turmeric is widely used for its anti-inflammatory properties. When taken orally, it
By inhibiting these molecules, turmeric helps suppress the chain of inflammatory events leading to psoriasis flares. In other words, turmeric can help slow the inflammatory process underlying psoriasis, reducing the severity of symptoms.
Turmeric for psoriasis can be taken by mouth in capsules or powder (the dose will be indicated by the product you select), or you can use an OTC topical product.
If you take turmeric orally, taking a black pepper supplement with it
Honey
Honey, a sugary substance produced by bees, is another natural product with antimicrobial properties. It has a
According to a
You can apply honey directly to psoriasis lesions several times per day, covering the area with a wound dressing to help prevent the honey from spreading. To ensure the highest quality, consider purchasing medical-grade honey.
Black cumin
Black cumin, also known as black seed, is one of many plants that may contain therapeutic compounds for psoriasis. Taken orally, the seeds of this flowering plant have been a staple in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.
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One recent rodent study from 2023 concluded that oral black cumin seed oil could be used as an effective treatment for moderate psoriasis, but more research in humans is needed to prove the benefits.
You can purchase black cumin seed oil in capsule form. Take it by mouth according to the package directions.
Sometimes the best home remedy for psoriasis is prevention. By being proactive about psoriasis home care, you may be able to decrease how frequently you experience symptom flare-ups.
First and foremost in psoriasis management is the avoidance of triggers. While individual triggers can vary between people, by tracking your symptoms, you can often pinpoint factors or circumstances that make your psoriasis worse.
Common triggers for psoriasis include:
- too long, hot showers
- stress
- skin injury (scratch, bug bite, burn, scrape, etc.)
- alcohol consumption
- smoking or exposure to smoke
- extreme temperatures
- dry, cool air
- infection
- shaving
- medication
- tattoos or piercings
Avoiding triggers is just one part of psoriasis management at home. You can also reduce your chance for flare-ups through lifestyle and habit changes like:
- practicing stress management daily
- treating skin injuries promptly, avoiding itching or rubbing the area
- limiting alcohol consumption to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men
- not smoking
- showering daily to help remove dirt, bacteria, and dry skin, but not scrubbing your skin or rubbing too hard
- keeping showers and baths warm, not hot
- liberally applying moisturizer after bathing and regularly during the day
- using a humidifier in your home or office
- selecting moisturizing cleansers instead of harsh soaps
- wearing sunscreen or clothing to prevent sunburn
- treating any infections as soon as possible
- consulting with your doctor if your suspect medication may aggravate your symptoms
- moisturizing before you shave, and do your best to avoid cutting your skin
- maintaining a moderate weight
- exercising regularly
Many mild types of psoriasis can be managed successfully with OTC products and lifestyle changes, like smoking cessation, but this doesn’t mean you should skip out on visiting the doctor.
Psoriasis is considered a progressive disease with an unpredictable pattern of development. Early treatment can be essential for preventing symptoms from worsening and for reducing the risk of common co-occurring conditions like psoriatic arthritis.
While the appearance of a psoriasis lesion is reason enough to speak to your doctor, signs you may need medical treatment include:
- new or worsening symptoms
- intense, disruptive pain or itching
- decreased ability to function at work, school, or socially
- OTC products aren’t working
- psoriasis is developing in sensitive areas, like the eyes, nail beds, or genitals
- joint pain
- feelings of anxiety or depression about psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can cause pain, itching, and concerns about your appearance. While a number of OTC and prescription therapies are available for this condition, many people find home remedies to help relieve their symptoms.
Home remedies for psoriasis may not work for everyone. Not all have been heavily researched, and even those with positive track records may be triggers for some people. Before starting any home remedy, discuss the benefits and risks with your dermatologist.
