Psoriasis Treatment During Pregnancy: What Is Safe?

Treating psoriasis during pregnancy is a delicate matter! Here are some tips to help you treat your psoriasis without causing harm to you or your baby.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that can affect people of any age, but pregnancy seems to make it worse. When you are pregnant, your immune system is weakened, and psoriasis symptoms will be exacerbated. But there’s no need to panic: You can take steps to alleviate the effects or even prevent them altogether. In this blog post, we will discuss what treatments are safe for use during pregnancy and how best to avoid flare-ups to enjoy an uncomplicated pregnancy!

1. Using Ultraviolet Light B Therapy

Ultraviolet light B (UVB) is safe for pregnant women living with psoriasis and can be an effective psoriasis treatment. This type of therapy involves exposing your skin to the rays of the sun or special lamps. UVB treatments are short; you will only be exposed to these rays for a few minutes per day. You can also lower the risk of this type of treatment by applying sunscreen to all exposed areas before your session begins. However, people living with psoriasis should carefully choose a sunscreen brand because many are not effective in treating or preventing psoriasis symptoms.

2. Avoiding Conventional Treatment Methods

The FDA has issued warnings about using coal tar-based shampoos and topical ointments during pregnancy to treat psoriasis. They recommend that pregnant women who do not respond well to UVB treatments avoid using these remedies because they may risk congenital disabilities in the baby if the products are absorbed into the skin. Coal is an unsafe psoriasis treatment option during pregnancy, but you can use tar-based shampoos to treat psoriasis after the baby arrives.

3. Expert Around-the-Clock Care

Severe cases of psoriasis can be dangerous during pregnancy, so if yours is very active, speak with your doctor about round-the-clock care for safe relief. Some doctors recommend taking a steroid daily to reduce inflammation and control symptoms. Doing this will decrease the risk associated with flare-ups during pregnancy.

4. Taking Prenatal Vitamin D

Take a prenatal vitamin to boost your immune system and ensure that you have optimum vitamin D levels in your system at all times. Researchers from Harvard University found that women who consumed high amounts of vitamin D were significantly less likely to suffer from psoriasis during pregnancy.

5. Eating a Healthy Diet

Make sure your diet is balanced and healthy throughout your pregnancy: Shop for organic fruit and vegetables to boost your immune system. Minimize the risk of infections by using good kitchen hygiene; ensure everything you prepare is thoroughly washed before cooking or eating and keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods in the refrigerator.

6. Keeping Areas Affected by Psoriasis Covered

Wear loose clothing to cover areas affected by psoriasis if they are scaly and red, as you will irritate the skin even further with fabric that is too tight or abrasive. You can wear special clothing for people with psoriasis made from soft cotton fibers; synthetic materials may worsen symptoms of the disease.

7. Slathering on a Moisturizer

If your skin is dry, you can use a moisturizer to help keep it supple and hydrated. Remember that the most important thing is for your skin to be healthy; avoid using any products that may harm or irritate it during pregnancy. You should discuss the ingredients of specific moisturizers with your doctor before applying them because certain chemicals are unsafe to use while pregnant.

8. Keeping Stress in Check

Keep stress under control throughout your pregnancy because psoriasis is more likely to flare up when you are anxious or unhappy. Practice relaxation exercises, speak with a therapist about anger management techniques and make an effort to spend time doing enjoyable things that make you happy; this will increase your chances of avoiding psoriasis outbreaks.

9. Seeing a Doctor If Symptoms Get Worse

If your skin flares up, speak with your doctor about topical ointments or light therapy for treatment. Be aware that the UVA rays used in light treatments are safe for healthy people living with psoriasis but may cause problems during pregnancy. If you have severe symptoms that are clearly irritated or infected, your doctor may need to prescribe oral medications that reduce inflammation.

Conclusion

Remember that psoriasis treatment during pregnancy should be closely monitored! Speak with your doctor about an appropriate treatment plan, and do not hesitate to get a second opinion if you are concerned about the risks of psoriasis treatments.