The Well experts provide an insight into treating eczema and psoriasis.
All the layers of your skin form a barrier, with each layer playing a specific role in protecting the body agaisnt the aggressors of the outside world. Without all these protective shields, toxins and bacteria are able to penetrate skin causing conditions like breakouts, dehydration, redness, and flaky or itchy skin.
With the upcoming national focus on eczema and psoriasis awareness, The Well medical director, Dr Dara Suite and The Well acupuncturist Samira Kazemzadeh share their insights around how you can help your patients manage and identify these chronic skin conditions.
Identifying eczema and psoriasis
“Psoriasis typically presents as well-defined plaques with thicker scales, while eczema appears as less distinct patches with finer scaling. Eczema commonly affects flexural areas like elbow folds and behind the knees, whereas psoriasis often occurs on extensor surfaces such as elbows and knees." - Dr Dara Suite
Managing flare-ups
Common triggers include stress, certain foods, weather changes, and toxins, it is fundamental to identify and avoid particular triggers so you can help create a personalised management strategy for your clients. If a flair-up occurs, moisturising frequently using fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formulations to keep skin hydrated.
“I recommend applying this product immediately after bathing to lock in moisture. Hot water can aggravate symptoms, so advise to keep bathing time short. Prescribed medication is the recognised gold-standard for treating these skin conditions, with the guidance of your healthcare practitioner you may need to apply topical corticosteroids or other prescribed treatments as directed. For psoriasis, topical vitamin D or retinoids may be prescribed. Avoid scratching, and when it comes to your skincare routine, it’s wise to keep it gentle! Use mild, fragrance-free cleansers and avoid harsh exfoliants or hot water. An effective approach to handling eczema or psoriasis flare-ups is based on the severity and type of flare-up. It's important to work with a healthcare practitioner to develop a personalised treatment plan.”
Sensitive skin types should be cautious when using high-strength, active skincare ingredients because pilling and combining too many actives at once can irritate and inflame skin, creating tiny breaks in the skin barrier. Actives such as retinol and vitamin C can work wonders for your skin, but it is important to mindfully select formulas that calm and hydrate the skin, whilst protecting the skin barrier.
“Acupuncture can be applied as a complementary treatment for skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema with the potential to help from several angles: Stress can trigger or exacerbate psoriasis and eczema flare-ups; acupuncture may help to reduce stress while promoting relaxation. Acupuncture can support with alleviating the itching or pain caused by these conditions. Both psoriasis and eczema involve immune system dysfunction, acupuncture addresses this by modulating immune responses. Acupuncture can help reduce inflammation associated with these skin conditions and improve circulation to create better blood flow that supports skin healing. Acupuncture may help regulate hormones that can influence skin health. Sensitive skin types should be cautious when using high-strength, active skincare ingredients because pilling and combining too many actives at once can irritate and inflame skin, creating tiny breaks in the skin barrier. Actives such as retinol and vitamin C can work wonders for your skin, but it is important to mindfully select formulas that calm and hydrate the skin, whilst protecting the skin barrier. If considering acupuncture, I always advise patients to consult with a dermatologist first and to utilise acupuncture as a complementary treatment alongside conventional medical care, not as a replacement.”
- Samira Kazemzadeh
Tweakments advice
“While aesthetic treatments for eczema and psoriasis should always be secondary to medical management, some options may help improve skin appearance and reduce symptoms. Gentle chemical peels can exfoliate and improve skin texture. Microdermabrasion may be applied to help with scale removal and skin smoothing, while LED light therapy can help reduce inflammation and promote healing. PRP (Platelet-rich plasma) also aids skin healing and Microneedling can improve skin texture and reduce scarring. Not all treatments are suitable for every individual or every case of eczema or psoriasis, so it is crucial they are performed by a qualified professional who understands these skin conditions. Always consult with a dermatologist before pursuing any aesthetic treatments!”
- Dr Dara Suite
All the layers of your skin form a barrier, with each layer playing a specific role in protecting the body agaisnt the aggressors of the outside world. Without all these protective shields, toxins and bacteria are able to penetrate skin causing conditions like breakouts, dehydration, redness, and flaky or itchy skin.
With the upcoming national focus on eczema and psoriasis awareness, The Well medical director, Dr Dara Suite and The Well acupuncturist Samira Kazemzadeh share their insights around how you can help your patients manage and identify these chronic skin conditions.
Identifying eczema and psoriasis
“Psoriasis typically presents as well-defined plaques with thicker scales, while eczema appears as less distinct patches with finer scaling. Eczema commonly affects flexural areas like elbow folds and behind the knees, whereas psoriasis often occurs on extensor surfaces such as elbows and knees." - Dr Dara Suite
Managing flare-ups
Common triggers include stress, certain foods, weather changes, and toxins, it is fundamental to identify and avoid particular triggers so you can help create a personalised management strategy for your clients. If a flair-up occurs, moisturising frequently using fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formulations to keep skin hydrated.
“I recommend applying this product immediately after bathing to lock in moisture. Hot water can aggravate symptoms, so advise to keep bathing time short. Prescribed medication is the recognised gold-standard for treating these skin conditions, with the guidance of your healthcare practitioner you may need to apply topical corticosteroids or other prescribed treatments as directed. For psoriasis, topical vitamin D or retinoids may be prescribed. Avoid scratching, and when it comes to your skincare routine, it’s wise to keep it gentle! Use mild, fragrance-free cleansers and avoid harsh exfoliants or hot water. An effective approach to handling eczema or psoriasis flare-ups is based on the severity and type of flare-up. It's important to work with a healthcare practitioner to develop a personalised treatment plan.”
Sensitive skin types should be cautious when using high-strength, active skincare ingredients because pilling and combining too many actives at once can irritate and inflame skin, creating tiny breaks in the skin barrier. Actives such as retinol and vitamin C can work wonders for your skin, but it is important to mindfully select formulas that calm and hydrate the skin, whilst protecting the skin barrier.
“Acupuncture can be applied as a complementary treatment for skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema with the potential to help from several angles: Stress can trigger or exacerbate psoriasis and eczema flare-ups; acupuncture may help to reduce stress while promoting relaxation. Acupuncture can support with alleviating the itching or pain caused by these conditions. Both psoriasis and eczema involve immune system dysfunction, acupuncture addresses this by modulating immune responses. Acupuncture can help reduce inflammation associated with these skin conditions and improve circulation to create better blood flow that supports skin healing. Acupuncture may help regulate hormones that can influence skin health. Sensitive skin types should be cautious when using high-strength, active skincare ingredients because pilling and combining too many actives at once can irritate and inflame skin, creating tiny breaks in the skin barrier. Actives such as retinol and vitamin C can work wonders for your skin, but it is important to mindfully select formulas that calm and hydrate the skin, whilst protecting the skin barrier. If considering acupuncture, I always advise patients to consult with a dermatologist first and to utilise acupuncture as a complementary treatment alongside conventional medical care, not as a replacement.”
- Samira Kazemzadeh
Tweakments advice
“While aesthetic treatments for eczema and psoriasis should always be secondary to medical management, some options may help improve skin appearance and reduce symptoms. Gentle chemical peels can exfoliate and improve skin texture. Microdermabrasion may be applied to help with scale removal and skin smoothing, while LED light therapy can help reduce inflammation and promote healing. PRP (Platelet-rich plasma) also aids skin healing and Microneedling can improve skin texture and reduce scarring. Not all treatments are suitable for every individual or every case of eczema or psoriasis, so it is crucial they are performed by a qualified professional who understands these skin conditions. Always consult with a dermatologist before pursuing any aesthetic treatments!”
- Dr Dara Suite
