So You’ve Just Been Diagnosed With Psoriasis

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If you’ve just been diagnosed with psoriasis or suspect you will be soon, the news isn’t as bad as it once was. I’ve watched my sister and father live with this autoimmune condition for decades, and while there’s still no cure, treatments have vastly improved, as has our understanding of it. Along with several new prescription medications you can get from your dermatologist, there are complementary steps you can take to keep symptoms at bay.

“Psoriasis doesn’t bother me nearly as much as it did in the past,” my sister, Gabrielle Drumheller, a yoga and dance teacher in central Florida, tells me. I remember when she was diagnosed at age 17, after months of doctors telling her she was just having an allergic reaction. But with that diagnosis, she didn’t get immediate relief. “For many, many years, it was terrible. I felt gross and self-conscious as well as itchy and sometimes in pain.”

Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, MD, PhD, a double board-certified dermatologist in New York City, has watched advances in psoriasis treatment throughout her career. “When I started practicing dermatology, we only had salicylic acid ointment, lanolin ointment, and maybe corticosteroids, and now we have amazing medications that make life for our patients better,” she tells me. Now they’re able to see “almost 100 percent” improvement in their symptoms.

That doesn’t mean this will happen instantly or without setbacks. You’ll need to work alongside your dermatologist to see what works for you, what triggers your flare-ups, and whether you need to manage any related conditions or comorbidities. Below, we’ll discuss the lifestyle changes, over-the-counter products, and other steps you can take.

When to See a Doctor

Psoriasis is sometimes difficult to diagnose by sight because it can be mistaken for other skin conditions, such as contact dermatitis, eczema, or a fungal infection, Dr. Kazlouskaya says. It can appear in the form of plaque psoriasis (discolored patches of scales that itch, crack, and bleed), but it can also just look like darker patches, dandruff, or pus-filled bumps. A dermatologist, even one with decades of experience, may need to take a biopsy to be sure.

“A lot of times it’s very treatable, and you shouldn’t just dismiss it as something you can do nothing about,” says board-certified dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD, who is also based in New York City. Dermatologists can now treat your psoriasis with topical steroids, biologic medications that block certain immune responses, immunosuppressants, UV therapy, and more.

Because having psoriasis may mean you’re also at risk for other conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it’s even more important to get a proper diagnosis and seek treatment. The lifestyle changes your doctor recommends for psoriasis, like eating more whole foods and avoiding inflammatory ones, may reduce the damage those other dangerous diseases can do as well.

Identify and Reduce Psoriasis Triggers

While there’s a big genetic component to psoriasis, your behavior, mental state, diet, and environment all play a role in what causes symptoms to show up on your skin. One of the first steps you can take to help yourself is to keep track of your flare-ups so you can try to pinpoint what may have triggered them. You can do this even before your first doctor’s appointment, and it will help you ask for further guidance.

“I definitely ask people to be aware of [their triggers] because lifestyle changes make a big difference,” Dr. Jaliman says.

Clever Fox Dotted Notebook

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Dedicate a notebook just for this purpose, and you’ll be able to go back to it later and notice patterns. Maybe a particular lotion or fragrance type is a culprit. It could also be certain stressful situations. You may even find that drinking alcohol or eating foods with a lot of processed sugar leads to your symptoms. We like the freedom a Clever Fox dotted notebook provides: You can write as big as you like and use the included stickers as shorthand. And at only 5 x 8.25 inches, it fits in any bag to take with you.

Over-the-Counter Skincare for Psoriasis

As effective as prescription topicals can be, you can also improve your skin’s health with what you buy on your own. You may need to adjust your skincare regimen to eliminate any irritating ingredients. Your focus should be on protecting your skin’s barrier. If you experience a flare-up, some over-the-counter treatments may help too.

Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash

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One of the first changes Dr. Jaliman suggests her psoriasis patients make is to their soap and cleansers, because strong soaps, especially those with fragrance, can cause redness and irritation. “I happen to like Dove unscented body wash because it’s very mild, it’s easy to get, and it doesn’t irritate your skin,” she tells us.

While Dove’s Sensitive Skin body wash is not completely fragrance-free, it’s gentle enough for most people, even those with psoriasis, Jaliman says. For a completely fragrance-free option, you can try the brand’s new Ultra Sensitive Serum Body Wash.

Cerave Renewing SA Cleanser

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This salicylic acid cleanser has the National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Recognition, which means it submitted independent test data showing it does not irritate the skin or joints of people with psoriasis, and that data was reviewed by a panel of board-certified dermatologists and rheumatologists. Salicylic acid has long been used as a gentle way to exfoliate, getting rid of the dead skin cells that build up with plaque psoriasis.

“I always felt like my skin was thoroughly cleaned and fresh after use,” said writer Sadie Crouch, who does not have psoriasis but previously tested this cleanser for Everyday Health. “I appreciated how exfoliating it felt without having to scrub hard.”

EltaMD UV AOX Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 40

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Because dermatologists can treat psoriasis with controlled short-wave UVB rays in the office, some people have a misconception that a cheaper way to get the same results would be to go out into the sun (or worse, a tanning bed) without wearing sunscreen. Both doctors we spoke to say this is a bad idea. It puts you at risk for melanoma in the long term and can cause irritation that will worsen psoriasis in the short term. At the same time, some chemical sunscreens can also trigger flare-ups. For people with sensitive skin, mineral sunscreen is a much better option.

Jaliman likes that this EltaMD spray has a high concentration of zinc oxide (14 percent) and that it’s so easy for her patients to use. That means they’re more likely to use it consistently. “It’s not greasy or anything,” she says. “It does come out white, but you just rub it once, and then it glistens on your skin.”

Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion

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It’s important to moisturize your skin often to protect your skin’s barrier, Dr. Kazlouskaya says, because new psoriasis spots can appear wherever that barrier is traumatized. “There are a lot of lotions with ceramides, glycerine, and sometimes even petrolatum-based ointments that help to keep your skin smoother and maybe prevent a little bit of those new spots from appearing,” she says.

Cetaphil moisturizes and protects with glycerin, vitamin B5, and niacinamide, and it’s so inexpensive, you won’t have to use it sparingly. “After my shower, I use Cetaphil cream generously all over, every single day,” Drumheller says. That consistency is how she keeps herself flareup-free.

Dermarest Eczema Medicated Lotion

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Corticosteroids can control the inflammatory response in the body that causes psoriasis symptoms. The stronger topical forms of this medication require a prescription and should only be used for a short time, Dr. Kazlouskaya says, but you can turn to the over-the-counter option to help cope with a flare-up while you wait for your next doctor’s appointment. “One percent hydrocortisone is relatively safe, so you can at least start using it twice daily,” she says. “Try to limit it to a maximum of two weeks, and see a dermatologist as soon as possible.”

This lotion from Dermarest has the National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Recognition. In addition to 1 percent hydrocortisone, it also has zinc, green tea extract, safflower extract, and other ingredients to moisturize and help restore the skin’s barrier.

Murad Quick Relief Colloidal Oatmeal Treatment

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When you need to take a break from steroid creams, colloidal oatmeal lotions can be a soothing alternative. “It doesn’t treat the inflammation, but for a lot of people who are very itchy, it might help,” Jaliman explains. This Murad cream contains 5 percent colloidal oatmeal, a higher concentration than most lotions, to moisturize highly irritated skin.

Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

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While coal tar is a commonly recommended ingredient in shampoos for scalp psoriasis, it can dry hair out, and Jaliman says it sometimes darkens blond hair. Doctors can prescribe a shampoo with 2 percent ketoconazole, an antifungal medication that also reduces inflammation, but she says that Nizoral shampoo’s 1 percent ketoconazole is enough for many people. It’s safe to use on color-treated or otherwise chemically processed hair.

Household Products

Because fragrances and harsh chemicals can cause reactions that lead to psoriasis flare-ups, you should probably reevaluate what you use to clean around the house, too. When you can’t replace those products, there are other ways to protect your skin from them.

All Free + Clear Laundry Detergent

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This fragrance-free laundry detergent has the National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Recognition and the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. At the same time, it’s very affordable. But does it actually clean your clothing and linens? Yes, according to editor Alexandra Klausner, who added that the detergent was gentle on her sensitive skin. What’s more, she said, “I like the consistency and perfume-free smell of this better than Tide Free and Clear.”

Quince New Zealand 100% Wool Dryer Balls

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Jaliman says that fabric softeners and dryer sheets, which have artificial fragrances, can often be a trigger for psoriasis. “I tell people to get dryer balls,” she says. Wool balls still do a great job of preventing static. When the balls bounce around in the dryer, they help fluff up your clothing and actually reduce drying time. They also reduce waste and costs over time.

Elgood Reusable Long-Sleeve Dishwashing Cleaning Gloves

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It’s difficult to find household cleaning products that are both effective at removing grime from surfaces and gentle on skin. That’s why Jaliman recommends that people with psoriasis use gloves when they clean. And since hot, sweaty gloves can themselves become irritating, she suggests wearing a thin cotton glove as a liner. But you won’t need an additional liner with these Elgood gloves, since they already come with cotton lining. They’re made with PVC instead of latex (a potential allergen), and they protect you all the way to your elbow.

Diet and Supplements

Drumheller realized early on that certain foods made her psoriasis worse. “Processed food, sugar, alcohol, and bread are triggers for me,” she says. Her experience is in line with research and doctor recommendations, which say that avoiding inflammatory foods can improve both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

For reducing psoriasis symptoms, “the Mediterranean diet has strong data overall,” Kazlouskaya says. That means eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, healthy fats, fish, and poultry, while limiting processed foods, simple carbohydrates, and red meat. The foods in this diet naturally contain omega-3 fatty acids and plenty of antioxidants. Jaliman goes further than that and recommends supplements of those nutrients as well (combined with traditional medical treatment).

Another reason to pay special attention to what you eat is that metabolic syndrome and heart disease are common comorbidities with psoriasis. Lowering inflammation in your body also decreases your risk for both.

Humann Turmeric Chews

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If you’re like many health-conscious people we know, you’re taking so many supplements you can’t imagine swallowing another. That’s just one of the reasons to pick up these delicious chews instead of more capsules. They contain 300 mg of curcumin, which is known to be an effective anti-inflammatory. There’s some evidence showing that it’s helpful for a variety of skin conditions, including psoriasis, but we don’t yet know the optimal dosage. “I usually recommend about 500 mg twice a day,” Jaliman says.

Thorne Super EPA

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Despite its name, this supplement contains both EPA and DHA forms of omega-3 fatty acids, sustainably sourced from fish and third-party tested. There’s mixed evidence about the effect of omega-3 supplements or fish oil on improving psoriasis symptoms. Jaliman finds enough of the studies promising to recommend and take them herself. And since we do know that there are plenty of other benefits of these supplements for heart health, reduced inflammation, and more, it’s not a bad idea to take these – unless you are taking certain blood thinners, blood-pressure medications, or contraceptive drugs, so check with your doctor.

Improving Your Mental Health

Here’s a tough cycle: Having psoriasis isn’t just stressful on a surface level; it also increases your risk of anxiety and depression. At the same time, stress and depression are also triggers for psoriasis flare-ups. Being aware of this goes a long way toward improving your mental health, whether that’s something you can do on your own, with professional assistance, or both.

“I think of my skin as a report card for my body’s health: I know when I’m in a flare-up, I need to evaluate my diet, sleep, and stress level,” Drumheller says. Her daily yoga practice has helped a lot with this in recent years.

In addition to the traditional methods of stress relief and mental health treatment, Jaliman offers one more tip for people struggling to cope with their psoriasis: Join a support group so that you can speak to other people going through the same thing. The National Psoriasis Foundation has ways to connect online and in person.

BetterHelp

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Online therapy has removed a lot of barriers to getting mental health treatment, and BetterHelp is one of the easiest and most affordable platforms out there. After signing up, you can meet with one of the platform’s 30,000+ licensed therapists for regular appointments, and you can text them in between your virtual visits as well.

Calm App

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Is your favorite way to relax through a guided meditation or a timed breathing exercise? By falling asleep to a fictional story or to soothing nonfiction descriptions? Do you need to listen to instrumental music or nature sounds? This app has all of those things, so you can figure out your preferences. (This article may have been written to the soundtrack of several Calm work and focus playlists.) Meditation and mindfulness interventions have been shown to reduce symptom severity and improve quality of life in people with psoriasis.

Lululemon 5 mm Yoga Mat

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The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends yoga as a way to improve mood and physical health, thereby lowering the risk of other potential comorbidities, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Plus, it feels good. And if you’ve been suffering from uncomfortable, painful flare-ups, that’s a really valuable thing. This yoga mat has an extra-grippy polyurethane side and a textured side made of natural rubber, so you can use it for all types of yoga practices. It’s nicely cushioned and antimicrobial, which we love. Editor Ashley Ziegler would “buy it again in a heartbeat” should anything happen to the one she’s had for years. (This is not recommended for anyone with a latex allergy, however.)

Can Psoriasis Be Cured?

While there’s no cure for psoriasis, prescription medications to prevent and treat its symptoms have vastly improved in recent years. These topical, oral, or injectable drugs, such as risankizumab, apremilast, guselkumab, and secukinumab, work to block the overactive immune cells that cause the inflammatory cascade of psoriasis symptoms. The result is clearer skin that could last indefinitely, though you may have to return to treatment or change medications if you encounter different triggers.

“It’s very treatable these days,” Jaliman says. “If you see the before and afters of our patients, you would think they were Photoshopped. [They have] bright red, peeling, and scaling skin, and then they come back, and it’s kind of unbelievable – they have perfectly normal-looking, good skin.”

FAQs

Is psoriasis an autoimmune condition?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s T-cells mistakenly attack skin cells, which in turn makes the body produce an excess of new skin cells that build up to form plaques.

What’s the best over-the-counter treatment for psoriasis?

While over-the-counter treatments aren’t as effective as prescription medications, the doctors we spoke to say over-the-counter topical treatments such as salicylic acid and hydrocortisone can clear up mild flare-ups. Regular use of moisturizers while avoiding harsh chemicals can also protect the skin’s barrier, which can help prevent psoriasis plaques from forming.

What’s the link between psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis?

As with psoriasis, the exact cause of psoriatic arthritis is still unknown, but the National Psoriasis Foundation estimates that one in three people with psoriasis also has psoriatic arthritis. Both are autoimmune conditions characterized by inflammation. Psoriatic arthritis symptoms include painful and swollen joints, morning joint stiffness, swollen fingers or toes, and pain in the feet and/or ankles.

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Sabrina Rojas Weiss

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Sabrina Rojas Weiss has been a writer and editor for more than 25 years, 12 of which she’s spent in the health and parenting space. Her work has appeared in Parents, Verywell, Yaho…

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Olivia Campbell

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Olivia Campbell is the New York Times bestselling author of Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine and Sisters in Science: How Four Women P…

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Sadie Crouch

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Sadie is a freelance writer, a physician liaison for Cook Children’s Health System based in Fort Worth, Texas, and a registered nurse with a background in neonatal intensive care, …

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Alexandra Klausner

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Alexandra Klausner is a freelance health writer and editor with over 10 years of journalism experience. Prior to going freelance, she worked as a reporter and editor at the New Yor…

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Ashley Ziegler

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Ashley Ziegler is a full-time writer with extensive experience covering women’s health, babies’ and kids’ health, mental health, and wellness. Her work has appeared on websites inc…

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Resources

1. Mateu-Arrom L et al. Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms of Psoriasis. Genes. August 13, 2023.

4. Katsimbri P et al. The Effect of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Capacity of Diet on Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Phenotype: Nutrition as Therapeutic Tool? Antioxidants. January 22, 2021.

5. Kupczyk D et al. The Role of Diet in Modulating Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Psoriatic Arthritis. Nutrients. May 7, 2025.

8. Ching-Chi C et al. Fish oil supplements for treatment of psoriasis: An overview of systematic reviews. Dermatologica Sinica. January-March 2024.

9. Hedemann TL et al. Associations Between Psoriasis and Mental Illness: An Update for Clinicians. General Hospital Psychiatry. March-April 2022.

10. Bartholomew E. Mindfulness and Meditation for Psoriasis: A Systematic Review. Dermatology and Therapy. September 14, 2022.

12. Azimi SI et al. Systematic review of comparative studies on emerging psoriasis treatments: comparing biologics with biologics, small molecule inhibitors with small molecule inhibitors, and biologics with small molecule inhibitors. Inflammopharmacology. May 29, 2025.