Your doctor will strongly advise against taking long baths or showers and tell you to avoid hot water. All bathing should take place as quick as possible and in lukewarm water. You may not need to shower or bathe on a daily basis and doing so can actually be more harmful to the skin by drying it out. Once you have finished with the shower or bath, pat yourself dry and make sure to moisturize the skin thoroughly afterwards to keep in the moisture.

Too many showers or baths can dry out the skin considerable if proper care is not taking right afterward. Dry skin is the worst nightmare for someone who suffers from psoriasis because dry skin equals itchy skin. Itchy skin leads to another flare-up.

Doctors will tell you short showers and baths are acceptable. Taking a shower can help aid in alleviating the symptoms of psoriasis and can give the body much of the moisture it needs. However, it is necessary to capture and lock in that moisture by applying skin creams and lotions.

When drying off, avoid quick rubbing motions that you may be used to. Instead, pat yourself dry and gently remove the excess water from your body. You don’t have to be completely dry to moisturize, the little bit of water needs to be there in order to keep the skin hydrated. Immediately after toweling off, apply the lotion so the access water doesn’t evaporate.

It may help to add some oils into the bath like olive oil, mineral oil, or vegetable oil. All these oils will help soothe the skin and fight of inflammation. Adding in some Epson salt will help relieve some of the symptoms as well, and help keep those dry, patchy spots at bay.