Both palmar and plantar psoriasis can be extremely difficult to manage because of their positions on the body, and this makes them difficult to live with. That's why this article will help you identify these variations of psoriasis and find natural ways to improve some of the symptoms you experience.

Palmar psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that affects the palms of your hands, causing your skin to become dry, cracked, and flaky. Many also experience some pain and itchiness due to the psoriasis patches on their palms. Palmar psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) condition that tends to flare up and subside at intervals, and it can make it difficult to hold things or perform certain daily tasks.

The symptoms of palmar psoriasis can vary from mild to severe and may be slightly different for each person. They include:

 

• Extreme flakiness and dryness on the palms of the hands
• Itchy palms
• Inflammation and redness
• Blisters on the palms of your hands

 

If you have palmar psoriasis, you might also notice nail changes, such as pitting, ridging, and separating the nail from the nail bed. As the name suggests, plantar psoriasis affects the feet - specifically the soles of the feet. Like palmar psoriasis, plantar psoriasis can make daily activities like walking or wearing certain footwear increasingly difficult if the symptoms are severe or painful. Often, it causes scaly patches to appear on the soles, as well as redness and inflamed skin.

These symptoms may be similar to those of palmar psoriasis, but the key difference is that they only affect the soles of the feet:

 

• Scales and rough, dehydrated skin
• Painful cracks in the skin
• Itching
• Burning sensations
• Soreness and stiffness around joints
• Tenderness

The main challenge with both these skin conditions is their location; they affect areas of the body that are constantly in use. Plantar psoriasis can cause some pain and make it tough to walk or stand for long periods of time. Palmar and plantar psoriasis can also be difficult to treat because the hands and feet are always in motion, which means the skin can get easily irritated and is often exposed.

Light therapy or phototherapy may be a helpful option if your symptoms are persistent and more serious. As some of you may know, this is a type of treatment that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to slow the growth of skin cells, which is what causes psoriasis on your hands or feet. Moderate sunlight exposure can also help your skin produce more vitamin D, which benefits skin health and immunity. If you choose to go out in the sun for these added benefits, it's important to avoid getting burnt, as this could make your psoriasis worse.

Another natural way to manage your palmar or plantar psoriasis is by intensely moisturising your skin. This is important because it can help to prevent the skin from becoming too dry, cracked, and inflamed. You can keep your dry patches hydrated with our natural body cream, which is perfect for full-body use. Formulated with chia seed oil, this cream will help to soothe and protect your skin from further irritation, soothe itchiness and moisturise cracks and dryness on your hand or feet.

As with any chronic condition, what you eat can play a big role in managing your symptoms and improving your overall health. For example, a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods may help to heal your skin from the inside - whereas highly processed, sugary foods may do the opposite. Our probiotic supplement contains various strains of live bacteria and skin-supporting herbs to help you maintain a healthy gut, which is essential for good skin health.

Highly stressful lifestyles, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can all make psoriasis worse. So, it's important to find ways to manage stress, get enough sleep and exercise, and cut down on unhealthy habits like smoking, which can trigger strong flare-ups. What's more, these things can also increase your chances of developing palmar or plantar psoriasis if you haven't already.

Despite their challenges, you can find some relief from plantar and palmar psoriasis. These natural steps might help you lessen the severity of your symptoms and support your skin.