Can damp make psoriasis worse?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 21, 2026
For people who have psoriasis, summer can be a tricky time. While humidity and sunshine can help soothe symptoms, air-conditioning and chlorine can dry skin and trigger psoriasis flare-ups.
Is moisture good for psoriasis?
People with psoriasis who establish a daily bathing and moisturizing routine will find that doing so not only minimizes scaling, but also helps alleviate itching and keeps psoriasis patches looking as good as possible.
What triggers psoriasis flare ups?
What causes psoriasis to flare up and worsen?
- Stress. An increase in stress levels or living with ongoing, chronic stress can cause your psoriasis to flare up. ...
- Cold and dry weather. ...
- Trauma to the skin. ...
- Certain medications. ...
- Weight. ...
- Smoking. ...
- Infections. ...
- Alcohol.
Why does my psoriasis flare up after a shower?
Limit showers to 5 minutes and baths to 15 minutes once per day. Showering or bathing too often can increase the amount of moisture you lose through your skin, making it dry and irritated. “It can make already inflamed skin feel even worse,” says Dr. Unwala.
Is dry or humid weather better for psoriasis?
Another reason psoriasis gets better in warmer weather is because people tend to wear fewer layers of clothing. As a result, their skin gets more exposure to the sun and fresh air.
17 related questions foundHow do you calm a psoriasis flare up?
Dealing With a Psoriasis Flare-up
- Keep your skin moist and cool. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, moisturizing your skin with heavy, fragrance-free creams or lotions helps lock in moisture so that your plaques can heal. ...
- Take time to unwind. ...
- Eat more greens and healthy fats. ...
- Get a little sun. ...
- Treat your skin.
What time of year is psoriasis worse?
Dry air and low levels of exposure to sunlight's ultraviolet rays likely cause worsening psoriasis symptoms during fall and winter. Not only are the winter days shorter, but most people tend to spend less time outside. And, when they do brave the elements, they're usually bundled up from head to toe.
Does drinking more water help psoriasis?
When patients are fighting conditions such as psoriasis, hydration can be used to keep the skin moisturized and decrease flare-ups for those who experience psoriasis and other skin conditions.
How long do psoriasis flares last?
A psoriasis flare can last from a few weeks to a few months. 2 Flares are usually followed by periods in which symptoms subside or go into remission. A psoriasis flare-up is marked by red, dry, and thick skin patches.
How do you know when psoriasis is healing?
Fortunately, a sign your psoriasis may be going into remission is a decrease in the amount of itching you experience. You may find you can use less topical medications, such as certain creams containing steroids, that help to reduce the itch and inflammation on your affected skin.
Why do I suddenly have psoriasis?
Psoriasis triggers
Infections, such as strep throat or skin infections. Weather, especially cold, dry conditions. Injury to the skin, such as a cut or scrape, a bug bite, or a severe sunburn. Stress.
Does psoriasis get worse at night?
Indeed, for many people, the itch of psoriasis — which can be especially severe at night, disrupting sleep — has a bigger impact on their quality of life than the patches of thick raised skin covered with silvery scales that represent the visible aspect of the disease.
Can you stop psoriasis from spreading?
There is no cure for psoriasis. Most people can control their symptoms with medication and lifestyle changes, though psoriasis flare-ups may continue. Following the treatment plan recommended by a doctor can increase the time between flare-ups and prevent the disease from spreading.
How often should you shower with psoriasis?
Bathe (or shower) only once a day. Soak for no more than 15 minutes. Gently wash your skin.
Does Vaseline help psoriasis?
Use over-the-counter products that your doctor suggests. These may include Cetaphil, Lubriderm, or Eucerin. Petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) and vegetable shortening (such as Crisco) also work. If you have psoriasis on your scalp, use a shampoo with salicylic acid, such as Sebcur.
How long does it take for psoriasis to clear up?
The medical term for this is “remission.” A remission can last for months or years; however, most last from 1 to 12 months. Psoriasis is notoriously unpredictable, so it's impossible to know who will have a remission and how long it will last. Even when psoriasis clears, it's likely to return.
Does psoriasis shorten your life?
Psoriasis by itself doesn't affect life expectancy. However, if you have the condition, you're at higher risk of other diseases that may have a higher mortality risk, such as heart disease.
How long can you live with psoriasis?
Among patients who died, those with severe psoriasis died at a younger age than controls. For example, men with severe psoriasis died 3.5 years (95% CI, 1.2-5.8 years; P < . 001) younger than men without psoriasis, and women with severe psoriasis died 4.4 years (95% CI, 2.2-6.6 years; P < .
Can psoriasis go away permanently?
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that is not curable and it will not go away on its own. However, the disease fluctuates and many people can have clear skin for years at a time, and occasional flare-ups when the skin is worse.
Should you let psoriasis dry out?
It's important to keep your skin moist by applying creams and lotions. Psoriasis symptoms often get worse due to dry skin. But you may want to be choose your lotion carefully, since many contain ingredients that can actually dry out your skin even more.
Does coffee trigger psoriasis?
FRIDAY, March 23 (HealthDay News) -- Although earlier studies had linked coffee to an increased risk for psoriasis, a large new study finds no such evidence. Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation.
Does psoriasis get worse as you get older?
Most people develop psoriasis between the ages of 15 and 35. While psoriasis may get better or worse depending on different environmental factors, it doesn't get worse with age. Obesity and stress are two possible components that lead to psoriasis flares.
What should you not do if you have psoriasis?
However, there are common triggers that people with psoriasis may want to avoid just in case.
- Foods. There's no definitive psoriasis diet. ...
- Alcohol. Research on alcohol and psoriasis is limited. ...
- Excess sun. ...
- Cold, dry weather. ...
- Stress. ...
- Obesity. ...
- Smoking. ...
- Certain medications.
What climate is best for psoriasis?
Weather Cold and dry weather can cause dry skin, which makes the chances of having a flare-up worse. In contrast, warm, sunny weather appears to help control the symptoms of psoriasis in most people. Living in a humid climate is also better for psoriasis sufferers than living in a dry climate.
Is cold shower good for psoriasis?
Dermatologists recommend showering or swimming in cold water for those with psoriasis and eczema. Coldwater constricts the blood vessels and tightens the pores to reduce the redness and the loss of natural oils in the skin.