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Weather

Hot or cold—is one better than the other?

For many people with psoriasis, winter brings more than just low temperatures and wet weather. It actually makes their psoriasis worse. Just remember, wherever you live, whatever the climate, there are a variety of techniques you can use to manage your psoriasis year-round.

Tips for winter

Here are a few suggestions to help you get through the winter months:

• If you go outside, be sure to wear warm gloves.
• Use a humidifier in your home and at work to combat the dry air that blasts from heaters.
• Try to avoid using your heater at night. The warm air can leave your skin dry.
• Avoid drying out the skin by using too much soap.
• Moisturize your skin immediately after you shower or bathe to lock water into your skin.
• Keep your body hydrated by drinking several glasses of water a day.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you involve your dermatologist in your plan.

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Tips for summer

Some people with psoriasis experience an improvement in their symptoms during the summer. This may be due to the beneficial effects of ultraviolet light. In fact, there are many places around the world that specialize in treating diseases using a favourable climate. This is known as climatotherapy. One of the more popular sites for this type of treatment is the Dead Sea, where the combination of filtered sunlight and mineral-rich waters has been found to improve psoriasis for some people.

However, if you're going to spend any time in the sun, the most important thing you can do is to avoid sunburn which can aggravate psoriasis. Also, be sure to check with your dermatologist to make sure that the sunblock you are using will not make your psoriasis symptoms worse.

The Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) recommends the following:

• Liberally apply a sunblock to skin unaffected by psoriasis at least 15 to 30 minutes before you plan to be in the sun and reapply 15-30 minutes after sun exposure begins and after vigorous activities, etc.
• Use a broad-spectrum sunblock with an SPF of at least 30.
• Avoid outdoor activities between the hours of 10 AM and 3 PM. This is when the sun's rays are the strongest.
• Seek shade whenever possible.
• Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses

Be sure to consult your dermatologist about precautions you should take if you are currently using sun-sensitizing medications or phototherapy to treat your psoriasis.