Having psoriasis, a condition that causes raised and red plaques to cover the skin, is difficult enough. Imagine having it while pregnant? Though studies suggest that up to 60 percent of women see their psoriasis symptoms improve during pregnancy, there are still a few important things to consider and be prepared for beforehand. We chatted with dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, who broke down everything you need to know if you're pregnant and struggle with psoriasis.
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1. Pregnancy can make it worse: "In most cases a patient's psoriasis actually gets better during pregnancy but in others it can get worse," says Dr. Zeichner. "It really depends and there's no real way to know before you actually get pregnant. But you may need to speak to your doctor about possibily switching up your medications or treatments."
2. You might have to get off your medication: Zeichner explains that most drugs that treat psoriasis tend to fall in the category C level, meaning that there hasn't been enough research done to determine if these drugs are safe to use during pregnancy. As a result, most dermatologists would recommend to their pregnant or breast-feeding patients to stop taking psoriasis medications. But it's definitely something you want to talk about with your doctor first.
3. There are natural alternatives: "Moisturizers help calm, hydrate and soothe the skin," says Zeichner. "They not only help approve the appearance, but also can help make the skin feel comfortable. There are also light treatments dermatologists use that have been shown to be anti-inflammatory. At my practice we also use a treatment called photo therapy, which is a medical grade light treatment that's applied to the skin three times per week for around 10-12 weeks. It helps reduce inflammation in the skin, improves the appearance of the red plaques and typically results in long-term remission. There are also herbal and natural remedies out there that some people have found helpful."
4. You can change your diet: "There isn't enough scientific research to really back this up, but a lot of patients find that certain foods cause flare ups for them and certain foods bring them relief. So it's really important to pay attention to how your body responds to certain foods and create a diet that works for you," says Zeichner. "Emotional and mental stress tends to affect a lot of patients as well, so definitely look for ways to help reduce stress."
5. There are options even if you don't have insurance: "If you have psoriasis, it's recommended to see a board-certified dermatologist to help find the best treatment for you. But for women that are not insured, there are still options," says Zeichner. "There are generic medications out there that are expensive and there are also a lot of assistance programs out there that provide resources and even grants to patients who don't have insurance. Check out the National Psoriasis Foundation for help."
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