Stress Free Swimming with Psoriasis - Tips for Hitting the Pool this Summer
While swimming during the summer may seem like a ‘go-to’ activity for many during the warm summer months, for those of us with psoriasis, it is a bit more complicated than that. While we would love to enjoy a nice dip in the pool or day at the beach, many of us worry what the consequences of these fun summer activities may be for our psoriatic skin. I am here to tell you that there are steps you can take to make sure you avoid a dreaded flare up during the summer months and how being outside and in the water may even help your psoriasis!
As we have talked about in previous blogs, engaging in anti-inflammatory activities and eating anti-inflammatory foods are best practices to help keep psoriasis flares at bay. That is why during the summertime, most of us who suffer from psoriasis feel some relief because the sun actually provides anti-inflammatory sunlight and vitamin D. While the sun is beneficial for our psoriatic skin, too much of it can have the opposite effect and this is why we highly recommend you use sunscreen before going outside and reapply when necessary. Additionally, many still worry about the effects that swimming may have on their sensitive psoriatic skin. A major factor that goes into swimming with psoriasis is the type of water you will be swimming in.
Chlorine pools can be much more damaging and irritating to our skin. To try and reduce the amount of irritation that can be caused by chlorine, keep swimming sessions short and directly after swimming try and rinse yourself off and, if possible, apply some cream to keep the skin moisturized so it does not tighten up and become irritated from all of the chemicals in the water.
Salt water, on the other hand, can actually be beneficial to your psoriatic skin!
Saltwater pools and beaches are the best option for people with psoriasis! Salt is known for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties and can actually help to slough off dead skin cells on the top layer of your skin to reveal new and healthier looking skin. Dead Sea Mud and Mineral Salt are often used for psoriatic skin and are in our Kenkōderm Dead Sea Mud and Mineral Salt Bar Soaps for this exact reason! Make sure to not make your swimming sessions too long in either salt water or chlorinated water and moisturize well to keep your skin hydrated and refreshed!
Remember to enjoy your time by the pool or near the ocean and to take time to relax this summer! Worry and stress are also a trigger for psoriasis, so make sure you take some much needed relaxation time and enjoy some time away!