Answers: Empowering you to take control

We have developed a plain-English summary service that will provide answers, ONLY from information on this site.

Click to use the service

You're not alone. Learning how to can take time. PAPAA offers free, confidential support, advice, and resources for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Try our CBT programme.

Some treatments for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can be provided at home by clinical homecare providers. These services, arranged through the NHS, deliver medicines and nursing support directly to people at home, offering a safe and convenient way to manage ongoing treatment. Learn more.

To manage itch in stable psoriasis: Moisturise frequently with thick emollients, use cool compresses, and try coal tar or salicylic shampoos for scalp relief.

Scalp psoriasis and nail changes—such as pitting, crumbling, lifting or discolouration—are associated with a higher likelihood of psoriatic arthritis, but they do not mean that you definitely have it. They are best treated as a reason to be alert to possible joint symptoms.

Speak to your GP, dermatology team or rheumatology team if you have psoriasis plus persistent joint pain, swelling or stiffness; pain in the heel or sole of the foot; a swollen finger or toe; lower-back pain that improves with movement; or morning stiffness that lasts longer than expected after getting up.

Early assessment matters because untreated inflammation can damage joints over time. A clinician may examine your joints and nails and arrange blood tests or imaging where appropriate.

Read more: Scalp psoriasis  Guide to psoriatic arthritis  Nail psoriasis

Heel or foot pain has many possible causes, including plantar fasciitis, footwear problems, injury, osteoarthritis and nerve-related pain. In people with psoriasis, it can sometimes be linked to enthesitis—inflammation where a tendon or ligament joins bone. Common sites include the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel and the sole of the foot.

Pain that is worse after rest, with morning stiffness, swelling, warmth, or improvement as you move may suggest inflammatory disease such as psoriatic arthritis. Pain may also occur with a swollen toe or finger (“sausage digit”).

Contact your GP or rheumatology team if pain persists, affects walking, or comes with other joint symptoms. Seek urgent help for a hot, very swollen joint, fever, sudden inability to bear weight, or a painful red eye with light sensitivity or blurred vision.

Read more: Foot pain

Stay mobile with psoriatic arthritis by choosing low-impact exercises like swimming or yoga, starting slow, and warming up joints.

There is no single “psoriasis diet” that works for everyone, and diet should complement—not replace—prescribed treatment. The most useful approach is usually a sustainable, heart-healthy pattern: plenty of vegetables, fruit, beans, wholegrains, nuts and fish; less highly processed food, sugary drinks and excess alcohol.

If you are above a weight that is healthy for you, gradual weight loss can improve psoriasis and may help joint symptoms. Stopping smoking, limiting alcohol, being regularly active within your abilities, sleeping well and finding ways to manage stress can also support overall health and reduce important cardiovascular risks.

Avoid restrictive diets or costly supplements unless there is a clear reason, such as diagnosed coeliac disease or a proven deficiency. Discuss major dietary changes with a GP, dietitian or specialist team.

Read more: Diet, weight and psoriasis 

A healthy nutritious diet for people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis is essential. Whether gluten free or adding supplements, it is really important to manage your weight.

It is generally accepted that stress on its own does not cause psoriasis. However, research has shown that stress and anxiety can trigger a flare. Read some coping strategies.

People consider complementary therapies like acupuncture, massage, turmeric supplements, or omega-3 fish oil etc. to ease symptoms alongside standard medication.

Psoriasis is not only a skin condition: it is linked with wider inflammation and a higher likelihood of conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats and type 2 diabetes. Excess body fat can release inflammatory signals, which may contribute to more active psoriasis and can make treatment response harder for some people.

This is not about blame. Weight is influenced by many factors, including pain, fatigue, sleep, medicines, stress, mobility, income and access to support. If weight loss is appropriate for you, even gradual, sustainable change can benefit skin disease, joint symptoms and cardiovascular health.

Ask your GP or specialist team about checks for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and weight or waist measurement. Support should be practical and non-judgemental, and may include dietary advice, activity adapted to your symptoms, or referral to local services.

Read more: Psoriasis and the heart Weight management.

People often feel alone, read what other people say and share your thoughts too.

No. Psoriasis is not contagious. You cannot catch it through touch, hugs, kissing, sharing towels, swimming, sex, or being near someone who has it.

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition: the immune system speeds up the production of skin cells, causing areas of inflammation and scaling. A person may have an inherited tendency to develop psoriasis, and triggers such as infection, stress, skin injury, smoking, alcohol or certain medicines can contribute to a flare. But psoriasis itself is not passed from person to person.

Sometimes skin infections can look like psoriasis, or psoriasis can become infected. If an area is suddenly very painful, hot, weeping, crusted, rapidly spreading, or accompanied by fever or feeling unwell, seek urgent medical advice.

Read more: What causes psoriasis? 

Morning stiffness can happen for many reasons. Inflammatory stiffness—seen in psoriatic arthritis—often feels like joints are difficult to move after waking or after resting, may last 30 minutes or longer, and may improve as you gently get moving. It can be accompanied by swelling, warmth, tenderness, fatigue, heel pain, lower-back stiffness, or a swollen finger or toe.

Mechanical pain, such as pain related to injury or wear-and-tear, is often worse after activity or by the end of the day and may improve with rest. However, there is overlap, so this is not a reliable way to diagnose yourself.

Keep a short symptom record: which joints hurt, how long stiffness lasts, visible swelling, effects on movement, and whether activity helps or worsens it. Seek assessment if symptoms persist, recur, or affect daily life.

Read more: What is psoriatic arthritis?

If you feel you would like to increase your knowledge in an easy way, see our free virtual guides.

Many people find it hard to know who to speak to, or how to make contact with their healthcare provider about their service delivery process. A good place to start is to get the NHS App.

Psoriasis can affect confidence, intimacy, social life and family relationships—not because you have done anything wrong, but because visible symptoms, itch, pain, tiredness and worries about other people’s reactions can be exhausting. Some people avoid dating, swimming, physical affection or talking about how they feel.

Honest conversation can help. You might explain that psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition, that it is not contagious, and what practical support would help during a flare—for example, patience when you are tired, help with treatment routines, or simply listening without trying to “fix” things.

If psoriasis is affecting your mood, self-esteem or relationships, tell your GP, dermatology team or rheumatology team. Emotional support is a valid part of psoriasis care.

Learn more about coping.

Often, yes—but it depends on the treatment you are using. Many people can breastfeed while managing psoriasis, particularly when using emollients and some topical treatments. However, medicines can pass into breast milk to different degrees, and some treatments may not be suitable.

Do not stop an important medicine suddenly or assume that a “natural” product is safe. Before pregnancy, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding, ask your dermatologist, rheumatology team, GP, pharmacist or obstetric team to review every medicine, including tablets, injections, creams, supplements and over-the-counter products.

If topical treatment is used on the breast or nipple area, follow clinical advice carefully and avoid a baby swallowing medication residue. You may be advised to apply treatment after a feed and to clean the area before the next one.

Further reading: Pregnancy 

If you cannot find an answer to your question, try the AI-assisted search at the top of this page. It searches only information published on this website.

Search the site