How to Find Relief for Foot Psoriasis

Between treatments and lifestyle changes, there are plenty of steps you can take to help control your symptoms. Start with these strategies to help you manage foot psoriasis and get back on your feet.

1. Try Topical Medication

The first line of defense against psoriasis symptoms is medication, according to Mark Lebwohl, MD, professor and chair of the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. For mild cases, topical steroids could be enough to reduce flare-ups, Dr. Lebwohl says.

Over-the-counter and prescription lotions, ointments, creams, sprays, and foams reduce swelling and itching and can help make you more comfortable, Lebwohl notes. Besides topical steroids, there are topical vitamin D analogues and topical retinoids, according to the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.

Since psoriasis is also characterized by thick scaly plaques, using topical medications to effectively remove the scale is helpful. In some cases, wet wraps utilizing topical prescription medications can effectively hydrate the skin and remove the scale.

Ask your doctor if over-the-counter treatments with salicylic acid or lactic acid are right for you.

2. Seek Phototherapy

If topical medications don’t work, Lebwohl recommends moving to phototherapy treatment for your foot psoriasis. Phototherapy, or light therapy, is usually prescribed by a dermatologist, according to the NPF. It involves treating affected areas of the skin, such as the bottom of the feet, with ultraviolet (UV) light on a regular basis.

These treatments can be done under medical supervision in your dermatologist’s office or at home with a personal phototherapy unit. Light therapy has been shown to slow the growth of skin cells on the feet that are affected by psoriasis, Lebwohl says.

3. Pursue Other Treatment Options

If your foot psoriasis symptoms persist, it may be time to consider biologic therapy.

Injectable biologics, which target specific parts of the immune system, block cells or proteins that play a role in the development of psoriasis, or oral systemic medications are used to calm down underlying inflammation in the body.

4. Avoid Foot Trauma

Any kind of trauma to the feet can trigger psoriasis, notes Dr. Van Vorhees. Psoriasis can flare up in a previously unaffected part of the skin following even a minor bump or bruise, which is known as the Koebner phenomenon, according to research. So protecting your feet from injury is critical for people with psoriasis.

The NPF recommends avoiding tight shoes and high heels because of the pressure they place on the toes. The type of material the shoe is made of is less important than the fit, Van Vorhees explains.

In general, the front of the shoe should be round, rather than triangular, and loose shoes that cause friction or rubbing on the heel should also be avoided, says Van Vorhees. Flip-flops or other open-toe sandals should be worn with caution, since they can expose your toes to possible injury, she adds.

5. Focus on Diet and Exercise

There are no studies showing that a particular food can exacerbate or benefit psoriasis, says Lebwohl. However, a general healthy diet, combined with exercise, can have great benefits, he says.

That’s because there’s a strong correlation between obesity and psoriasis. Often, those who are obese experience more severe psoriasis symptoms. Conversely, weight loss can have a dramatically positive impact on people with psoriasis.

“Exercise and diet that specifically lead to weight loss can help,” Lebwohl notes. “There are many studies that have shown that weight loss in combination with therapy improves psoriasis.”

In addition, psoriasis medications have been shown to be more effective for those who have lost weight, he says.

One review of data from clinical trial found that weight reduction through diet and exercise is an “accessible, inexpensive, empowering method” that gives people with psoriasis more control over their symptoms.

In this review, researchers used a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score to measure the severity of psoriasis based on how much of the body is covered and the appearance of the plaques. Results found that exercise improved PASI scores in people with foot psoriasis.

When to Call Your Dermatologist

Above all, seeing your dermatologist is essential for managing symptoms that affect your feet. That’s because foot psoriasis can sometimes be mistaken for something else, such as a fungal infection like athlete’s foot.

The wrong treatment for the wrong condition can worsen symptoms and lengthen their duration.

“Each person has a unique situation,” Lebwohl says. “Their dermatologist is the best trained to help.”