Genital Psoriasis: Effective Treatments and Top Tips to Prevent Irritation

Genital psoriasis is more common than you might think, but the good news is that it can be successfully treated. In this blog post, we will cover what genital psoriasis is, what treatments are available, and I'll give you eight ways to avoid irritating it. Also, if you have psoriasis and want to share your own experiences, please do so in the comment section of the video. Your insights can be invaluable to other members of the community who are watching this.

First of all, let's briefly recap what psoriasis is. Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes flaky patches of skin which form scales on all skin types. The patches can look pink or red, and the scales can look white or silvery. On brown and black skin, the patches can also look purple or dark brown, and the scales might look gray. These patches normally appear on your elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, but they can appear anywhere on the body, including the genitals. Many people with psoriasis will have a flare in this area, and even children can get genital psoriasis. So, it's really important that you don't get embarrassed or ashamed about this. You should tell your doctor if you have psoriasis on or around your genitals because the good news is it can be treated.

The correct treatment can help get rid of the itch, pain, and burning, and over time, it can help clear the psoriasis. Even if you are already treating psoriasis, it's really important to tell your dermatologist about genital psoriasis because the skin in this area is thin and sensitive. You will likely need a different treatment plan and possibly different medicine than what you are using for psoriasis elsewhere on the body.

So, what treatment is available for genital psoriasis? The treatment will depend on the severity as well as the specific location of the psoriasis on your genitals, but they can include a range of things. The first option is steroid creams. You might start off with a mild corticosteroid with or without calcitriol ointment. If the psoriasis is very severe, you might be prescribed a medium-strength or potent corticosteroid. Because these are much stronger, they come with more severe side effects, and for this reason, you will be advised to use them for the shortest amount of time possible to minimize the risk of side effects, such as thinning of the skin.

There are also other medicines that can be prescribed, including mild coal tar creams like tacrolimus ointment, as well as stronger medicines such as cyclosporine, methotrexate, or a biologic. The important thing to remember is that you should follow the instructions on the medicine pack and take it for the time that is recommended.

There are lots of treatment options available, and if you follow the treatment plan and it’s not working, tell your doctor. This is really important because no one treatment works for everyone. You might need to try different treatments to get the relief and the effects intended for the medicine.

Now that we've covered some of the potential treatment options, let's discuss eight things you can do to avoid irritating genital psoriasis. To get the best result from your treatment and to avoid flares, you want to avoid irritating the genital psoriasis.

1. **Use the Treatment Prescribed by Your Doctor**: Make sure you use the treatment specifically prescribed for this area. Do not be tempted to use treatment prescribed for another area of your body, even if it was prescribed for psoriasis. Psoriasis treatment for another part of the body can be harmful in the genital area.

2. **Avoid Certain Treatments**: Note that types of phototherapy, such as UVB, PUVA, or laser treatments, can increase your risk of developing genital cancer. Strong coal tar therapy may also increase this risk, so it's important not to use these treatments.

3. **Report Irritation to Your Doctor**: If the treatment irritates the skin in your genital area, tell your doctor. This will help them know if the treatment prescribed is working for you and help them find alternatives if it's not.

4. **Use a Mild, Fragrance-Free Cleanser**: When bathing, avoid deodorant or antibacterial soaps and body washes, as these can irritate the delicate skin, causing genital psoriasis to flare.

5. **Moisturize**: Gently apply a fragrance-free moisturizer to the psoriasis after bathing and when the area feels dry. This can reduce chafing and irritation. If you're not sure which to use, speak to your pharmacist.

6. **Use Quality Toilet Paper**: This can help reduce irritation.

7. **Avoid Getting Urine or Feces on the Psoriasis**: This can cause the psoriasis to flare.

8. **Wear Loose-Fitting Cotton Underwear and Clothing**: Tight-fitting clothing can cause friction, which can worsen genital psoriasis.

Finally, a common question that is often asked is, can you still have sex if you have genital psoriasis? The simple answer is yes, but there are a few things to consider to reduce irritation. When the skin on or around your genitals is raw, try to postpone sex. Before sex, gently cleanse the area with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser to prevent psoriasis medication from rubbing onto your partner. For men, using a lubricated condom can lessen the risk of irritating the inflamed area. After sex, gently wash the area to reduce irritation. If you're using medicine, apply it carefully over the area.

If you want to learn more, please see the links in the description box. And once again, thanks for reading. If you’re interested in scaling your medical brand on YouTube or would like to sponsor our videos with your products, please reach out. Until next time, take care!