Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes irritation and redness. The rash is usually scaly in appearance and can appear in patches anywhere on the body, including the scalp. While there is no cure for this skin condition, using the appropriate type of soap can greatly lessen the symptoms. Soap for psoriasis patients comes in many types, but typically contains natural ingredients such as oatmeal or pine tar.
Oatmeal soap is popular for psoriasis. Oatmeal is known for its ability to relieve itching associated with various types of skin irritation, including psoriasis, eczema, and poison oak. Oatmeal soap also helps to reduce some of the skin inflammation often present in people with psoriasis.
Another popular soap for psoriasis is pine tar soap. It has long been revered for its ability to kill fungus as well as various types of microbes. Pine tar can be used in bar soaps as well as body washes and helps to kill harmful organisms that can cause infection to skin that is experiencing irritation due to psoriasis.
Studies have shown that cleansers for psoriasis that incorporate olive oil, beeswax, and honey is especially useful in treating the various symptoms of psoriasis. This combination of ingredients helps to kill harmful organisms as well as helping to speed the natural healing process. While any one of these ingredients can prove to be beneficial, it is the combination that seems to have the best and most consistent results.
Goat milk soap is also used to treat psoriasis. Goat milk has a similar pH to human skin. Therefore, this type of soap is gentler than a lot of other types of soap. Often, honey is added to goat milk soap due to its added benefits.
Coal tar is sometimes used in soap for psoriasis. Many patients report faster results with this type of soap than with the others. However, coal tar does contain petroleum products and is not an all-natural solution. Some people have reported added skin irritation as a result of using this kind of soap. Coal tar soaps are available both with and without a prescription.
Any soaps containing coal tar should not be used by a woman who is pregnant or breastfeeding without first gaining the approval of her doctor due to possible side effects. Also, if the patient is allergic to any of the ingredients in coal tar soap, one of the more natural types of soap may be more appropriate. A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in the care of the skin and can assist the patient in choosing the type of soap for psoriasis that will best suit the particular needs of the individual.