Psoriasis: When the skin goes crazy

For people with psoriasis, as it is also known, the skin is often a single problem area: due to a faulty immune reaction, it reappears many times faster than usual in some areas. The result: reddish, inflamed skin that flakes and can be extremely itchy.

Dermatologist Professor Alexander Kreuter from the Helios St. Elisabeth Clinic in Oberhausen knows: "Affected women and men suffer greatly from their skin condition." Other people believe that those affected are contagious. Many patients therefore withdraw and don't dare leave the house without long clothes, even in high temperatures.

"Fortunately, we can now help almost all psoriasis sufferers with medication," says Professor Kreuter. In addition to ointments, creams and traditional medications, biologic therapy with active ingredients such as secukinumab has established itself as particularly effective and has few side effects. "Patients are happy when they can leave the house in short sleeves again and go to the swimming pool without being stared at."

Various ways to remove hair

However, one problem remains: annoying hair. If the skin is healthy, there are various ways to remove it:

- Wet or dry shaving
- Depilatory creams
- epilation
- waxing
- sugaring
- Permanent hair removal by laser

If the skin is well cared for and there are no symptoms, patients can generally use all the methods that people with healthy skin also use. "It's a case of trial and error," advises expert Alexander Kreuter, as the skin can react very differently to the individual methods.

Not every method is suitable for every patient

However, Professor Kreuter warns: "Many hair removal methods irritate the skin." The problem with psoriasis: "Every skin irritation can cause a new flare-up." Waxing, epilation and depilatory creams expose the skin to considerable irritation. These methods are not recommended in acute phases.

Anyone suffering from so-called inverse psoriasis, where the intimate area, armpits or groin are affected, should avoid hair removal in these areas.

Patients with acute psoriasis resort to well-tolerated depilatory methods. "Sugaring is a particularly gentle alternative to hair removal," says the dermatologist. "This is a special sugar paste that is very gentle on the skin."