A psoriasis flare-up feels like itchy, painful, red, and inflamed patches of skin with silvery or whitish scales. It also feels like a burning sensation in affected areas; in my case - scalp, ears, back, tummy, arms, thighs and legs. There are times the affected areas of my skin cracks and bleeds. There is also joint pain associated with my psoriatic arthritis. There will be swelling in my joints, fingers and toes especially at night. Most of the time, I feel drained. My eyes will have blurred vision and are sensitive to light.

It’s unpredictable and can sometimes make even the simplest tasks challenging. For those of us living with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, learning to manage flare-ups is essential.

Understanding My Triggers

Over the past three years (since October 2021), I’ve identified certain triggers that can lead to flare-ups, such as stress, medications for high blood pressure, cold/ dry weather, menopause hormones, seasonal allergies and yes, my being overweight. Knowing these triggers has helped me be more proactive in managing my symptoms and potentially reduce flare-ups.

I became aware of specific food triggers (dairy products, processed foods, sugar, condiments, caffeine, red meat, nightshade vegetables like eggplant, baked goods, spicy foods and gluten among others). Including relaxation techniques like my Time w/ the Lord (which I am already doing pre-psoriasis life) and breathing exercises in my daily activities is helping a lot. I use gentle moisturizers, wear protective clothing and use a humidifier during dry seasons. Zumba, which is a low-impact exercise and also walking, keeps my joints flexible without causing pain. I make sure I get 7 to 8 hours of sleep and take naps when my body is telling me to rest.

My Daily Routine for Managing Symptoms

A consistent routine can be really grounding, especially on days when symptoms are intense. Before psoriasis and until even just a month ago, I pushed myself too hard on everything - that is my personality. I always give 200% in everything I do - in my then job/ vocation and household chores; moreso when I started my virtual tutoring business.

Then I realized I needed to slow down as new autoimmune diseases slowly took a toll on my body. The fatigue was too much. My mental health was suffering. I know I need to listen to my body.

I start my day with Zumba at 6:15am to reduce joint discomfort. I wear Skechers slip-ons which were designed with a “Comfort Pillow” in the heel. I will have my breakfast drink which varies - a smoothie or brewed black coffee or turmeric ginger tea/ honey ginger tea while checking emails and social media. Household chores come next. I break my chores into specific days for specific areas of the house. Music perks me up. That's why in everything I do I have music streaming all throughout the house. After taking a bath (I make sure I double up on face, body and hand moisturizers), I will have my “Time w/ the Lord”. I will meditate, talk to the Lord and offer intentions for myself and loved ones. I also recite my daily prayers and read Bible scriptures. Then I go to the home office, I attend to blog-writing, look into my monthly “general” calendar to make sure important tasks for the day are done and other paperworks. At 1:45pm, I cook “lunch-er” (lunch & dinner combined). I expect my husband to arrive around 3-3:15pm. We will then eat lunch-er after which I do dishes and spend quality time with my husband - watching our favorite series over Netflix or Prime Video. Friday afternoons are either trips to the doctor for checkups, dinner dates or grocery-shopping. My husband and I also love to do Videoke (not that we are singers, we have fun that way)!

During weekends, we have our “Saturday Park Days” when we discover parks we haven’t been before and do some walking, visit either the local Farmer’s Market or do grocery-shopping (in case we didn’t do it Friday), household chores, some paperworks and movie night. Sundays are for Mass, walking around the neighborhood, cooking and eating a big brunch.

Having a support system makes a huge difference. I find that writing and sharing about what I am going through really help me stay connected and not feel alone in this journey.

Accepting the Bad Days and Celebrating Small Wins

Not every day will be easy, and that’s okay. I remind myself to be patient and to celebrate even the smallest victories, like: waking up with no pain and dizziness and being able to cook something new and delicious!

Living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is a journey of patience, resilience, and self-compassion. While flare-ups may be challenging, I’ve learned that each day brings an opportunity to better understand my body and refine my approach to managing symptoms. No matter how difficult the journey can be, I remind myself that I am not alone—there are others walking this path, facing similar struggles, and sharing their wisdom. To anyone dealing with flare-ups, remember that every small step you take to care for yourself matters. We are stronger together, and by sharing our stories, we help light the way forward.