A woman with psoriasis who gets pregnant will have to stop taking systemic medications because of the increased risk of birth defects. Some topical medications will also have to be discontinued for the same reason. Ideally, a woman should talk to her physician about weaning off these medications prior to conception. Though managing psoriasis while pregnant is difficult, it isn't impossible. Talking to your doctor and your pharmacist may help you find solutions appropriate for you.
Step 1
Experiment with different hygiene products. When you get pregnant, your body's chemical balance will change. This means that soap, laundry detergent and shampoos may react differently to your body. Make sure you stick to hypoallergenic products and fragrance-free products. Look for the products that aggravate your psoriasis the least.
Step 2
Pick a good moisturizer. Mineral oil or petroleum jelly may be good choices for you. However, these products may clog your pours. If that is the case, look for a deep moisturizer that is fragrance free. Aloe vera is a good option for some women with psoriasis.
Step 3
Pay attention to your diet. For some people, psoriasis is aggravated by certain foods. Keep a food and product journal. This enables you to go back and try to determine what causes your psoriasis to get worse.
Step 4
Limit exposure to hot water. Hot water dries out the skin, which may make psoriasis worse. Taking a warm bath with an oatmeal soak or milk soak may help psoriasis. However, the soak should be limited to no more than twice per week and no more than 20 minutes per soak.
Step 5
Treat open lesions using a triple antibiotic ointment. Keep them covered. These steps minimize the risk of developing an infection.
