The holiday season is just around the corner. For those wondering what to buy a loved one with psoriasis, look no further. These research-backed ideas are helpful, thoughtful, and take the guess-work out of shopping with psoriasis in mind.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by thickened, raised, and often scaly patches of reddened or discolored skin. Known as psoriasis plaques, these lesions can be painful and itchy and can be a source of significant physical and psychological distress.
As a chronic condition, daily life often revolves around psoriasis and its symptoms, and the gift-giving seasons are no exception. Buying gifts for a loved one with psoriasis can be challenging. Certain ingredients, products, fabrics, and foods may cause symptoms to worsen or flare up.
While it is always good practice to learn more about a loved one’s unique psoriasis needs and preferences before buying a gift, research does suggest certain presents may be more beneficial than others.
1. Over-the-counter (OTC) body products
OTC products, or those that do not require a prescription, are often a large part of a psoriasis skin care routine. Packaging several strategic products together in a gift basket can make a great holiday present for someone who has psoriasis.
Consider including OTC products containing coal tar or corticosteroids, which can help reduce inflammation and itching in psoriasis.
Incorporate other OTC body products that contain salicylic acid, urea, or lactic acid. These ingredients can help effectively remove scales on psoriasis plaques. Just try not to overdo it, as too much of these ingredients may make symptoms worse.
Pairing these ingredients with a fragrance-free moisturizer can also help combat skin dryness and irritation.
Finally, be sure to avoid products that contain potentially irritating ingredients, such as:
- alcohol
- dyes
- fragrances
- abrasive exfoliants
2. Humidifiers
Dry air is a known enemy of psoriasis skin.
When the humidity in the air is low, it causes moisture to evaporate rapidly from the skin. However, moisture is essential to maintaining skin barrier function. When skin is already affected by psoriasis, dry air can compound skin irritation by pulling away skin moisture.
Gifting a humidifier may help. Humidifiers convert water to vapor, which gets distributed into the air and increases humidity. Humidifiers come in all shapes and sizes, from large units that cover an entire room to mini USB devices for vehicles.
3. Oatmeal-based products
Oatmeal has a long history of use in the treatment of skin conditions. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic, antioxidant, and antifungal properties. It also appears to promote skin barrier repair.
Oatmeal products, like other OTC products, can make a great gift-basket addition for a loved one with psoriasis.
Or, consider gifting a blender or food processor that can be used to make colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal is finely ground whole oats. When mixed with water, it makes a thick paste that can be applied directly to psoriasis plaques or used as an oatmeal soak to relieve skin symptoms.
4. Breathable clothing
Clothing items that make good gifts for a loved one with psoriasis are those at are loose-fitting and made from natural fabrics such as:
- cotton
- linen
- bamboo
- silk
Keep in mind that tight-fitting clothing and nonbreathable fabrics are a no-go for psoriasis. These items can worsen psoriasis symptoms by trapping sweat and irritants against the skin and increasing friction.
In fact, one study from 2022 found cotton gloves were superior to gloves made from a semipermeable material in terms of comfort and practicality for people living with skin conditions on their hands.
Fabric gifts do not have to be limited to clothes. Linen or bamboo sheets or cotton towels are examples of other options.
5. Nutritional support items
Gifting food or nutritional supplements to someone with psoriasis can be tricky due to personal triggers, but several products may be safe additions to a gift list.
A 2022 review suggests curcumin, one of the main active ingredients in turmeric, may be an effective treatment for psoriasis through multiple mechanisms, including reducing systemic inflammation. Oral turmeric is available as a powder, capsule, tablet, or liquid.
Another food item to consider is coffee. A 2018 study found higher coffee intake was associated with less severe psoriasis symptoms. Though it may not be foolproof, as an older study from 2012 found no association between coffee intake and psoriasis risk among people assigned female at birth.
One last option to include is black cumin. Also known as black seed, black cumin seed oil can be purchased in an oral oil or capsule form. A recent rodent-based 2023 study suggests black cumin seed oil is an effective supplement for treating moderate psoriasis. However, more research is necessary on humans to prove the benefits.
6. Medical-grade honey
Honey makes a great gift for just about anyone, regardless of their skin. In psoriasis, however, honey may also serve as a powerful healing aid.
The topical application of honey to damaged skin is a time-honored healing practice. Honey has been used throughout history for its ability to promote healing and prevent infection in skin and tissue wounds.
A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis found topical honey to be an effective treatment for plaque psoriasis and mild-to-moderate scalp psoriasis.
While any honey will do as a gift, medical-grade honey can be applied confidently to the skin without concern for contaminants — and it is edible, too.
7. Cookbooks
Diet modification is a common aspect of chronic disease management. According to a 2021 review, people living with psoriasis should focus on eating a diet that is:
- low in saturated fats
- high in polyunsaturated fats
- high in micronutrients
Recommended diets that fit these recommendations include:
- gluten-free diet
- vegetarian diet
- Mediterranean diet
Picking up some cookbooks that focus on these types of eating plans can help a loved one with psoriasis try new recipes that may make dietary modifications less of a hassle.
Summary
When it comes to gift-giving, there are plenty of safe options for people with psoriasis. Soothing products, household appliances, food items, and clothing all make the list of science-backed gifts.
When in doubt, asking a loved one about their unique psoriasis needs can help avoid purchasing gifts that may trigger symptoms or cause a flare-up.
