Treatment and care of psoriasis lesions in summer

Learn how psoriasis lesions should be managed during the summer, why protecting the skin is important and what care should be taken at the beach and swimming pool.

For most people, the arrival of summer is associated with holidays and relaxation, but how does this season affect patients with psoriasis lesions? Warm weather encourages us to spend more time outdoors and wear lighter clothing that leaves more of the skin exposed. Although this may be enjoyable for many people, it can have different implications for patients with psoriasis.

These patients may have lesions throughout the year, but they can become more exposed and visible during the summer months.

Fortunately, more than 90% of patients with psoriasis experience improvement during the summer. This is partly because ultraviolet radiation has an immunomodulatory effect on the skin, helping to reduce inflammation and redness in psoriatic plaques. The excessive proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes, which is characteristic of psoriasis, may also decrease. As a result, plaques can become thinner and scaling may improve or disappear.

Caring for psoriasis lesions in summer

Sun protection

The fact that some patients notice an improvement in psoriasis during summer does not remove the need for essential sun-protection measures. As with anyone else, patients with psoriasis should avoid prolonged sun exposure, particularly during the middle of the day, and should use an appropriate sun protection factor for their skin phototype. This is important not only to reduce the long-term risk of skin cancer but also because sunburn and skin inflammation may trigger a worsening of psoriasis lesions. More moisturising sunscreen formulations may be particularly useful, as they can also help reduce the scaling typically associated with psoriatic plaques.

Swimming in pools and in the sea may affect the skin differently.

Swimming pools

Because patients with psoriasis often have sensitive skin, chlorine in swimming pools may cause irritation. For this reason, shorter swimming sessions are generally recommended, followed by a shower with fresh water to remove chlorine from the skin.

Swimming in the sea

Sea bathing, by contrast, is often better tolerated and may help reduce scaling in some patients.

In both cases, it is important to moisturise the skin thoroughly after swimming and sun exposure.

Psoriasis treatment in summer

The effects of ultraviolet radiation are also used medically in the management of psoriasis through different forms of phototherapy, including UVA, broadband UVB and narrowband UVB.

These treatments should always be prescribed and supervised by a dermatologist specialising in psoriasis, who will determine and limit the number of sessions because ultraviolet radiation has a cumulative effect on the skin and carries associated risks.

Other aspects of psoriasis treatment should also be considered during the summer. Topical treatments containing corticosteroids and/or vitamin D derivatives are generally recommended for application at night. For systemic treatments such as methotrexate, biological therapies and other treatment options, the specialist will determine the most appropriate regimen during these months.

Post updated. First version published on 25 April 2022.

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