Is There A Link Between Psoriasis And Sleep Disturbance?

A number of things might keep you up at night: an impending deadline, an awkward experience earlier that day, or your screaming baby. An illness is also a possible candidate for this, as the uneasy feeling interrupts your usual sleep pattern. But could your psoriasis also be to blame? Let’s explore the link between psoriasis and sleep problems.

Sleep and the Immune System

You probably find it difficult to sleep when you have cold and flu symptoms. It’s not just the annoyance of a scratchy throat and blocked nose that’s keeping you awake. The activation of your immune system, which is fighting hard to beat the illness, can also disrupt your sleep.

The immune system is designed to protect you from bacteria and viruses by attacking foreign cells that enter the body. However, in the case of psoriasis and similar skin problems, the immune system also attacks healthy skin tissues, resulting in inflammations. The uncomfortable feeling that keeps you awake probably comes from the immune system actively dealing with psoriasis.

But can things work the other way around? Can lack of sleep also cause the onset of psoriasis?

The Link Between Psoriasis and Insomnia

Many people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis also complain about insomnia and other sleep disorders. This may be partly down to the pain of psoriatic arthritis keeping them awake at night, or the discomfort of psoriatic patches of skin against the bedsheets.

However, this relationship is said to be bidirectional. 

Is your psoriasis making you lose sleep, or are your sleep difficulties causing your psoriasis symptoms to flare up? Sleep deprivation has been found to increase inflammation and, therefore, worsen psoriasis symptoms. 

A recent study focused on the bidirectional association between psoriasis and sleep problems, specifically obstructive sleep apnoea. The odds for developing sleep apnoea were higher on those with psoriasis. Similarly, patients suffering from apnoea also had an increased risk for developing psoriasis.

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a condition often associated with psoriasis. This problem causes breathing to be obstructed during sleep, resulting in loud snoring and momentary losses of breath. The result is a low-quality and highly disrupted pattern of sleep.

Experiencing a low quality or even a lack of sleep can cause fatigue, increase the risk of becoming obese, and reduce the ability to concentrate. Experts also believe that it can increase the risk of skin inflammation, including psoriasis flare-ups.

Psoriasis is often found in patients suffering from sleep deprivation. Around 50% of psoriasis patients often reported having disturbed sleep.

The link between the body and mind is evident in how psoriasis and sleep deprivation symptoms affect each other.

Psoriasis-related symptoms include worsening itch, pain in the affected area, joint pain, and frequent skin flare-ups. On the other hand, sleep-related symptoms include difficulty sleeping, broken sleep, frequent snoring, and fatigue.

The relationship between psoriasis and sleep problems is believed to go both ways. If you’re not getting enough sleep at night (for example, if you suffer from insomnia), then your immune system suffers as a result. This makes it more likely that you’ll become ill

The Role of Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone that plays an important role in regulating sleep cycles. It is produced naturally by the body in response to darkness, indicating it is time to sleep. Exposure to bright lights late at night can disrupt this mechanism and make it more difficult to sleep.

Melatonin also plays a role in maintaining healthy skin, and the skin contains melatonin receptors. This relationship likely plays an important role in sleep disruption for psoriasis patients. 

Research shows that cyclical disruptions in melatonin secretion are seen in people with psoriasis. However, there’s no solid conclusion on whether the lack of melatonin causes psoriasis flares or if it is a bidirectional relationship.

Evidence suggests that improving your mood and personal outlook can relieve you of stress and help lessen the onset of psoriasis. You can also take melatonin supplements to help improve your natural sleep cycle and manage sleep disorders, which could also have great benefits for your psoriasis. Just remember to consult your doctor first before taking any medication.

Dealing with Sleep Problems

There are several ways to deal with either skin or sleep issues. It might be easier to deal with your sleeping problems first before treating your skin condition.

For sleep problems, try doing the following routines:

•   Establish a sleep pattern by scheduling when you should go to bed and when to wake up.

•   Increase comfortability by keeping the room where you sleep cool, dark, and quiet.

•   Avoid drinking coffee or taking other stimulants from the afternoon until the evening.

•   Limit the use of your phone, watching TV, or spending too much time on the computer screen before you go to bed.

•   Practice meditation to calm your senses.

•   Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.

•   Avoid stressful activities or find an outlet for stress.

So, how about managing psoriasis? What are the best ways to deal with this irritating skin problem? 

Applying topical solutions made by Medovie is the highly recommended option to manage the symptoms of psoriasis.

Managing Psoriasis Symptoms With Medovie

You may have already tried a lot of ointments and creams, but none of them worked. Some may have shown promise for the first few days, but eventually lose their efficacy in the following weeks.

Since psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, topical solutions may not be thoroughly effective because they only deal with the external aspect of the skin problem. What you need is something that can manage psoriasis symptoms both internally and externally.

Medovie offers the best solution for managing the symptoms of skin problems like psoriasis. By combining traditional botanicals and decades of clinical trials, we created the patented 3HX™ formula that calms, balances, and nourishes the skin, inside and out.

Our products are free from heavy metals that can be harmful to sensitive skin. Our creams, lotions, and shampoos are 96% natural to maintain the highest potency of the ingredients possible.

We invite you to try our products and see for yourself how effective they are in helping manage the symptoms of psoriasis. As you slowly deal with your skin problem, you’ll gradually improve the quality of your sleep. When you’re not worrying much about your psoriasis, you’ll eventually find it easier to fall asleep.

If you’re not sure which of our skin solutions is suited to your situation, set a meeting with us. We have skincare experts who can assess your condition and provide the appropriate product for alleviating the skin problem.

Your Path to Better Sleep

Psoriasis and sleep deprivation are interconnected problems that must be dealt with immediately. The symptoms of one can worsen the onset of the other, confusing you as to which one to focus on first. 

If you’re having trouble sleeping due to the uncomfortable psoriasis symptoms or experiencing flare-ups during sleep, consult a doctor. Usually, medications and lifestyle changes will be recommended to manage the issues.

For an effective solution for skin problems such as psoriasis, try out Medovie products made for sensitive skin. You can buy them as a package or as individual items, depending on what your skin needs. 

Do you have any questions, clarifications, or recommendations regarding our products? Don’t hesitate to send us a message.