Living with psoriasis has its challenges, but in most cases travel doesn’t need to be one of them. A little smart planning is generally all that’s needed to prevent your psoriasis from impacting your vacation plans.
It all starts with medication: make sure you have it, and plenty of it. When traveling domestically, resupplying should be relatively easy. But if your plans call for overseas travel then it’s best to stock up. In the article International Travel with Psoriasis, Dr. Christopher G. Nelson Jr, a board-certified dermatologist, recommends taking twice what you expect to need—that way you’re ready for any unexpected complications. This same article lists some great tips for packing your meds, plus safety advice to help avoid infections when traveling to the developing world.
If you prefer to pamper yourself during your trips, then you might consider a destination that specifically caters to your psoriasis. The sunny, humid conditions of Florida, for example, make it a prime vacation spot in its own right. But these same qualities make it a great destination for anyone wanting to treat their skin. And then of course there’s the Dead Sea in Israel, having been a natural health resort for more than 2,000 years. And these are just the beginning. Check out Healthline’s Top 7 Psoriasis-Friendly Vacation Spots for more skin-friendly destinations.
Proper planning and psoriasis-friendly destinations aside, sometimes it’s helpful to remember that others have already tackled vacationing with psoriasis—and emerged victorious. World traveller Ann Lysakowska has visited 69 countries, all while managing her psoriasis. You can follow her adventures via her site Anna Everywhere, although starting with her article Woman with Chronic Diseases on How She Copes While Traveling is probably the best introduction to how she’s handled psoriasis during her extensive travels.
All in all, traveling with psoriasis mostly just requires a little pre-planning. But also keep an eye on your triggers. The stress of travel, alcohol consumption, or excessive sun exposure can all lead to flare-ups, so remember to take things in stride and moderation for a relaxed (and hopefully flare-up free) vacation.