People who tend to suffer from swelling in the legs - particularly if they are tall or overweight - may experience that psoriasis makes this problem worse. Prolonged periods of standing or high temperatures can cause the veins in the leg to swell, putting more strain on the epidermis. This can exacerbate the inflammation of plaques on the legs. Varicose veins may also be more visible on the legs if the epidermis is weakened.

Plaques on the shins and knees are often very itchy. The ankles may also swell at the end of the day because of poor circulation, exacerbating plaques. If this is the case, you can reduce pressure on the skin in two ways:
Wear support tights or stockings during the day. Don't forget to replace these regularly as they lose their elasticity with repeated washing.

• Exercise the calf muscles. Bend the knees from time to time when standing or lying down to allow the muscles to pump the blood more efficiently to the heart.

The skin protects the body from external aggressions, whether caused by physical factors (e.g. impact and strain), chemicals (e.g. detergents) or the climate (e.g. strong winds or exposure to the sun).

• During a flare of psoriasis, areas of inflammation (plaques) should be treated carefully. An overly dry atmosphere is not good for irritated skin as it tends to get dehydrated very quickly. At the same time, too much moisture increases the likelihood of infection. If it is to heal properly, you should make sure your skin is neither too dry nor too moist.