From Fruit Strips to First Aid and Flare Management

Here are some items I’m always thankful to have available as I go about my day.

Dealing with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis comes with its own set of challenges, and I’ve learned to be prepared for whatever these conditions throw my way.

I’m also a mom of two elementary-aged daughters, so my bag is always stocked and ready. Aside from wallet, keys, phone, charger, and miscellaneous toys, below is what I keep in my bag.

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Water bottle

Drinking water can keep your skin and body hydrated, which can help relieve symptoms of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Sunscreen

Too much sun can trigger a flare, and a burn on a current flare can make it worse and incredibly painful. I keep a sunscreen stick handy so that it’s easy and mess-free to apply and a facial powder sunscreen to brush on for quick reapplication.

Moisturizer

I carry around travel-sized lotion to keep skin moisturized and help soothe irritation. I also keep a small jar of Vaseline handy for moisturizing, but it also doubles as a lip balm and boo-boo first aid.

Hand sanitizer and wet wipes

Flares can be triggered or can get worse when I’m sick, so I try to minimize the risk when I’m out. The wet wipes help keep hands (and kids) clean if there’s nowhere to wash hands.

Aleve

There are days when my psoriatic arthritis flares are worse than others. Aleve helps alleviate some of the pain temporarily.

First aid kit

This comes in handy all the time with kids, but I have used it plenty of times to manage bleeding plaques so they can be cleaned and covered.

Nail clipper and file

I’m a scratcher when my skin is flaring, and I will scratch so hard that I bleed. I always need to be able to cut or trim my nails to avoid that situation. If my nails aren’t long or sharp, I can minimize the scratching damage.

Snacks

I’m a mom, so snacks are always a must! I carry around protein bars and fruit strips, so there are healthy options that I can eat, too.

Lightweight cover

Sometimes, I’ll start a day confident in wearing short sleeves or a tank but will find myself feeling more uncomfortable showing my skin later in the day, so I keep a thin, long-sleeved shirt with me.