Does Sweating Make Psoriasis Worse? 12 Tips for Working Out with Psoriasis

Updated October 2026

Every time I finish a workout, I catch myself checking the mirror to see if I’ve finally sweated away my spots. It hasn’t happened yet, but I’ll be back at my 5am class tomorrow anyway, because what exercise has actually given me is so much better than a miracle cure.

Moving my body is one of the best things I do for my psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, both for my joints and for my head. The tricky part is that sweat itself can irritate psoriasis, especially in skin folds and anywhere your clothes rub, so over the years I’ve learned the goal isn’t to avoid sweating, it’s to have a plan for the moment the workout ends.

“Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.” Elle Woods, Legally Blonde

Does sweating make psoriasis worse?

For a lot of us, it can. Sweat that sits on your skin can cause itching, stinging, and irritation, and the combination of moisture, heat, and friction is a common trigger for flares, especially inverse psoriasis in places like your underarms, under your chest, and your groin. Some people barely notice it, and others find sweat is one of their biggest triggers, so pay attention to how your own skin reacts after a workout.

What sweat usually doesn’t do is cancel out the benefits of moving your body. Regular exercise can help with stress, sleep, weight, and joint stiffness, and stress in particular is one of my most reliable flare triggers. So instead of skipping the workout, I build a routine around the sweat.

12 tips for working out with psoriasis

1. Shower as soon as you can

This is the most important one. The longer sweat sits on your skin, the more it irritates, so I rinse off right after class, even if it’s just a quick lukewarm shower. Skip hot water, which dries your skin out even more.

2. Moisturize while your skin is still damp

Pat dry (don’t rub!) and put on a thick, fragrance free moisturizer within a few minutes of getting out of the shower to lock in that moisture. I keep a travel size in my gym bag so I’m never stuck without it.

3. Change out of sweaty clothes as soon as you can

A damp sports bra is basically an invitation for a flare, so get out of sweaty clothes as soon as you possibly can. Not every gym has a locker room, and a field or a trail definitely doesn’t, so keep a dry change of clothes, including socks and underwear, in your bag or your car and switch at the first chance you get, even if that’s when you walk in your front door. Until then, towel off and loosen anything tight against your skin so the sweat isn’t trapped there.

4. Choose fabrics that work with your skin

Look for soft, breathable, moisture wicking fabrics that pull sweat away from your skin, and avoid scratchy seams and tags. Loose fits are your friend in the areas where you flare most. I wrote a whole guide on how to dress for your workout with psoriasis for Healthline if you want more ideas.

5. Watch out for friction

Skin that gets rubbed or injured can develop new psoriasis spots, which is called the Koebner phenomenon. Pay attention to where your waistband, bra straps, or equipment rub, and use an anti chafing balm on those spots before you start.

6. Keep a towel and wipes in your bag

Gently blotting sweat during your workout keeps it from sitting on your skin, especially on your face, scalp, and neck. Fragrance free, sensitive skin wipes are great for when you can’t shower right away.

7. Be thoughtful about hot yoga and saunas

Some people with psoriasis love the heat and some flare within days. If you want to try hot yoga, start with one class and watch how your skin responds over the next few days before making it a habit.

8. Work out when it’s cooler

In the summer, I try to exercise early in the morning or indoors with air conditioning. Less heat means less sweat sitting on your skin, and you’ll feel better too. Here’s how I handle psoriasis in a heatwave.

9. Check your deodorant

If you have psoriasis in your underarms, fragranced deodorants and some antiperspirants can sting. Try a fragrance free formula for sensitive skin, and ask your dermatologist if you’re not sure what’s safe to use on active spots.

10. Drink your water

Staying hydrated helps your whole body recover, and I find my skin feels less tight and itchy when I’m not running on empty.

11. Pick a workout you actually look forward to

The best exercise is the one you’ll keep doing. For me, that’s been Orangetheory three or four mornings a week since 2019, because having a class on the calendar and a coach who plans the workout means I just have to show up. My other favorite workout doesn’t feel like a workout at all, which is running around the field coaching my daughters’ lacrosse teams. If you have psoriatic arthritis, lower impact options like swimming, cycling, or walking can be easier on your joints, and I share more ideas in 8 Ways to Embrace Exercise with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.

12. Talk to your dermatologist about your routine

If sweat keeps triggering flares even with a good routine, tell your doctor. They may be able to adjust your treatment or suggest products for the areas that bother you most, and it’s a conversation that helps them understand how psoriasis shows up in real life for their patients.

Questions about sweat and psoriasis

Can sweating cause a psoriasis flare?

It can for some people. Sweat combined with heat and friction can irritate skin and trigger flares, especially in skin folds. Showering soon after you sweat, changing into dry clothes, and moisturizing can help reduce the irritation.

Should I stop exercising if sweat irritates my psoriasis?

Not necessarily. Exercise has real benefits for stress, sleep, and overall health, so most people with psoriasis do better finding a sweat routine that protects their skin rather than skipping workouts. If you’re unsure, talk to your dermatologist.

Is hot yoga bad for psoriasis?

It depends on your skin. Some people find the heat soothing and others flare. Try one class, rinse off and moisturize right after, and watch how your skin responds over the next few days.

Does exercise help psoriasis?

Exercise won’t cure psoriasis, but it can help with stress, weight, and joint stiffness, which are all connected to how psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis feel day to day. That’s why I keep showing up for that 5am class.

Keep reading

• 8 Ways to Embrace Exercise with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
• Surviving a Scorching Heatwave: A Guide to Managing Psoriasis Flares
• 7 Simple Ways to Reduce Psoriasis Flares with Stress Management
• The Koebner Phenomenon

I’m Joni, and I’ve lived with psoriasis since 1998 and psoriatic arthritis since 38. You can read more about me here. I’m not a doctor, so please talk with your health care provider before starting or changing any treatment or exercise routine.