Health tips for patients with psoriasis
Health education in patients with psoriasis should, first and foremost, consist of informing them about its chronic nature. It is also essential that they are aware of the possible increase or decrease in irritation and the factors that predispose or trigger them. Likewise, it is important to know the healthy lifestyle options that help alleviate or improve it, as well as the personalised alternatives available for treatment (topical treatments, systemic treatments, phototherapy and photochemotherapy).
Recommendations
To contribute to the welfare of patients with psoriasis, it is important that they are aware of a series of tips and recommendations:
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Correct application of treatments:
- Topical, systemic and phototherapy.
- It is important to follow the treatment prescribed.
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Treatment:
- The patient should be aware that treatment might not always be effective and there are other alternatives, on an individual basis.
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Hygiene for patients with psoriasis:
- Avoid aggressive gels or shampoos.
- Eliminate sponges from your personal hygiene routine.
- Apply moisturisers as usual.
- Skin treatments should be used daily.
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Scalp treatment:
- It is important to wet hair with warm water.
- Shampoos with a pH between 4 and 4.5 are recommended.
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Factors that should be avoided:
- To keep this illness under control and reduce symptoms:
- Follow a balanced diet, rich in fresh food, keeping saturated animal fats in check and eating plenty of foods containing antioxidants.
- Avoid toxic products as much as possible (alcohol, tobacco and other drugs).
- Avoid stress and learn to live with the illness: both of these are important factors in controlling psoriasis outbreaks.
- To keep this illness under control and reduce symptoms:
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Infection control:
- Any type of infection must be treated from the onset.
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Healthy habits:
- Skin wounds or lesions reduce the body’s ability to face external aggressions and worsen the symptoms of psoriasis.
- You should be careful not to put on weight.
- Traumas and injuries, along with aesthetic aggressions to the skin, may worsen the state of psoriasis plaques.
- You should avoid wearing very tight clothes and rapid temperature changes.
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Exposure to sunlight:
- A brief period of exposure to sunlight may be beneficial for psoriasis. However, always avoid burns and use adequate protection.
- Avoid exposure to sunlight between 12 noon and 4 pm.
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Psychological effects:
- Self-esteem and self perception should be dealt with on an individual basis with each patient.
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Evolution of the illness:
- Concomitant and co-morbid illnesses (arterial hypertension, obesity and arthritis) are common. These will also need to be treated and the patient will need to know how to avoid them.
