Top Tips To Protect Your Skin
#1: Keep your spirits up
The pandemic may be difficult for people who are depressed from events over the past several months this may lead to rashes and irritation from compulsive itching or handwashing. Frequent or excessive handwashing with conditions like psoriasis and eczema which are characterized by dry, inflamed, cracked skin affects these skin disease patients the most.
Even the gentlest of hand soaps can strip the skin of moisture and essential oils, affecting the delicate balance and pH levels resulting in psoriasis and eczema flare-ups. If youre overwhelmed or feeling overly anxious, reach out to a friend or colleague you can trust to discuss your concerns.
#2: Use soap vs hand sanitizers
Handwashing is not only safer for patients with skin diseases or skin barrier issues, its also more effective. Hand sanitizers should never replace handwashing, especially if you have a reliable, non-irritating soap that you prefer to use. Keep in mind that over-washing may break and damage the skins outer layer, further encouraging bacterial infections to take hold and dehydration to set in. Over-washing also leaves your hands red and dry and may even create or worsen cracks in the skin, which increase the risk for infection in serious cases.
#3: Use warm rather than hot water
Using hot water can be damaging and drying to the skin. Warm water is sufficient to help the activation of the soap in removing dirt and grime. Theres no need to burn yourself!
Stop The Itch: Top Ten Psoriasis Triggers
In honor of Psoriasis Awareness Month, were devoting August to raising awareness about psoriatic disease and its effects on the more than 7.5 million people living with this condition. This week, we are taking a look at ways you can prevent your psoriasis from flaring up by avoiding known triggers. If you have psoriasis, you may already be aware of some of the things that can cause you to have a flare-up. The tricky thing is that what causes a flare-up for one person may not affect another. There are several things that researchers have found to be common triggers for those suffering from psoriasis.
Common Questions About Betamethasone
Betamethasone is a steroid . Steroids help to reduce inflammation in the skin .
Skin gets inflamed when an allergic reaction or irritation causes chemicals to be released in the skin. These make your blood vessels widen and your irritated skin becomes red, swollen, itchy and painful.
Betamethasone skin treatments work on your skin’s cells to stop these chemicals being released. This reduces any swelling, redness and itching.
Your skin should start to get better after using betamethasone for a few days.
If you’re using cream, ointment or lotion, speak to your doctor if there is no improvement after 4 weeks, or if your skin gets worse at any time.
Ask your doctor how long it should take to show an improvement if you are using the scalp foam or are using betamethasone on your face. They will tell you what to do if it does not work.
For long-term skin problems, such as eczema or psoriasis, you may need to use the skin treatments for a week or two, or sometimes for longer.
To reduce the risk of side effects, your doctor may recommend that you only use betamethasone skin treatments for a few weeks at a time or for a day or two each week. Tell your doctor if your skin gets worse or does not improve within 2 to 4 weeks.
Once your skin is better, you can use moisturisers to keep it from becoming inflamed again.
If you have been using betamethasone for a long time, your doctor may tell you to gradually reduce the amount you use before stopping completely.
- mild
- very potent
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Benefits Of Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide works well on:
âWounds.Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used for cleaning out a fresh sore. Itâs OK if you use it for small scrapes or cuts. If there’s dirt in the sore, the bubbles in hydrogen peroxide can help flush it out.
Objects. A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, which is what youâll find in the store, works well on many surfaces. Remember to use clean water to rinse or wipe off anything that you’ve applied hydrogen peroxide to.
Inflammatory And Immune Reactions
One theory is that alcohol might trigger the immune problems that lead to immunosuppression, making the body less able to react effectively to an attack by pathogens or other problems.
People who consume a lot of alcohol are also more likely to develop skin infections resulting from streptococcal infections and wounds. This may affect other aspects of skin health.
Another is that when a person consumes alcohol, this the production of inflammatory cytokines and cell cycle activators. This could then cause the skin cells to regenerate excessively.
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How To Treat Psoriasis
If your psoriasis treatment is working and youre doing well, but you suddenly have a flare, Dr. Fernandez says monitoring the situation is a good next step.
What we dont want to do is panic and change the old treatment regimen because youre flaring, he explains. Especially if youve generally done well on a given regimen. With all the great medicines that we have today, we can usually control psoriasis so that a patient has no more than about 1% body surface area of psoriasis on the skin. Thats about the size of one palm of your hand. But when youre flaring, youll have more of that.
Another good next step is sharing any recent health changes with your doctor. Maybe you recently had an upper respiratory infection theres a good chance this infection is whats causing your immune system to go a little haywire for a while and contribute to psoriasis flares, Dr. Fernandez says.He adds, Then well keep your maintenance regimen the same and figure out, Well, how are we going to control this flare? How do we get you through these few weeks of having more disease activity than you normally do without changing a treatment regimen that has generally worked well? Once your flare subsides, youll resume your regular maintenance treatment approach.
Additional medication
After a viral infection has come and gone, your psoriasis flare might be severe enough to require extra TLC .
Use moisturizer with salicylic acid
Avoid using alcohol on your skin
How Do You Calm Down A Psoriasis Flare Up
Dealing With a Psoriasis Flare-up
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Stop Smoking And Limit Alcohol
Smoking can trigger flares. Talk to your doctor to help you decide the best way to quit. For some, nicotine patches make psoriasis worse.
Heavy drinking can also trigger symptoms. It can even be dangerous when combined with some psoriasis drugs. If you drink, keep it moderate — thatâs up to one drink a day for women or two for men.
Show Sources
National Psoriasis Foundation: “Faqs: Questions About Lifestyle And Living With Psoriasis,” “Mild Psoriasis: Over the Counter ,” “For Teens: Lifestyle Factors and Social Life,” “Ask the Expert,” “Phototherapy.”
The Psoriasis Association: “Frequently Asked Questions.”
American College of Physicians. Complete Home Medical Guide, DK Publishing Inc., 2003.
Psoriasis Net: American Academy of Dermatology: “Psoriasis Triggers.”
Cram, D. Coping With Psoriasis. Addicus Books Inc., 2000.
What Is Scalp Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common skin condition, characterised by red scaly thickened patches . It often affects the scalp. Scalp psoriasis may occur in isolation or with any other form of psoriasis.
The back of the head is a common site for psoriasis, but multiple discrete areas of the scalp or the whole scalp may be affected. Scalp psoriasis is characterised by thick scale over well-defined, red thickened skin. The scale is often silvery white. Psoriasis may extend slightly beyond the hairline .
Scalp psoriasis, even though often adequately camouflaged by the hair, is often a source of social embarrassment due to flaking of the scale and severe ‘dandruff’. Scalp psoriasis may not cause any symptoms at all or may be extremely itchy. It tends to be a chronic problem, lasting many years, although it often fluctuates in severity and extent.
In very severe cases, there may be some temporary mild localised hair loss, but scalp psoriasis does not cause permanent balding.
Scalp psoriasis
For information on trichoscopic findings, see trichoscopy of inflammatory conditions.
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Major Differences Between Psoriasis And Ringworm
Here are some of the major differences between psoriasis and ringworm:
- Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition that involves the skin, joints, and even the cardiovascular system, whereas ringworm is a fungal infection.
- Psoriasis can cause a red rash with white scales, which are much thicker than the fine scales seen in ringworm or tinea.
- Unlike ringworm, psoriasis is not contagious and does not involve any microbes , although it can occur after a streptococcal pharyngitis infection.
- Psoriasis will improve with topical corticosteroids. On the other hand, tinea will have a change in appearance with topical steroids or worsen and become a deeper infection in the skin .
Psoriasis Support Groups And Counseling
Education of psoriasis patients is one of the foundations for managing this chronic and typically relapsing disorder. Patients should be familiar with the treatment options in order to make proper informed decisions about therapy. The National Psoriasis Foundation is an excellent organization that provides support to patients with psoriasis.
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Role Of Healthy Lifestyle And Diet In Ringworm Prevention
There are no dietary factors involved with fungal infections. However, if one has diabetes mellitus or a compromised immune system, tinea infections can become a recurrent problem.
Thus, exercise and a healthy diet are recommended to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. In general, unhealthy eating, weight gain, smoking, drinking alcohol, and emotional stress can worsen any skin condition.
Can You Put Tacrolimus On Genitals Psoriasis Treatment
Tacrolimus is a topical treatment for psoriasis that can be used on sensitive areas of the body, including the genitals, face, neck, and skin folds.
Tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor that is FDA-approved to treat eczema but is often prescribed off-label to treat psoriasis because it does not cause skin thinning and can therefore be used on areas where the skin is thinner, and it has fewer side effects than other treatments.
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But Yes Okay Using Too Much Alcohol In Your Skin
Using too much of either kind of alcohol can have some drawbacks. Solvent-type alcohols are great at increasing water solubility and evaporating quickly, but they can take some of the water in your skin with em when they do. The increased skin penetration they provide is great for active ingredients, but not so great for potential irritants, like heavy fragrances and essential oils.
Even their ability to degrease a shiny nose can be problematic: Because they break down grease, can break down the lipids in the outer barrier of our skin, Dr. Piliang warns, explaining that a compromised stratum corneum can make your skin even more sensitive and irritation-prone than it already is. In high concentrations or with heavy use, solvent-type alcohols can be pretty drying and irritating.
Moisturizing fatty alcohols arent all sunshine and roses, either. Most of them are derived from vegetable sources, often coconut or palm oil, which means they come with all the same asterisks as other plant, seed, or nut oilsa tendency to irritate skin or clog pores, in particular.
Turn Up With Turmeric
Another noted anti-inflammatory and skin soother, a daily turmeric supplement can help treat psoriasis .
If youd rather not take a turmeric pill, you can add the spice directly to your food. Whether you enjoy a turmeric latte or a delicious curry, there are lots of turmeric recipes to try to help your skin.
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What To Do When These Tips Dont Work
- Consult with your doctor or skin specialist at the first sign of unusual flare-ups.
- Keep a stash of topical creams in your bag or rucksack for emergency treatment or when the itch gets too heavy to handle.
- Avoid excessive oils, glycerins, and emollients in hand creams and skin moisturizers.
- Look out for herbal remedies to complement your hand hygiene regime that include active ingredients such as thyme oil, citrus oils, aloe vera, or other herbal scents and ingredients more to your liking.
- Learn to anticipate your specific triggers, such as diet, stress, and alcohol, which can exacerbate your psoriasis.
What Are The Types Of Psoriasis
Chronic plaque psoriasis: Raised, red, scaly patches mainly occurring on the limbs and the trunk, especially on the elbows, knees, hands, around the navel, over the lower back and on the scalp. The nails may be affected so that they become thickened and raised from their nail beds, and the surface of the nail may be marked with small indentations . This is the most common type of psoriasis, affecting approximately 9 out of 10 people with psoriasis.
Guttate psoriasis : So named because it manifests itself over the body in the form of scaly, droplet-like patches. Numerous small, red, scaly patches quickly develop over a wide area of skin, although the palms and the soles are usually not affected. It occurs most frequently in children and teenagers, often after a throat infection due to streptococcal bacteria. Some people who have had guttate psoriasis will go on in later life to develop chronic plaque psoriasis.
Scalp psoriasis: Raised, red, thick, scaly plaques on the scalp and around the hairline. It is common and approximately 1 out of 2 of all people with psoriasis have it on their scalp. The reason it deserves special mention is that it can be particularly difficult to treat and usually requires specifically formulated medicines. It is awkward to treat with creams and ointments because the hair gets in the way. See Scalp psoriasis for more information
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Could Listerines Ingredients Soothe Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that presents with red patches of raised skin. These patches are typically dry, and can cause burning and itching. While we know Listerine cant cure an autoimmune disease, is there a chance the ingredients could soothe these symptoms?
Home remedies may work and may help if they contain oils or other lubricants for the skin, says Dr. Tien Nguyen, a dermatologist with Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. Nguyen says the eucalyptus oil in Listerine could provide a certain amount of relief.
Both the menthol and alcohol could cool the psoriasis patches, too, relieving patients of their itchiness, according to Dr. Tsippora Shainhouse of the University of Southern California.
Both doctors, however, say the alcohol within Listerine counteracts any potential benefits.
I would not recommend applying alcohol to the skin because it will dry it out and cause more scaling, itching, and irritation in the long run, says Dr. Shainhouse.
Can You Use Rubbing Alcohol Hydrogen Peroxide Hand Sanitizer Tea Tree Oil Etc
Rubbing alcohol, tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide have antimicrobial and antifungal properties that justifies their use in various home remedies to fight skin infections. These mild disinfectants can kill fungal hyphae, but I typically do not recommend their use on a rash.
Rubbing alcohol, apple cider vinegar , and hydrogen peroxide can slow wound healing if there are wounds/open sores associated with the fungal infection. They can cause discomfort, chemical burn, and dry skin, which can lead to a flare-up or worsening of eczema and dry skin.
Similarly, hand sanitizer is not going to treat your ringworm infection.
For ringworm/tinea, see your dermatologist if the over-the-counter antifungal creams are not effective.
For fungus infecting the toenail , I recommend over-the-counter options as the prescription options are not very effective and can be very pricey.
For onychomycosis, I typically recommend soaking the nails in white vinegar diluted in water, followed by an application of hand sanitizer with greater than 60% alcohol content or tea tree oil.
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Can Psoriasis Be Treated
Yes, there are many forms of treatment for psoriasis, which range from those you apply to the skin to tablets, and more recently injectable therapies, See Treatments for Psoriasis.
Many people who have psoriasis find that the sun and artificial ultraviolet light helps to improve their skins appearance. For some the change is dramatic. Be aware that exposure to the sun and artificial UV therapy can cause damage to the skin. See Psoriasis and the sun and Psoriasis and phototherapy
For some people, talking therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy can also help them understand the psychological impact of psoriasis and provide a safe therapy which may help them cope with psoriasis. See our free online CBT programme
Your general practitioner or dermatologist will be best placed to advise you and keep you informed of all current and new treatments available and to recommend the best treatment programme for you personally.
Remember: Your treatment can only be as good as you allow it to be – that means if the treatment takes six weeks, you have to follow it as instructed for six weeks and no ducking out! Adherence to treatment instructions is an essential part of managing your psoriasis.