Ten tips to help manage psoriasis over the winter

From irishtimes.com

Psoriasis is a very common, non-contagious, long-term inflammatory skin disorder in which there is an increase in the rate at which skin cells are produced and shed from the skin. It affects at least 73,000 people in Ireland.

The red, raised scaly patches of psoriasis can affect any part of the skin surface, but most commonly involve the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp.

Psoriasis is a condition that tends to run in families – both the immune system and genetics are important in its development. Environmental factors can also play a role. In some cases, emotional stress, infection (such as a streptococcal throat infection), injury to the skin or certain medications can trigger the first episode of psoriasis, while certain lifestyle factors (such as heavy drinking and smoking) may worsen it.

Psoriasis is not contagious, infectious or the result of poor hygiene.

Some people with psoriasis notice seasonal changes in the severity of their condition, sometimes experiencing a worsening of symptoms in winter. Over the winter months, things like dry air from central heating and reduced exposure to sunlight can contribute to this deterioration. More generally, psoriasis tends to improve in warmer climates and worsen in colder ones.

Although there is no cure as yet, there are a range of effective treatment options available. Treating psoriasis is important for good disease management, as well as general health.

1) Emollient therapy: an important part of daily skin care

While the treatment of psoriasis depends on its severity and location, the use of emollients (commonly known as moisturisers), and emollient wash products (used instead of soap and shower gel), play an important, but often undervalued, role in management. Used every day, emollients help to soften the scale, soothe dry, itchy skin and increase the effectiveness of prescribed treatments.

2) Remember: avoid ordinary soap, shower gel and bubble bath

Winter conditions can be very drying on the skin, and soap-based products can further dry out the skin. Instead, choose soap substitutes/emollient wash products when bathing or showering.

3) Choosing an emollient

Emollients come as lotions, creams and ointments. Finding the right emollient is often a matter of trial and error – the best emollients are those that you prefer to use and will continue to use every day. Your healthcare professional will be able to give advice about the different emollient products available.

4) Applying emollients to the skin

Do not stick your fingers into a tub of emollient. Always use a clean spoon or spatula to prevent contamination. Emollients should be applied in a smooth, downward motion, in the direction of hair growth, after a bath/shower and before going to bed.

5) Treatment options for psoriasis

Talk with your doctor to find a treatment that is suitable for you. Try not to become disillusioned if one treatment does not work – there are many effective treatment options available: topical treatments (preparations applied directly to the skin), phototherapy (a form of artificial ultraviolet light therapy, delivered in hospital dermatology departments), and medicine taken in tablet form or by injection. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and progress, and if necessary alternative treatment options or onward referral to a dermatologist.

6) Psoriasis affects people in different ways

Living with psoriasis can affect you emotionally and socially, as well as physically. Its unpredictable nature (psoriasis can vary in severity in the same person at different times) and visibility can negatively impact on a person’s quality of life and personal relationships. Everyday activities like trying on clothes when shopping, going to the swimming pool or even going to a hairdresser can be a challenge, sometimes leading to feelings of self-consciousness and embarrassment because of worries about what others will think or say.

7) Acknowledge your feelings and emotions about your condition

If you are feeling anxious or down, it is important to share your feelings with your doctor.

8) Associated conditions (co-morbidities)

Although psoriasis affects the skin, it is an inflammatory disorder, which means it is related to irregularities in the body’s own immune system, and has been associated with a number of other conditions, including cardiovascular disease and psoriatic arthritis. Ask your doctor about your risk for heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Your GP is an expert in screening and treating these if necessary. If you have symptoms of arthritis, ask for a referral to a rheumatologist.

9) If possible, identify and avoid psoriasis triggers

Things such as infections, injuries to your skin, stress, environmental conditions, smoking, alcohol and sunburn may make it worse.

10) Learn more about psoriasis

This will make it easier to have a conversation with your doctor about treatment options and treatment progress.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/ten-tips-to-help-manage-psoriasis-over-the-winter-1.3280678

Skin 4 Skin Conditions That Are Often Misdiagnosed, According to Dermatologists

From allure.com

Ever look at an unfamiliar spot r blemish and wonder if it's a blackhead, pimple or sun spot? Worse, ever consider that it could be something more? To the untrained eye, unusual skin presentations can cause confusion and alarm. They can also go misdiagnosed, often not getting the attention they require. This is because many skin conditions can seem similar in appearance to one another, says Shari Marchbein, board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine.

"For example, a pink flaky spot or rash can be eczema, dandruff, ringworm, psoriasis, or even a skin cancer, like squamous cell carcinoma," she says. Unfortunately, patients sometimes report to the dermatologist's office sharing a previous diagnosis that is incorrect and having missed out on valuable treatment time. Because this occurs more often than documented, we've highlighted the top four skin conditions most commonly, well, diagnosed — and how to look out for them.

Basal Cell CarcinomaIn some cases, skin cancer can be mistaken as a small blemish. Basal cell carcinoma (the most common skin cancer in the U.S. – one in five people will have it in their lifetime, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation) "can often start as a small pink bump that can be confused or misdiagnosed as acne," says Marchbein. Because of this, dermatologists typically recommend coming into the office for examinations if a new spot is present for more than three weeks and is consistently growing, bleeding, or changing in any way.

Rosacea
Another common misdiagnosis is rosacea disguised as acne, says Estee Williams, a board-certified medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatologist and clinical professor in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Centre in New York City. "Pimples, breakouts, zits ... everyone knows what acne is, but many people have not heard of rosacea, even though 16 million Americans have the condition," she says. The chronic skin condition of the face has two prominent traits — redness and skin sensitivity — which makes the disease difficult to both diagnose and treat.
"When it comes to rosacea, there are 50 shades of red — anything from rosy cheeks to pimples that are often mistaken as acne," says Williams. "Even the most-seasoned dermatologist may find it challenging to distinguish the two, and what's more, acne medications tend to make rosacea worse." Williams warns that if you have sensitive skin, tend to blush or flush easily, or have pink pimples that take a long time to heal, you might have rosacea.

Psoriasis
Many people self-diagnose themselves with a dry, flaky scalp when, in fact, they have psoriasis, according to Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. "Psoriasis is a condition in which your immune system gets angry at your skin and attacks it," he explains. "We don't understand why this happens." In this case, the skin typically develops flaky plaques, which typically show up on the elbows and knees, but can also be found on the scalp. Dermatologists can suggest prescription options to help with inflammation.

Eczema
In Zeichner's experience, eczema — an inflammatory condition in which the skin develops microscopic cracks, causing a loss of hydration — can often be confused for the fungal infection ringworm. "Many people come into the office having used an antifungal cream on a scaly, red rash on the body," he says. "I find that more times than not patients are actually suffering from eczema."
In order to avoid a misdiagnosis, it's important to seek expert insight and treatment from a board-certified dermatologist (a skin expert with eight years of extra training and expertise) any time you have an unusual skin finding or concern, says Marchbein.

https://www.allure.com/story/misdiagnosed-skin-conditions

Managing psoriasis this winter

From deccanherald.com

All of us experience mild to the moderately dry skin at some point, but for some, it's a chronic problem. Especially during winter, the cold winds, low humidity, wet weather and lack of sunlight drain the moisture out of our skin making it dry and itchy. Psoriasis causes skin cells to build up, and form shiny scales and itchy, dry red patches. The skin patches can be painful and can vary in size and intensity over time.

Winter can trigger psoriasis outbreaks, but there are many ways to tackle the drying effects of cold temperature.

Keep your skin moist to ease redness and itching, and heal psoriasis patches. The thicker the cream or ointment, the better it is at locking moisture into your skin.

Long showers in hot water sucks moisture from your skin. Shower in warm water just long enough to soap up and rinse off.

Cold weather can irritate your skin. Cover yourself with a soft scarf, hat, and gloves when you go outside to protect exposed areas of skin.

Drink plenty of water. You will know if you are getting enough because your urine will be a pale yellow.

Stress can worsen the condition. Try a massage or spa treatment to beat the winter chill.

Vitamin D deficiency is often related to psoriasis. One must consume vitamin D supplements.

Dr Sanjiv Kandhari
(The author is a dermatologist)

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/640830/managing-psoriasis-winter.html