"Silver" color challenge, health protection: daily care for psoriasis

Author: Mao Chong Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital

Reviewer: Yang Jianing, Chief Physician, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital

Psoriasis, a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin disease recognized by the medical community, is often vividly called "psoriasis" because of its stubbornness and significant impact on the quality of life of patients. It not only causes physical pain to patients, but also creates a considerable psychological burden. Understanding the causes of psoriasis and taking scientific and reasonable daily care measures are of great significance for controlling the disease and improving the quality of life.

——The causes of psoriasis

Genetic factors play a vital role in the onset of psoriasis. Psoriasis has a clear familial clustering. If there is a psoriasis patient in the family, the risk of other family members suffering from the disease will increase significantly. Abnormalities in the immune system are at the core of the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

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In addition, environmental factors as a trigger for psoriasis cannot be ignored. Infection, especially streptococcal infection, is one of the most common triggers of psoriasis. Psychological factors such as mental stress, anxiety, and depression may also affect the neuroendocrine system and interfere with the normal function of the immune system, thereby promoting the occurrence or aggravation of psoriasis. Physical injuries such as trauma, surgical incisions, mosquito bites, and the use of certain drugs may also be triggers of psoriasis lesions. In addition, lifestyle habits such as smoking and alcoholism are also believed to be associated with an increased risk of psoriasis.

——Daily Care Guide for Psoriasis

1. Clean and moisturize your skin, and avoid scratching and other irritations

Keeping the skin clean is the basis for preventing complications and alleviating symptoms. Patients with psoriasis should use warm water to bathe, and the water temperature should not be too high to avoid damaging the skin barrier function and aggravating skin dryness and itching. Choose mild, non-irritating bath products, and avoid using soaps or shower gels that are too alkaline. After bathing, apply moisturizer immediately while the skin is moist to lock in moisture and relieve dry skin. The choice of moisturizer should be based on personal skin type. Choose products containing moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and allantoin, and apply several times a day to maintain the skin's hydration.

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Excessive scratching of the skin can not only cause skin damage, but may also cause infection and worsen the condition. Patients should try to restrain the urge to scratch, and can relieve itching by gently patting, cold compresses or applying anti-itch ointments. In terms of clothing selection, loose, soft, breathable pure cotton clothing should be worn to avoid tight clothing that causes friction and pressure on the skin. At the same time, pay attention to keeping the bed clean and dry to reduce the stimulation of allergens such as dust mites and dandruff.

2. Adjust your diet, maintain a balanced diet, and avoid irritating foods

Diet plays an important role in controlling the condition of psoriasis patients. Patients should maintain a diversified diet and ensure adequate intake of nutrients such as vitamins A, C, E and zinc. Vitamin A helps maintain the normal function of the skin and mucous membranes and promotes skin repair; vitamin C has an antioxidant effect and can enhance the body's immunity; vitamin E can protect the skin from free radical damage; and zinc is involved in the metabolism of the skin. Foods rich in these nutrients include carrots, spinach, broccoli, oranges, lemons, strawberries, nuts, fish, etc.

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Spicy, greasy, seafood and other irritating foods may aggravate skin inflammation and allergic reactions, so patients should try to avoid eating them. Spicy foods such as chili peppers and peppercorns can stimulate the dilation of blood vessels in the skin, aggravating erythema and itching; greasy foods increase skin oil secretion, which is not conducive to skin cleansing and disease control; seafood may induce allergic reactions in some patients and aggravate psoriasis symptoms. In addition, drinking and smoking should be avoided, as these bad habits will damage the health of the liver and lungs and further affect the body's immune balance.

3. Maintain an optimistic and positive attitude

Psoriasis not only affects the patient's physical health, but also has a huge impact on their mental health. Faced with the appearance changes and social discrimination brought about by the disease, patients are prone to negative emotions such as inferiority, anxiety, and depression. These negative emotions will in turn aggravate the disease, forming a vicious cycle. Therefore, psychological adjustment is crucial for psoriasis patients.

Patients should maintain an optimistic and positive attitude and believe that they can overcome the disease. Share their feelings and confusion with family and friends and seek their understanding and support. Participate in social activities, expand social circles, and enhance self-confidence and social skills. At the same time, you can try some relaxing activities, such as yoga, meditation, walking, etc. These activities can help relieve stress, improve sleep, and improve the quality of life.

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When negative emotions seriously affect daily life and work, patients should seek help from professional psychological counselors in a timely manner. Psychological counselors can help patients adjust their mentality, change negative thinking patterns, and improve their ability to cope with stress through psychological counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy and other methods.

Although psoriasis is a stubborn skin disease, understanding its causes and taking scientific and reasonable daily care measures can largely control the disease, reduce recurrences, and improve the quality of life. Let us work together to face the "silver" challenge and protect health and beauty.