When you are first diagnosed with a disease, you may go through a bit of trial and error trying to figure out the best care and treatment. Some of that is part of the process, but some of it can be avoided. Here are 5 mistakes to avoid when living with psoriasis.
1. Not asking for help
Oftentimes we may think a symptom we are experiencing isn’t a cause for concern. However, it doesn’t hurt to contact your doctor for help because those lesions you’re experiencing could be a sign of a psoriasis flare-up to come. As with any condition, early detection is always helpful.
2. Not switching medications quick enough
Some psoriasis medications can take weeks or longer to take full effect. However, there comes a point in time when it may be time to switch medications. In some cases, staying on the wrong medication too long can cause your symptoms to worsen.
It can be difficult to determine when it’s time to switch medications. This is where paying attention to your symptoms and keeping an open line of communication with your doctor will come in handy. He or she can help determine if it’s time to switch and even find the proper alternative.
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3. Letting your skin dry out
Sometimes we are our own worst enemy, whether it’s doing things we know we aren’t supposed to or doing things we didn’t know were making our symptoms worse.
For example, those hot showers you love taking are drying your skin out, especially if you aren’t moisturizing afterward.
Dry skin is no good for anyone, but especially for psoriasis patients.
To prevent dry skin, try the following:
- Take a short bath or shower with warm water instead of taking a long, hot bath
- Use a moisturizing soap that is suitable for sensitive skin
- Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer after showering or bathing
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4. Ignoring your mental health
Living with a condition such as psoriasis isn’t easy, so give yourself some leniency if you experience