For patients, whether or not the progression of the condition can be controlled is a hope. The development of psoriasis is influenced by many factors. In natural factors, it is related to seasons, weather, region, and temperature. On an individual level, factors such as medication, mechanical injury, vaccinations, chemical agents, various types of infections, sore throat, and tonsillitis are closely related.
In terms of physiological aspects, changes in mental state also affect the condition, such as women's menstrual period, childbirth, breastfeeding, irritability, etc., all of which can trigger or worsen the condition. Other factors like work stress, excessive fatigue, depression, environmental changes, insomnia, heartbreak, exams, etc., also lead to worsening conditions. In lifestyle, improper alcohol consumption and spicy diets are also important factors that cannot be ignored.
To summarize:
1. Always keep the skin clean, strengthen physical exercise, and engage in appropriate outdoor activities. Enhance physical fitness and improve the skin's resistance to disease.
2. Infectious skin diseases: such as scabies, impetigo, rubella, chickenpox, and various fungal infections (non-infectious: tinea corporis, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, etc.) If an infection source is found, it should be isolated promptly. Avoid sharing daily necessities (towels, slippers, bath items, hairdressing items, etc.).
3. For abnormal reactive skin diseases, try to find the allergen and avoid re-exposure and ingestion. Such as drug rash, allergic dermatitis, lacquer allergy dermatitis, etc.
4. Use antibiotics cautiously, such as tetracyclines, penicillins, beta-blockers for treating hypertension and heart disease like propranolol, antimalarial drugs like chloroquine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like indomethacin, phenylbutazone, and lithium agents used to treat mania, etc. These can induce or exacerbate psoriasis. Medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.
5. Avoid injuries, dyeing hair, binge eating, smoking, and heavy drinking. These can have effects during the onset of psoriasis.
6. Act collectively to manage environmental pollution. Supervisory agencies should strengthen management and strictly prohibit excessive use of food additives. The widespread use of chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, and food additives is one of the main reasons for the increase in skin diseases. (Saccharin, sodium benzoate, cellulose thickener, flour whitening agent, pesticide residues, animal growth hormones in meat, etc.). People with sensitive constitutions should avoid foods containing these additives as much as possible. Where possible, consume unpolluted vegetables and green foods.
Experts from the Dermatology Department of Beijing Donghua Hospital believe that psoriasis is a disease that manifests externally but originates internally. Although it shows on the skin, the root cause lies within the body. Any treatment aimed at eliminating skin damage will only yield temporary results. The fundamental principle of traditional Chinese medicine is to address the root cause of the disease. This "root" should be the most important goal pursued by doctors. Only by finding the "root" can treatment be targeted accordingly. When the "root" has not been found, there may be many treatment methods. Doctors may adopt some symptomatic treatments to alleviate the patient's most painful surface symptoms, which is called treating the symptoms. The "root" is singular, but the "symptoms" are numerous. Those who understand the root and symptoms can handle any situation appropriately; those who do not know the root and symptoms are considered reckless. Although there are many methods for treating psoriasis, they are all symptomatic treatments rather than addressing the root cause. Any treatment targeting skin lesions, scaling, and itching is symptomatic. The "root" of psoriasis lies in the imbalance of yin, yang, qi, and blood in the patient. Therefore, first and foremost, an accurate diagnosis must be made, analyzing and eliminating the mental factors causing the disease, transforming the patient's mindset from depression to cheerfulness, building confidence in life, and stepping out of the shadow of distress and anxiety. On the other hand, correct medication treatment should be carried out through differentiated diagnosis. Patients should never seek medical care indiscriminately, especially avoiding false advertisements and quackery, so as not to be deceived. A reliable method is still to seek treatment at regular hospital dermatology departments. It is important to believe that although psoriasis currently has no cure, it can be treated. Psoriasis can not only be cured but also reduce recurrence. Correctly using traditional Chinese medicine yields good results, with fewer recurrences, and even if it recurs, it is relatively mild and easier to treat again.