This shop has been compensated by Inmar, Inc. and Ortho Dermatologics. I am working with the makers of DUOBRII in 2020. All opinions are mine alone. #ad #TryDUOBRII #DUOBRII
It appeared out of nowhere. A small spot on my elbow. The spot on my elbow has now become small spots on both my elbows and legs, and a new one popped up on my forearm last week. Plaque Psoriasis.
My patches, as I call them, are not very big but they have affected me. Plaque psoriasis has changed the way I take care of my skin and body.
These plaque psoriasis self-care tips are things I’ve made a priority over the last year. Simple changes for taking care of myself while living with plaque psoriasis.
Plaque Psoriasis Self-Care Tips
#1 Hydrate
One thing I’ve noticed about my body specifically is when I have too much caffeine or alcohol my plaque psoriasis gets inflamed.
When I hydrate with water my skin feels smoother and my patches of plaque psoriasis are less inflamed. Keeping a water intake chart helps me stay on top of my hydration and my whole body is loving me for it.
#2 Try Different Things
I’ve done a lot of reading and research on plaque psoriasis in adults. There are all sorts of recommendations out there and I’ve tried many. Some things help, and other things don’t.
You won’t know if something helps unless you try new things. One thing I’m considering right now is DUOBRII® (halobetasol propionate and tazarotene) Lotion, 0.01%/0.045% a treatment for plaque psoriasis in adults from Ortho Dermatologics.
#3 Moisturize
First, I gotta be honest. I didn’t regularly moisturize my skin until I started noticing plaque psoriasis. An on-again off-again relationship with lotion is no longer an option for me.
Regularly moisturizing is now part of my self-care. Keeping a bottle in the bathroom, on the dresser, and in my purse helps me stay ahead of dryness and irritation from plaque psoriasis.
Another reason I think DUOBRII Lotion would be a great addition to self-care when you have plaque psoriasis is because it is formulated with ingredients that allow it to keep the skin feeling moisturized for up to 24 hours, doesn’t leave a greasy residue and goes on easily/feels light on the skin. DUOBRII Lotion should be applied once a day (which fits perfectly into my regular routine), only until your psoriasis is under control and as long as well tolerated. All other potent-to-superpotent steroids have time limits on use. Talk to your doctor if you experience side effects.
Shorts and tank tops might actually make a comeback to my summer wardrobe if my arms and legs were clearer. Yeah, I tend to avoid shorts and layer with cardigans when I have a plaque psoriasis flare-up. Which in itself can be a problem considering certain fabrics irritate my skin during a flare-up so considering lasting clearance from plaque psoriasis may be possible with DUOBRII Lotion I’m strongly considering talking to my doctor about it.
#4 Trigger Diary
Speaking of trying different options, a trigger diary, is a great way to see what works and what doesn’t. Document lotions, changes in diet, and reactions to fabrics. Keeping a diary of plaque psoriasis triggers is how I learned the last self-care tip!
#5 De-Stress
While keeping a trigger diary, I noticed I would have flare-ups when I was under more stress. Stress affects our bodies in different ways and for me it irritates my plaque psoriasis.
As a mom of four kids, including twins, it can be hard to avoid stress. Making a conscious effort to slow down, take time to relax, and ask for help when needed is really helping me de-stress. How do you de-stress, because I could always use some new ideas?
I will have to keep you updated as I continue adjusting my self-care with plaque psoriasis. I’d also love to hear from you about the ways you take care of yourself if you have plaque psoriasis.
What is DUOBRII® Lotion?
DUOBRII (halobetasol propionate and tazarotene) Lotion, 0.01%/0.045%, is a prescription medicine used on the skin (topical) to treat adults with plaque psoriasis. It is not known if DUOBRII Lotion is safe and effective in children.
Important Safety Information
· DUOBRII Lotion is for use on the skin only; do not use it in your mouth, eyes, or vagina.
What is the most important Information I should know about DUOBRII Lotion? DUOBRII Lotion may cause birth defects if used during pregnancy.
A negative pregnancy test must be obtained before females of child-bearing age start using DUOBRII Lotion and they must use effective birth control during treatment. Begin treatment during a normal menstrual period.
Stop using DUOBRII Lotion and tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while using DUOBRII Lotion.
Before you use DUOBRII Lotion, tell your healthcare provider if you:
· have eczema or any other skin problems, including skin infections, which may need to be treated before using DUOBRII.
· have diabetes, adrenal gland problems or liver problems.
· are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. If you use DUOBRII and breastfeed, do not apply DUOBRII to your nipple area.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
· Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take corticosteroids by mouth or injection or use other skin products that contain corticosteroids.
· Ask your healthcare provider for a list of medicines that may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
What should I avoid during treatment with DUOBRII?
· To avoid a severe sunburn, avoid sunlight, including sunlamps and tanning beds, as much as possible, and use sunscreen, protective clothing and a hat while in sunlight. Talk to your healthcare provider if you get sunburn, and do not use DUOBRII Lotion until your sunburn is healed.
· Avoid using DUOBRII on skin with eczema because it may cause severe irritation.
DUOBRII may cause side effects, including:
· If too much DUOBRII passes through your skin it can cause adrenal glands to stop working
· Cushing’s syndrome, a condition from too much exposure to the hormone cortisol
· High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
· Effects of growth and weight in children
· Skin irritation. If you get too much skin irritation at the site of application, your healthcare provider may tell you to interrupt or stop using DUOBRII or to use it less often.
· Vision problems, including an increased chance of developing cataracts and glaucoma. Tell your healthcare provider about any vision problems during treatment.
The most common side effects of DUOBRII Lotion include: redness, itching, swelling, burning, stinging, application site pain, inflamed hair follicles (folliculitis), thinning of the skin (atrophy), peeling and rash.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Ortho Dermatologics at 1-800-321-4576 or FDA at 1-800-FDA- 1088 or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.
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