The Covid-19 pandemic has generated irreversible damage both directly and indirectly. In the first category are all the lives that have been lost, but it has also caused other diseases to show an increase in their incidence. Throughout this period there has been an increase in pathologies related to the skin. Therefore, if you have patients who wish to control atopic dermatitis, the following information is for you.
The first few months of the year are key to establishing the habits that will help us make long-term changes. Although health is always on the list, preventive skin care is often left out of the priorities. Atopic dermatitis is most frequent allergic pathology of the skin.
It usually begins in the first months of life, with a tendency to disappear during the school years. Although in some cases it persists from childhood to adulthood, according to the Mexican Consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis in adolescents and adults.
What role can habits play in the evolution of atopic dermatitis?
It requires a series of strategies that combine both the medical treatment, awareness of skin care in patients, such as family support to achieve long-term adherence. By constantly repeating a behavior and making it habitual, a sense of satisfaction and self-control is generated, reinforcing self-confidence.
Dr. Karina Santana, Medical Manager of Inflammation at Pfizer, recommends the following habits to achieve control of atopic dermatitis:
1) Regular visits to the dermatologist to have a timely diagnosis
Planning visits to the dermatologist both for follow-up, and at the moment we identify something peculiar on the skin, such as itching, inflammation, itching or lesions, gives us an advantage in knowing what actions we have to take to stay healthy.
“Creating the habit of consulting a dermatologist on a regular basis has a positive impact, since most of the time the solution to these discomforts requires something more than a cosmetic solution,” Dr. Santana recommended.
2) Incorporate the treatment into a routine that is already part of everyday life
“One of the great challenges is adherence to treatment, if the patient interrupts it for a couple of days or when he feels better, it is difficult for him to resume the discipline until he has a next outbreak.” commented Dr. Santana.
The solution is to add it as a previous step to an activity that the patient already does on a regular basis, for example between making the bed and going to eat breakfast or before brushing their teeth at night. If this is repeated consistently for 90 days, it will become an automatic activity.
3) Make a diary of the evolution of the condition
There is an emotional charge that goes hand in hand with conditions such as atopic dermatitis, keeping a diary helps you to document the process from the emotional part to the evolution of symptoms.
“Let us remember that although atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition, it can be controlled with the appropriate treatment; documenting the process not only helps the dermatologist, but also helps the patient to see her progress,” said Dr. Santana.
4) Celebrate everyday achievements
Incorporate a ritual every time you notice an improvement in the process, whether it is a week without scratching the lesions or the outbreak begins to decrease.
Atopic dermatitis care is a process where progress happens in stages, setting short-term goals is a great motivator to maintain healthy habits. From the first 30 days of adherence to treatment, one week without scratching the lesions; It rewards all the effort achieved.