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Pemphigus is characterized by autoimmune blistering skin lesions affecting the skin and mucous membranes, potentially life-threatening. Because of its chronic pathophysiology, pemphigus can have a profound impact on quality of life. Accordingly, the care of pemphigus patients is very important, should be considered as part of treatment aimed at limiting skin damage and enabling them to participate in social activities like normal people.1. Skin care
First, before purchasing any type of skin care product, ask the patient or caregiver what a dermatologist recommends using or avoiding. It is best to avoid highly active cleaning products. The use of these products will make the lesions difficult to heal or increase the risk of skin lesions developing.
When applying or changing dressings on the skin, wash your hands with soap and water and use gloves. Gloves that do not contain latex should be used to minimize the risk of irritation. Furthermore, dermatologists often recommend keeping fingernails and legs short to avoid injuring the skin or spreading infection.
If the wound is small, topical steroid creams and moisturizers such as vaseline may be appropriate. However, if it is a larger area (more than 10 × 10cm), the user should take some cream on the non-dominant hand and apply the mixture to the affected area with the gloved dominant hand. .
The use of topical steroid cream needs to follow the correct dosage to avoid damage to the skin. In addition, the user also needs to ensure that the opening or mouth of the ampoule does not touch the skin to avoid infection. Besides using moisturizer for damaged skin, patients still use cleanser and moisturizer when taking care of other skin areas.
However, it is most important that pemphigus patients try to avoid injuring the skin. If the skin is cut, bumped, or damaged in any way, pemphigus causes new blisters to form very quickly, turning into sores that make the patient more likely to get an infection. Furthermore, many medications used to control pemphigus also increase the risk of infection, because they suppress the immune system. As such, to reduce the risk of skin infections, keep all wounds, including cuts and scrapes, clean by taking proper care and changing the dressing daily.
2. Dress up
Since the skin of a patient with Pemphigus is very sensitive, the choice of clothing also needs to be taken into account when caring for the skin.
Ordinary clothes such as work clothes, skirts, sweaters, night shirts, t-shirts and jeans will sometimes make the patient hot and very uncomfortable, and can even cause skin damage. more painful and itchy.
At this time, the solution is to choose clothes commonly used for sports practice, which are both light, spacious and absorb sweat well, suitable for many patients. It is advised to choose dark colored clothes because the stains of steroid cream applied to the skin when the wire is attached will be very difficult to remove.
Besides, the use of accessories and jewelry should be limited, such as rings and watches. When going outdoors, the patient needs to make sure to wear a hat, light jacket and gloves outside, so wear soft sports shoes and the most suitable slippers instead of closed shoes, high heels.
Cần cân nhắc khi lựa chọn trang phục cho người bệnh Pemphigus
3. Eye Care
Blisters caused by common pemphigus can form on the tissue lining the eyelids. Some people have pink eye with a lot of mucus discharge or scabs along the eyelids. After a while, the eyes can become very sensitive to light.
Thus, if pemphigus affects the eyes, the person may need to wear glasses instead of contact lenses. When outdoors, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays and help reduce sensitivity to light.
4. Dental care
Regular dental office visits with oral hygienists and surgeons are also an important part of comprehensive skin care Pemphigus.
Accordingly, it is best for Pemphigus patients to have their teeth checked every four months instead of every six months like the average person. In daily oral hygiene, patients should use a soft toothbrush for children to brush their teeth as well as combine with soft floss after each meal. Besides, a small bag full of dental products in a food bag should be ready, easy to carry and help all medical needs always be handy and discreet.
In the case of pemphigus causing sores in the mouth, the person can ease the pain by eating bland, soft foods, and avoiding hard foods like chips, peanut butter, nuts, and vegetables. crunchy tubers like raw carrots and fruit. In addition, other foods that can cause new mouth sores include spicy foods, hot foods, and acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits. It is recommended to drink beverages that do not cause mouth pain, orange juice, hot tea and coffee, spicy drinks can irritate the mouth, easy to cause new sores.
5. Lifestyle changes
The right environment for pemphigus should be clean, fresh, cool, and avoid prolonged exposure to heat or sunlight. Since pemphigus patients often need a lot of tools and skin care products, the house where you live should have a cupboard to keep all the necessary medications, dressings and medical supplies. Thus, patients or loved ones can conveniently monitor and follow the daily pemphigus patient care routine, including checking for any damaged skin, bathing with warm water, applying medication, and changing the dressing. , then change into clean clothes.
Regarding nutrition, patients need to consult with a nutritionist to determine the right foods, both to meet nutritional needs, and to help the body not gain excessive weight due to lack of activity. motion. Accordingly, the diet should include a variety of soups, broths and cooked soft foods to help limit the lesions that cause mouth ulcers.
Người mắc bệnh Pemphigus cần có lối sống và chế độ dinh dưỡng khoa học
6. Appropriate work and rest
Common pemphigus does not mean unable to work. Yes, people with pemphigus can still study and work in their favorite fields. It is best to choose chores at home, which are gentle and less traumatic, and encourage free creative or intellectual work.
In addition, the sick person can still participate in simple household activities, such as reading, watching TV and movies, doing word puzzles, doing laundry, taking a short outdoor walk, and even playing sports. Besides, practicing meditation, stress relaxation, gentle yoga, music can help the patient to be more comfortable.
Certain medications, such as steroids used to treat pemphigus, can interfere with sleep. Accordingly, steroids should be taken early in the morning so as not to affect much of the night while going to bed. At the same time, sleeping on a couch with light sheets and soft pillows can help maintain a better sleeping position, avoiding clothing damage to skin wounds.
In summary, the care of patients with Pemphigus with skin lesions is the primary goal of minimizing trauma to the skin and appropriate wound care, since the skin of these patients is often very fragile even due to the disease. and due to long-term steroid use. At the same time, the patient's understanding of this chronic disease is also essential, helping them have a suitable adaptation for themselves, constantly improving their quality of life day by day.
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