What to Expect When Recovering From Shingles

Want to enjoy some sunshine in your golden years? Spending time outside can help you stay active, reduce stress, get vitamin D and support healthy aging. At the same time, older adults must guard against heat-related illnesses like heatstroke and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. Follow these tips to help you stay safe in the sun:Time your outings. The more you can limit your exposure to ultraviolet rays, the better. UV intensity peaks between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., so spend time outside in the early morning or late afternoon whenever possible.Dont skip the sunscreen. Before heading outside, apply a thick layer of SPF 15 or higher sunscreen to all uncovered areas of your body, including your nose, ears, neck, hands and feet. Use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen that filters out both UVA and UVB rays; these are the most damaging to our skin, and be sure the product is less than three years old. Reapply at least every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.Dress for the weather. To stay cool and help protect your skin from UV rays wear lightweight, loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants or skirts made of densely woven fabric. You can even look for clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label. Wear a dry T-shirt or coverup after swimming, as wet clothing offers less UV protection.Watch your head. Pull on a wide-brimmed canvas hat to shade your face, neck and ears. Skip the straw hats with holes that let sunlight in. If you prefer baseball caps, be sure to liberally apply sunscreen to your ears and the back of your neck. And if you dont have much hair, apply sunscreen to the top of your head for good measure.Shield your eyes. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts. Choose sunglasses labeled UV 400 or 100% UV protection, and consider wraparound frames that cover the entire eye socket.Stick to the shade. Spend time in shady spots under umbrellas or trees whenever you can. Keep in mind that even in the shade, you need sunscreen and sun-safe clothing to protect your skin from sun damage.Stay hydrated. Dont wait until youre thirsty to drink! When its hot outside, make sure youre drinking more water than usual, and avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages. If youre taking water pills or your doctor has restricted your fluid intake, ask them how much you should drink in hot weather. Also, know which medications can cause you to be more sensitive to the sun and/or dehydration.Check the weather. Sometimes, its just too hot to safely spend time outside. Enter your zip code on the CDCs HeatRisk website to find out the heat risk and air quality forecast in your area so you can plan ahead and protect your health. If the heat risk is severe, stay in air-conditioning, close the curtains, take cool showers, limit oven use and get plenty of rest. You can also check the UV index for your area that day as well so that you know if it is safe to be out in the sun that day.Are you a caregiver of an older adult? You can support their sun safety by checking in with them at least twice a day and asking yourself the following questions:Are they drinking enough water?Do they have access to air-conditioning?Do they show signs of heat stress?If you see symptoms of heat-related illness like muscle cramps, headaches, nausea or vomiting, seek immediate medical attention.At ArchWell Health your health and safety are our priority. We offer value-based care that is designed to prevent illness and health issues. We offer longer appointment times to allow you time to speak directly with your provider about your overall health and any concerns you may have. We focus on preventative screenings, including skin assessments, for prevention, early detection, and early treatment of any health conditions that may arise. I encourage you to stop into one of our 3 Omaha area centers to visit with the staff and providers. Come take a tour of the centers to see how our approach to healthcare can benefit you.While the sun is powerful, its possible to stay safe and cool as you spend time outdoors. Enjoy the summer!A version of this column was previously published in New Horizons. 

What is Psoriasis? Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition caused by an abnormal autoimmune response. Its characterized by thick, scaly patches of skin that occur when the body generates new skin cells too quickly. Roughly 2 to 3 percent of the population(Opens in a new window), or over 8 million Americans, have psoriasis. The condition can appear at any age, but peak onset periods occur between the ages of 20 and 30 and again between 50 and 60 years old. In honor of Psoriasis Awareness Month this August, now is a great time to review how to identify and treat this condition in seniors. Psoriasis can affect your loved ones quality of life and even lead to seemingly unrelated health conditions. By catching the warning signs and beginning age-appropriate treatment, you can help prevent flare-ups. Psoriasis Causes While the direct cause of psoriasis is unknown, it results from an overactive immune system and commonly includes a genetic component. This means your risk is higher if an immediate family member has psoriasis. Many external triggers can cause psoriasis symptoms to flare up. These include: Stress Cold, dry weather Sunburn, bug bites, lacerations, and other skin injuries or infections Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption Some medications Vitamin D deficiency Everyone with psoriasis has different triggers, so its important to identify them on an individual basis. Symptoms of Psoriasis This skin condition has three levels of severity: Mild psoriasis covers less than 3 percent of the body. Moderate psoriasis covers 3 to 10 percent of the body. Severe psoriasis covers more than 10 percent of the body. The appearance, location, and severity of psoriasis vary. One person might experience a few localized areas of dandruff-like scaling, while another might suffer from vast flare-ups covering a large portion of their body. Most types of psoriasis go through cycles, flaring up for a few weeks or months and then going dormant for a while or even entering complete remission. Psoriasis most often appears on the knees, elbows, lower back, or scalp. Face psoriasis also develops in about half of people with this skin condition. The most common psoriasis symptoms include: Red patches of skin with thick, silvery scales Dryness and cracking, sometimes enough to bleed Itching, burning, or soreness Thick, pitted, or ridged nails Psoriasis can affect more than just the skin. If left untreated, it can lead to a range of health complications and increase the risk of developing certain diseases(Opens in a new window), including: Psoriatic arthritis Obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes Cardiovascular, kidney, and Parkinsons disease Celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel illnesses Low self-esteem, depression, and withdrawal from social life Seek a medical evaluation and guidance from your doctor about how to treat psoriasis in seniors. Then, keep the following treatment options in mind. Psoriasis Treatment Psoriasis is a chronic condition that may last a lifetime once it sets in. Although psoriasis is not curable, many professional and at-home treatment options are available. Consider that psoriasis treatment for seniors may differ slightly from treating psoriasis in younger populations. For instance, you may need to lower your medication dose, change medications, or try an entirely new type of treatment to see results. Topical Treatments for Psoriasis The first approach is often to apply over-the-counter or prescription-strength creams and ointments. Options for older adults include: Corticosteroids such as cortisone and hydrocortisone Vitamin D analogs Tazarotene For topical treatment to be effective, a senior must: Be able to comfortably reach and apply the medication Know how much, how often, and where to apply the medication Spend the necessary time using the medication as prescribed Psoriasis Light Therapy Moderate to severe psoriasis may benefit from light therapy. Exposing the skin to artificial and natural UV light can slow skin cell turnover and reduce inflammation. Treatment may involve taking light-sensitivity medication and visiting a medical center about twice a week for a few months. Oral or Injected Psoriasis Medications If psoriasis doesnt respond to other treatments, the doctor may prescribe pills or injectable medication. The safest options for people over age 65 include(Opens in a new window): Acitretin Apremilast Methotrexate Some biologics, including etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, and ustekinumab Note: Cyclosporine should be used with great caution in older adults because it can cause kidney damage. Home Remedies for Psoriasis In addition to taking medication as prescribed, seniors may find relief from flare-ups with psoriasis home treatment. Heres what to try: Relieve dryness and itching with dermatologist-approved cleansers and moisturizers. Soak the affected skin in warm water with Epsom salt or dissolved colloidal oatmeal. Eat a heart-healthy, low-inflammatory diet. Psoriasis vs. Eczema People often confuse psoriasis and eczema. After all, they are both inflammatory skin diseases that cause scaling and itching, but they look quite different to the trained eye. Psoriasis has well-defined scaling lesions, while eczema is characterized by less-defined reddish or brownish patches of dry skin. Psoriasis may appear on the elbows and knees, while eczema more often develops in fold areas, such as the crooks of the elbows and knees. Psoriasis is mildly itchy, but eczema can cause extreme itchiness. 

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition caused by an abnormal autoimmune response. Its characterized by thick, scaly patches of skin that occur when the body generates new skin cells too quickly.  Roughly 2 to 3 percent of the population(Opens in a new window), or over 8 million Americans, have psoriasis. The condition can appear at any age, but peak onset periods occur between the ages of 20 and 30 and again between 50 and 60 years old.  In honor of Psoriasis Awareness Month this August, now is a great time to review how to identify and treat this condition in seniors. Psoriasis can affect your loved ones quality of life and even lead to seemingly unrelated health conditions. By catching the warning signs and beginning age-appropriate treatment, you can help prevent flare-ups.  Psoriasis Causes While the direct cause of psoriasis is unknown, it results from an overactive immune system and commonly includes a genetic component. This means your risk is higher if an immediate family member has psoriasis. Many external triggers can cause psoriasis symptoms to flare up. These include: Stress Cold, dry weather Sunburn, bug bites, lacerations, and other skin injuries or infections Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption Some medications Vitamin D deficiency Everyone with psoriasis has different triggers, so its important to identify them on an individual basis. This skin condition has three levels of severity: Mild psoriasis covers less than 3 percent of the body. Moderate psoriasis covers 3 to 10 percent of the body. Severe psoriasis covers more than 10 percent of the body. The appearance, location, and severity of psoriasis vary. One person might experience a few localized areas of dandruff-like scaling, while another might suffer from vast flare-ups covering a large portion of their body. Most types of psoriasis go through cycles, flaring up for a few weeks or months and then going dormant for a while or even entering complete remission. Psoriasis most often appears on the knees, elbows, lower back, or scalp. Face psoriasis also develops in about half of people with this skin condition. The most common psoriasis symptoms include: Red patches of skin with thick, silvery scales Dryness and cracking, sometimes enough to bleed Itching, burning, or soreness Thick, pitted, or ridged nails Psoriasis can affect more than just the skin. If left untreated, it can lead to a range of health complications and increase the risk of developing certain diseases, including: Psoriatic arthritis Obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes Cardiovascular, kidney, and Parkinsons disease Celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel illnesses Low self-esteem, depression, and withdrawal from social life Seek a medical evaluation and guidance from your doctor about how to treat psoriasis in seniors. Then, keep the following treatment options in mind. Psoriasis Treatment Psoriasis is a chronic condition that may last a lifetime once it sets in. Although psoriasis is not curable, many professional and at-home treatment options are available. Consider that psoriasis treatment for seniors may differ slightly from treating psoriasis in younger populations. For instance, you may need to lower your medication dose, change medications, or try an entirely new type of treatment to see results. Topical Treatments for Psoriasis- The first approach is often to apply over-the-counter or prescription-strength creams and ointments. Options for older adults include: Corticosteroids such as cortisone and hydrocortisone Vitamin D analogs Tazarotene For topical treatment to be effective, a senior must: Be able to comfortably reach and apply the medication Know how much, how often, and where to apply the medication Spend the necessary time using the medication as prescribed Psoriasis Light Therapy Moderate to severe psoriasis may benefit from light therapy. Exposing the skin to artificial and natural UV light can slow skin cell turnover and reduce inflammation. Treatment may involve taking light-sensitivity medication and visiting a medical center about twice a week for a few months. Oral or Injected Psoriasis Medications If psoriasis doesnt respond to other treatments, the doctor may prescribe pills or injectable medication. The safest options for people over age 65 include:  Acitretin Apremilast Methotrexate Some biologics, including etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, and ustekinumab Note: Cyclosporine should be used with great caution in older adults because it can cause kidney damage. Home Remedies for Psoriasis In addition to taking medication as prescribed, seniors may find relief from flare-ups with psoriasis home treatment. Heres what to try: Relieve dryness and itching with dermatologist-approved cleansers and moisturizers. Soak the affected skin in warm water with Epsom salt or dissolved colloidal oatmeal. Eat a heart-healthy, low-inflammatory diet. Psoriasis vs. Eczema People often confuse psoriasis and eczema. After all, they are both inflammatory skin diseases that cause scaling and itching, but they look quite different to the trained eye. Psoriasis has well-defined scaling lesions, while eczema is characterized by less-defined reddish or brownish patches of dry skin. Psoriasis may appear on the elbows and knees, while eczema more often develops in fold areas, such as the crooks of the elbows and knees. Psoriasis is mildly itchy, but eczema can cause extreme itchiness. If you still have questions and concerns, BrightStar Care can help. We offer a full range of home care services that can include watching for signs of psoriasis flare-ups, reminding seniors to apply medication, and arranging transportation to medical appointments. Please contact us at 651-770-8427 or visit our website at https://www.brightstarcare.com/st-paul/home-care for more on how our compassionate care team can help your loved one manage psoriasis.