“Patients of various ages are affected by these diseases."
It is important to understand the long-term effects of skin diseases, especially when it is natural to believe that broad pain, digestive problems or excessive itching may be readily treated by pills or following strict diets.
The internal disarray brought on by chronic illnesses cannot be treated with a one-size-fits-all approach, which is what the majority of well-wishers fail to realise.
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines chronic diseases as “conditions that last one year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both”.
Invisible chronic illnesses begin subtly and gradually consume our immune systems in a way that isn’t always noticeable on the faces or behaviours of the patients.
The stress and fatigue that come with dealing with them, let alone living with them, are frequently common.
Over a thousand skin conditions exist, and they are among the most common reasons for a visit to your doctor.
Skin diseases are frequently dismissed as “just a few spots” or “a little eczema” but a chronic skin condition can have a devastating impact on daily life.
The skin can become painful or itchy, which can have an impact on our psychological well-being, how we sleep, socialise and interact with others, what we wear and where we live and work.
When it comes to skin problems, Dr Wahida Khan Chowdhury, says:
“Fungal disease, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and acne vulgaris are common and chronic skin illnesses among patients in Bangladesh.
“Patients of various ages are affected by these diseases.
“The persistence of the disease for a longer period of time even without interaction, as well as recurrence or relapse of the disease, are tell-tale signs that a skin problem has become chronic.
“Furthermore, the skin becomes dry and flaky, revealing bumpy lesions.
“Even in the absence of disease, the skin begins to lose its lustre and moisture.”
Skin specialists stress that if neglected, psoriasis, atopic and seborrheic dermatitis can spread up to 90% of the body and even become life-threatening over the years.
Speaking about psoriasis, Dr Chowdhury says:
“Some triggering factors can flare up the disease. For example, stress, certain prescription drugs, hormonal changes, dry season, habits like smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol, and obesity.
“However, it’s not contagious and several treatment options are there, including topical, oral medication, phototherapy, and immunotherapy.”
Acne vulgaris can cause scarring and depigmentation of the skin, resulting in cosmetic issues that affect the patient’s self-esteem.
Moreover, patients and their families should educate themselves more about their current disease and learn about their prevention process.
They must change their lifestyle accordingly, which means being aware of the weather, intake of prescribed drugs, makeup usage, and garments to avoid synthetic clothing that may trigger their conditions and should continue following their doctor’s advice.
Loading ...