The advent of new therapies has dramatically altered the treatment landscape for patients with inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis, but lifestyle interventions still have an important role to play in improving quality of life, says Heather Woolery Lloyd, MD, the Director of the Skin of Color Division at the University of Miami’s Department of Dermatology in Miami, FL.
“The only conditions that have a greater impact on quality of life than Inflammatory skin diseases are congestive heart failure and depression,” she says at the Science of Skin & Scalp Event, sponsored by AbbVie, in New York City.
Visible skin conditions can significantly impact self-esteem and mental health, leading to issues like anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Symptoms can also take their toll on patients. “Itching is worse than pain because if you are in pain, you can take something, but there are very few things that manage itch well.”
The pillars of a healthy lifestyle include eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, engaging in regular exercise, managing stress levels, practicing good sleep hygiene, avoiding risky behaviors such as smoking, which can exacerbate inflammatory skin disease, and prioritizing social connectedness.
She often recommends meditation, even just five minutes a day using a free app, or walking in nature to look at trees to lower stress levels, she says. Avoiding excessive exposure to negative influences can also help reduce stress, she says.
Melanoma patients who participate in a 6-week support group live longer than their counterparts who do not. “Social connectedness is the unsung hero.”
