RECOGNISING GENERALIZED PUSTULAR PSORIASIS (GPP) FLARES
KNOW WHAT TRIGGERS GPP
UNDERSTANDING FLARE TRIGGERS MAY HELP YOU MANAGE YOUR DISEASE
A flare is when symptoms appear suddenly
Flares may start with the skin turning red and feeling tender, and then pus-filled blisters (pustules) can appear within hours. The blisters may join together, creating “lakes” of pus.
Early signs of a flare
Remember how you felt before your last flare? Did your skin turn red and tender with pustules appearing within hours? Did the blisters or pustules combine to form “lakes” of pus? Did you have fever, joint pain, and extreme tiredness?
The next time you feel that way, or the way you felt as a flare occurred, contact your dermatologist right away.
Flares may be unpredictable
Your flares may not always show up the same way and they may appear anywhere on the body. You can’t predict when you may have a flare, or how severe it will be—it can happen any time, last for weeks, and take months to heal. Many patients experience continued symptoms between flares.
COMMON TRIGGERS
Recognising triggers can help manage your disease. Pay attention to how your body feels before a flare. You may have a general feeling of uneasiness, decreased appetite, and nausea before the pustules appear. The most common triggers for GPP flares are:
INFECTION
STRESS
PREGNANCY
WITHDRAWAL OF STEROID TREATMENT
IRRITATING SKIN
CREAMS OR OINTMENTS
TOO MUCH SUNLIGHT
TRACK POSSIBLE TRIGGERS TO HELP YOU MONITOR YOUR CONDITION
Tracking your symptoms between flares can help you see progress and learn about your triggers.
Define what GPP symptoms bother you the most. It’s different for everyone and it’s important for your doctor to understand your unique experience.
For each flare, note your symptoms:
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What they are (be specific)
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How they start and what happens next
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How severe they are
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How long they last
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What parts of your body are affected
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How they make you feel
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What you think triggered them
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What you did to cope
To help your dermatologist understand the impact your flares have on your daily life, write down a list of day-to-day activities that are difficult because of your flares.
Watch the video below for more information.
DOWNLOAD THE SYMPTOM TRACKER
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HELPFUL TIPS
IF YOU FEEL A FLARE COMING ON, YOU MAY REQUIRE MEDICAL CARE
Any flare can be serious and may require medical care and, in some cases, lead to hospitalisation. Although rare, complications from a flare can be life-threatening. If you feel a flare coming on, stay calm. Contact your dermatologist when you see or feel the first signs of a flare; they may prescribe a medication. You and your dermatologist may want to discuss the best procedure for ensuring you are seen in a timely fashion when you think you may be having a flare.
CARRY INFORMATION WITH YOU THAT CONTAINS YOUR WITH GENERAL PRACTITIONER'S AND YOUR DERMATOLOGIST’S CONTACT DETAILS
This way, any healthcare provider can check with your dermatologist before treating you. It’s important to get the right treatment as soon as possible for the best results.
Proactively inform all your healthcare providers that you have GPP so they can give you the best care.
