Using moulage in your in-class simulations can be one of the best ways to prepare students for what to expect in their clinical positions. When students have the chance to encounter a situation within the safety of a simulation, they can ask questions and hone their response skills. We’ve prepared a short moulage how-to video and step-by-step to assist you in efforts to bring a psoriasis simulation into the classroom.
Psoriasis Facts
Psoriasis causes the rapid creation of new skin cells, often causing a buildup of cells on the surface of the skin that appear thick and scaly, which are referred to as plaques. Plaque psoriasis is by far the most common type of psoriasis, affecting around 80 to 90 percent of people living with psoriasis. Approximately three percent of the world’s population has some sort of psoriasis.
Psoriasis is more than a skin condition – psoriasis can affect many different aspects of health and wellness, and can increase risk for diabetes and even heart disease. Another type of psoriasis is psoriatic arthritis, which is an inflammatory arthritis of the joints and tendons. At this time there is no known cure for psoriasis, but there are many different treatments available that alleviate symptoms and increase wellness in those affected.
Keep in mind that psoriasis can appear differently on people of color than it does on white patients, and can take on a more violet or purple hue with less of a tendency for scaling. Take this into account when discussing psoriasis with your students, as because of these differences, psoriasis often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in patients of color.
For another dermatological moulage kit, check out the SimLeggings Obesity Suit Moulage Kit, created by customer demand for the purpose of simulating skin conditions that can affect bariatric patients.
For psoriasis moulage, you’ll need:
- Mortician’s Wax (comes in the train4Real Moulage Master Kit)
- Red Makeup (comes in the train4Real Moulage Master Kit)
- Gold Makeup (comes in the train4Real Moulage Master Kit)
- Baby Powder
- Facial Tissue
- Cotton-Tipped Applicator (optional)
- Clean Mascara Wand
- Loose Powder Brush
- Alcohol Wipes (optional)
Directions:
- Apply Mortician’s Wax to standardized patient’s skin or directly to manikin. Use fingers to mold into the size and shape of your choice. Press down the sides to prevent peeling and allow to cool.
- Use clean mascara wand to texturize the wax, giving it a scaly, bumpy appearance.
- Use the facial tissue to apply red makeup on the wax.
- Use cotton-tipped applicator or finger to lightly apply gold makeup to wax.
- Dust entire area with baby powder, and wipe or blow away any excess makeup or baby powder from the area surrounding the wax.
- Reapply makeup or baby powder as desired to achieve preferred color and condition.
- To remove, use an alcohol wipe.
Nicki Murff is Marketing Coordinator I for Pocket Nurse; she can be found on Twitter at @NursePocket. Nikita Blackwood, Pocket Nurse photographer and graphic designer, filmed and edited the Pocket Nurse Moulage Tutorial video.
Sources:
Psoriasis.org, How to Diagnose, Treat Psoriasis in Skin of Color
American Academy of Dermatology, Can Psoriasis Affect More Than My Skin?
International Federation of Psoriasis Associations
