Skin diseases are accompanied by the appearance of unpleasant symptoms and psychological discomfort. One of the common diseases that requires immediate skin treatment is psoriasis of the elbow, and the choice of medication is not limited to the use of local preparations. If you do not do the therapy on time, then the minor inflammation will soon develop from a cosmetic problem to a medical problem.
Is psoriasis on the elbow
The disease, which is characterized by the appearance of several spots on the bends of the limbs, is characterized by uncertainty and cycles. Elbow psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that begins with the appearance of papules and develops into plaques (large diffuse lesions) with white, silvery, reddish scales. Slightly raised damaged areas are formed as a result of the accumulation of dry dead cells. If the inflammation is not treated, the disease will progress with alternating periods of exacerbation and remission.
symptoms
When a crust forms on the elbow, you can immediately see the damaged area of skin. The signs of the disease can be clearly seen immediately, and it is rarely possible to cure psoriasis completely in the flexion area of the arm. The chance of a successful recovery is that the patient consults a doctor in a timely manner. The cause for concern is a violation of the skin condition on the elbow, which is similar to the following symptoms of psoriasis:
- Red plaques or scaly spots that at first look like papules with a white film, and when the disease worsens and develops, they grow, connect with each other, and are covered with white scales.
- Itchy skin, which causes more damage to the skin. Like other mechanical damage to the skin, such as scratches, wounds, inflammation such as on the brushed elbow, injuring the skin, and this leads to the appearance of new spots.
- Severe redness, inflamed areas of skin begin to bleed.
Plaque on the elbow
Psoriasis can occur in the groin area, on the trunk, limbs or head, but wherever the disease is localized, the sure sign is plaque. Wounds on the elbow in the form of red spots with white scales occur more often due to the openness of this area of skin, as it is easily damaged. The area of the epidermis that turns into inflamed, scaly red spots gradually increases and can cover the entire elbow. With a neglected form, plaque can bleed, and when scraping is tried, the phenomenon of "stearin spots" appears, as after a drop of wax hardens.
cause
Ongoing scientific studies have not yet been able to determine with certainty the cause of the onset of the disease, and among the medical versions of the cause of psoriasis in the elbow area, there are the following:
- Genetic predisposition is an important statistical factor. If one of the parents suffers from chronic skin inflammation, then there is a high probability that the child will also get psoriasis.
- The ingress of certain substances that penetrate through the injured area of skin. The affected area of the epidermis begins to thicken, the body begins to fight the abnormal symptoms and reject the cells, which externally manifest itself as a fungus on the elbow.
- Violation of the work of T-lymphocytes, which is faced with the task of creating a barrier in the presence of pathogens.
- Lack of silicon in the body.
- Endocrine diseases.
- Serious limb injuries.
- Severe mechanical damage, wounds do not heal.
- Emotional, mental stress.
- Long -term medication.
- Weak immunity.
ranking
The process of chronic inflammation of the elbow, which, under the influence of several reasons, either increases or decreases, and develops without proper treatment. The course of therapy should be prescribed by a dermatologist, but to determine the effectiveness of the method, choice of medication, procedure, the doctor needs to evaluate the course of the disease. Further tactics will depend on the clinical picture, while it is customary to distinguish the following stages of skin lesions on the elbow with psoriasis:
- The beginning. The surface of the skin on the outside of the elbow is covered with a rash. Reddish spots in a round shape with a white film grow, covered with scales, and after 2-3 weeks plaques are formed. With timely treatment, the signs of psoriasis may disappear for a while, and then reappear, or lesions may occur in other parts of the body.
- Progressive. The stage of the disease can be characterized by the presence of psoriatic elements with many scales. The appearance of such signs indicates the beginning of the worsening of psoriasis, and it is easy to see it by the presence of hyperemic rims (redness) along the edges of scaly plaques.
- Still. It is characterized by a decrease in the inflammatory process, which indicates the effectiveness of the treatment used. The appearance of new plaques on the elbow stops, there is no red rim around the psoriatic element, its diameter is reduced, while the scales completely cover the inflamed area.
- Regressive. It shows partial recovery, while exfoliation is almost invisible or disappears, pigmented areas of skin appear in place of plaque. A further set of steps will aim to prevent the worsening of psoriasis.
Forms
The undulating course of the disease, when spontaneous periods alternate with improvement, is not the only component of the peculiarity of psoriasis. The severity of the course of the inflammatory process depends on the nature of the rash, another important factor is its shape. With the localization of the rash on the elbow, a simple (abrasive) type of disease is often found, which is characterized by redness, peeling, itching. Neglected forms of the disease threaten with complications and the appearance of pustular, erythrodermic, seborrheic type of psoriasis - with them the lesion area will develop.
How to treat psoriasis on the elbow
There are effective methods of therapy, but it will not work to completely clean the skin on the elbows, because psoriasis belongs to the group of incurable diseases. The entire complex treatment system will be aimed at the maximum elimination of external signs. The remission period depends on many factors, and to eliminate the manifestations of psoriasis, it is recommended to build a treatment regimen using basic methods such as:
- local therapy (ointments, creams, lotions);
- physiotherapy procedures;
- phototherapy;
- special diet;
- taking vitamin and mineral complexes.
Cure psoriasis on the elbow
Drugs are actively used in the treatment of multifactorial diseases, but their effectiveness can only be seen in combination with other means. For the treatment of psoriasis, it is customary to use external medications, and if they are not effective, the following medications can be prescribed:
- cytostatic;
- antihistamines;
- enterosorbent.
ointment
A quick way to get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of psoriasis is topical treatment. Ointments with vitamin D, zinc, tar are called to help remove dead cells, moisturize the skin on the elbows, and hormonal agents help overcome more severe forms of the disease. Corticosteroids are relatively safe if used as directed by a doctor who has examined psoriatic plaques on the elbow, assessed the condition of the upper layer, and the extent of the lesion. Only a dermatologist can introduce hormonal ointments into the treatment regimen, self-medication is strictly prohibited!
Alternative treatments
Compresses, lotions, decoctions, baths can be considered no less useful methods of treating psoriasis. If the plaque on the elbow is covered with a white film, then at home the itching, redness can be easily removed by soaking the affected area for 7-10 minutes in a cold herbal solution. The composition should be chosen individually, mixed with boiling water, but hot baths should be avoided. Among the herbs that are useful for the treatment of psoriasis are:
- celandine;
- chicory;
- valerian root.
prevention
There is no reason to assume that psoriasis will go away on its own, but the medications themselves are also not worth it, as there is a risk of exacerbating the course of the chronic disease. Removing the inflammatory process is the first step towards recovery, because for long -term remission, you need to follow some recommendations from the doctor. To prevent worsening of psoriasis, it is necessary to adhere to preventive measures such as:
- follow a proper diet;
- does not include the use of alcoholic beverages, alcohol, sweets, spicy foods;
- get enough sleep, while the duration of the sleep period should be at least 8 hours a day;
- avoid mechanical damage to the skin, injury;
- monitor the internal state of the body;
- develop skills to cope with stress;
- supports immune system function, prevents infectious diseases;
- minimize contact with household chemicals.
Photo of psoriasis on the elbow
