Psoriasis, or psoriasis, is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the skin and manifests itself in the form of red spots, plaques covered with small scales. The disease cannot be cured, therefore, the method of treating psoriasis is reduced to controlling symptoms, stopping pain and inflammation, and achieving early and long-term remission. There are many prejudices about this disease in society. People who do not know what it is believe that psoriasis is contagious. In the description, several types of this non-communicable disease can be distinguished, each with individual symptoms and courses.
Where does psoriasis come from?
The cause of psoriasis has not been established, because little is known about this skin disease. Symptoms of the disease in the early stages may resemble dermatitis, eczema, but it is impossible to confuse clear psoriatic plaques with other skin diseases. Scientists and doctors agree that one of the factors why psoriasis appears is a genetic predisposition.
For example, if a mother is diagnosed with a skin pathology, there is a 15% chance that the child will inherit the disease. If both parents are treated for psoriasis, the risk of hereditary disease transmission increases by 4 times, that is, it increases to 60%.
But even if the parents are carriers of the gene that triggers the skin disease, that doesn't mean the child will get sick. The causes of psoriasis on the body are different. Stress, nervous shock, mental trauma "trigger" skin diseases.
Psoriasis is also caused by:
- skin injuries, burns, insect bites, tattoos;
- the medication the person is taking;
- contagious disease;
- alcohol abuse, smoking;
- exposure to chemicals, such as detergents;
- dermatitis and fungal diseases;
- HIV;
- pregnancy and childbirth.
Recently, scientists have stated that psoriasis can appear due to malnutrition, but convincing evidence in favor of this theory has not been found.
Doctors know that certain genes are responsible for the skin disease, but they cannot determine the exact cause of psoriasis.
What does psoriasis look like in the early stages?
The first symptoms of psoriasis look like this:
- One's nails are peeling and the skin is cracking.
- A pustular rash appears on the body.
- The skin begins to peel and die.
- There are blisters on the hands and soles of the feet.
- Itchy red spots covered with whitish scales appear on elbows, knees, face.
A person sinks into depression, has no interest in anything, records damage and even low self-esteem.
On the head, face and under the hair
First, a person notices increased peeling of the skin, which resembles dandruff. Then the plaque itself appears, covered with silvery scales. A rash develops, affecting the growing area of the skin, but even with significant psoriasis, the hair does not fall out.
In 80% of cases, psoriasis mainly affects the scalp. If the pathology is not treated, the rash appears elsewhere.
A sign of a disease that affects the skin of the face is severe itching. Initially, psoriasis resembles an allergy, the skin becomes covered with small red spots that increase in size and coalesce to form inflamed nodules, or papules.
The eruption covers the entire face. The spots themselves are covered with scales, which are easily and painlessly separated. Underneath is a terminal film that resembles red shiny skin. If the itchy spot is brushed, it is covered with small drops of blood.
On the arms and legs
Psoriasis is a skin disease affecting the skin:
- upper arms and legs;
- brush;
- knuckles on hands and feet;
- near the nail.
The disease begins with the appearance of small, circular reddened areas on the skin between the fingers, on the shins, wrists, elbows and knees.
In 10% of cases, psoriasis affects the nails. Psoriatic plaques appear on the nail plate long before the onset of the main symptoms of the disease affecting the skin.
On the palms and feet
Palmar-plantar is called a manifestation of psoriasis, which affects the skin of the palms and feet.
It is characterized by the appearance of red scaly spots covered with whitish scales. At the site of the rash, the skin thickens, cracks, and becomes inflamed. The severe form is expressed in the formation of pustules, deep abscesses.
On the torso
The signs of the disease affecting the skin of the body are similar to psoriasis on the palms and feet, head, face. Often the rash appears on the back and lower back.
Red spots covered with gray-white scales itch and itch. They cannot be brushed, because the thin terminal film does not protect the smallest capillaries, and the surface of the skin, when brushed, is covered with microscopic blood droplets. Psoriasis can appear on the chest area and on the sides.
The red spots expand and coalesce into formations that doctors call "paraffin lakes. "
Psoriasis causes various skin changes:
- exfoliate;
- thickening;
- edema;
- the appearance of blisters-pustules.
Often, dry keratinized skin cracks, which brings pain and discomfort.
Other localizations
Psoriasis spreads throughout the body if the disease is ongoing. Psoriatic plaques can be localized in the groin, on the back, in the elbows and knee folds. This disease causes great discomfort, because the rashes itch, but they cannot be scratched. Careless actions can easily damage the affected skin and cause additional infections.
Symptoms of skin psoriasis, regardless of location, are similar, so dermatologists diagnose the disease with:
- red rash with a clear border;
- the so-called psoriatic triad: the "stearin stain" phenomenon, that is, the plaque itself, covered with silvery soft scales, the presence of a terminal film under it, and small drops of blood that cover the stain if it is scraped;
- the appearance of new plaques at the site of skin injury;
- itching.
Psoriatic arthritis
This form of complications affects joints, tendons, which lose their density and elasticity.
Arthritis accompanies the symptoms of psoriasis, characterized by joint inflammation and divided into:
- Asymmetry, which affects several joints on one side of the body, and does not affect paired bone elements.
- Symmetry, which resembles rheumatoid. Paired joints suffer. This form often leads to disability.
- Distal interphalangeal joint, affecting the phalanges of the fingers and toes.
- Spine, in one or more departments.
- Change shape when joints are destroyed.
Joint inflammation is characterized by severe pain, swelling, the skin at the site of the affected bone joint has a bluish color. In this case, a person experiences damage, sometimes the lymph nodes increase.
Classification of psoriasis
Types of psoriasis vary according to the nature of the rash. The international classification describes 10 forms of chronic autoimmune diseases:
- The most common is plaque-like, or simple psoriasis. It affects any part of the body, occurs in women and men. It begins with the appearance of swollen red spots, which are then covered with a whitish scaly film, easy to peel off, "plaque".
- After a streptococcal infection, guttate psoriasis can affect the skin. It manifests itself in the thighs, lower legs, and also affects the neck and back. The red, bluish, purple rash is raised on the surface of the skin and resembles drops in shape.
- The spotted form is characterized by a widespread rash all over the body. This disease is more common in women than men.
- Pustular, the worst, which can be distinguished by the appearance of blisters - pustules surrounded by red, inflamed skin and filled with clear fluid. If the infection enters the blister, then fragments of pus appear in the contents.
- Follicular, affecting the skin on the legs and thighs, in the form of small whitish papules.
- Psoriasis of the flexor surface, affects the skin in the folds, for example, in the folds of the knees, groin, under the breasts, armpits.
- Palmar-plantar, which often appears in people involved in physical labor.
- Psoriatic onychia only affects fingernails and toenails. The nail plate changes color, becomes yellowish, peels, sometimes dies. The skin around the nail thickens.
- The scalp, which is characterized by a red scaly rash in the area of hair growth and itching.
- Seborrheic, most often localized on the chest, behind the ears, between the shoulder blades, in the nasolabial folds. The psoriatic focus is very exfoliating, often resembling eczema, covered with a purulent crust.
- Symptoms of the erythrodermic form of psoriasis are pronounced. The affected skin can come off with a plate, a person experiences severe pain, the body temperature rises. Untreated erythroderma flows into pyoderma - purulent lesions on the skin, and can cause death.
Any form of psoriasis requires timely treatment, which can only be prescribed by a dermatologist after the necessary examination and research.
How psoriasis manifests itself in different stages
Overall, 4 phases of psoriasis development are distinguished:
- early, or early;
- progressive;
- stationary;
- regressive.
In most cases, psoriasis begins with the appearance of small papules. Round pinkish shiny spots, sometimes no larger than a pinhead, arise on the surface of the skin and have a clear border. They are covered with silver scales. The presence of skin rashes in the early stages of psoriasis can be confused with eczema or allergic rashes.
The clinical picture of the disease at different stages varies. For example, severe skin inflammation is characteristic of an acute or progressive form that requires medical attention and intensive treatment.
However, the rash does not disappear, but increases and merges with each other. Psoriatic plaques, clearly limited by a pink corolla, begin to peel off. The affected skin is very itchy and itchy.
It takes from 2 weeks to several months, and psoriasis flows into a stationary stage. The growth of psoriatic plaques stops, peeling increases, which covers the entire affected area of the skin.
With regressive psoriasis, peeling gradually disappears, psoriatic plaques flatten and gradually disappear. No marks, scars or scars on the skin. Sometimes there is hyperpigmentation on the skin. In the remission stage, the skin acquires a normal color and texture.
What is the danger of this disease?
The severity of the course of the disease depends on the condition of the skin. If the lesion does not spread, the person leads a normal life. Physical and psychological discomfort is experienced by people whose rash occupies a large area, the skin becomes inflamed. A significant health hazard is the complication of pustular psoriasis if the infection has entered the blisters.
Psoriatic arthritis is also dangerous because some of its forms destroy the joints and lead to disability. However, inflammation of bone joints develops quite rarely, in 10% of cases.
Even if the plaque on the skin is not important, and the person feels normal, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a dermatologist who will make a diagnosis and start treatment. Timely access to a doctor will prevent complications and help achieve stable remission.
Complex treatment of psoriasis
There is no effective way to get rid of psoriasis forever. Skin diseases are treated in various ways. A person is prescribed pills, ointments, and physiotherapy is prescribed. It is recommended to take a healing bath and carefully take care of the condition of the skin, to avoid injuries, such as scratches, wounds, scratches.
Comprehensive treatment of psoriasis works if a person follows medical prescriptions.
How psoriasis is treated with pharmaceutical products
These are ointments, tablets, injections prescribed by the attending physician to the person who has asked for help. Tablets are taken at the appointed time of the day before or after meals, ointment is applied to the affected area with clean hands, injections can be done at home or in the hospital. These can be products based on plant components, hormones, and other chemically active substances.
In the complex therapy of the use of scaly lichen:
- Antihistamine drugs, which are prescribed if a person suffers from allergies.
- Hepatoprotectors that support the liver.
- Immunomodulators that facilitate the course of the disease.
- Immunosuppressants in the form of injections. They are effective, but expensive and have serious side effects. Medicines should not be used by people with infections or oncology.
- Glucosteroids are effective, but addictive. Therefore, treatment with hormonal drugs lasts no more than 2 weeks.
If scaly lichen is simple, the doctor tries to limit himself to topical drugs.
Medicines for topical use - ointment, spray
Local remedies for psoriasis are divided into:
- Hormones, which affect the body's autoimmune process.
- Therapeutic, which includes zinc, naphthalan, tar, vitamins. It moisturizes cracked skin, softens hardened psoriatic lesions, supports skin function and restores damaged skin.
Hormonal ointments, lotions and sprays for the skin are used during exacerbations. Biologically active ingredients in the composition of the strong cream:
- reduce itching;
- relieve swelling;
- constricts blood vessels;
- relieves pain and fights inflammation.
Apply the product to the affected skin area on the body, face and scalp. Medical ointments are most often used after the acute period of psoriasis has passed, and doctors do not recommend using hormonal preparations and creams with vitamin D for more than 2 weeks.
Pills and injections
A person interested in treating psoriasis can ask a dermatologist about effective pills and injections used in the complex therapy of psoriasis.
- Some medications are prescribed if psoriasis is severe. For example, a pill that a person receives if the damaged skin does not heal.
- Doctors prescribe B vitamins, folic acid, omega acids, other multivitamins, and lecithin. These drugs help recovery, do not cause addiction, shorten the duration of treatment and prolong remission.
Complex therapy of scaly lichen is not limited to taking special agents and vitamins.
If a person follows the rules, uses high-quality cosmetics, maintains the health and condition of the skin, psoriasis can be said not to be terrible for him.
If there are no contraindications, one can give injections containing immunosuppressants:
- Some drugs are given subcutaneously, while others used to treat psoriatic arthritis are given intravenously.
- Injections have serious contraindications. They should not be used by people under the age of 18, pregnant and lactating, in the presence of malignant tumors and infectious diseases.
Homeopathy
Manufacturers of homeopathic medicines claim that the use of such medicines reduces the risk of relapse and guarantees a quick recovery from the problem. In addition, the fund:
- Supports immunity and internal organ health.
- They are a source of minerals and vitamins that the body needs.
- Restore intestinal work, seeding the digestive tract with beneficial bacteria.
- Helps get rid of toxins.
When choosing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's history, the stage and nature of the course of the disease, heredity, and psychosomatic factors.
Official medicine has no evidence of the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines in the treatment of psoriasis.
Physiotherapy in the fight against skin diseases
Often, the affected skin is irradiated with ultraviolet light waves of different lengths or with a laser. Sometimes before the procedure, a person takes psoralens, which increases the sensitivity of skin cells to radiation. Doctors also prescribe cryotherapy, when the affected skin is exposed to low temperatures. Recently, ultraviolet blood irradiation has been used against psoriasis.
Ultraviolet irradiation is one of the simplest methods of physiotherapy treatment. At the same time, the effectiveness of this method shows quite confident results.
Session duration varies, but physiotherapy is quite effective. This is one of the ways to cure psoriasis quickly. The procedure restores activity to a person, allowing him to live and work fully.
Is it possible to cure psoriasis forever folk remedies
Scaly lichen cannot be treated. Tablets, ointments, injections against the symptoms of the disease, reduce the number of relapses. People's recovery is no exception. Decoctions, tinctures, healing baths contribute to the onset of remission, but do not relieve autoimmune diseases.
Medicines for oral administration
Means based on herbs and medicinal plants help stop the symptoms of psoriasis. The safest is a decoction of chamomile, fresh aloe juice, compresses and decoctions of burdock rhizomes and leaves.
At the pharmacy, you can buy herbal preparations against scaly lichen. They can be brewed with boiling water, infused and drunk before or after meals, or you can pour them into water and take a therapeutic bath.
According to traditional medicine, the use of hydrogen peroxide eliminates the manifestations of psoriasis. Use medicine:
- In the form of a solution. First, dissolve a drop of the product in 3 tablespoons of water and drink on an empty stomach half an hour before meals. Increase the strength of the solution gradually to 10 drops for the same amount of water. Take medicine every three days.
- Externally, a compress is applied to the affected skin for an hour, soaking sterile gauze in a solution of 2 teaspoons of peroxide and 50 ml of water.
Before using any folk medicine, consult your doctor.
Compress and shower
Compresses and baths with decoctions of medicinal plants will not cure the disease, but they will reduce the general condition, relieve itching and inflammation. Brewed for external use:
- chamomile;
- inheritance;
- thyme;
- burdock root;
- oak bark;
- jump;
- wise and others.
It is not recommended to take a shower longer than 20 minutes.
After bathing, moisturizing creams and therapeutic ointments are applied to the skin.
Baths and compresses with herbal decoctions have almost no contraindications.
Skin protection and care
There is no cure for psoriasis completely. But throughout the treatment and during the period of remission, one must take care of the skin properly:
- Avoid traumatic effects on the skin. Don't scratch, don't scratch. During physical work or cleaning, use protective equipment.
- Wear comfortable clothes made of natural materials.
- Use special dermatological cosmetics.
- Moisturizes the skin.
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
Preventive measures also include dietary and lifestyle changes made by the person.
Change lifestyle and diet
Food is not the cause of psoriasis, however, malnutrition weakens the body's defenses, reducing resistance to stress factors. Therefore, a person with scaly lichen needs to monitor the daily routine and diet.
Doctors, when asked how to treat psoriasis, will list preventive measures:
- Rejection of heavy, fried, fatty foods.
- Active lifestyle, moderate physical activity.
- Sunbathing in the evening and morning.
- Quit smoking and alcoholic beverages.
One should give priority to healthy food with high content of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
What to do if a child is sick
The first thing that parents do, seeing the manifestation of scaly lichen on the skin of a child, is to seek help from a doctor. Treating the disease at an early stage can reduce the intensity of the rash that causes physical and emotional suffering to children.
It is necessary to teach children to take care of the skin properly, to adhere to a healthy lifestyle. Socialization is very important for children, so parents should encourage children's desire to play sports, make friends, attend clubs. To overcome emotional discomfort, children may need the help of a psychotherapist who will teach them not to react to possible stupid words from peers and even narrow-minded adults.
Can psoriasis be completely cured?
A person who is faced with an itchy and scaly skin rash, which brings physical and psychological discomfort, tries to find out whether this disease is treated or not.
Everything about psoriasis and its treatment can be learned from the dermatologist you ask for help. There are associations and support centers where you can also get the necessary information, including legal information, for example, what benefits should be paid if someone is diagnosed with psoriasis.
It is impossible to cure psoriasis completely, because the disease is linked to genetic factors, and genes cannot accept drug therapy, procedures, homeopathy and folk remedies.
Modern medicines, ointments, procedures are really effective against the symptoms of the disease, prolonging the remission. But, regardless of the method used, psoriasis can return. The disease recurs more often if a person neglects medical examinations, does not follow simple preventive rules.
Can the disease be prevented?
"Three pillars" on which the prevention of skin diseases is based:
- Compliance with personal hygiene rules.
- Proper nutritious diet.
- Rejection of bad habits.
For washing, it is better to use only cosmetic dermatological products purchased at the pharmacy. Well, if it contains tar.