Psoriasis is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation. Inflammation of the skin occurs in several stages: early, progressive, stationary, regressive. This separation will aid in proper diagnosis and therapy.
Interesting to know
Psoriasis is a genetic disease. About 10% of the population has characteristics of DNA disorders, and only 2% of them show signs of skin function disorders.
The following factors give rise to pathology:
- strong emotional stress;
- injury;
- alcohol abuse, smoking;
- unbalanced diet;
- infectious and other diseases;
- specific medications;
- endocrine diseases;
- predisposition to allergies;
Due to an incorrect immune system response, which responds to epidermal tissue to foreign elements, the first signs of the disease appear. Consider the level of psoriasis, its symptoms and treatment regimen.
Early stages of psoriasis
The first sign isthe appearance of acne(papula). Round shape, reddish or pink. In the lower limbs, due to slow blood flow, manifestations of bluish color may occur. Small papular formation, pinhead-sized.
The early stages are characterized bymany papulesthat have well-defined boundaries. Whiteness scales also appear. They are easily separated from the surface by touch. Papules can merge into one, forming a larger element.
During early remission, the lesion becomes pale. The affected part of the skin changes color. In children, this level of psoriasis is often confused with the manifestations of allergies or diathesis. The rash can be accompanied by severe itching. Indications that can be used to diagnose psoriasis:
- when scraped, the surface of the plaque becomes whitish, resembling a drop of rubbed stearin, its scales peeling off;
- if you continue to scrape stains and remove scales, a shiny red surface will appear;
- when scraping small blood droplets appear.
Progressive psoriasis level
During the progressive stage of psoriasis, the following symptoms appear:
- Papula turns red, continues to be covered with white scales. They peel off easily, underneath you can see a fine layer of reddish skin. When damaged, blood appears.
- With exacerbation, papular elements grow, merge. They are clearly different from healthy skin areas.
- The itching is getting worse. But it passes during the transition of the process to the stationary phase. Painful and obsessive itching that interferes with sleep and daily activities. If you scratch the cover, new cuts and plaques will appear. The appearance of new plaques at the site of injury is Koebner syndrome. The number of manifestations of itching increases gradually, covering the body, limbs, head.
- There are no scales on the edges of the plaque, they are hyperemic, indicating a prolonged inflammatory process.
As a result
Psoriasis can have a negative effect on the joints (psoriatic arthritis). Then there is severe pain in the joint, its deformation, if the process is left untreated.
Stages of fixed psoriasis
The main feature of the level of motionless psoriasis is that new elements stop appearing. Positive change comes with proper treatment.
Clinical manifestations:
- itching disappears;
- no injuries (Koebner symptoms disappear);
- peeling may increase.
All places stop growing. If during the progressive stage, the plaque has a border without scales, then during the stationary stage, the entire surface of the inflamed tool will peel off, it will acquire psoriatic features.
Scales are a feature of the final stage of inflammation. At the beginning of pathological development, the scales do not correspond to the progressive growth of plaque and are unable to completely cover it. In half of the cases, a pseudoatrophic corollaappears.
Pseudoatrophic corolla
Looks like a light rim around an element, which has a reminiscent structure of coarse tissue paper, consisting of a stratum corneum and a width not exceeding two millimeters.
Recurrent levels of psoriasis
At the regression stage of psoriasis, the psoriatic cycle ends. Key Features:
- the deterioration process stops, inflammation disappears;
- plaque gradually dissolves;
- peeling stops, rash element flattened;
- the rash turns pale pink, changing gradually;
- papules may still remain on the arms and elbows.
No scars or atrophy of the affected area. At the site of the rash, temporary hyperpigmentation or pigmented areas may occur.
Remission occurs after complex therapy.Relief time is individual. Latent disease can last for months, or even years. Exacerbations are more common in winter, except for some forms of psoriasis.
Treatment of psoriasis at different levels
Therapy of any form of psoriasis includes general and local treatment, physiotherapy, and dietary adjustments. In the early stages of therapy, it is necessary:
- let go of bad habits;
- following a therapeutic diet;
- use an ointment that contains vitamins A, D3, hormones;
- use systemic and sedatives;
- undergoes ultraviolet therapy.
If the plaque is located on the head, the doctor prescribes a shampoo based on tar, zinc, selenium sulfide.
All funds must be used as directed by the doctor. Long-term use of the drug (especially with tar) can irritate the skin. Funds must be changed every 7 days.
Early psoriasis treatment
The effectiveness of early treatment interventions depends on when the patient appears and begins treatment.
Early therapy in most cases helps prevent the transition of the disease to a chronic form.
Experts recommend using salicylic acid ointment. It is an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drug that has a beneficial effect on the affected skin area. With the help of keratolytic effect, the ointment will clear the plaque from the keratinization part of the integument. Naphthalene ointment will help relieve itching.
Drugs are usually prescribed:
- based on tar;
- based on solid oil;
- oil based.
Not long ago there were drops and oils for psoriasis. This tool can soothe the skin, moisturize it, prevent dry skin, and relieve swelling. Its preparation contains ubiquinone, beta-carotene, fats, propolis, pumpkin seed oil and other components, with the help of reduced plaque volume, they become less, the skin is better hydrated. It is best to use it with other medicinal products and after consulting a specialist.
Progressive psoriasis treatment
Therapy should be thorough and careful. The clinical picture is quite difficult, treatment can only be trusted by a specialist. The administration of intravenous and intramuscular medications helps patients. Sorbent helps get rid of toxins from the body.
Manifestation removes salicylic acid ointment, emollient emulsion. They moisturize and reduce inflammation. During exacerbations, drugs with tar in the composition or other irritating components should not be used.
Physiotherapy procedures (PUVA therapy, ultraviolet irradiation, paraffin application) are best performed during the reduction of inflammation. Corticosteroids and cytostatics are prescribed only when the process is very complex.
Prescribes antihistamines (reduces the development of allergic reactions), sedatives (sedatives), anti-inflammatory, keratolytic (emollient), diuretics (relieves swelling, removes toxins).
Treatment of stationary psoriasis
Patients need some therapeutic correction. Usually shampoo prescribed with tar, emulsion with oil, calcipotriol. Systemic therapy is used when the disease affects large areas of the area. Ultraviolet irradiation and PUVA techniques are widely used.
If there are no side effects, some cytotoxic drugs are prescribed. In severe cases, patients are given immunosuppressants, cytotastics.
Treatment of psoriasis at a regressive level
Therapy in the final stages of psoriasis should be comprehensive, tailored by a specialist. Therapy is gradually canceled, replaced with preventive measures. Treatment at all stages is carried out carefully, no need for a damaged rash.
Adherence to the most stringent diet and lifestyle corrections is very important. Stress can be a powerful provoking factor, which significantly worsens the condition at the onset of the disease.
In combination with drug therapy, rashes on the hands can be treated with a bath with sea salt or baby cream mixed with a series of powders, lubricating the plaque with this mixture.
Additional therapy
A patient with psoriasis has a vitamin deficiency, which affects the regulation of metabolic processes, has a blood-cleansing, sedative, restorative effect.
Vitamin complex should contain B vitamins, ascorbic acid, vitamin A, folic acid and others. They are prescribed internally, intramuscularly, and even on droplets.
Dividing pathology into different levels is a conditional step that helps specialists identify one level or another correctly, facilitating diagnosis and treatment. It is impossible to completely get rid of psoriasis, but if all the complex treatment rules are followed, with systematic preventive measures, the disease can last a long time and not completely disrupt a person’s life.