Psoriasis on the feet is a skin disorder in which papules, spots, or itchy pustules appear on certain parts of the body. Over time, they grow and merge into plaques. The disease is incurable and chronic. Well -designed complex therapies help eliminate the symptoms of psoriasis on the feet quickly. Therefore, wanting to achieve a stable remission (to cleanse the skin completely or partially from the elements of the rash), one cannot prescribe treatment for oneself.
Pathological causes
Scientists do not yet know why psoriasis appears on the legs and other parts of the body. Many researchers associate psoriatic skin rashes with genetic damage to epidermal cells and excessive activity of the immune system. This pathological condition occurs as follows:
- As a result of skin dysfunction, keratinocytes (making up 90% of epidermal cells) do not have time to mature, but at the same time they multiply rapidly, which leads to structural changes of individual areas of the skin.
- In response to such failure, the immune system sends out T-lymphocytes (killer cells) and macrophages (eating cells) to destroy immature and pathologically altered keratinocytes.
- As a result of the accumulation of large numbers of immune cells and keratinocytes in the upper layer of the epidermis, the skin grows and begins to peel. There is no drug that can help normalize skin renewal function completely.
The development of psoriasis on the feet is facilitated by a bacterial infection that can penetrate the skin through small scratches, as well as a disturbed hormonal background, contact allergic dermatitis and a number of other external factors.
Like what form of psoriasis on the feet, depends on the type of disease
Lesions on the feet and knees of the feet may look different from person to person. This factor is explained by the course of the disease cycle. In addition, one or several forms of psoriasis can arise on the skin of the feet, including palmar-plantar, general (vulgar), tear-shaped, puncture, as well as nail and articular psoriasis.
Psoriasis of the feet and legs
Elements of psoriatic rash can be localized on different parts of the skin of the feet:
- on the knee;
- on dry bones;
- on the heel;
- in the thighs.
Psoriasis of the lower legs, feet, knee joints and inner thighs begins with the appearance of a single red papule and severe itching (typical for the spot and vulgar forms of the disease) or with small pink and purple spots (with psoriasistear -shaped).
In the first case, the rash element protrudes slightly above the surface of the skin, varies in density and has a peak with silvery scales, which peel off when scraped with a nail. Over time, the papules increase, and papules that are close to each other merge into one plaque. As a result, they cover the skin of the knee completely or cover dense areas of skin from the knees to the feet. Exfoliation appears on the surface of the plaque.
In the early stages, the elements of a tear-shaped psoriatic rash affect the entire skin of the feet with the same type of small rash. Then, as a result of the development of the disease, the single spots merge into several groups and cover a large area of skin on the feet. Psoriatic lesions like these are rare on the heels.
Palmar-plantar psoriasis often occurs in the soles of the feet. The elements form a rash on the skin of the inflamed feet in the form of small spots and pustules with a clear border and a sterile yellow content. If the pustules in the legs are open, then the fluid from them flows out, dries and forms a yellowish crust, the boil beneath it will also dry out.
Unbroken pustules are covered with dry scales. Gradually, they grow and merge into one group, the scaly layers begin to tighten the skin strongly, which causes discomfort when walking. The skin around the plaque becomes thick and dry, cracked. Through such cracks, the infection usually penetrates the inner layer of the dermis, after which weeping and skin damage begins.
Psoriatic arthritis
In most cases, plaque psoriasis on the feet causes psoriatic damage to the joints. This arthritis is divided into 5 types:
- Symmetry - simultaneous inflammation of the paired joints of the knee, hip area, ankle or foot.
- Asymmetry - pathological changes simultaneously affect large and small joints, for example, the joints of one knee and the joints of the toes.
- Inflammation of the distal joint - the small joint in the toe closer to the swollen nail.
- Spondylosis - Arthritis affects the lumbosacral spine, resulting in pain in the hips and lower legs.
- Defective arthritis is a rare inflammatory pathology in which the small joints of the fingers are completely destroyed.
The skin over the swollen joints swells, turns purple-blue and becomes hot.
Damage to the nail plate
Psoriatic nail damage occurs against the background of:
- psoriatic arthritis in 80-90% of cases;
- vulgar or pustular psoriasis in 50-60% of cases.
In 5-10% of clinical cases, toenail psoriasis is the primary one, that is, it appears on its own, not preceded by psoriatic lesions on the joints or skin of the foot.
Initially, common psoriasis of the soles of the feet or psoriatic inflammation of the distal joints of the fingers causes pathological changes in the skin of the periungual area. Then the pathology spreads to the base of the nail or affects the nail plate located on it. There is nail deformation - the formation of dents, transverse lines - and discoloration of the plate.
Similar signs of psoriasis in women are rarely observed at a young age, often the disease occurs in young men. In old age, psoriatic nail damage affects women and men equally.
Stage of development
Psoriasis of the lower extremities, if left untreated, goes through 3 stages of development:
- early;
- progressive;
- still.
After that, the pathological changes are delayed, the remission stage begins. Without preventive treatment, the disease progresses over time.
Manifestations of the early stages of the disease on the feet are characterized by the formation of a single small rash, in the form of spots, papules or pustules. Initially, it can occur on both bends of the knees of the foot at once. The elements of the rash are red or pink, then the upper part is covered with white scales. The initial stage of psoriasis lasts about 3 weeks. During this time, the papules or pustules grow larger and merge into one group.
The early stages of psoriasis can be stopped if you immediately seek help from a specialist. But more often than not, people ignore the symptoms of the manifestation of the disease, which is why psoriasis continues to develop. At a progressive stage, the number of psoriatic plaques on the skin of the feet increases, which are close to each other merging into "paraffin lakes" of various shapes and sizes. Psoriasis on the toes causes inflammation and desquamation of periungual tissue and damage to the nails.
For a progressive period, the Kebner phenomenon is characteristic, when a psoriatic rash forms on healed skin, for example, after a wound or scratch.
At the stationary stage, psoriasis on the feet and other skin areas of the feet still manifests itself as severe itching and flaking. However, the rash element no longer appeared, and the plaque stopped growing. There are no inflammatory rims around them; dry scales appear in its place. If treatment is stopped at this stage, the deterioration of the disease will begin again. Otherwise, the psoriatic plaques stop peeling off, some of them disappear completely, some just brighten up - the remission stage begins.
How to treat psoriasis on the feet
The treatment regimen for psoriasis of the feet is compiled for each patient separately, taking into account the location of the rash, the form of the disease, the stage of development and a number of other factors. It is dangerous to make the treatment of this disease independently because complications may arise in the form of extensive skin lesions, inflammation of the joints, to its destruction and the addition of bacterial infections (staphylococcal, streptococcal).
Medicine
First, the focus of psoriasis is influenced by non -hormonal ointments:
- tar, naphthalane - ointment relieves inflammation, is antiseptic, but can be used only as directed by a doctor, because they have serious contraindications.
- sulfur -salicylic ointment, salicylic acid - refers to keratolytic agents (destroying the stratum corneum). They have an exfoliating effect and help plaque dissolve.
- ointment containing solidol, softens the skin of the feet, has a regrowth effect.
- ointment containing the active form of vitamin D3 slows down the process of cell division, thus reducing inflammation and exfoliation of the skin on the feet.
If non -hormonal medications do not help stop foot psoriasis, then corticosteroid ointments are prescribed, which are divided into:
- Weakly active - funds work on the surface of the skin, suitable for the early stages of psoriasis. Some ointments from this group are approved for use by children, pregnant and lactating women.
- Quite active - prescribed for the treatment of psoriasis on rough skin areas of the feet, especially on the knees and soles of the feet.
- Very active - prescribed if a medium -grade ointment can not stop the increase of psoriatic plaques on the skin of the feet.
If there is no ointment for psoriasis, then at the stage of development of the disease, pills are prescribed in conjunction with external medications for:
- suppression of immune cell activity;
- prevent the proliferation of epidermal cells;
- they also take retinoids - derivatives of vitamin A, which are needed to restore epidermal cells.
How to get rid of psoriasis on the feet with home methods
Folk remedies for psoriasis are drugs for external and internal use, but in their treatment should be used with caution as medicines.
Questions like how to cure psoriasis at home well remain unanswered. Some homemade recipes help eliminate the symptoms of the disease for a long time, but do not get rid of it completely.
Ointment to make it worse
Ingredients:
- unrefined sunflower oil - 1 liter;
- herb celandine - 50 g;
- elecampane root - 50 g;
- acetylalisic acid - 50 tabs.
How to prepare: grind the tablets and ingredients using a coffee grinder, pour the resulting powder into vegetable oil, mix until well blended. Leave for 30 days in a warm, dark place to soak. During this period, the mixture should be heated every 3 days in a steam bath, stirring, but not boiling.
How to use: filter the drug, mix the resulting liquid with petroleum jelly (3: 1), apply 3 times a day on psoriatic plaques.
Ointment that relieves symptoms in 10 days
Ingredients:
- birch tar - 150 g;
- pharmaceutical alcohol - 150 mg;
- camphor oil - 75 mg;
- chicken yolk - 3 pieces.
How to cook: Beat egg yolks in an enamel container, gradually adding camphor, then tar and alcohol. Store the ointment in a dark place.
How to use: Apply with gauze on the inflamed skin of the feet. After three days, you need to wash your feet with warm water with tar soap foam, remove the moisture and apply the ointment again for 3 days. If the disease does not start, then the procedure is repeated again, after which the skin is cleansed.
During the period of treatment with homemade ointments, it is very important to maintain the immune system. For this purpose, 1 teaspoon can be drunk daily. sea buckthorn oil.
Diet
Proper nutrition is one of the conditions for effective psoriasis treatment not only on the feet, but also on other parts of the body. Medical scientists conclude that allergic factors contribute to the development of all forms of psoriasis, so allergenic foods should be excluded from the menu in advance:
- egg;
- seafood;
- natural honey;
- chocolate, cocoa;
- wine;
- lambs;
- pork;
- chicken meat;
- alcohol.
During this period, it is very important to leave sweet, spicy, overly salty and smoky foods - they slow down the metabolism in the body. The menu should include dairy products, river fish, cereals, baked apples, vegetable oils, green beans, carrots.
Complete starvation for psoriasis, when a person drinks only one water, is contraindicated.
During the exacerbation of psoriasis on the feet, doctors recommend arranging a fasting day once a week, for example, eat only apples, kefir or boiled river fish.
Physiotherapy
The answer to the question of how to treat psoriasis on the feet with physiotherapy is quite broad. For this purpose, the doctor prescribes:
- Ultrasound therapy - the ultrasonic waves coming out of this device cause compression and stretching of the skin tissues, which is done to restore their cells. Therefore, it is possible to relieve inflammation, itching and swelling of the skin of the feet.
- Electrosleep - is prescribed for psoriasis on the skin of the feet, if a person is unable to cope with the stress caused by the pathology.
- Phototherapy - under the influence of ultraviolet rays, skin immunity is strengthened, the growth rate and cell division decreases.
To improve metabolic processes in the skin of the feet with psoriasis, acupressure helps. It is recommended to do it only in the period of remission of the disease, otherwise there is a high probability of infection on the inflamed skin.
Hygiene rules
In order not to cause the appearance of new psoriatic plaques on the skin of the feet, during the period of remission it is recommended to use only warm water and baby toilet soap with a moisturizing effect to wash the skin. When the disease persists, the feet should be washed with warm water and tar soap, which not only cleanses the skin, but also relieves inflammation from it. After washing, dry your skin and toenails with a soft towel.
Additional suggestions
Treatment for psoriasis of the feet will be long -term if a person:
- He is engaged in active sports - sweaty feet, there is a large load on the feet. After exercise, it is very important to wash your feet with warm water, dry them thoroughly, wear clean socks and loose -fitting shoes that allow your skin to breathe.
- Regular and prolonged sweating in the sun - excessive sunbathing causes burns and disrupts metabolic processes in the skin. At the stage of development of psoriasis on the skin of the feet, it is better to refrain from excessive sunbathing, and in the period of remission, sunscreen should be used.
Preventive measures and prognosis
Today, psoriatic disease is considered incurable. Therefore, once a continuous reduction of symptoms is achieved, efforts should be made to take care of this condition in the manner recommended by the doctor. There is no place for self -treatment here.