A large part of the world's population suffers from psoriasis. All ages are affected by this disease, because once the disease occurs, it can not be cured again.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the causes and symptoms of psoriasis in adults, as well as discuss folk and medicinal treatments, and find out what psychosomatics experts think about it.
Reasons
According to statistics, in most cases, the first symptoms of psoriasis can appear between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five if a person is prone to psoriasis. Psoriasis is chronic. This means that no matter what stage a person is in, no matter what medications are used for therapy, and no matter how long they are used, it will not be possible to get rid of the disease completely and permanently.
The main cause of psoriasis is still unknown. Scientists believe that if psoriasis develops before the age of twelve, then the hereditary factor plays a key role. If an elderly person suffers from psoriasis, psoriasis is associated with the work of the immune system, as well as the negative effects of bacteria and viruses. The following are the main causes of psoriasis in adults:
- Heredity. According to research, the majority of people with psoriasis have patients in their family with the same disease or other chronic dermatoses.
- Genetic disorders that occur when specific viruses and bacteria enter can cause changes in the structure of chromosomes. The risk of this process increases with the breakdown of the immune system.
- Secondary skin infection increases the risk of the onset of purulent inflammatory disease.
- Disorders of the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. If the biochemical blood test is abnormal, the risk of developing the disease increases. There are also changes in the activity of the endocrine and cardiovascular systems.
- A patient has a chronic inflammatory process, such as tonsillitis, sinusitis, otitis media. Patients with psoriasis have high levels of lymphocytes and leukocytes in the blood.
- In climatic conditions unsuitable for the patient's skin, ie with dry or very humid air, abnormalities in the division of skin cells are observed.
- Stress, depression, anxiety can lead to the development of psoriasis.
- Taking antibiotics and immunomodulators causes the appearance of psoriasis symptoms.
- Increases the risk of alcohol and tobacco abuse.
- Other disorders of skin cell division.
- Insufficient amount of vitamins and minerals entering the body.
- Wrong diet, eating foods that contain many allergens.
- Overweight.
These factors provoke the appearance of psoriasis. Diseases of the internal organs also help.
If the patient develops skin rashes, dryness, roughness, you should consult a doctor for diagnosis, because at the beginning of its development, the external symptoms of most skin diseases are similar.
Before the diagnosis, you should look at the photos of the symptoms of psoriasis in adults in the forums or in a special section of the site to guess what disease the patient is developing, after which you must consult a doctor, because it is self-diagnosed. can be wrong and the wrong choice of medication can worsen health.
If a person suffers from psoriasis, medications are prescribed to maintain remission and recommendations are given to prevent relapse.
However, in this case, relapse still occurs for several years, and various factors such as stress, anxiety, diseases of the endocrine system, contact with chemicals, antibiotics, hormonal agents and immunomodulators, bad habits, impaired function. the immune system and other causes can accelerate it.
The disease is seasonal and can recur at certain times of the year. In patients, psoriasis usually returns in the winter when there is not enough sunlight on the skin, and the symptoms disappear during warming. Climate change may contribute to relapse.
According to psychosomatics, psoriasis in adults is associated with his position in life. The more positive a person is about everything, the easier it is for him to get psoriasis.
Symptoms
In many patients, the symptoms differ in their activity, but the general features of the disease remain.
First of all, the main symptom of psoriasis is a red rash on the skin, which can be seen in the photo section. At the very beginning of the disease, pink or red papules appear on the skin, which can be pulp.
If the patient does not take the necessary measures at this stage, then the affected area may increase, resulting in redness of the skin, swelling, unbearable itching may appear, so the patient scratches the affected areas. An infection can enter the scratches and cause a secondary infection.
After that, wounds appear in the combed areas, which may begin to bleed with subsequent combing. The skin hardens, dries, white or gray plaques form on the skin. Psoriasis often develops not only on the skin, but also on the nails.
Then the rash becomes redder, the affected areas become more noticeable, and the plaques become larger. The boundary between healthy and diseased skin is noticeable. Sick areas can be raised slightly above healthy ones.
Patients suffer from itching, pain and skin irritation. If the patient ignores the doctor's recommendations and does not start the prescribed course of treatment, the symptoms will not only disappear, but also worsen.
If the patient follows all the recommendations of a dermatologist, then the symptoms will disappear, itching and irritation will disappear, and redness will gradually decrease. The skin will be hydrated and soft. Here the disease goes into remission.
However, relapse of psoriasis, which is characterized by the appearance of new lesions, may occur later. The plaques reappear, a thermal film may appear under the plaques, tear and bleed when scratched. However, secondary infection can occur in wounds. Cracks appear on dry skin.
The disease is localized in different parts of the body, but usually psoriasis appears on the scalp, elbows and knees, legs and palms.
Pregnant women can also get psoriasis. He should be doubly careful about his health, because an illness that is not treated properly can lead to a fall.
Treatment of psoriasis
Treatment of psoriasis begins with the attending physician first diagnosing the disease. Since many skin diseases are similar in symptoms, especially at the very beginning of the disease, special studies will be required for diagnosis.
The patient should be given a blood test for tests, and a skin biopsy is performed to study the skin cells in more detail. Many experienced dermatologists diagnose the disease only by external signs, but research provides more information about the condition of the patient's skin.
First of all, the psoriasis patient is prescribed a special diet that excludes any allergens from the diet, helps to stop the production of histamine and, consequently, eliminates the symptoms of skin disease.
It is important to avoid fast food because it does not contain the vitamins and minerals that psoriasis patients need for good health and immunity. Patients should prefer products that contain sufficient amounts of vitamins and nutrients.
You can not eat sweet, spicy, fried, smoked, salty and pepper peas, coffee and strong tea, red pigmented fruits and vegetables.
Folk remedies for adults
Traditional methods remain popular among many psoriasis patients, although doctors do not recommend them because the results of such therapy are unknown. It is necessary to visit the attending physician during the treatment, as tests should be performed to check the effectiveness of the treatment process.
Typically, home remedies include the following products to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis:
- A variety of herbs, both collected and dried by patients themselves and purchased ready-made at the pharmacy, are more recommended. Herbs are infused and compresses are prepared, and the skin is treated externally.
- Homemade ointments are also widely used by patients. Patients choose products such as propolis, solidol, sea buckthorn oil for the ointment. After mixing, these components should be applied to the affected areas. The mixture will eliminate inflammation, itching, skin irritation.
- Baths are used everywhere to treat dermatological diseases. They are also prescribed by doctors as part of a complex therapy. Ingredients such as sea salt, celandine juice, calamus root and many other herbs are added to the baths. Typically, the patient is given a bath for about twenty minutes. During this time, the substance added to the water will eliminate inflammation, normalize blood circulation and improve the condition of the dermis. Sea salt is also used in the form of compresses, which can be used when the disease is localized in a small area of the skin.
- Tar ointments are also effective in treating psoriasis symptoms. Ointment options include ointments based on tar, sea buckthorn oil and salicylic alcohol in equal proportions. The resulting mixture is applied to the affected areas and covered with polyethylene. Then rinse the ointment with water.
To increase the effectiveness of drugs, folk remedies are usually used as part of a complex therapy. In its independent form, folk recipes rarely help to eliminate the symptoms of psoriasis.
Medications
Researchers from all over the world have developed a single treatment regimen for various dermatological diseases. According to him, the therapy should be carried out for the following purposes:
- Eliminate the main symptoms of skin disease. In the case of psoriasis, it is redness and peeling of the skin.
- Inflammation of the skin.
- Unpleasant appearance of the skin, redness, gray plaques often cause the presence of complexes on the skin of patients. The quality of life of psoriasis patients is usually lower than that of healthy people.
Usually, a number of different medications are prescribed to treat psoriasis. Treatment can take a long time, in addition, psoriasis can recur after a while and then need to be treated again. It is recommended to take preventive measures to minimize the risk of relapse.
The complex for the treatment of skin psoriasis in adults includes not only drugs, but also traditional medical prescriptions that increase the effectiveness of drugs. For patients with psoriasis, a special diet should be followed to eliminate allergens from the diet.
It is recommended to participate in physical therapy, which has a prophylactic effect.
Patients are prescribed drugs of different groups.
Antihistamines inhibit the production of histamine, which eliminates symptoms such as itching, swelling, skin irritation, redness - that is, everything associated with an allergic reaction.
Sedatives can reduce irritation, redness, itching and other symptoms of psoriasis.
Drugs that relieve inflammation and relieve pain.
The mandatory treatment complex includes preparations in the form of ointments for psoriasis on the skin in adults. They can be either non-hormonal, ie they contain only natural substances that do not cause systemic side effects, or hormones that contain an active ingredient that effectively eliminates the symptoms of psoriasis.
Non-hormonal agents include salicylic, tar, ichthyol ointments. There are non-hormonal products in the form of creams, solutions.
Sorbents - it is recommended to take activated carbon.
In case of complications, many patients are prescribed immunomodulators, ie drugs that regulate the immune system.
It is also recommended to take physiotherapy courses, such as ultraviolet radiation, cryotherapy, laser radiation.
Prophylaxis
If a person is diagnosed with psoriasis, he should start treatment immediately, following all the doctor's recommendations. The sooner a person reaches remission, the sooner he can return to his previous pace of life.
It is also recommended to receive supportive care or take preventive measures to prevent relapse.
Skin contact with external irritants and aggressive substances should be limited. For example, avoid contact with chemicals and use protective equipment if necessary.
You should not stay in direct sunlight for a long time, as excessive ultraviolet radiation can cause relapse.
You also need to prevent the patient from getting into stressful situations that cause relapses. To avoid stress, you should take those herbal remedies prescribed by a neurologist.
Also, do not allow the temperature or humidity to drop sharply. Extremely dry or humid weather can cause complications.
You also need to take care of your skin and moisturize it with skin care products.
It is recommended to visit the sea because of the salt water, which has a positive effect on the skin, especially psoriasis.
It is recommended to follow a proper diet and consume vitamin and mineral complexes.