Psoriasis or psoriasis is an autoimmune chronic disease that affects the skin and manifests itself in the form of red spots, plaques covered with small scales. The disease is incurable, so psoriasis treatment methods are reduced to controlling symptoms, stopping pain and inflammation, and achieving early and long-term remission. There are many prejudices about the disease in society. People who do not know what it is believe that they can get psoriasis. In the description, several types of this non-infectious disease can be distinguished, each with individual symptoms and course.
Where does psoriasis come from?
The causes of psoriasis have not been determined, because very little is known about this skin disease. In the initial stages, the symptoms of the disease are similar to dermatitis, eczema, but clear psoriatic plaques cannot be confused with other skin diseases. Scientists and doctors agree that one of the causes of psoriasis is genetic predisposition.
For example, if the mother is diagnosed with skin pathology, the child has a 15% chance of inheriting this disease. If both parents are treated for psoriasis, the risk of inheriting the disease increases 4 times, that is, it rises to 60%.
But even if the parents are carriers of a gene that causes skin disease, this does not mean that the child will get sick. The causes of psoriasis in the body are different. Stress, nervous breakdowns, mental trauma "trigger" skin disease.
Psoriasis also causes:
- skin injuries, burns, insect bites, tattoos;
- medications the person is taking;
- infectious diseases;
- alcohol abuse, smoking;
- exposure to chemicals, such as detergents;
- dermatitis and fungal diseases;
- HIV;
- pregnancy and childbirth.
Recently, scientists have reported that psoriasis may appear due to nutrition, but no convincing evidence has been found in favor of this theory.
Doctors know that a certain gene is responsible for the skin disease, but they cannot determine the exact causes of psoriasis.
What does psoriasis look like in its early stages?
The first symptoms of psoriasis look like this:
- A person's nails wear out, skin cracks.
- 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 the elbows, knees, face.
A person becomes depressed, is not interested in anything, has a breakdown and even low self-esteem.
On the head, face and under the hair
First, a person notes increased peeling of the skin, which looks like dandruff. Then appear plates covered with silvery scales. The rash grows, affects an increasing area of the skin, but even with open psoriasis, hair does not fall out.
In 80% of cases, psoriasis primarily affects the scalp. If the pathology is not treated, rashes appear in other places.
A harbinger of a disease that affects the skin of the face is severe itching. Initially, psoriasis resembles an allergy, the skin is covered with small red spots that increase in size and form an inflamed nodule or papule.
The rash covers the entire face. The spots themselves are covered with scales that detach easily and painlessly. Underneath them is a terminal film that looks like red shiny skin. If the itchy places are combed, they are covered with small drops of blood.
On the arms and legs
The skin disease psoriasis affects the skin:
- upper arms and legs;
- brushes;
- knots in the hands and feet;
- near the nails.
The disease begins with the appearance of small round rashes on the skin between the fingers, on the calves, wrists, elbows and knees.
In 10% of cases, psoriasis affects the nails. Psoriatic plaques appear on the nail plates long before the onset of the main symptoms of the disease affecting the skin of the body.
On palms and feet
It is called a manifestation of palmar-plantar 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 aggravated form is expressed in the formation of pustules, deep abscesses.
On the torso
Symptoms of a disease that affects the skin of the body are similar to psoriasis on the palms and feet, head, face. Rashes often appear on the back and lower back.
Red spots covered with gray-white scales itch and itch. It is impossible to comb them, because the thin terminal film does not protect the smallest capillaries, and the surface of the skin is covered with microscopic drops of blood when combed. Psoriasis can appear on the chest and sides.
Red spots expand and merge into formations that doctors call "paraffin lakes".
Psoriasis causes various skin changes:
- stripping;
- thickening;
- edema;
- the appearance of blisters-pustules.
Often, keratinized dry skin cracks, which causes pain and discomfort.
Other localizations
Psoriasis spreads all over the body. Psoriatic plaques can be localized in the groin, hip, elbow and knee folds. The disease causes great discomfort, because the rashes itch, but they cannot be scratched. Careless movements can easily damage the thinned affected skin and cause further infection.
The symptoms of skin psoriasis, regardless of the location, are similar, so a dermatologist diagnoses the disease:
- 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 them, and small drops of blood covering the stain. scratched;
- the appearance of new plaques at the site of skin injuries;
- itching.
Psoriatic arthritis
This form of complication affects the joints and tendons, which lose their density and elasticity.
Arthritis is accompanied by symptoms of psoriasis, characterized by inflammation of the joints and is divided into:
- Asymmetric, affecting several joints on one side of the body and not affecting paired bone elements.
- Symmetric, similar to rheumatoid. Paired joints suffer. This form often causes disability.
- Interphalangeal distal joints affecting the phalanges of the fingers and toes.
- Spine, in one or more departments.
- Deformation when joints are destroyed.
Inflammation of the joints is characterized by severe pain, swelling, the skin at the site of the affected bone joint has a blue color. In this case, a person experiences a breakdown, sometimes the lymph nodes increase.
Classification of psoriasis
Psoriasis types differ according to the nature of the rash. The international classification describes 10 forms of autoimmune chronic disease:
- The most common is plaque-like or simple psoriasis. It affects any part of the body, it occurs in women and men. It begins with the appearance of red swollen spots, which are later covered with a whitish, easily peeled off scaly film, "plaque".
- Guttate psoriasis can affect the skin after a streptococcal infection. It manifests itself in the thighs, lower legs, and also affects the neck and back. Red, blue, purple rashes rise above the surface of the skin and look like drops.
- The spotted form is characterized by large rashes all over the body. The disease is more common in women than in men.
- Pustules, the most severe, can be distinguished by the appearance of blisters - pustules surrounded by red, inflamed skin and filled with clear liquid. If an infection enters the blisters, pieces of pus appear in the contents.
- Follicular, which affects the skin of the legs and thighs in the form of small whitish papules.
- Psoriasis of the flexor surfaces affects the skin in folds, for example, in the folds of the knees, in the groin, under the breasts, in the armpits.
- Palmar-plantar is often seen in people engaged in physical labor.
- Psoriatic onychia affects only fingernails and toenails. Nail plates change color, become yellowish, erode, sometimes die. The skin around the nails thickens.
- Scalp characterized by a red scaly rash in the area of hair growth and itching.
- Seborrhea is most often localized on the chest, behind the ears, between the shoulder blades, in the nasolabial folds. Psoriatic foci are very prominent, often similar to eczema, covered with purulent crusts.
- The symptoms of the erythrodermic form of psoriasis are pronounced. Affected skin can come out with plates, a person experiences severe pain, body temperature rises. Untreated erythroderma progresses to pyoderma - purulent lesions of the skin and can lead to death.
Any form of psoriasis requires timely treatment, which can only be prescribed by a dermatologist after examination and necessary research.
How psoriasis manifests itself in different stages
In general, 4 stages of the development of psoriasis are distinguished:
- primary or early;
- progressive;
- stationary;
- regressive.
In most cases, psoriasis begins with the appearance of small papules. Round pink bright spots, sometimes no larger than a pinhead, rise above the skin surface and have a clear border. They are covered with silver coins. The presence of skin rashes in the initial stage of psoriasis can be confused with eczema or an allergic rash.
The clinical picture of the disease changes in different stages. For example, severe inflammation of the skin is characteristic of an acute or progressive form that requires medical attention and intensive treatment.
However, the rash does not go away, but grows and merges with each other. Psoriatic plaques, clearly limited by the pink crown, begin to peel off. The affected skin itches and itches unbearably.
It lasts from 2 weeks to several months, and psoriasis passes into the stationary stage. The growth of psoriatic plaques stops, peeling increases, covering the entire affected area of the skin.
With regressive psoriasis, peeling gradually disappears, psoriatic plaques flatten and gradually disappear. There are no marks, scars or scars on the skin. Sometimes there is hyperpigmentation of the skin. During the remission phase, the skin regains its normal color and texture.
What is the danger of the disease?
The severity of the course of the disease depends on the condition of the skin. If the lesions are not extensive, the person leads a normal life. Physical and psychological discomfort is experienced by people whose rash occupies a large area, the skin is inflamed. If an infection enters the blisters, a significant threat to health is a complication of pustular psoriasis.
Psoriatic arthritis is also dangerous because some forms of it destroy joints and cause disability. However, inflammation of bone joints develops extremely rarely, in 10% of cases.
Even if the plaques on the skin are insignificant and the person feels normal, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a dermatologist who will make a diagnosis and start treatment. Seeing a doctor on time will prevent complications and help achieve a stable remission.
Complex treatment of psoriasis
There is no effective way to get rid of psoriasis forever. Skin disease is treated with various means. A person is prescribed pills, ointments and prescribed physiotherapy. To prevent injuries such as scratches, cuts, scrapes, it is recommended to take therapeutic baths and take care of the skin condition.
Comprehensive psoriasis treatment works if a person follows medical prescriptions.
How is psoriasis treated with pharmaceutical products?
These are ointments, tablets, injections prescribed by the attending physician to the person seeking help. Tablets are drunk at the appointed time of the day before or after meals, ointments are applied to the affected areas 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.
It is used in the complex treatment of scaly lichen:
- Antihistamine drugs prescribed when a person develops an allergy.
- Hepatoprotectors that support the liver.
- Immunomodulators that facilitate the course of the disease.
- Injectable immunosuppressants. They are effective, but expensive and have serious side effects. Medicines should not be used by patients with infections or oncology.
- Glucosteroids are effective but addictive. Therefore, treatment with hormonal drugs does not exceed 2 weeks.
If scaly lichen is easy, the doctor tries to limit himself to local drugs.
Medicines for local use - ointments, sprays
Local remedies for psoriasis are divided into:
- Hormonal that affects the body's autoimmune processes.
- Medicinal containing zinc, naphthalene, tar, vitamins. They moisturize chapped skin, soften hardened psoriatic lesions, support skin function, and repair damaged skin.
During exacerbation, hormonal ointments, lotions and sprays are used for the skin. Biologically active ingredients in strong creams:
- reduce itching;
- eliminate swelling;
- constrict blood vessels;
- relieve pain and fight inflammation.
Apply the product to the affected areas of the skin of the body, face and head. 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 wondering how to treat psoriasis can ask a dermatologist about effective pills and injections used in the complex treatment of psoriasis.
- Some medications are prescribed when psoriasis is severe. For example, pills that a person takes if the damaged skin does not heal.
- The doctor prescribes 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 the period of 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 is practically not terrible for him.
If there are no contraindications, a person can give injections containing immunosuppressants:
- Some drugs are given subcutaneously, while others used in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis are given intravenously.
- Injections have serious contraindications. They cannot be used by people under 18 years old, pregnant and lactating people, malignant tumors and infectious diseases.
Homeopathy
Manufacturers of homeopathic remedies claim that the use of such drugs reduces the risk of relapse and guarantees a quick recovery from the problem. In addition, funds:
- Support immunity and internal organs health.
- They are a source of minerals and vitamins necessary for the body.
- Restore the functioning of the intestines by sprinkling the digestive system with beneficial bacteria.
- Helps eliminate toxins.
When choosing a medicine, a homeopath takes into account a person's history, the stage and nature of the disease, heredity, and psychosomatic factors.
In official medicine, there is no evidence of the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies in the treatment of psoriasis.
Physiotherapy in the fight against skin diseases
Often, the affected skin is irradiated with light waves of different wavelengths of the ultraviolet spectrum or a laser. Sometimes, before the procedure, a person takes psoralen, which increases the sensitivity of skin cells to radiation. When the affected skin is exposed to low temperatures, the doctor also prescribes cryotherapy. Recently, ultraviolet blood radiation has been used against psoriasis.
Ultraviolet radiation is one of the simplest methods of physiotherapy treatment. At the same time, the effectiveness of this method showed quite confident results.
The duration of the sessions varies, but physiotherapy is quite effective. This is a quick way to treat psoriasis. Procedures restore activity to a person, allowing him to live and work fully.
Is it possible to cure psoriasis forever with folk remedies?
Scaly lichen is not curable. Tablets, ointments, injections fight the symptoms of the disease, reduce the number of relapses. Folk remedies are no exception. Decoctions, tinctures, therapeutic baths help to initiate remission, but do not relieve the autoimmune disease.
Medicines for oral administration
Medicinal herbs and plant-based remedies help stop the symptoms of psoriasis. The safest are chamomile decoction, fresh aloe juice, compresses and decoctions of rhizome and burdock leaves.
You can buy herbal preparations against scaly lichen in pharmacies. They can be brewed with boiling water, brewed and drunk before or after meals, or steeped in water and taken in therapeutic baths.
According to traditional medicine, the use of hydrogen peroxide eliminates the manifestations of psoriasis. Use the drug:
- In the form of a solution. First, one drop of the product is diluted in 3 tablespoons of water and drunk on an empty stomach half an hour before meals. Gradually increase the strength of the solution to 10 drops for the same amount of water. Take medicine every three days.
- Externally, compresses are applied to the affected skin for an hour, sterile gauze is moistened in a solution of 2 teaspoons of peroxide and 50 ml of water.
Consult your doctor before using any folk remedies.
Compresses and baths
Compresses and baths with decoctions of medicinal plants will not cure the disease, but will alleviate the general condition, soothe itching and inflammation. Brewed for external use:
- chamomile;
- sequence;
- thyme;
- burdock root;
- oak bark;
- hop;
- sage and others.
It is not recommended to take a bath for more than 20 minutes.
After the bath, moisturizing creams and healing ointments are applied to the skin.
Baths and compresses with herbal decoctions have practically no contraindications.
Skin care and protection
There is no complete cure for psoriasis. However, during the entire period of treatment and remission, a person should properly care for the skin:
- Avoid traumatic effects on the skin. don't scratch don't scratchUse protective equipment during physical work or cleaning.
- Wear comfortable clothes made of natural materials.
- Use special dermatological cosmetics.
- Moisturize the skin.
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
Prevention measures include dietary and lifestyle changes that a person makes.
Changing lifestyle and diet
Food is not the cause of psoriasis, but poor nutrition weakens the body's defenses and reduces resistance to stress factors. Therefore, a person with scaly lichen needs to monitor his daily routine and nutrition.
When the doctor asks how to treat psoriasis, he will list preventive measures:
- Refusal of heavy, fried, fatty foods.
- Active lifestyle, moderate physical activity.
- Sunbathing in the evening and morning.
- Refusal of smoking and alcohol.
A person should prefer healthy foods rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
What to do if the child is sick
The first thing parents do when they see the manifestations of scaly lichen on their children's skin is to seek help from a doctor. Treating the disease in its early stages can reduce the intensity of rashes that cause physical and emotional distress in children.
It is necessary to teach the child to properly care for the skin, to follow a healthy lifestyle. Socialization is very important for children, so parents should encourage the child's desire to play sports, make friends, participate in clubs. To cope with emotional distress, children may need the help of a psychotherapist who will teach them not to react to possible stupid statements of peers and even narrow-minded adults.
Is psoriasis completely curable?
A person who encounters itchy, scaly skin rashes, which brings physical and psychological discomfort with him, tries to find out whether this disease can be treated or not.
You can learn all about psoriasis and its treatment from your dermatologist. There are associations and support centers where you can get the necessary information, including legal information, such as what benefits a person can get if they are diagnosed with psoriasis.
It is impossible to completely cure psoriasis, because the disease is associated with a genetic factor, and genes are not suitable for drug treatment, procedures, homeopathy and folk remedies.
Modern drugs, ointments, procedures really effectively fight the symptoms of the disease, prolong the remission. However, regardless of the methods used, psoriasis can return. If a person neglects medical examinations, does not follow simple prevention rules, the disease recurs more often.
Disease can be prevented
The "three pillars" on which the prevention of skin diseases is based:
- Observance of personal hygiene rules.
- Proper nutritional nutrition.
- Rejection of bad habits.
For washing, it is better to use only cosmetic dermatological products purchased at a pharmacy. Well, if they contain resin.