The causes of skin lesions with psoriatic plaques have not been fully determined. The vast majority of doctors consider genetic predisposition to be a fundamental factor in the development of pathology. Psoriasis is a systemic, non-infectious, chronic, relapsing disease that mainly affects the skin, nails and joints.
The main symptoms and causes of psoriasis
Psoriatic disease is characterized by increased reproduction of epidermal cells. Normally, cell division, maturation and death occur within 3-4 weeks. With psoriasis, this process does not take more than 5 days.
Externally, it is manifested by the formation of red or pink dense areas on the skin covered with small white scales of dead cells. When carefully scraped off, a thin shiny film (terminal) with a clearly visible capillary network will be revealed. Drops of blood appear on it after light rubbing.
This feature is called the "psoriatic triad" and is the main difference between psoriasis and other skin diseases. To confirm the diagnosis, a histological examination of skin particles from the affected areas is performed.
The main factors that provoke the appearance of psoriasis are:
- Exogenous (external causes). These include various skin injuries of a physical or chemical nature.
- Endogenous (internal causes). They can consist of the presence of diseases of the immune, endocrine systems, HIV infection. Smoking, alcohol, unhealthy diet also cause psoriatic skin lesions.
- Psychogenic. In most cases, the first manifestations of psoriasis appear after nervous shocks or long-term emotional overstrain.
Skin rashes are often the result of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Many doctors attribute this to a weakening of the immune system. People with a genetic predisposition to psoriasis are advised to avoid factors that trigger it.
Forms of psoriatic disease
This or that form of the disease depends on the type of rash and their location. During pregnancy, due to changes in the hormonal background, psoriatic manifestations may disappear or, on the contrary, may manifest themselves more strongly.
psoriasis vulgaris
The most common form of pathology. The first signs are papular rashes. They can be single, grouped in different parts or all over the body. With the development of the disease, psoriatic plaques increase and gradually merge with each other.
Depending on the form of rashes, ordinary psoriasis is divided into:
- punctate (point-shaped papules the size of a matchhead);
- in the form of drops (oblong spots the size of a pin head);
- coin-shaped (pea-sized round plates).
Rashes can be in the form of an arc, circle, spiral, wreath. Sometimes they resemble the contours of continents on a geographical map. If the disease is localized on the scalp, then they talk about seborrheic psoriasis. Sometimes the neck, nose, forehead and chest are affected. Diagnosis is difficult due to the similarity of the pathology with seborrhea.
Distinctive features are the clarity of the borders of the affected areas, the presence of the "psoriatic triad", and the silvery color of the scales. There is frequent itching, hair does not fall out.
The accumulation of plaques on the feet and hands gave the name palmoplantar psoriasis. It is characterized by the formation of polished areas of the skin that resemble corns. Nail psoriasis changes their color, shape and structure. They loosen, are covered with small depressions and take the shape of a thimble.
Isolation of exudate from papules creates a burning sensation. The scales stick together and form a crust that adheres tightly to the skin. In this case, they talk about the exudative form of psoriasis.
In severe cases, the entire surface of the body is affected. The skin becomes hot to the touch, acquires a red color, swells, there is severe itching, burning and a feeling of tightness. This form of the disease is classified as psoriatic erythroderma.
Pustular psoriasis
It happens very rarely. It develops on a vulgar background or appears on completely healthy skin. In this case, first of all, inflamed areas appear, which form blisters during the day and quickly turn into pustules. Their contents are sterile and, when drained, dry up and form crusts.
There are several types of the disease. All of them are characterized by chills, fever, fever, sometimes diarrhea, vomiting. The condition worsens when the pustules coalesce and cover large areas of the skin. If pustular psoriasis occurs against the background of psoriasis vulgaris, then the combination is not observed.
Arthropathic psoriasis
It affects joints, mostly small ones (phalanges of fingers and toes). Sometimes the pathological process affects the spine. This form of psoriasis often causes disability.
The first symptoms of the disease are pain aggravated by movement, swelling in the joints. Evening fever, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, loss of appetite are typical for exacerbation of the disease.
Over time, there is deformation of the joints and loss of mobility. The pathology can develop independently or in parallel with the skin manifestations of psoriasis vulgaris.
All forms of pathology can develop gradually, over years, or rapidly over several days or even hours. The treatment regimen depends on the form and degree of the disease and should be designed by a specialist dermatologist.
Often external agents are prescribed in the form of ointments and gels and physiotherapy. In some cases, drug treatment is required. Self-medication can lead to exacerbation of the disease.