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Psoriasis

psoriasis treatment methods

Is psoriasis contagious or not?

When answering the question of whether psoriasis is contagious, it is necessary to understand that the disease is not transmitted through sex, air droplets, contact, or other means. It cannot be infected.

Dry spots appear on the body due to the violation of the process of wear of keratinized skin scales. You cannot die from them, but due to their appearance, patients experience serious psychological distress.

Causes of psoriasis

What causes psoriasis is not yet known. There are different theories about the development of the disease. Experts tend to believe that damage to the skin and nails can be caused by the following reasons:

  • stress, negative emotional experience;
  • endocrine pathologies;
  • hereditary tendency;
  • malfunction of the immune system, as a result of which the processes of growth and division of epithelial cells are disturbed.

The autoimmune cause of psoriasis is when T-helper and T-killer cells, the immune cells that are normally responsible for protecting the body from tumor cells, pathogenic viruses and bacteria, begin to infiltrate the upper layers of the skin. Here they produce substances that activate the inflammatory process. As a result, skin cells start dividing and multiplying rapidly. Proliferation is observed.

The development of psoriasis is also possible due to the combined effect of several factors from the following list:

  • Very thin and poorly moisturized skin (low sebum production).
  • Frequent contact with irritating compounds - low-quality cosmetics, alcohol solutions, household chemicals.
  • Wash your body and hands very often (especially if you use a harsh washcloth and antibacterial soap/shower gel).
  • Alcohol abuse.
  • The development of infectious diseases caused by staphylococcus, streptococcus, fungi.
  • Taking antidepressants, lithium carbonate, beta blockers, antimalarial and anticonvulsant drugs.
  • Climate zone change.
  • Mechanical damage to the skin.
  • Tendency to allergic reactions.
  • HIV infection.

Disease classification

If you study different photos of psoriasis in the initial stage, you will see the differences - there are several types of this dermatological pathology. Depending on the location of the lesion, it occurs:

  • Psoriasis of the scalp (manifested by itching, cracking and bleeding).
  • Nail psoriasis (the nail plate gradually separates from the bed and becomes painful, red spots appear on it).
  • Palmoplantar psoriasis (the disease is common only on the soles of the feet and/or palms).
  • Skin psoriasis (dry plaques appear in different parts of the body).
  • Arthropathic psoriasis (joints are affected).
  • Genital psoriasis (disease affecting the skin of the genitals).

Clinical forms of psoriasis:

  • Ordinary or vulgar. They appear as small flat pinkish-red papules slightly raised above healthy skin. The top of the papules is covered with light scales that begin to fall off even with a light touch. If treatment for psoriasis is not started in time, small lesions merge into large ones.
  • Exudative. It is more common among people with obesity, hypothyroidism and diabetes. The symptoms of psoriasis in this form are as follows: the papules are bright red, and yellow-gray scales appear above them. Plaques affect skin folds - armpits, the area under the mammary glands in women. Patients complain of itching and burning.
  • Seborrheic. Psoriasis is observed on the head, behind the ears, in the nasolabial and nasolabial folds, between the shoulder blades, and on the chest. The borders of the spots are not clearly defined. Peeling is silver-yellow in color. If you look at the picture of psoriasis on the head, there will be associations with a common fungal disease like dandruff.
  • Palmoplantar. The disease occurs in people between the ages of 30 and 50 who are engaged in heavy physical labor. With this form, rashes can also appear on the body.
  • Pustules. Pustular elements are formed in the body. In medicine, an additional type of pustular form is defined - Tsumbusch psoriasis. It can be idiopathic (primary) - blisters that turn into pustules appear on the skin. Pustules open and dry. Later, scaly rashes characteristic of the disease appear on them. Also secondary with a benign course. In this case, pustules appear on the surface of typical psoriatic plaques due to the irritating effect of drugs.
    Another type of pustular form is Barber's psoriasis. It only affects the soles and palms. Purulent pustules appear on the skin. They do not open and turn into dark, dry crusts over time. Barber's psoriasis is distinguished by the symmetry of the lesion.
  • Arthropathic (joint). Heavy form. Occurs in patients with skin rashes. If the treatment of psoriasis is inadequate, it occurs five to six years after the first symptoms of the disease appear. Pathologies of the articular system can be different, from mild arthralgia, which does not cause changes in the articular apparatus, to deforming ankylosis (the joint becomes completely immobile).
  • Psoriatic erythroderma. It is the result of vulgar or exudative psoriasis. Almost all skin types are affected. It becomes red, sprinkled with a large number of dry scales. The body temperature rises, the growth of lymph nodes (especially in the thigh and groin) is observed. If the patient does not learn how to treat psoriasis, hair loss and brittle nails are possible.

According to the criterion of seasonal relapses, psoriasis is divided into:

  • summer;
  • winter (most common);
  • uncertain.

Symptoms of psoriasis

Treatment depends on the dominant symptoms of psoriasis, therefore, at the first appointment, the doctor thoroughly examines the patient and thoroughly examines the localization of psoriatic lesions.

More often, the disease manifests itself in winter. In the summer months, under the influence of solar radiation, the symptoms of psoriasis may disappear completely. But with the "summer" form of the pathology, exposure to the sun, on the contrary, should be avoided. During an exacerbation, the patient complains of very severe itching. Damage to the nail plates is observed in only 25% of patients.

When there is a disease of the scalp, the hair is not involved in the pathological process. First, the skin begins to peel. Over time, the areas of the rash can "spread" to the neck, behind the ears. The inflammatory process is caused by the rapid division of keratinocytes.

With psoriasis of the palms and feet, the corneum layer thickens and is covered with deep cracks. A photo of psoriasis at the initial stage shows pustules with transparent content. Later, they turn white and turn into dark scars.
When it comes to nail plates, the most common types of damage are:

  • The nail is covered with pits that look like puncture marks ("high type").
  • The nail changes color and begins to peel, reminiscent of fungal disease. A psoriatic papule surrounded by a red ring can be seen from the nail plate.

Stages of psoriasis

Although there is still debate about what psoriasis is and what can cause it to occur, the stages of the disease are now well understood. There are three of them:

  • Progressive (primary). New growths appear on the surface of the skin in the form of a rash, tending to grow along the periphery. They spread over healthy skin and form oval or round plaques. The spots are pink or red. They don't have a scaly shell on them yet - only whitish scales. The edges of the lesions are slightly compressed. Scratching causes new rashes.
  • Stationary. It occurs one to four weeks after the first symptoms of psoriasis. The boards are getting lighter. New rashes do not appear, the old ones slowly dissolve. Papules heal from the center to the edges, so their shape is ring-shaped. The entire surface of the healing lesions is covered with white scales.
  • Regressive (pale). The color of psoriatic plaques is almost indistinguishable from healthy skin. Itching is minimized. A "Voronov's collar" is formed around the lesions, which is a ring of densely keratinized layers of the skin. If the patient uses a high-quality ointment for psoriasis, the regression phase lasts about a month. Otherwise, the "extinguishing" process can take up to six months.

The task of a patient diagnosed with psoriasis is to keep the disease in remission at all times.

    If you notice similar symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. It is easier to prevent the disease than to deal with its consequences.

    How is psoriasis diagnosed?

    A dermatologist diagnoses psoriasis. The procedure is based on an external examination, assessment of the condition of the skin and nails, and the study of the localization of lesions. Additional tests are not prescribed for obvious symptoms. If there are difficulties in making a diagnosis, a skin sample is taken (biopsy) from the inflamed area, which is studied in the laboratory.

    If there are complaints of joint pain, an X-ray is taken. A blood test is also prescribed to make sure there are no other types of arthritis. A test using potassium hydroxide is performed to rule out a fungal infection.

    How to treat psoriasis

    Treatment of psoriasis is complex. This includes:

    • general therapy;
    • local therapy;
    • physiotherapy.

    Before determining how to treat psoriasis, the dermatologist determines the stage of the disease, its clinical form and the degree of the process. When prescribing drugs, the age of the patient and the presence of accompanying diseases are taken into account. Usually, first of all, the safest drugs for health, characterized by the minimum number of side effects, are selected. If they do not ensure the transition of the psoriasis to the stage of regression, the treatment is adjusted.

    Systemic drugs for psoriasis

    Oral medications help with moderate to severe psoriasis. These include:

    • Vitamin A derivatives (retinoids). Reduces the rate of maturation of keratinocytes. Normalize cell differentiation and maturation.
    • Immunosuppressants. It reduces the activity of T-lymphocytes, which causes increased division of epidermal cells.
    • Medicines for the treatment of malignant tumors. It inhibits the reproduction and growth of atypical skin cells.

    Physiotherapy for psoriasis

    Physiotherapy procedures significantly improve the well-being of psoriasis patients. In some cases, they allow you to stop taking the medicine completely. Most used:

    • Selective phototherapy. The affected skin is irradiated with UV rays at a wavelength of 280-320 nm. From 15 to 35 procedures are prescribed.
    • Photochemotherapy (PUVA therapy). The method involves the combined use of a photosensitizer internally and long-wave UV radiation externally. Ultraviolet rays penetrate deep into the skin and the photosensitizer blocks the process of DNA synthesis of skin cells and reduces their rate of division. The duration of the course is 20 to 30 procedures.
    • Laser therapy. Laser radiation with different wavelengths is used. The laser ensures accelerated resorption of plaques and eliminates the formation of scars in their place.
    • The use of monochromatic ultraviolet radiation. Each lesion is treated in turn with a UV lamp/laser source. Healthy skin is not affected. If less than 10% of the skin is affected, the method is optimal. The duration of treatment is between 15 and 30 sessions.
    • Electrosleep. There is a mild effect of electrical impulses on the brain for 20-60 minutes. As a result, the patient calms down, the activity of the central nervous system normalizes, and psoriatic plaques begin to dissolve.
      Ultrasound therapy. It is decongestant, antipruritic and analgesic. Accelerates scar resorption. If necessary, it can be combined with phonophoresis. 7-14 sessions are required to achieve a therapeutic effect.
    • Magnetic therapy (Betatron device). It has a general healing effect on the body. Eliminates inflammation, reduces itching and burning, helps to get rid of joint pain.
    • Treatment with bee venom. Bee venom is injected into the body with an electrophoresis or ultrasound machine. It is characterized by its solvent and anti-inflammatory effect, normalizes metabolic processes.
    • Hyperthermia. Tissues affected by psoriasis are heated with thermal compound pads at a temperature of 40 degrees. The treatment helps to improve the activity of the immune system and reduce the negative impact of the disease on the skin.

    Ointments for the treatment of psoriasis

    According to reviews, the treatment of psoriasis with ointments can achieve excellent results if the drug is chosen correctly. At the first symptoms, non-hormonal drugs are prescribed:

    • salicylic ointment (makes the skin soft, removes inflammation, removes dead epidermal cells);
    • anthralin (slows down DNA synthesis, reduces the activity of cell enzymes, slows down the process of cell division);
    • sulfur ointment (disinfects, softens, removes white plaque from lesions);
    • naphthalan ointment (relieves itching, relieves pain, normalizes immune reactions).

    If the treatment of psoriasis with non-hormonal ointments does not give the expected effect, hormonal drugs or strong ointments containing the following glucocorticosteroids are prescribed:

    • Hydrocortisone. Eliminates the feeling of tightness and itching. It suppresses the increased activity of leukocytes, prevents them from entering the skin.
    • Flumethasone. Helps with the exudative form of psoriasis. It is characterized by clear antiallergic, anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects.
    • Triamcinolone acetonide. It has antipruritic and anti-inflammatory effects. It is indicated during periods of exacerbation.

    Scalp psoriasis occurs in 50% of patients and causes the most severe discomfort. If you are sick, you should avoid hair dryers, gels and hair sprays. It is important that hairpins and combs do not scratch the skin. Otherwise, epidemics will begin to spread.

    Treatment of psoriasis of the scalp is carried out using the following:

    • UV comb (promotes the formation of profiled skin cells from keratinocytes, thanks to which existing plaques are reabsorbed).
    • Photochemotherapy (UVR together with Beroxan, Puvalen and Psoralen).
    • Medicated shampoos (Tana, Nizoral, Friederm tar). It is advisable to buy several different products and alternate them. This will prevent addiction.
    • Salicylic ointment (apply to pieces, cover the head with cellophane and leave for two hours).
    • Hormonal lotions (Belosalic, Elokom, Diprosalic). It contains steroid hormones. It is easily applied to the scalp and effectively relieves flaking and itching.
    • Kirkazone decoction (normalizes and cleans the process of division of skin cells).

    The effect of any scalp treatment is observed after a few weeks, so there is no need to interrupt the course of treatment after a few sessions.

    Treatment of psoriasis at home with folk remedies

    To cure psoriasis at home forever, if we are talking about a mild form of the disease, folk remedies help:

    • Herbal tea made from dandelion roots, St. John's wort, or nettle leaves.
    • Medicinal baths with stringy, soapy grass or yarrow.
    • Wipe the affected areas with cabbage brine, celandine juice and birch resin.
      Compresses based on garlic infusion.

    Also, according to reviews, treating psoriasis with hydrogen peroxide can have good results. Psoriatic plaques should be lubricated twice a day with a cotton swab soaked in a three percent solution. The duration of the course depends on the severity of the symptoms and can last up to two months.

    Diet for psoriasis

    Allowed products for exacerbation of psoriasis:

    • fruits (apples, apricots, peaches);
    • fruit juices;
    • vegetables (beets, potatoes, radishes, watermelons, pumpkins);
    • greenness;
    • berries (all except red);
    • lean meat (beef, veal, turkey, rabbit) - up to 200 grams per day;
    • any nuts;
    • lean fish;
    • fermented milk products, cottage cheese and cheese;
    • whole wheat bread;
    • sea kale.

    People with psoriasis should not eat:

    • smoked foods;
    • red fish;
    • animal fats;
    • eggs;
    • pork and duck meat;
    • baked goods.

    It is forbidden to drink coffee, carbonated and alcoholic beverages. It is recommended to limit sugar intake. To cleanse the body, it is recommended to fast twice a week - vegetables, apples or kefir.

    Is psoriasis dangerous?

    Psoriasis is a serious but not fatal disease. Because it looks ugly, it lowers the quality of life. Plaques on the body prevent patients from working in a team or resting. They often have limited movement and difficulty performing simple physical tasks. If psoriasis is not treated in time, it can cause damage to the organs of vision and joints.

    Psoriasis cannot be completely cured. This is a chronic dermatological disease that should always be kept "dormant".

      Risk group

      The risk group includes people with:

      • chronic skin diseases;
      • skin lesions;
      • disorders of the central nervous system and autonomic system.

      Prevention

      To prevent the disease, doctors recommend:

      • moisturizes the skin;
      • not staying in cold and dry rooms for a long time;
      • do not take beta blockers and lithium (except in extreme cases) because they provoke psoriasis.

      This article is posted for educational purposes only and does not constitute scientific material or professional medical advice.