Nail psoriasis and skin, psoriasis on the head - causes, stages, treatment

Psoriasis is a non-infectious chronic disease, most often affects the skin (rarely – nail plates, the scalp). Becomes too dry, red spots, slightly protruding above the surface of the skin (papules). Combine the papules form plaques, which are the sources of chronic inflammation.

Psoriasis is passed or not?

Answering the question, psoriasis is contagious or not, it should be clear that the disease is not contagious and not sexually and not in the air or contact or otherwise. To catch it is impossible.

Because contrary to the exfoliation process, dead skin flakes appear in the body of the dry areas. Death to them is impossible, but patients experience severe psychological discomfort because of their appearance.

Causes of psoriasis

Still is not defined precisely, what happens in psoriasis. There are different theories of developing the disease. Experts are inclined to believe that the defeat of the skin and nails can cause:

• stress, negative emotional experiences;
• endocrine pathology;
• genetic predisposition;
• the failure of the immune system, which violated the processes of growth and division of epithelial cells.

Autoimmune disease cause of psoriasis is that the immune cells are T-helpers and T-killers, usually responsible for protecting the body from tumor cells, viruses and bacteria begins to penetrate the upper layers of the skin. Here they produce substances that activate the inflammatory process. As a result, skin cells begin to intensely divide and multiply. There is the spread.

Development of psoriasis and, possibly, the combined action of several factors from the following list:

• Very thin and poorly moisturized skin (sebum, little).
• Frequent contact with irritating compositions – low-quality cosmetics, alcohol solutions, detergents.
• Too often, wash your body, hands (especially if you use hard washcloth and an antibacterial soap/shower gel).
• The abuse of alcohol.
• The development of infectious diseases caused by Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, fungi.
• Taking antidepressants, lithium carbonate, beta blockers, antimalarial and anticonvulsant drugs.
• Change in climate zones.
• Mechanical damage to the skin.
• The tendency to allergic reactions.
• HIV infection.

The classification of the disease

If you study various pictures of psoriasis in the early stages, there will be noticeable differences – there are several varieties of this dermatological disease. Depending on the site of injury is:

• Psoriasis of the scalp (manifested by itching bleeding skin).
• Nail psoriasis (nail plate separated from bed gradually and becomes painful, it formed red spots).
• Palms and soles psoriasis (disease is prevalent only in the legs and/or palms).
• Skin psoriasis (dry plaques appear in various parts of the body).
• Psoriasis Arthropathy (diseased joints).
• Genital psoriasis (a skin disease covers the genitals).

Clinical forms of psoriasis:

1. Ordinary or vulgar. Looks like a flat rose-red papules, small in size, which slightly rise above the healthy skin. On top of the papule is covered with pale scales, which begin to fall off, even a light touch. If psoriasis treatment started late, small lesions are merged into large.
2. Exudative. More common in people with obesity, hypothyroidism, diabetics. Symptoms of psoriasis in the form of the following: papules are bright red in color, on them is rendered yellow-gray-scale. Plaque striking the skin folds – armpits, the area under the Breasts in women. Patients complain of itching, burning.
3. Seborrheic. Psoriasis observed in the head, behind the ear, nasolabial folds, between the shoulder blades, chest. The borders of the place are not separate. Peeling silvery-yellow. If you look at pictures of psoriasis on the head, all together with this common fungal disease, such as dandruff.
4. The palms and soles. The disease occurs in people aged 30-50 years, whose work involves heavy physical work. This form may be rashes on the body.
5. Pustular. The body is formed pustular elements. Medicine share an extra one pustular forms of psoriasis Tsumbush. It is idiopathic (primary) - appear on the skin of the bubble, which transformirovalsya in pustules. Pustules are opened and dry. Later they appear in the typical disease, scaly rash. And secondary good quality. In this case, the pustules occur on the surface of a typical psoriatic plaques because of the irritant action of the drug.
6. Another type of pustular forms of psoriasis Barbera. It only affects the soles and palms. The skin melted purulent pustules. They do not reveal, change into dry dark brown. Psoriasis Barbera is characterized by symmetrical damage.
7. Joint disease (rheumatoid arthritis). A severe form. Found in patients who have skin rashes. Usually happens after five to six years after the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease, if the treatment of psoriasis was illiterate. Pathology of joints may be different, ranging from not serious to pain in the joints, which do not lead to changes in the joints of the device, ending the shape of ankylosis (the joint is completely solid).
8. Psoriatic erythroderma. Is the result of vulgar or exudative psoriasis. Affects almost all the skin. It turns red, studded with a large number of dry scales. The body temperature rises, there is an increase of lymph nodes (especially the inguinal and femoral). If the patient does not know how to deal with psoriasis is possible hair loss, brittle nails.

According to the criteria of the seasons of recurrence of psoriasis is divided into:

• summer;
• winter (general);
• uncertain.

The symptoms of psoriasis

In controlling the symptoms of psoriasis depends on the treatment, so the first appointment, the doctor will perform a thorough examination of the patient thoroughly examines the localization of psoriatic lesions.

Often the disease appears in winter. In the summer, under the influence of solar radiation, signs of psoriasis can completely disappear. However, when the "summer" form of the disease, exposure to the sun, on the contrary, should be avoided. In the period of exacerbation the patient complains of very severe itching. The defeat of nail plates were observed in 25% of patients.

When the disease, the scalp, the hair is not involved in the pathological process. First it started to peel off the skin. Over time, the area of the damage can be "shifted" around the neck, behind the ears. The inflammatory process, due to the very rapid distribution keratinocytes.

Psoriasis, palms and soles stratum corneum is thickened and covered with deep cracks. Pictures of psoriasis starting stage shows, blisters with clear content. Later they become white and change to dark scars.

Like nails, the most common two types of profit:

• The nail becomes covered with holes that look like fingerprints (the type of"thimble").
• The nail changes color and begins to flake off, which resembles a fungal disease. Through the nail plate varies from psoriatic papule, surrounded by a red border.

Stages of psoriasis

Despite the fact that still some debate about what is psoriasis and what can trigger its occurrence, stage of the disease is studied. The three of them:

1. Progressive (primary). The surface of the skin growths appear in the form of rash, which is usually added to the edge. They apply to healthy skin and the shape of the oval or rounded plaques. The spots are pink or red. Flaky peel them yet – just whitish scales. The edges of the pockets are a little shortened. As a result of scratching appear more rash.
2. In place. Occurs one to four weeks after the first symptoms of psoriasis. Plaques become lighter. New eruptions do not appear, the old practice of slowly dissolve. Notes the healing of the pimples in the direction of the center to the edges, so the shape becomes a circle. All of the surface healing of the lesions covered with white scales.
3. Regression (muted). The color of psoriatic plaques is almost impossible to distinguish from the healthy skin. To reduce itching. Around the centers to form a "collar Voronova", which is a ring of thick keratinized layers of the skin. If the patient use a quality cream for psoriasis, the stage of regression lasts about one month. By the way, the process of "attenuation" can take up to six months.

The task of the patient, who was diagnosed with psoriasis all the time to keep the disease in remission.

If you experience similar symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. It is easier to prevent disease than to deal with the consequences.

How is the diagnosis of psoriasis

The diagnosis is psoriasis a dermatologist. The procedure is based on an external inspection, assessment, skin and nails, research foci. No more testing occurs, symptoms are defined. If you have difficulty in diagnosis, a sample of the skin to the inflamed area (biopsy), which has been studied in the laboratory.

When complaints of pain in the joints is x-rays. Also configured a blood test to ensure that other forms of arthritis. To rule out a fungal infection, a test is carried out with the use of potassium hydroxide.

How to cure psoriasis

Treatment of psoriasis is complex. It includes:

• a common treatment;
• the local treatment;
• physiotherapy.

Before determining how to deal with psoriasis, the dermatologist to determine the stage of the disease and its clinical form distribution process. When assigning drugs takes into account the patient's age and presence of comorbidities. Usually the first choice in most safe health drugs, which is characterized by minor, side effects. If they do not provide a transition to a psoriasis stage regression, the treatment is provided.

Systemic medications for psoriasis

Medicines taken orally, to help the moderate and severe stages of psoriasis. These are:

• A derivative of vitamin A (retinoid). To slow down the maturation of the keratinocytes. Normalize the differentiation and maturation of cells.
• Immunosuppressants. Reduces the activity of T-lymphocytes, provokes increased cell division in the skin.
• Drugs for the treatment of malignant tumors. To prevent the reproduction and growth of abnormal skin cells.

Physical therapy for psoriasis

Physical therapy significantly improve the health of patients with psoriasis. In some cases, they make it possible to completely abandon the drug. Most often used:

1. Range of light therapy. The skin is irradiated with UV light with a wavelength of 280-320 nm. Addressed 15 35 procedures.
2. Photochemotherapy (PUVA-therapy). In the method of distribution of light inside and long-wave UV radiation externally. UV rays penetrate deep into the skin, and the photosensitizer prevents the process by which the DNA synthesis of skin cells, reducing their volume share. Course duration – 20-30 procedures.
3. The Laser treatment. Applied laser radiation with a different wavelength. Laser provides rapid absorption of plaque, prevent the formation in their place the scars.
4. The use of monochromatic uv radiation. Each of the hearth alternately process the tube/laser source of UV radiation. Healthy skin is not affected. The method is optimal, if it affects less than 10% of the skin. Treatment duration is 15 to 30 sessions.
5. Electrosleep. It turns out the soft effect of the electrical impulses to the brain 20 to 60 minutes. As a result, the patient calms down, normalizes the central nervous system, psoriatic plaques are starting to dissolve.
6. ULTRASOUND treatment. Is decongestants, anti-itching and painkillers. To accelerate the resorption of scar. If necessary, can be combined with phonophoresis. In order to achieve therapeutic effect it is necessary to perform 7 to 14 sessions.
7. The magnetic therapy. Has a General rejuvenating effect on the body. Reduce inflammation, reduce itching and burning, helps relieve pain in the joints.
8. Bee venom therapy. Using equipment electrophoresis or ultrasound the body bee venom. It is characterized by a resolving and anti-inflammatory effect, normalizes metabolism.
9. Hyperthermia. Psoriatic arthritis tissue thermal pads thermal compound, the temperature of which is 40 degrees. The treatment helps to improve the immune system, reduce the negative effects of the disease on the skin.

Diet for psoriasis

Allowed foods exacerbation of psoriasis are:

• fruits (apples, apricots, peaches);
• fruit juices;
• vegetables (beets, potatoes, radish, watermelon, pumpkin);
• green;
• berries (red);
• lean meat (beef, veal, Turkey, rabbit) – up to 200 grams per day;
• all nuts;
• low-fat fish;
• milk products, cheese and cheese;
• whole wheat bread;
• seaweed.

Psoriasis can eat:

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

Forbidden to drink coffee, soda, alcoholic beverages. It is desirable to limit the consumption of sugar. Cleanse the body twice a week is recommended fasting days – vegetables, Apples or kefir.