An important role in controlling the symptoms of psoriasis play a well-chosen external care and timely treatment. A key principle in choosing treatment, especially in the early stages of psoriasis development, is the principle of "do no harm" care, not should hit the health of the skin, provoking the emergence of unwanted consequences in the form of skin atrophy or syndrome. After all, the primary goal of treatment is to prolong the periods of rest and skin health without sudden and painful relapses and exacerbations.
How long will people know about psoriasis?
Psoriasis familiar to mankind for centuries. Traces of psoriatic skin lesions archaeologists have found mummified bodies of ancient people preserved. The description is very similar to psoriasis a skin rash found in the writings of Herodotus and Plato.
The first description of the clinical manifestations of psoriasis belongs to the ancient scientist Cornelia. The term psoriasis psoriasis comes from the Greek "psora" (itch, scab). This name is found in the writings of Hippocrates.
However, scientific research psoriasis as an independent disease began only in the early nineteenth century, with a description of its clinical symptoms English physician Robert. In 1798 he took her leprosy, fungal infections, rash, and then, in his book "Skin diseases" in the year 1808, to identify typical and atypical psoriasis, and also pointed out the role of genetic factors in the development of skin disease.
So what is known now about the genetic basis of the disease? What is the effect of external factors: stress, environment, bad habits, food?
Relationship between psoriasis and the nervous system is quite complex, more like a vicious circle and is the nature of the two-way model. On the other hand, stress and prolonged emotional excitement leads to an exacerbation of the process, and the other the very condition of skin (presence of psoriatic lesions) cause the patient anxiety leads to the development of chronic stress, which, in turn, aggravate the disease, and this closes the vicious circle.
Some of the drugs used in the treatment of other diseases, in some cases, can worsen the symptoms of psoriasis. These include antibiotics (tetracycline, penicillin, bitsillin, chloramphenicol, etc.), medicines, lithium, vitamin C and vitamin B group, beta-blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, estrogenic compounds (birth control drugs), antiepileptic drugs, immunomodulators. Can provoke an exacerbation of the process and vaccines and serums.
Ecology, feeding, bad habits – all this has a negative impact on the course of psoriasis and treatment.
What is the incidence of psoriasis in countries?
The prevalence of psoriasis in the world is estimated at about 1-3% of the population. According to the international organization, 2010, the planet was 125 million patients with psoriasis. In europe, it affects up to 5 million people, which is comparable to the frequency of coronary heart disease and diabetes.
The highest North-European countries (4%), the lowest African and Latin American countries, in Japan (less than 0.5%).
As they are now are diagnosed with psoriasis? What diseases can be confused?
Psoriasis smooth leather is fairly typical of the rash and diagnosed clinically present. There are diagnostic tests: psoriatic triad – increased peeling when poskablivanii, the appearance of blood stains after the removal of the scale.
As psoriasis is treated early, and how to treat now? Began treatment more perfect and effective?
Until the middle of the last century, the main methods involved the use of medicines with salicylic acid and Helio-, thalassotherapy. Then there were topical steroids (later — analogues of vitamin D3) and systemic immunosuppressive drugs. But a breakthrough in the treatment of psoriasis can be regarded as the emergence of the beginning of the 21. century biological products. And, of course, an Arsenal of local and systemic medications, phototherapy techniques it is now possible to choose effective treatment for each patient.
What approaches are used to treat children and some adults?
Firstly, the psoriasis should be divided into limited and joint (hard and medium-hard). Treatment should be given, because of information.
The difference between approaches to treatment in adults and children is only due to the age restrictions on the use of drugs (for example, calcipotriol is equipped with a 6-year-olds) or a method of light therapy (eg. PUVA treatment must be 18 years of age).
What are the most common myths about the disease?
- Psoriasis contagious. No, psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious skin disease that is not contagious from one person to another, and do not move from one part of the body to another. The patient suffers from psoriasis can freely use the public space – baths, saunas, a swimming pool, using common objects in everyday life, for the treatment of diseases in General hospitals.
- Climate affects the frequency and if you move to a warmer climate for psoriasis is not. No, the climate, the incidence of psoriasis is not affected. At the same time one of the methods of treatment is a specific treatment treatment of sun and salt water, but live in areas that have a warm Maritime climate does not protect the patient from relapse. A simple example is Israel: it is successfully used to treat psoriasis the dead sea, but the prevalence among the population is not less than the world.
- Psoriasis can be prevented. Factors, which cause exacerbation, either by itself or in various combinations are not the cause of the disease. Today, no one knows what is the original impetus for the development of psoriasis, and thus to implement preventive measures impossible. Not recipes, on what to do or what not to do, not to get sick with psoriasis, no. To increase the period of remission, when the skin rashes are gone, to avoid provocation or exacerbation of psoriasis factors, when correct way of life and use of support treatment.
- Psoriasis can be treated with methods of the so-called folk medicine. Install these methods, patients should be very careful. On the other hand, we know that is not psoriasis remedies, which improve, nevertheless, want at any price to get rid of the disease and pushes patients in different questionable actions (appeal to healers, medicine men), and it is a waste of money. On the other hand, these "healers" to provide to the patient such as, for example, the external means "own", which, as a rule, there are hormones, but in this case, and even more, so their dosage cannot be controlled.
What is important to know the patient's psoriasis and what you need to know?
The most important can be considered the principle: "learn to live psoriasis". Current treatments help not only to achieve remission (cleansing), but to some extent to control psoriasis (permanent remission).
Must follow the doctor's recommendations and patience, because everything takes time, as it, that the drug power. Unfinished of course, to use several methods simultaneously (in particular, from the series "advice") leads to the fact that the patient does not see the correct result, is disappointed and believes that these methods do not help him.