Plaque stains on the skin of the hands are the most common manifestations of scaly lichen. Psoriasis of the hands is a chronic disease that significantly impairs a person's quality of life. It has specific symptoms and many prerequisites for development.
Causes of psoriasis on the hands
What causes a rash in the form of rough plaques on the palms and bent areas of the upper extremities? it is not always easy to understand immediately. The main causes of psoriasis on the hands are:
- hereditary predisposition to disease;
- as a result of infectious, viral and colds;
- metabolic diseases and hormonal pathologies (diabetes mellitus);
- stressful situations, nervous breakdowns, emotional shocks;
- frequent contact with aggressive chemicals (household chemicals, cosmetics);
- skin injuries (abrasions, wounds, abrasions, scratches).
People prone to allergic reactions are at risk of developing psoriatic psoriasis. In addition, malnutrition, alcohol and tobacco abuse, and long-term use of antidepressants and steroids can cause paid lichen.
Manifestation symptoms
In adults, psoriasis begins in the elbows and hands. The first symptoms appear when small flat papules appear on the extensor part, which eventually increase in size, forming rough, round plaques of pale pink or red color. In addition, the rash appears on the palms. The skin dries, thickens, turns dark red and sometimes cracks.
The development of psoriasis on the fingers can reach the nails. At first, small holes form on them, and over time, the nail plate thickens, loosens, and resembles a fungal infection. So do people often wonder if paid lichen is contagious? Psoriasis is a chronic disease that cannot be transmitted through handshakes or other contact. The predisposition to the disease can be genetically transmitted, but not the disease itself.
Another sign of scaly lichen is the appearance of scaly plaques between the fingers. The skin in these areas resembles calluses and is equally rough and rough.
Forms of hand psoriasis
The course and clinical manifestations of paid lichen are very different. The rash can affect not only the hands, but also the shoulders, neck and chest, especially if the child is suffering from the disease. Hand psoriasis is the most common type of dermatosis and can occur in several main forms, as described below.
Plaque or general
The skin in the affected areas becomes denser, covered with white crusts and cracks, sometimes bleeding. The plaques form groups that form large wounds.
Tear form
The rash affects the arms and shoulders the most. The boards are tightly covered with white scales and look like drops. This type of psoriasis quickly spreads throughout the body and affects the forearms and hips. It is mainly aggravated after ingestion of streptococcus (tonsillitis, tonsillitis, causative agent of ARVI).
Exudative or pustular squamous lichen
Localized on the forearms, has a severe course - numerous blisters with a clear liquid, purulent processes, as well as the appearance of rashes on the outside of the upper extremities.
Psoriasis of the nails
This shape is characterized by the appearance of longitudinal or transverse lines of white or gray color. The skin around the plate thickens and the nail itself erodes and loosens, which further destroys it.
It is clear in the photo how each form of paid hands looks.
If you do not start treatment for psoriasis on time, the disease can lead to inflammation of the joints (psoriatic arthritis). The rash can spread to other parts of the body (head, legs, back, abdomen, chest).
Stages of skin disease
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that has a certain developmental sequence. There are 3 main stages of the disease, depending on the intensity of the disease and the frequency of relapses:
- progressive - the initial stage - the appearance of several scaly papules on the hands, shoulders, between the fingers and elbows, accompanied by edema, inflammation, itching;
- stationary stage - new rashes do not occur and old plaques are densely covered with white money, the affected areas stop itching (the disease freezes in one place);
- stage of regression - symptoms begin to disappear (papules fade, dry plaques melt, skin clears, only small black dots remain).
In remission, psoriasis can last from 2-4 months to several years. New relapses are more severe each time, causing the stratum corneum to gradually thicken and thicken in the hands, elbows, between the fingers, and around the nail plates.
Pharmaceutical treatment
Paid lichen is not a contagious disease, but it causes a lot of trouble and anxiety. The main purpose of drug treatment is to improve the general condition of the patient:
- eliminate itching and peeling;
- eliminate inflammation;
- soothes skin
Therapy should be comprehensive and cover several different groups of drugs for external and internal use.
- Hormonal - eliminates inflammation, irritation, swelling, itching and pain, reduces papules with fluid in exudative psoriasis. In addition, the ointment eliminates allergic manifestations.
- Non-hormonal - zinc ointment, salicylic ointment - eliminates the main symptoms, does not cause side effects, acts gently on the skin, but is less effective than glucocorticosteroid (hormonal) drugs.
- Homeopathic - used to help with severe peeling, itching, during joint damage.
Homeopathy is effective only if it is chosen correctly, taking into account all the nuances of the course of the disease and the characteristics of the patient's body.
In case of poor results of local drugs, the doctor may prescribe systemic therapy in the form of injections and pills. Medications suppress the intense division of skin cells, detoxify the body, and thus eliminate the main symptoms that help improve quality of life.
In addition to the main drugs aimed at preventing psoriasis, complex therapy uses funds to support the whole body:
- vitamins;
- liver support drugs - hepatoprotectors;
- sorbents - clean the intestines from toxins and poisons;
- antihistamines;
- immunomodulators.
It is better to treat this or that form of psoriasis, a specialist will prescribe. It will combine medications to get the maximum effect and not harm your body as a whole.
Folk remedies
Patients often wonder how to treat psoriasis at home. Herbal remedies and healing baths help in the fight against lichen on the hands. In addition, folk remedies help to increase the effectiveness of drugs and the transition of the disease to remission.
Strawberry baths
Pour chopped herbs (100 g) in 3 liters of boiling water and leave for 1–1, 5 hours. Pour the filtered liquid into a warm bath (37-40 degrees). The duration of one procedure is not more than 15 minutes.
The course of treatment consists of 10-12 sessions that can be performed every day.
Plant collection for water manipulation
Mix in equal proportions (50 g each):
- St. John's wort;
- sage;
- valerian root;
- Strawberry;
- inheritance.
Boil 30 g of the collection in 250 ml of water for 5 minutes. Allow the broth to infuse for 1, 5-2 hours, strain and add to a large bath bowl.
Herbal baths facilitate the progression of the disease, soothe the skin, reduce inflammation and peeling, and most importantly, stop the spread of plaque.
Propolis ointment
Melt 300 g of butter, add 20 g of chopped propolis, boil everything until a uniform consistency. Treat the affected areas with your hands with the finished cooled ointment. The product is also suitable for compresses. Apply a small amount of medication to a cotton pad, apply to the wound, and bandage.
Before using the ointment, you should treat the boards with hydrogen peroxide and wait for them to dry. This will increase the effectiveness of folk remedies.
Birch tar
For 30-45 days, the affected areas of the hands should be lubricated with maple tar. It is better to do this an hour before bedtime. The substance should remain on the skin for at least 10 minutes, then wash off with warm water. Gradually, the retention time of the tar on the boards is increased to 30 minutes.
This drug is the most effective in the treatment of skin diseases. Folk remedies eliminate the unpleasant symptoms well and prolong the remission period.
Prevention of psoriasis on the hands
Hands suffer from more rashes than other areas of the skin. The disease is difficult to treat due to the constant contact of the hands with provocative factors. To achieve long-term remission, it is important to follow preventive measures:
- do not allow the skin to dry out;
- use gloves and household chemicals;
- use specially selected hand creams;
- avoid contact with aggressive substances;
- seek medical attention immediately if the first rash occurs;
- Do not abuse alcohol and smoking.
Proper nutrition should be considered in the prevention of hand psoriasis. Fried, smoked, salty, fatty and spicy foods should be excluded from the diet. Walking with chocolate and flour products is not recommended. For heat treatment, it is better to cook, steam or cook food, heat fruits and vegetables with red pigment (cherries, strawberries, tomatoes).
Psoriatic rashes on the hands are recurrent. The disease is not curable, but temporarily goes into remission. The duration of psoriasis depends on proper treatment and prevention. Follow your lifestyle, follow your diet, avoid stress and treat the first manifestations of the disease in a timely manner.