Psoriasis is a common skin disease of neurological etiology. The disease is not contagious and does not spread from person to person. Psoriasis is often chronic due to its latent course. The disease usually develops in people under the age of 30, but can also occur in old age.
There may be no external symptoms, the clinical picture of the disease depends on its type and stage. Psoriasis often begins with the appearance of bright red spots covered with dry scales, so the disease has a second name - squamous lichen.
Skin blemishes can be of various sizes, some of which can coalesce into an affected area of skin and rise significantly above the surface.
Psoriasis causes physical and mental discomfort to the patient, the disease worsens from time to time, there is a period of remission and the symptoms decrease.
Skin patches, called psoriatic plaques or papules, often affect the elbows and knees, spreading to the head and back. Plaques can affect other parts of the body depending on the type of disease. The treatment can last more than a year.
The initial causes of the disease
Psoriasis is caused by several factors related to various factors, both external and internal:
- the common cause is genetic inheritance;
- the disease can develop due to constant stress, anxiety, shock, depression and mental disorders;
- various autoimmune diseases and disorders of the immune system create ideal conditions on the surface of the skin for the onset of the disease;
- Chronic psoriasis can also lead to metabolic disorders, as well as endocrine system failure.
The type and course of psoriasis depends on the etiology of the disease.
Classification of psoriasis
There are different forms of the disease on which the external manifestations and symptoms depend:
- The most common form of the disease is scaly psoriasis. The surface of the skin is covered with red or pink spots covered with scales. They are completely different from healthy skin, are denser and rise above the lower surface. The scaly layer is easily removed and begins to bleed when disturbed, which causes severe itching and burning. As the disease progresses, the spots can grow and combine with each other to form large areas of damage.
- Guttate psoriasis looks different, the spots may be pink or purple, they become brighter during inflammation. The scales may be larger and look like droplets; but can also be integrated into large areas.
- Another form of psoriasis affects only the wrinkles and skin folds - elbows, armpits, areas under the fat folds in the abdomen or chest, groin area. The spots are smooth, not even itchy and have no scales. If there is friction with clothing in the affected areas, the surface of the stains is easily damaged.
- Chronic forms of nail psoriasis are also common, mainly affecting the nail plate on the fingers or toes. Nails lose their shape, change color. The nails begin to thicken and peel, and the disease can lead to the loss of the nail plate. In the early stages, nail psoriasis is easily confused with a fungal infection, so you should consult a doctor for diagnosis and proper treatment.
- The most severe form of the disease is pustular, characterized by the appearance of blisters filled with light-colored liquid, which can be easily broken by rubbing clothes. When pustules are destroyed, they form pus and a secondary skin infection occurs. This form of psoriasis is dangerous because it can affect almost the entire body, which complicates its course.
- Rheumatoid psoriasis affects not only the surface of the skin, but also the joints and periarticular soft tissues. This mainly applies to the knee, shoulder and hip joints. Lesions are manifested not only by external symptoms, but also by pain inside the joint, which causes the patient additional pain. If the hands or feet are affected, swelling of the fingers is observed, sensitivity decreases and deformation begins. In the most severe and neglected form, the patient may become disabled by losing the sensitivity of the extremities.
All of these forms can develop alone or appear together, all depending on the severity of the disease.
Stages of psoriasis
The chronic form of the disease has different stages, each of which has its own symptoms and characteristics:
- At a progressive stage, the spots covered with scales appear rapidly and increase in size. They are usually red, but may change color depending on the form of the disease. The skin in these places is very itchy, burning, and painful;
- at a stable stage, the disease does not cause painful sensations, flows in moderation, the scales gradually grow, can merge from time to time;
- with the regression phase, the papules can resolve on their own, causing no concern other than external symptoms.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that varies between exacerbation and remission.
Causes of aggravation
There are many external and internal causes of the disease:
- prolonged exposure to colds with frostbite;
- violation of the hormonal background of the body during puberty, pregnancy or menopause;
- long-term therapy with certain drugs (antibiotics), self-medication, dose violation when taking complex vitamins and herbal supplements;
- the disease may be aggravated by climate change or exposure to sunlight;
- alcohol abuse can not only cause the outbreak of the disease, but also complicate its course;
- trauma, burns, frostbite and other mechanical damage to the skin always lead to exacerbation of psoriasis;
- Infection with viruses and bacteria can lead to the spread of the disease, and sometimes a common respiratory illness can lead to exacerbation of skin diseases.
The rheumatoid form of psoriasis has a seasonal flare-up:
- in summer - when in the sun;
- in winter - due to hypothermia.
Ultraviolet rays help heal papules, but the sun's infrared rays irritate the skin.
Psoriasis is diagnosed without much difficulty, there are bright symptoms of the disease, additional tests are performed in the form of blood tests and skin biopsies to rule out other diseases.
Treatment
Today's medicine has made great strides in treating skin diseases, including psoriasis; There are several methods that can be used to treat an advanced form of the disease. The doctor prescribes the form of treatment, form, stage, causes and symptoms purely individually. Treatment is always complex, combining drug therapy and physical therapy.
Drug treatment includes the use of both internal and external drugs:
- salicylic acid, sulfur, ditranol and urea-based ointments are used to eliminate skin pathologies;
- glucocorticoid ointments;
- lotions for the treatment of the scalp.
In the acute phase, hormonal ointments are used to eliminate the inflammatory process, and treatment always begins with the less powerful ones. If the disease begins to progress again, use strong fluoride substances. It takes two weeks to get the result.
Ointments with minimal side effects are used for the elderly and children.
As the dose increases, dithranol-based ointments are prescribed to relieve the inflammatory process, itching and swelling.
Preparation kalcipotriolhas a direct therapeutic effect on pathogenetic stimuli. Has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Usually, a course of treatment for two months gives a noticeable positive result, the skin rash can disappear completely. This tool has no side effects in the form of skin atrophy and has a lasting effect. The drug is used to treat psoriasis in the form of tears, which are difficult to treat.
All medications must be alternative, otherwise addiction can occur and the body will stop responding to them.
Treatment with aromatic retinoids is also considered effective.
In addition to drug therapy, a number of requirements must be met for successful treatment:
- follow a strict diet;
- take the necessary vitamins under the supervision of a doctor;
- Avoid stressful situations, you should consult a doctor to determine the necessary means in case of depression;
- to protect the affected areas as much as possible from contact with chemicals, especially hands and nails;
- wear only cotton clothes to avoid additional skin irritation;
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages and confectionery and avoid contact with allergens.
If all the recommendations and treatment rules are followed, it is possible to achieve remission of the disease, and in some cases, complete cure.