Psoriasis is one of the most common chronic dermatoses. With such a pathological process, damage to the skin, as well as skin appendages, is noted. The high urgency of this problem lies in the fact that it leads to a deterioration in the quality of life of a sick person due to aesthetic disorders.
Most often, the first episode of psoriasis occurs in the age range from fifteen to forty-five years. According to statistics, this disease is diagnosed in about three percent of the entire population. Moreover, the number of women and men with such a pathology is in equal proportions.
There are several theories regarding the mechanism of development of psoriasis. The main one is the autoimmune theory, which says that this pathological process is formed as a result of an incorrect immune response to any external factors. An excessive immune response leads to the development of an inflammatory reaction in the layers of the skin, which triggers the mechanisms of division and multiplication of cellular structures. In addition, it is assumed that hereditary predisposition and exposure to various infectious agents may play a role in the development of this disease.
It is noticed that most often psoriasis occurs in those people who:
- Have any other dermatological conditions;
- Have thin and dry skin;
- Smoke and drink alcohol;
- Systematically come into contact with irritating chemicals;
- Often they injure the skin by mechanical influences;
- Observe excessive hygiene;
- Are subject to severe stress;
- Have a reduced level of immune defense or use drugs that suppress immunity.
Depending on the symptoms of psoriasis, it is customary to classify this pathology into several forms:
- Plaque shape. This form is the classic version. It occurs in more than eighty percent of people. The clinical picture in this case is characterized by typical scaly plaques, which tend to grow peripherally;
- Teardrop shape. The disease proceeding in this form is accompanied by the appearance of numerous small foci on the surface of the skin. Such lesions can have a very different color, are raised above the surface of the skin and intensely peel off. As a rule, they do not increase in size, only their number grows;
- Exudative form. It is one of the most unfavorable options. In this case, bubbles and blisters filled with serous fluid form on the surface of the plaques. Very often, such elements undergo secondary infection with the subsequent appearance of pus in them;
- Psoriatic onychodystrophy. It is characterized by the involvement of the nail plates in the pathological process, which become striated and thickened. In most cases, nails discolor, flake and break. In advanced cases, the complete loss of the nail plate is possible;
- Psoriatic arthropathy. The symptoms of psoriasis in this case are manifested by inflammation of the joints and connective tissue. In some cases, this form develops on its own, but most often it is accompanied by skin manifestations;
- Psoriatic erythroderma. This form is characterized by a very severe course and is often fatal. The development of inflammation in large areas of the body, which is accompanied by intense peeling and detachment of the skin, is noted.
The main symptoms of psoriasis
We will talk in more detail about the classic form. What does psoriasis look like? First of all, on the surface of the skin, single papules appear that have a pink or red color. These papules are covered with silvery-white scales that are easily scraped off. Over time, the number of papules increases more and more, they begin to merge into plaques.
The plaques formed during this disease have a hyperemic and edematous appearance. In some cases, mild itching of the skin may be present. Pathological foci have a tendency to rather rapid peripheral growth, and their surface is intensely flaky. Over time, the growth of plaques stops, and their boundaries become clear. A specific sign of such a pathological process is a pseudoatrophic rim, localized along the periphery of the foci. In the stationary stage, the appearance of a stagnant cyanotic hue on the surface of the plaques is noted.
Symptoms of psoriasis in the stage of regression are characterized by the gradual disappearance of desquamation, starting from the central part. After that, the skin acquires a normal color, after which tissue infiltration disappears.
Diagnosis and treatment of this disease
First of all, psoriasis is established on the basis of its clinical picture. There is a triad of specific phenomena that indicate this pathological process: stearin spot, terminal film and blood dew. The phenomenon of a stearic spot is that when the lesion is scraped, peeling becomes more intense. If we continue scraping, then a thin film peeling and the appearance of a wet and hyperemic surface are noted - the phenomenon of a terminal film. The phenomenon of blood dew implies the presence of punctate bleeding with further scraping.
Of the drugs for this disease, the following can be used:
- Glucocorticosteroids;
- Cytostatics;
- Antihistamines;
- Keratolytic and anti-inflammatory ointments.
In addition, various physiotherapy treatments are widely used.
Prevention of exacerbations in psoriasis
To prevent exacerbations, it is recommended to avoid stressful situations, give up bad habits and eat well. In addition, you should limit any irritating effect on the skin and avoid contact with substances to which you are allergic.