Psoriasis, or psoriasis, is an autoimmune chronic disease that affects the skin and manifests itself in the form of red spots, plaques covered with small scales. The disease is incurable, therefore, the methods of treating psoriasis are reduced to controlling the symptoms, stopping pain and inflammation, and achieving an early and long-term remission. There are many prejudices about the disease in society. People who do not know what it is believe that psoriasis can be contracted. In the description, several types of this non-communicable disease can be distinguished, each with individual symptoms and course.
Where does psoriasis come from
The causes of psoriasis have not been established, since little is known about this skin disease. Symptoms of the disease in the initial stages may resemble dermatitis, eczema, but it is impossible to confuse pronounced psoriatic plaques with other skin diseases. Scientists and doctors agree that one of the factors why psoriasis appears is a genetic predisposition.
For example, if a mother is diagnosed with a skin pathology, there is a 15% chance that the child will inherit the disease. If both parents are treated for psoriasis, the risk of hereditary transmission of the disease increases by 4 times, that is, it rises to 60%.
But even if the parents are carriers of the gene that provokes skin disease, it does not mean that the child will get sick. The causes of psoriasis on the body are different. Stress, nervous shocks, mental trauma "trigger" skin disease.
Psoriasis is also due to:
- skin injuries, burns, insect bites, tattoos;
- medicines the person is taking;
- infectious diseases;
- alcohol abuse, smoking;
- exposure to chemicals, such as detergents;
- dermatitis and fungal diseases;
- HIV;
- pregnancy and childbirth.
Recently, scientists have stated that psoriasis can appear due to malnutrition, but convincing evidence in favor of this theory has not been found.
Doctors know that a certain gene is responsible for the skin disease, but they cannot determine the exact causes of psoriasis.
What does psoriasis look like in the early stages?
The first symptoms of psoriasis look like this:
- A person's nails exfoliate and the skin cracks.
- A pustular rash appears on the body.
- The skin begins to peel off and die.
- There are blisters on the hands and soles of the feet.
- Itchy red spots covered with whitish scales appear on the elbows, knees, face.
A person sinks into depression, is not interested in anything, notes a breakdown and even low self-esteem.
On the head, face and under the hair
First, a person notices increased flaking of the skin, which resembles dandruff. Then plaques themselves appear, covered with silvery scales. The rash grows, affects an increasing area of the skin, but even with pronounced psoriasis, the hair does not fall out.
In 80% of cases, psoriasis primarily affects the scalp. If the pathology is not treated, rashes appear in other places.
A harbinger of a disease that affects the skin on the face is severe itching. At first, psoriasis resembles an allergy, the skin becomes covered with small red spots that increase in size and merge to form an inflamed nodule, or papule.
Eruptions cover the entire face. The spots themselves are covered with scales, which are easily and painlessly separated. Beneath them is a terminal film that resembles scarlet glossy leather. If itchy places are combed, they are covered with small drops of blood.
On arms and legs
Skin disease psoriasis affects the skin:
- upper arms and legs;
- brushes;
- knuckles on hands and feet;
- near the nails.
The disease begins with the appearance of small reddened areas of a rounded shape on the skin between the fingers, on the shins, wrists, elbows and knees.
In 10% of cases, psoriasis affects the nails. Psoriatic plaques appear on the nail plates long before the onset of the main symptoms of the disease that affects the skin of the body.
On palms and feet
Palmar-plantar is called the manifestation of psoriasis, which affects the skin of the palms and feet.
It is characterized by the appearance of red scaly spots covered with whitish scales. At the site of the rash, the skin thickens, cracks, and becomes inflamed. The aggravated form is expressed in the formation of pustules, deep abscesses.
On the torso
Signs of a disease that affects the skin of the body are similar to psoriasis on the palms and feet, head, face. Often rashes appear in the back and lower back.
Red spots covered with grayish-white scales itch and itch. They cannot be combed, because the thin terminal film does not protect the smallest capillaries, and the surface of the skin, when combed, is covered with microscopic droplets of blood. Psoriasis can appear in the chest area and on the sides.
Red spots expand and merge into formations that doctors call "paraffin lakes. "
Psoriasis causes various skin changes:
- peeling;
- thickening;
- edema;
- the appearance of blisters-pustules.
Often, keratinized dry skin cracks, which brings pain and discomfort.
Other localizations
Psoriasis throughout the body spreads if the disease is running. Psoriatic plaques can be localized in the groin, on the buttocks, in the elbow and knee folds. The disease causes great discomfort, because the rashes itch, but they should not be scratched. Careless actions can easily damage the thinned affected skin and cause an additional infection.
The symptoms of skin psoriasis, regardless of location, are similar, so a dermatologist diagnoses the disease by:
- red rashes with a clear border;
- the so-called psoriatic triad: the phenomenon of the "stearin stain", that is, the plaque itself, covered with silvery soft scales, the presence of a terminal film under them, and tiny droplets of blood that cover the stain if it is scraped;
- the appearance of new plaques at the site of skin injuries;
- itching.
Psoriatic arthritis
This form of complication affects the joints, tendons, which lose their density and elasticity.
Arthritis accompanies the symptoms of psoriasis, is characterized by inflammation of the joints and is divided into:
- Asymmetric, which affects several joints on one side of the body, and does not affect paired bone elements.
- Symmetrical, which resembles rheumatoid. Paired joints suffer. This form often leads to disability.
- Interphalangeal distal joints, affecting the phalanges of the fingers and toes.
- Spine, in one or more departments.
- Deforming when the joints are destroyed.
Inflammation of the joints is characterized by severe pain, swelling, the skin at the site of the affected bone joint has a bluish color. In this case, a person experiences a breakdown, sometimes the lymph nodes increase.
Classification of psoriasis
Types of psoriasis differ according to the nature of the rash. The international classification describes 10 forms of an autoimmune chronic disease:
- The most common is plaque-like, or simple psoriasis. It affects any part of the body, occurs in women and men. It begins with the appearance of red swollen spots, which are subsequently covered with a whitish, easily peeling scaly film, "plaque".
- After a streptococcal infection, guttate psoriasis can affect the skin. It manifests itself in the thighs, lower legs, and also affects the neck and back. Rashes of red, bluish, lilac color are raised above the surface of the skin and resemble drops in shape.
- The spotted form is characterized by extensive rashes all over the body. The disease is more common in women than in men.
- Pustular, the most severe, which can be distinguished by the appearance of blisters - pustules surrounded by red, inflamed skin and filled with clear fluid. If an infection gets into the blisters, then fragments of pus appear in the contents.
- Follicular, affecting the skin on the legs and thighs, in the form of small whitish papules.
- Psoriasis of the flexor surfaces, affecting the skin in the folds, for example, in the knee creases, groin, under the breasts, armpits.
- Palmar-plantar, which often appears in people engaged in physical labor.
- Psoriatic onychia affects only fingernails and toenails. The nail plates change color, become yellowish, exfoliate, sometimes die off. The skin around the nails thickens.
- The scalp, which is characterized by red scaly rashes in the area of hair growth and itching.
- Seborrheic, most often localized on the chest, behind the ears, between the shoulder blades, in the nasolabial folds. Psoriatic foci are highly flaky, often resembling eczema, covered with purulent crusts.
- Symptoms of the erythrodermic form of psoriasis are pronounced. Affected skin can come off with plates, a person experiences severe pain, body temperature rises. Untreated erythroderma flows into pyoderma - a purulent lesion of the skin, and can lead to death.
Any form of psoriasis requires timely treatment, which can only be prescribed by a dermatologist after examination and necessary research.
How psoriasis manifests itself in different stages
In total, 4 phases of the development of psoriasis are distinguished:
- initial, or early;
- progressive;
- stationary;
- regressive.
In most cases, psoriasis begins with the appearance of small papules. Round pink shiny spots, sometimes no more than a pinhead, raised above the skin surface and have a clear border. They are covered with silver scales. The presence of skin rashes at the initial stage of psoriasis can be confused with eczema or an allergic rash.
The clinical picture of the disease at different stages varies. For example, severe inflammation of the skin is characteristic of an acute or progressive form that requires medical attention and intensive treatment.
However, the rashes do not go away, but increase and merge with each other. Psoriatic plaques, clearly limited by a pink corolla, begin to peel off. The affected skin is unbearably itchy and itchy.
It takes from 2 weeks to several months, and psoriasis flows into a stationary stage. The growth of psoriatic plaques stops, peeling increases, which covers the entire affected area of the skin.
With regressive psoriasis, the peeling gradually disappears, psoriatic plaques flatten and gradually disappear. There are no traces, scars or scars on the skin. Sometimes there is hyperpigmentation of the skin. At the remission stage, the skin acquires a normal color and texture.
What is the danger of the disease
The severity of the course of the disease depends on the condition of the skin. If the lesions are not extensive, the person leads a normal life. Physical and psychological discomfort is experienced by people whose rashes occupy a large area, the skin becomes inflamed. A significant health hazard is a complication of pustular psoriasis if an infection has entered the blisters.
Psoriatic arthritis is also dangerous because some of its forms destroy the joints and lead to disability. However, inflammation of the bone joints develops quite rarely, in 10% of cases.
Even if the plaques on the skin are insignificant, and the person feels normal, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a dermatologist who will make a diagnosis and begin treatment. Timely access to a doctor will prevent complications and help achieve a stable remission.
Complex treatment of psoriasis
There is no effective way to get rid of psoriasis forever. Skin disease is treated with various means. A person is prescribed pills, ointments, and physiotherapy is prescribed. It is recommended to take healing baths and vigilantly take care of the condition of the skin, to prevent injuries, such as scratches, cuts, scratches.
Comprehensive treatment of psoriasis works if a person complies with medical prescriptions.
How is psoriasis treated with pharmaceutical products
These are ointments, tablets, injections that the attending physician prescribes to the person who has asked for help. Tablets are drunk at the appointed time of the day before or after meals, ointments are applied to the affected areas with clean hands, injections can be done at home or in the hospital. These can be products based on plant components, hormones, and other chemically active substances.
In the complex therapy of scaly lichen use:
- Antihistamine medicines, which are prescribed if a person develops an allergy.
- Hepatoprotectors that support the liver.
- Immunomodulators that facilitate the course of the disease.
- Immunosuppressants in the form of injections. They are effective, but expensive and have serious side effects. The drugs should not be used by people with infections or oncology.
- Glucosteroids are effective, but addictive. Therefore, treatment with hormonal drugs lasts no more than 2 weeks.
If scaly lichen is mild, the doctor tries to limit himself to topical medications.
Medicines for topical use - ointments, sprays
Local remedies for psoriasis are divided into:
- Hormonal, which affect the autoimmune processes of the body.
- Therapeutic, which include zinc, naftalan, tar, vitamins. They moisturize cracked skin, soften hardened psoriatic lesions, support skin function and restore damaged cover.
Hormonal ointments, lotions and sprays for the skin are used during an exacerbation. Biologically active substances in the composition of potent creams:
- reduce itching;
- relieve puffiness;
- constrict blood vessels;
- relieve pain and fight inflammation.
Apply the product to the affected areas of the skin on the body, face and parts of the head. Medical ointments are most often used after the acute period of psoriasis has passed, and doctors do not recommend using hormonal preparations and creams with vitamin D for more than 2 weeks.
Pills and injections
A person who is interested in how to treat psoriasis can ask a dermatologist about effective pills and injections that are used in the complex therapy of psoriasis.
- Some medicines are prescribed if psoriasis is severe. For example, pills that a person receives if damaged skin does not heal.
- The doctor prescribes B vitamins, folic acid, omega acids, other multivitamins, and lecithin. These drugs help recovery, do not cause addiction, shorten the duration of treatment and prolong remission.
Complex therapy of scaly lichen is not limited to the ingestion of special agents and vitamins.
If a person follows the rules, uses high-quality cosmetics, maintains the health and condition of the skin, psoriasis is practically not terrible for him.
If there are no contraindications, a person can give injections containing immunosuppressants:
- Some drugs are given subcutaneously, while others used to treat psoriatic arthritis are given intravenously.
- Injections have serious contraindications. They can not be used by people under 18 years of age, pregnant and lactating, in the presence of malignant tumors and infectious diseases.
Homeopathy
Manufacturers of homeopathic remedies claim that the use of such medicines reduces the risk of relapses and guarantees a speedy recovery from the problem. In addition, funds:
- Support immunity and health of internal organs.
- They are a source of minerals and vitamins needed by the body.
- Restore the work of the intestines, sowing the digestive tract with beneficial bacteria.
- Helps to eliminate toxins.
When selecting drugs, the homeopath takes into account the person's history, the stage and nature of the course of the disease, heredity, and the psychosomatic factor.
Official medicine has no evidence of the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies in the treatment of psoriasis.
Physiotherapy in the fight against skin disease
Most often, the affected skin is irradiated with light waves of the ultraviolet spectrum of different lengths or with a laser. Sometimes before the procedure, a person takes psoralens, which increase the sensitivity of skin cells to radiation. The doctor also prescribes cryotherapy, when the affected skin is exposed to low temperatures. More recently, ultraviolet blood irradiation has been used against psoriasis.
Ultraviolet irradiation is one of the simplest methods of physiotherapy treatment. At the same time, the effectiveness of this method showed quite confident results.
The duration of the sessions varies, but physiotherapy is quite effective. This is one way to quickly cure psoriasis. Procedures return activity to a person, allow him to fully live and work.
Is it possible to cure psoriasis forever folk remedies
Scaly lichen is not treatable. Tablets, ointments, injections fight the symptoms of the disease, reducing the number of relapses. Folk remedies are no exception. Decoctions, tinctures, healing baths contribute to the onset of remission, but do not relieve the autoimmune disease.
Medications for oral administration
Means based on medicinal herbs and plants help to stop the symptoms of psoriasis. The safest are chamomile decoction, fresh aloe juice, compresses and decoctions of rhizome and burdock leaves.
In pharmacies, you can buy herbal preparations against scaly lichen. They can be brewed with boiling water, infused and drunk before or after a meal, or you can pour it into water and take therapeutic baths.
According to traditional medicine, the use of hydrogen peroxide removes the manifestations of psoriasis. Use the drug:
- In the form of a solution. First, dilute a drop of the product in 3 tablespoons of water and drink on an empty stomach half an hour before meals. Gradually increase the strength of the solution to 10 drops for the same amount of water. Take the medicine every three days.
- Outwardly, compresses are applied to the affected skin for an hour, wetting sterile gauze in a solution of 2 teaspoons of peroxide and 50 ml of water.
Before using any folk remedy, consult your doctor.
Compresses and baths
Compresses and baths with decoctions of medicinal plants will not cure the disease, but they will alleviate the general condition, soothe itching and inflammation. Brewed for external use:
- chamomile;
- succession;
- thyme;
- burdock root;
- oak bark;
- hop;
- sage and others.
It is not recommended to take baths longer than 20 minutes.
After bathing, moisturizing creams and therapeutic ointments are applied to the skin.
Baths and compresses with herbal decoctions have practically no contraindications.
Skin protection and care
There is no cure for psoriasis completely. But all the time of treatment and during the period of remission, a person must properly care for the skin:
- Avoid traumatic effects on the skin. Do not scratch, do not scratch. During physical work or cleaning, use protective equipment.
- Wear comfortable clothing made from natural materials.
- Use special dermatological cosmetics.
- Moisturize the skin.
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
Prevention measures also include the diet and lifestyle changes that the person makes.
Changing lifestyle and nutrition
Food is not the cause of psoriasis, however, malnutrition weakens the body's defenses, reduces resistance to stress factors. Therefore, a person with scaly lichen needs to monitor the daily routine and nutrition.
The doctor, when asked how to treat psoriasis, will list preventive measures:
- Refusal of heavy, fried, fatty foods.
- Active lifestyle, moderate physical activity.
- Sunbathing in the evening and morning hours.
- Quitting smoking and alcoholic beverages.
A person should give preference to healthy meals with a high content of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
What to do if a child is sick
The first thing parents do, noticing the manifestations of scaly lichen on children's skin, is to seek help from a doctor. Treating the disease in the early stages can reduce the intensity of the rashes that cause physical and emotional suffering to children.
It is necessary to teach the child to properly care for the skin, to adhere to a healthy lifestyle. Socialization is very important for children, so parents should encourage the child's desire to go in for sports, make friends, attend circles. To cope with emotional discomfort, children may need the help of a psychotherapist who will teach them not to react to possible silly remarks from peers and even narrow-minded adults.
Is psoriasis completely curable?
A person who is faced with itchy, scaly skin rashes, which bring with them physical and psychological inconvenience, seeks to find out whether this disease is being treated or not.
All about psoriasis and its treatment can be learned from the dermatologist to whom you turned for help. There are associations and support centers where you can also get the necessary information, including legal information, for example, what benefits are due if a person is diagnosed with psoriasis.
It is impossible to completely cure psoriasis, since the disease is associated with a gene factor, and genes are not amenable to drug therapy, procedures, homeopathy and folk remedies.
Modern medicines, ointments, procedures really effectively fight the symptoms of the disease, prolong remission. But, regardless of the methods used, psoriasis can return. The disease recurs more often if a person neglects medical examinations, does not follow simple rules of prevention.
Can the disease be prevented
"Three pillars" on which the prevention of skin disease is based:
- Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
- Proper nutritious nutrition.
- Rejection of bad habits.
For washing, it is better to use only cosmetic dermatological products purchased at a pharmacy. Well, if they contain tar.