Psoriasis is an autoimmune non-infectious disease that is manifested by severe redness, inflammation and flaking of the skin. The disease is difficult to treat and has a wave-like character - it proceeds with remissions and relapses. It is especially unpleasant when it affects the face, since this part of the body cannot be covered with clothing. Psoriasis on the face brings not only itching and discomfort associated with skin irritation, but also moral depression due to the attitude of others who do not understand that this disease is not contagious.
Is there psoriasis on the face?
In most cases, psoriatic skin defects affect the scalp, elbows and knees, neck, armpits and inguinal cavities. Can there be psoriasis on the face? Maybe, but this form is considered atypical and rare.
Psoriasis can be vulgar (common) and seborrheic. It is the face that is often affected by the second form, which is considered more severe due to especially dense large papules, as well as scales covered with a layer of sebum with a yellowish tinge.
Factors contributing to the development of the disease
Doctors cannot yet come to a common opinion regarding the causes of skin pathology, but suggest that psoriasis is caused by:
- autoimmune disorders;
- metabolic disruptions.
Autoimmune disorders occur due to inadequate work of the immune system, when it begins to perceive its own body aggressively. The predisposition to such disorders is inherited, autosomal dominant or recessive.
Metabolic disruptions are provoked by nervous strain, malnutrition, chronic infections, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, hormonal disruptions. Also, the cause of improper metabolism can be uncomfortable climatic conditions and bad habits.
Psoriasis cannot occur on the face due to only one reason. It usually leads to many unfavorable factors. In a separate group, doctors identify factors that increase the likelihood of manifestation of pathology:
- chronic inflammation;
- exchange failures;
- weakening of the immune system;
- hidden infections;
- regular skin injuries (the main cause that provokes psoriasis on the nose and other protruding places);
- severe or prolonged stress;
- frostbite and overheating;
- poisoning, including alcoholism;
- uncontrolled intake of antibiotics, beta-blockers and antiviral drugs.
What does psoriasis look like on the face: varieties
Psoriasis on the skin of the face is of two types:
- It occurs at a young age - up to 40 years. The peak incidence occurs at the age of 16-24 years. Early pathology often becomes generalized, severe, difficult to treat and often relapses.
- It affects people over the age of 40. The peak incidence occurs at the age of 55-60 years. This type is less persistent, the symptoms are not as strong as in the previous version, it is easier, it is better treatable.
There are also two main types of psoriasis in the face: vulgar and seborrheic. Vulgaris is diagnosed in most patients and rarely affects the face. For such a place, the seborrheic type of psoriasis is more characteristic, which often gives relapses, is more difficult to treat and is characterized by the maximum severity of symptoms. The papules are especially dense and large, the scales are covered with a layer of sebum and have a yellowish tint, which is why they are very noticeable.
The disease can be localized in the following places on the face:
- on the cheeks;
- On the nose;
- on the eyelids;
- under the eyes;
- on the eyebrows;
- around the mouth.
Sometimes the disease affects the forehead, less often psoriasis on the lips is diagnosed. In a neglected version, skin defects can extend to the ears.
Clinical stages
Pathology is not instantaneous, proceeds in stages, the stages are called stages. It is advisable to start treatment at the first stage, but for this you need to know how psoriasis begins.
The stage of pathology can be determined by the symptoms:
- At the very beginning, facial psoriasis is manifested by papules resembling acne marks. They itch, increase in size, form dry plaques. The skin underneath is white.
- Later, the affected skin turns red, the disease becomes active (sebopsoriasis, or seborrheic). This stage is called progressive. The skin is very itchy, sore, flaky, covered with yellow dense crusts.
- Then the affected areas begin to bleed and itch severely. Droplets of blood come out after scraping a dense scale. Wound surfaces do not heal. Peeling goes to the whole face, itching becomes unbearable.
- After this, the stationary stage begins, during which the growth of papules stops and peeling decreases. The plaques on the face acquire a bluish tint.
- The last stage is regressive. All symptoms gradually disappear. The disease goes into remission, peeling and itching disappear completely, papules and plaques resolve.
Since psoriasis is chronic, after remission there will definitely be a relapse. The duration of remission is individual and largely depends on the correct treatment, as well as on facial skin care. If the pathology is left untreated, then instead of remission, various complications can be obtained.
Consequences and complications
Complications of skin pathology can be local (the disease spreads to other parts of the body) and systemic. The neglected form of psoriasis often flows into arthritis, and if it passes to the eyelids and ears, then it can provoke blindness and deafness. Also, comorbidities worsen in patients: diabetes, hypertension, obesity, Crohn's syndrome, heart failure. That is why it is so important to be treated on time.
How to cure psoriasis on the face
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, since it is chronic, but many years of remission can be achieved. For this, the treatment of psoriasis on the face should be complete - complex, consisting of the following procedures:
- vitamin therapy;
- hormonal and non-hormonal therapy with systemic and locally acting special preparations;
- physiotherapy;
- maintaining a proper diet;
- folk medicines.
Before treatment, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist and pass a standard set of tests to determine the characteristics of the pathology. Therapy is selected individually and begins with special preparations against psoriasis.
Preparations
The first outbreak, especially with a complex course, is treated with systemic drugs. Retinoids quickly and powerfully fight the manifestations of psoriasis on the face. They stop pathological cell division, due to which the disease stops progressing and goes into remission.
Antiallergic drugs will help reduce itching, redness, inflammation and swelling (symptomatic treatment). A drug with succinic acid in the composition can speed up skin recovery and improve its condition. For general strengthening of the body, injections of vitamins of group B are prescribed. Instead of injections, children can be given a tableted vitamin complex.
If medications are ineffective, then the most powerful immunosuppressant drug against psoriatic rashes is used instead. It is used as a last resort due to the high likelihood of side effects.
In mild forms of the disease, as well as in psoriasis in childhood, they try to treat with topical drugs - ointments, creams, gels.
How to smear psoriasis on the face, the doctor will tell you. Usually assigned:
- ointment with salicylic acid 0. 5%;
- ointment based on tar and sulfur, not less than 10% (concentration of the active substance);
- naftalan cream 5%;
- glucocorticoid drug;
- non-hormonal cream of plant origin based on grease.
Creams and gels, as well as similar preparations for topical application, are applied to skin defects 2-4 times a day until the symptoms disappear completely. Hormonal and non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs enhance the effectiveness of drug therapy:
- non-hormonal - shark oil, vitamin F, creams based on natural oils and medicinal herbs, ointment with calcipotriol;
- hormonal ointments for psoriasis.
In addition to the listed drugs, it is imperative to take sedatives (valerian, motherwort), as stress aggravates the symptoms. After the transition of the pathology to a calm stage, physiotherapy is prescribed:
- UV to accelerate skin regeneration;
- radiotherapy against itching and inflammation;
- ultrasound to reduce redness and swelling;
- magnetotherapy to improve metabolic processes.
Therapy with folk remedies
How to treat psoriasis of the skin, traditional medicine recommends. Masks will help to remove psoriasis from the face quickly at home:
- from the infusion of dry chamomile - brew the flowers, strain, dip the gauze into the solution and apply on the face, keep for 20 minutes;
- from aloe - cut the leaf and rub the affected areas of the face with juice;
- from turmeric - the spice is diluted with water to a mushy state and applied to plaques. You need to keep 8-12 hours.
Face masks can be done every other day or every day before bed for 2-4 weeks. Then it is desirable to take a short break, after which the course of treatment can be repeated.
Another powerful remedy for psoriasis on the face is concentrated essential oils (coconut, sea buckthorn, juniper). Oils are recommended to be added to the care cream or to the water for washing. They soften, nourish and moisturize the skin, facilitate the peeling of seborrheic psoriasis.
Pathology is well neutralized by sea salt, which must be added to masks, washing water and scrubs. Alternative methods of treatment will not replace the official ones, but will help to significantly speed up the healing process. Such treatment is recommended to be combined with the use of pharmaceutical preparations.
Diet and lifestyle
All patients (even children) need to follow a diet that removes all potential allergens: citrus fruits, coffee, chocolate, colorful vegetables, seafood. If psoriasis is on the forehead or on the cheeks, then you should definitely give up sugar and starchy foods.
Also, the problem can be dealt with by giving up bad habits - alcohol addiction and smoking. The correct way of life will have to be maintained constantly, even after the transition of the disease into remission.
Facial skin care
Care for problem skin on the face should be carefully, regularly and correctly. For care, it is better to use a daily moisturizer for the face with vitamin D in the composition. It will improve the quality of the skin, soften it and saturate it with nutrition for recovery. And you also need:
- avoid active rubbing of the skin with a cloth towel (it is better to wipe your face after washing with paper napkins);
- during relapses, do not use decorative cosmetics for the face, especially in the hot season;
- do not peel or injure the skin with peeling;
- replace razors with electric shavers (advice for men);
- regularly protect the skin of the face from solar ultraviolet rays with the help of special creams and hats.
Is it possible to sunbathe with psoriasis in open areas of the body? No, the affected skin must be protected from the rays of the sun, especially in the acute stage, since ultraviolet rays can cause complications.
Despite the specific nature of psoriasis on the face, with a comprehensive, competent approach to treatment, if all the doctor's recommendations are followed, the prognosis for achieving a long remission will be favorable.