A complex systemic disease that is accompanied by skin lesions is psoriasis. In a healthy body, cells live for 30-40 days, then they are renewed. With the development of psoriasis, the life of skin cells is 4-5 days. When they die off, peeling, plaques, dryness occur. Treatment of initial stage psoriasis is always easier, so it is important not to start the disease. The methods of therapy in the progressive phase differ significantly. You will read about the treatment of only the initial stage of psoriasis in the article.
Causes of the disease
In psoriasis, the work of several systems is disrupted: endocrine, immune, and nervous. Until the end, the doctors did not find out the causes of this disease, nor did they invent a cure for psoriasis.
Experts put forward the following hypotheses for the development of the disease:
- Viral.Retroviruses, which are inherited, can be the causative agent of psoriasis. In many patients, changes were found in the peripheral lymph nodes, which may indicate the viral nature of the disease.
- Immune.With weakened immunity and impaired defense mechanisms at the cellular level, favorable conditions are created for the progression of psoriasis. Among the causes of the disease is also autoimmune aggression, a process in which lymphocytes begin to attack the body's own healthy cells.
- Infectious.Many researchers have looked for psoriasis pathogens. Epidermophytos, spirochetes, streptococci were suspected, but all assumptions remained incorrect. However, scientists have found that infectious diseases: SARS, influenza, tonsillitis are a push mechanism in the development of psoriasis. In 90% of cases, this disease is accompanied by tonsillitis.
- Genetic.Psoriasis is transmitted to a child from parents. 60% of patients have relatives with this skin disease. If a mom or dad is diagnosed with psoriasis, then the risk of such a disease in a child increases by 25%, if both parents are sick - by 60%.
- Metabolic.Metabolic disorders (lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals) can cause psoriasis. Patients often have disorders in the functioning of the thyroid gland and other glands of the endocrine system.
Main signs and symptoms
This local disease is not contagious. Skin, nails and hair are damaged. Small rashes appear on the epidermis, on which papules form over time - areas of red or bright pink color protruding above the skin. From above, they are covered with silvery scales (plaques).
Papules may itch a little or not bother at all, peeling is not noticeable. At first, the size of the affected skin areas is 1-2 millimeters, over time, their size is estimated at 10 centimeters or more.
Early stage psoriasis: which parts of the body may be affected by the disease? The main symptoms of the disease of different localization:
- On the head.The scalp is covered with red scaly patches with lots of dandruff-like scales. In this case, hair is not involved in the pathological process. Itching is observed in patients. Skin lesions can spread to the neck and ears.
- On the face.At the initial stage, psoriatic plaques form on the skin around the eyes, on the eyelids, in the area of the nasolabial folds and eyebrows. Occasionally, psoriasis affects the mucous membrane of the mouth, cheeks, lips, tongue, a little more often the lip contour.
- On hand.Single red papules appear on the palms and between the fingers. The back of the hand is affected much less frequently. If spots form on the tips of the fingers, they will lose sensitivity over time. Psoriasis can spread to the nails.
- On the elbows.At the initial stage, single elements of psoriasis appear, covered with silvery scales. Then they grow into a continuous affected area of the skin, from which scales and a thin film are easily removed. After this action, the affected area takes on a pink-red color, drops of blood appear on it.
- On my feet.The skin of the foot and the back of the leg suffers. Symptoms are similar to those that occur with psoriasis of the elbows: at the initial stage, small lesions appear, growing into large areas, a symptom of blood dew is observed.
How and how to treat psoriasis at the initial stage
Cure psoriasis forever - how realistic is it? Unfortunately, while the answer is disappointing - this autoimmune disease can be corrected, but it is impossible to get rid of it completely.
Treatment of psoriasis at the initial stage gives excellent results and allows you to get rid of the visible manifestations of pathology. Traditional medicine uses ointments, creams, solutions, therapeutic ultraviolet irradiation, systemic drug treatment. There are also grandma's remedies, but they do not give a stable result.
Hypoallergenic diet
Patients with different types of psoriasis need to learn the basics of an alkaline diet. Patients need to eat foods that alkalize the internal environment. Their share should be 65-75%, part of acidic food - 25-35%.
General guidelines:
- A third of the diet is unprocessed vegetables and fruits. Include beets, cabbage, carrots, herbs, cucumbers, onions, garlic, celery in the menu.
- Another third of the daily menu for psoriasis is complex carbohydrates and natural sweets in limited quantities. Eat porridge (barley, buckwheat), dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, dates).
- The last part of the diet is animal and plant proteins. Eat lean meats, fish, peas, beans, seeds, eggs, nuts. Polyunsaturated fatty acids should also be on the menu.
- Drink at least 7-10 glasses of clean water a day. Alcohol is prohibited.
- For effective treatment, give up citruses, fatty dairy products and meat, chocolate, red products. Use honey to a minimum.
- It is important to exclude sweets, spicy, smoked and sour foods from the diet, as they have a bad effect on the skin. The amount of salt should be reduced to a minimum.
Drug therapy
Treatment of psoriasis at the initial stage is successfully carried out with the appointment of drugs. There are several groups of them.
Topical preparations: creams and ointments. Medicines are composed of water, an emulsifier and oil. They are enough to treat the initial stage of psoriasis.
Ointments are hormonal and non-hormonal. The second group is safer, but not as effective.
Pills. Treatment of psoriasis with medications is more often used to combat the progressive stage.
Systemic therapy. Its nature (dosage, duration of therapy) is determined only by a doctor for the treatment of advanced forms of pathology.
The complex uses:
- vitamins;
- fatty acids;
- hepatoprotectors;
- immunomodulators;
- anti-allergenic agents;
- preparations for removing toxins from the intestines.
Physiotherapy
What is psoriasis and how is it treated? The complexity of therapy is important. At the initial stage of psoriasis, it is proper nutrition, the use of local drugs and treatment with physiotherapy procedures. The latter are aimed at:
- decrease in CNS excitability;
- normalization of the patient's psychological state;
- reduction in itching;
- acceleration of resorption of psoriatic papules.
Electrosleep:
- An excellent treatment with a soothing effect.
- Due to the full recovery of the body, papules decrease in size, and the disease goes into remission.
- A patient with psoriasis needs to undergo 8-10 procedures lasting 20-60 minutes.
- In the first sessions, patients fall into a shallow sleep, and then go into deep sleep.
X-ray therapy:
- The affected areas of the skin are treated with X-rays, which accelerate the process of resorption of psoriasis plaques.
- The method of treatment involves the use of soft X-rays.
- One session is carried out every 4-7 days, the total radiation dose is safe (3. 5-4 Gy).
Ultrasound Treatment:
- The skin is treated with ultrasound with vibrations of 800-3000 kHz.
- The treatment removes inflammation, itching and pain, reduces sensitivity to allergens and kills bacteria.
- The cycle of procedures includes 8-14 sessions, each of which lasts a quarter of an hour.
Among other effective physiological methods against psoriasis, it is worth noting cryotherapy, immersion in a magnetic field, treatment with current, laser. Treatment of psoriasis at home can be accompanied by taking baths with sea salt (for 1 liter of water 5 g of salt, temperature - 37-38 ° C, duration 15 minutes, 15-20 daily sessions). With the onset of the disease, it is important to travel to a sanatorium and participate in health programs.
Ultraviolet irradiation
Psoriasis is effectively treated by treating the affected skin areas with ultraviolet light. The wavelength should be 311-313 nm, but a specialist may recommend a different radiation spectrum. The patient is immersed in a special chamber equipped with ultraviolet lamps. Before that, he takes photosensitizing drugs that increase the effectiveness of treatment. An effective method of UV therapy is PUVA therapy. The wavelength is 320-400 nm. To achieve a good treatment result, the patient undergoes 25 irradiation, due to which 80% of the affected areas disappear.
Effective folk remedies for home treatment
At the initial stage of psoriasis, you can use folk recipes:
- Chicken egg oil treatment. To get half a glass of the product, you need 20 homemade eggs. Boil the product for 15 minutes after boiling. You need yolks. Mash them into gruel and fry them in a skillet without oil over low heat for 45 minutes. Transfer the prepared mass to cheesecloth and squeeze. Oil the affected areas 1-2 times a day until the symptoms of psoriasis are completely eliminated.
- Treatment of the initial stage with a complex ointment for psoriasis. Ingredients: 50 grams of birch tar, 20 grams of grease or petroleum jelly, 10 grams of boric acid, 30 grams of honey, 1 chicken egg white, 10 grams of fish oil. Store in a dark corner. Lubricate papules 1-2 times a day.
- Treatment with celandine juice. Treat the affected skin areas with fresh juice from the roots. This should be done at the initial stage every day throughout the summer for three seasons in a row.
Peculiarities of treatment in children
Do not use folk remedies on a growing body. They are not always effective, and delays in this case are completely unacceptable. When the initial stage of psoriasis occurs, parents should show the child to a dermatologist who will prescribe a comprehensive examination and treatment. If the disease has not spread much, children are prescribed topical ointments and creams for the skin: keratolytics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
The top layer of psoriasis plaques is removed using tar-sulfuric or salicylic ointment. To do this, make a bandage on the skin soaked in the active agent, which is removed after 3-5 hours. Then the child should take a bath with succession - it will help to remove the crusts painlessly. The last stage of treatment - drugs with glucocorticoids are applied to the skin in a dosage prescribed by a doctor. Children are prescribed antihistamines and vitamin complexes.
What the initial stage of psoriasis looks like - photo
The first stage of psoriasis is accompanied by lesions of certain areas of the body skin.
If you notice rashes like in the photo, hurry to the dermatologist. There is no need to hope that the problem will be solved by itself.
This skin disease is complex and requires fast and comprehensive treatment. The earlier a person goes to a specialist, the more favorable the outcome will be.
Successful therapy leads to rapid remission and restoration of quality of life.