Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is difficult to treat. Psoriatic plaques appear on various parts of the body, causing the patient a lot of inconvenience and suffering. A noticeable cosmetic defect worsens relations with others, provokes the development of complexes.
Treatment of psoriasis requires an integrated approach. Untimely seeking medical help leads to serious consequences: the disease can be inherited. Compliance with the doctor's recommendations will ease the suffering, reduce the manifestations of psoriasis.
Causes of occurrence
Skin disease is of great interest to researchers. Doctors have only assumptions, factors that can cause psoriasis. The most common cause of psoriasis is a genetic predisposition. However, dermatologists still have not come to a consensus: "Why does psoriasis appear? "
There are two theories:
- the first one says: scaly type of lichen develops when the maturation of epidermal cells, their reproduction and differentiation is disturbed. Autoimmune processes play a secondary role;
- second hypothesis: the cause of skin lesions is a malfunction in the immune system. Problems with the normal functioning of epidermal cells are secondary.
Provoking factors:
- lack of vitamins and minerals in the body due to the small amount of vegetables and fruits in the menu;
- undermined nervous health due to frequent stress;
- abuse of strong drugs;
- metabolic disorders due to improper nutrition;
- decreased immunity after infectious diseases.
Risk group:
- hypertensive patients;
- obese persons;
- diabetics;
- people who drink alcohol in excess;
- patients who have undergone chemotherapy courses, treatment with corticosteroids, strong antibiotics.
Symptoms and stages of the disease
Stages of psoriatic eruptions:
- initial stage. On the elbows, other areas, pink or reddish papules appear, covered with scales with a heterogeneous structure. Over time, the rash takes up an ever larger area, redness of the skin appears, swelling, itching develops;
- most of the symptoms appear in people who are fed up with drugs. In the risk group - persons who have suffered psychoemotional trauma;
- The next stage is the emergence of the Kebner phenomenon. After scratching, abrasions, wounds, bleeding areas appear on the body. Gradually they merge, forming symmetrical lines and plaques. Nails are often affected;
- third stage. The rash becomes brighter, the plaques take on clear outlines, the affected areas turn blue, itch, peel off;
- Symptoms fade gradually. Peeling goes first, then the color of the epidermis is restored. The final stage is resorption of infiltrates, improvement of the condition of the skin.
Is psoriasis contagious? Is it possible to get sick when communicating, shaking hands, playing together, having sexual intercourse? The answer is "No! "The nature of the pathology is different, there are no viruses and fungi on the skin. Don't push the psoriasis patient away from you! It's already hard for him. Support the person morally.
Localization Locations:
- elbow joints. Relatively mild form. Groups of plaques with well-defined borders appear symmetrically on both arms. Color - salmon or pinkish red;
- palms. The disease is characterized by keratinization of surfaces, peeling, severe itching;
- ears and scalp. Psoriatic eruptions appear on the inside and outside of the auricles, on the head. In case of unexpected itching inside the ears, it is recommended to immediately visit a dermatologist;
- legs. Often, plaques, redness, itching on the lower limbs appear simultaneously with rashes on the hands. Outwardly, the manifestations of the disease are similar;
- back. Scaly lichen affects various areas on the back. The rash takes on a teardrop shape. Often, the rash resembles ordinary plaques;
- face. In this area, rashes appear less often. On the eyebrows, in the area of the nasolabial folds, small papules appear near the eyes. In isolated cases, formations covered with scales are visible on the lips.
Disease diagnosis
A dermatologist or therapist can easily diagnose psoriasis by its characteristic features. Sometimes a biopsy of the affected skin is required. The microscopic piece is sent for laboratory research.
One drop of blood hemoscanning method is widely advertised. Special computer programs and high power electron microscope are used.
Experts recommend abandoning the services of "doctors" who do not have medical education. Charlatans often use only this method to diagnose various diseases, without bothering themselves with additional research.
Be sure to visit a dermatologist, therapist. An experienced doctor will tell you whether you have psoriasis or not based on clinical signs.
Treatment methods
How to cure psoriasis? Complex therapy will help to eliminate unpleasant symptoms, to improve the patient's condition. In many cases, treatment is long-term, with the further action of provoking factors, relapses are possible.
Experts recommend using not only medicines, but also folk recipes, dietary nutrition, physiotherapy methods. The patient is required to strictly follow the doctor's prescriptions.
Medicines
Both topical and systemic drugs are used:
- antihistamines;
- sedatives;
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- ointments and gels for psoriasis.
Physiotherapy is effective:
- phototherapy;
- ultraviolet irradiation;
- laser therapy;
- cryotherapy.
Nutrition for psoriasis
The patient is obliged to follow a hypoallergenic diet for psoriasis. It is necessary to consume as few foods as possible that cause a rush of blood to the affected skin. An emphasis on foods rich in vitamins and minerals is important.
Banned:
- spicy dishes;
- smoked products;
- alcohol;
- red, black pepper, other spices;
- coffee;
- hot drinks.
Not Recommended:
- chocolate;
- sweets;
- whole milk;
- honey;
- citrus;
- vegetables, red fruits.
Folk remedies and recipes
After consulting a dermatologist or therapist, add home-based methods to your medications, physiotherapy treatments. Effective ointments, decoctions of medicinal herbs, lotions and baths will improve the condition, relieve itching, burning.
Treatment of psoriasis at home with folk remedies. Best Recipes:
- string baths and sea salt.Prepare a decoction: per liter of water - 2 tbsp. l. turns. Pour 4 tbsp into the bath. l. sea salt, pour in the strained broth. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes. An excellent soothing, drying agent;
- decoction of medicinal herbs.Brew in 0. 5 liters of water a teaspoon of nettle, burdock root, licorice and calamus, a sequence. Boil for 5 minutes, let it brew. Wipe the affected areas with a healing broth several times a day;
- tea from dandelion roots, nettle leaves, St. John's worttake orally. The drink perfectly cleanses the blood, improves immunity, soothes;
- herbal lotions.Take 4 tbsp. l. celandine, add calendula, string, motherwort, chamomile (all herbs will need 2 tbsp. l. ). Pour in a liter of hot water, warm up in a water bath. Gauze dipped in broth, apply to painful areas twice a day;
- homemade ointment.Combine fish oil, pine resin, aloe juice, olive oil, sulfur, birch tar in equal proportions. Add the same amount of celandine, overpower-herbs, pour in a few drops of sea buckthorn oil. Let it brew, strain. Lubricate affected areas daily. The tool soothes the skin, reduces itching, heals wounds;
- applying birch taron elbows, ears, other areas affected by the manifestations of scaly lichen gives a good effect;
- monastery tea for psoriasis.A medicinal drink with medicinal herbs will ease the course of the disease.
Skin psoriasis in children
Chronic disease occurs in infants and older children. Most cases of psoriasis are noted in preschoolers and primary school children.
Symptoms:
- spots, bubbles, red dots appear on the skin;
- gradually the rash becomes more, peeling appears;
- the body itches, the crusts crack, painful areas appear.
The main places of localization of lesions:
- elbows;
- knees;
- legs, arms;
- psoriasis sometimes affects the nails.
Diagnostics is straightforward. Pronounced symptoms are difficult to confuse with manifestations of other diseases.
Reasons:
- stress;
- hormonal imbalance;
- colds;
- some medications;
- genetic predisposition;
- respiratory diseases;
- abrupt climate change.
Healing:
- proper skin care;
- ascorbic acid;
- vitamin B12;
- ointments and gels;
- antihistamines.
Herbal baths with chamomile, yarrow, celandine, succession give a good effect. Calming fees will help improve sleep. In severe cases, the doctor will prescribe sleeping pills.
Sometimes a child needs to be hospitalized to relieve acute symptoms. Do not give up the hospital. Droppers, injections significantly alleviate the condition.
Tip!Do not prescribe powerful drugs on your own. Doctors are trying to use less drugs that have a toxic effect.
Preventive Recommendations
There are no specific precautions to prevent this severe skin condition. For this reason, many people suffer from unpleasant symptoms for many years.
Sometimes psychological trauma is just as serious as occasional rash and itching during exacerbations. Try to ease the course of the disease.
What else you can do:
- avoid hypothermia;
- keep the room at optimum humidity;
- take good care of the epidermis;
- create a calm environment in the family;
- , if necessary, change your job to avoid stressful situations and other harmful influences;
- do not injure your skin.
Remember- you are not alone in your trouble. The diagnosis of psoriasis is recorded in the outpatient records of hundreds of thousands of people. Do not despair, even with such a serious illness you can live without losing hope for the future. Communicate, seek support from loved ones, follow the recommendations of doctors. Try to prevent the disease from engulfing you.