Plaque lesions on the skin of the hands are the most common manifestations of scaly lichen. Psoriasis on the hands is a chronic disease that significantly impairs a person's quality of life. It has special symptoms, as well as many prerequisites for development.
The causes of psoriasis on the hands
What causes the appearance of a rash in the form of rough plaques on the palms and in the areas of flexion of the upper limbs? it is not always easy to understand right away. The main causes of psoriasis on the hands are:
- hereditary tendency to disease;
- the result of infectious, viral and colds;
- metabolic disorders and hormonal pathologies (diabetes mellitus);
- stressful situations, nervous breakdowns, emotional upheavals;
- frequent contact with aggressive chemicals (household chemicals, cosmetics);
- skin injuries (abrasions, wounds, abrasions, scratches).
People prone to allergic reactions are at risk of developing psoriatic psoriasis. In addition, malnutrition, alcohol and tobacco abuse, prolonged use of antidepressants, steroid drugs can provoke scaly lichen.
Manifestation symptoms
In adults, psoriasis begins in the elbows and hands. The first signs are noticeable on the extensor part, when small flat papules appear, which eventually increase in size, forming rough, round plaques of pale pink or red color. Further, the rash appears on the palms. The skin becomes dry, thickened, acquires a deep red color, and sometimes cracks.
The development of psoriasis on the fingers can reach the nails. At first, minor pits form on them, and over time, the nail plate thickens, looses and resembles a fungal infection. Therefore, people often wonder if scaly lichen is contagious? Psoriasis is a chronic disease that is not transmitted through handshake or other contact. A propensity for the disease can be transmitted genetically, but not the disease itself.
Another symptom of scaly lichen is the appearance of plaques with scales between the fingers. The skin in these places resembles calluses, the same rough and rough.
Forms of hand psoriasis
The nature of the course and clinical manifestations of scaly lichen are very diverse. The rash can affect not only the hands, but also affect the shoulders, neck, chest, especially if the child suffers from the disease. Hand psoriasis is the most common type of dermatosis, and can occur in several basic forms, described below.
Plaque or common
The skin in the affected areas becomes denser, covered with white crusts and cracks, which sometimes bleed. The plaques coalesce into groups, forming large lesions.
Teardrop shape
The rash most commonly affects the upper arms and shoulders. The plaques are densely covered with white scales and look like drops. This type of psoriasis quickly spreads throughout the body, affecting the forearms and hips. It is aggravated mainly after the ingestion of streptococcus (the causative agent of tonsillitis, tonsillitis, ARVI).
Exudative or pustular squamous lichen
It is localized on the forearms, has a severe course - multiple blisters with a clear liquid, purulent processes, as well as the exit of the rash outside the upper extremities.
Psoriasis of nails
This shape is characterized by the appearance of longitudinal or transverse lines of a white or gray hue. The skin around the plate thickens, and the nail itself exfoliates and looses, which leads to its further destruction.
What each form of scaly hands looks like is clearly visible in the photo.
If you do not start the treatment of hand psoriasis in time, the disease can provoke inflammation of the joints (psoriatic arthritis). The rash can spread to other areas of the body (head, legs, back, abdomen, chest).
Stages of skin disease
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that has a specific sequence of development. Depending on the intensity of the manifestations of the disease and the frequency of relapses, there are 3 main stages of the disease:
- progressive - the initial stage - the appearance of several scaly papules on the hands, shoulders, between the fingers and in the extension of the elbows, which are accompanied by edema, inflammation, itching;
- stationary stage - new rashes do not occur, and old plaques are densely covered with white scales, the affected areas stop itching (the disease freezes in one place);
- the stage of regression - the symptoms begin to disappear (papules turn pale, dry plaques dissolve, the skin is cleansed, only minor dark spots remain).
In a state of remission, psoriasis can be from 2-4 months to several years. New relapses are more severe each time, which leads to a gradual coarsening and thickening of the stratum corneum on the hands, elbows, between the fingers and around the nail plates.
Pharmacy treatment
Scaly lichen, although not a contagious disease, brings a lot of discomfort and inconvenience. The main goal of drug treatment is to improve the general condition of the patient:
- eliminate flaking and itching;
- relieve inflammation;
- soothe the skin.
Therapy should be comprehensive and include several different groups of drugs for external and internal use.
- Hormonal - relieve inflammation, irritation, swelling, itching and pain, reduce papules with fluid in exudative psoriasis. In addition, ointments remove allergic manifestations.
- Non-hormonal - zinc ointment, salicylic ointment - relieve the main symptoms, do not cause side effects, act gently on the skin, but are less effective than glucocorticosteroid (hormonal) drugs.
- Homeopathic - used for severe peeling, itching, help during the period of joint damage.
Homeopathy is effective only when it is correctly selected, taking into account all the nuances of the course of the disease and the characteristics of the patient's body.
In case of a weak result from local drugs, the doctor may prescribe systemic therapy in the form of injections and pills. The drugs suppress the intensive division of skin cells, detoxify the body, thereby eliminating the main symptoms, which improves the quality of life.
In addition to the main drugs aimed at inhibiting psoriasis, complex therapy uses funds to support the whole body:
- vitamins;
- liver support drugs - hepatoprotectors;
- sorbents - cleansing the intestines from toxins and poisons;
- antihistamines;
- immunomodulators.
The better to treat this or that form of psoriasis, the specialist will determine. He will combine medications to achieve maximum effect and not harm your body as a whole.
Folk remedies
Patients are often interested in how to cure psoriasis at home. In the fight against scaly lichen of the hands, herbal preparations and healing baths help well. In addition, folk remedies help to enhance the action of medications and the transition of the disease to the stage of remission.
Celandine baths
Pour chopped grass (100 g) with 3 liters of boiling water and leave for 1–1. 5 hours. Pour the filtered liquid into a hot bath (37-40 degrees). The duration of one procedure is no more than 15 minutes.
The course of treatment is 10-12 sessions, which can be carried out daily.
Herbal collection for water manipulation
It is necessary to mix in equal proportions (50 g each):
- St. John's wort;
- sage;
- valerian root;
- celandine;
- succession.
Boil 30 g of the collection in 250 ml of water for 5 minutes. Let the broth brew for 1. 5-2 hours, strain and add to a large bathing container.
Herbal baths ease the course of the disease, soothe the skin, reduce inflammation and flaking, and, most importantly, stop the further spread of plaques.
Propolis ointment
Melt 300 g of butter, add 20 g of chopped propolis, boil everything until a single consistency is formed. With the finished cooled ointment, treat the affected areas on the hands. The product is also suitable for compresses. Apply a small amount of medicine to a cotton pad, apply to injured areas, fix with a bandage.
Before using the ointment, you need to treat the plaques with hydrogen peroxide and wait until they dry. This will enhance the effect of the folk remedy.
Birch tar
For 30–45 days, you need to lubricate the affected areas of the hands with birch tar. It is better to do this an hour before bedtime. The substance should remain on the skin for at least 10 minutes, after which it is washed off with warm water. Gradually, the residence time of tar on the plaques is increased to 30 minutes.
This medicine is most effective in treating skin ailments. A folk remedy well removes unpleasant symptoms and prolongs the period of remission for a long time.
Prevention of psoriasis on the hands
Hands more often than other areas of the skin suffer from rashes. The disease is difficult to treat due to constant contact of the hands with provoking factors. To achieve long-term remission, it is important to adhere to preventive measures:
- do not allow the skin to dry out;
- use household chemicals with gloves;
- use specially selected hand creams;
- avoid contact with aggressive substances;
- promptly seek help from a doctor when the first rashes occur;
- do not abuse alcohol and smoking.
In the prevention of hand psoriasis, attention should be paid to proper nutrition. Fried, smoked, salty, fatty, spicy foods should be excluded from the diet. It is not recommended to get carried away with chocolate and flour products. It is better to cook, steam or bake food, and heat fruits and vegetables with red pigment (cherries, strawberries, tomatoes) to heat treatment.
Psoriatic rashes on the hands tend to relapse. The disease is not curable, but only temporarily goes into remission. The duration of the calmness of psoriasis depends on the correct treatment and prevention. Watch your lifestyle, stick to a diet, avoid stress and treat the first manifestations of the disease in time.