Psoriasis is one of the most common chronic dermatoses. With such a pathological process, skin damage is observed, as well as skin appendages. The high urgency of this problem lies in the fact that it leads to a deterioration in the quality of life of a sick person due to aesthetic disorders.
Most often, the first episode of psoriasis occurs in the age range of fifteen to forty-five years. According to statistics, this disease is diagnosed in about three percent of the entire population. Also, the number of women and men with such a pathology is in equal proportions.
There are several theories about the mechanism of development of psoriasis. The main one is the autoimmune theory, which says that this pathological process is formed as a result of an incorrect immune response to any external factor. An excessive immune response leads to the development of an inflammatory reaction in the layers of the skin, which triggers the mechanisms of division and multiplication of cell structures. Furthermore, it is assumed that hereditary predisposition and exposure to various infectious agents may influence the development of this disease.
It is observed that psoriasis occurs more frequently in those people who:
- You have any other dermatological condition;
- Have thin and dry skin;
- Smoking and drinking alcohol;
- Systematically come into contact with irritating chemicals;
- They often damage the skin by mechanical influences;
- Observe excessive hygiene;
- They are subject to severe stress;
- You have a low level of immune defense or use medications that suppress immunity.
Depending on the symptoms of psoriasis, it is customary to classify this pathology in several ways:
- Plate shape. This shape is the classic version. It occurs in more than eighty percent of people. The clinical picture in this case is characterized by typical squamous plaques, which tend to grow peripherally;
- Teardrop shape. The disease that develops in this way is accompanied by the appearance of numerous small foci on the surface of the skin. These lesions can be very different in color, rise above the surface of the skin, and are intensely shed. As a general rule, they do not increase in size, only their number increases;
- Exudative form. It is one of the most unfavorable options. In this case, bubbles and blisters filled with serous fluid form on the surface of the plates. Most often, such elements undergo a secondary infection with the subsequent appearance of pus in them;
- Psoriatic onychodystrophy. It is characterized by the participation of the nail plates in the pathological process, which are streaked and thickened. In most cases, the nails become discolored, flaked, and broken. In advanced cases, complete loss of the nail plate is possible;
- Psoriatic arthropathySymptoms of psoriasis in this case are manifested by inflammation of the joints and connective tissue. In some cases, this form develops on its own, but most of the time it is accompanied by skin manifestations;
- Psoriatic erythroderma. This form is characterized by a very severe course and is often fatal. The development of inflammation is noted in large areas of the body, which is accompanied by intense peeling and shedding of the skin.
The main symptoms of psoriasis.
We will talk in more detail about the classical form. What does psoriasis look like? First of all, single papules appear on the surface of the skin that have a pink or red color. These papules are covered with silvery-white scales that are easily scraped off. Over time, the number of papules increases more and more, they begin to merge into plaques.
The plaques formed during this disease have a hyperemic and edematous appearance. In some cases, there may be a mild itch on the skin. Pathological foci tend to grow fairly rapidly peripherally and their surface is intensely scaly. Over time, the growth of the plates stops and their boundaries become clear. A specific sign of such a pathological process is a pseudoatrophic border, located along the periphery of the foci. In the stationary stage, the appearance of a stagnant cyanotic hue is observed on the surface of the plates.
The symptoms of psoriasis in the regression stage are characterized by the gradual disappearance of desquamation, starting from the central part. After that, the skin takes on a normal color, after which the tissue infiltration disappears.
Diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
First, psoriasis establishes itself on the basis of your clinical picture. There is a triad of specific phenomena that indicate this disease process: stearin spot, terminal film, and blood spray. The phenomenon of a stearic spot is that when the lesion is scraped off, the peeling becomes more intense. If we continue to scrape, then there is a thin film peeling and the appearance of a moist, hyperemic surface, the phenomenon of a terminal film. The phenomenon of blood spray implies the presence of punctate bleeding with more scraping.
Of the drugs for this disease, the following can be used:
- Glucocorticosteroids;
- Cytostatics;
- Antihistamines;
- Keratolytic and anti-inflammatory ointments.
In addition, various physiotherapy treatments are widely used.
Prevention of exacerbations of psoriasis.
To prevent exacerbations, it is recommended to avoid stressful situations, abandon bad habits and eat well. In addition, you should limit any irritating effects on the skin and avoid contact with substances to which you are allergic.