Skin diseases are accompanied by the appearance of unpleasant symptoms and psychological discomfort. One of the common diseases that require immediate treatment of the skin is psoriasis on the elbows, and the choice of remedies is not limited to the use of local preparations. If you do not do the therapy on time, a small inflammation will soon develop from a cosmetic problem to a medical one.
What is psoriasis on the elbows?
The disease, which is characterized by the appearance of several spots in the fold of the extremities, is characterized by its unpredictable and cyclical nature. Psoriasis of the elbows is a chronic skin disease that begins with the appearance of papules and grows to become plaques (large, diffuse lesions) with scales of white, silver and reddish tones. Slightly raised damaged areas form due to the accumulation of dry dead cells. If the inflammation is not treated, the disease will progress with alternating periods of exacerbation and remission.
Symptoms
When scabs form on the elbows, you can immediately notice the damaged areas of the skin. Signs of the disease are immediately clearly visible, and it is rarely possible to completely cure psoriasis in the flex area of the arms. The chances of a successful recovery are those patients who consulted a doctor in a timely manner. A cause for concern should be violations of the condition of the skin on the elbows, which are similar to the following symptoms of psoriasis:
- Red plaques or scaly spots that at first look like papules with a white film, and as the disease worsens and develops, they grow, connect with each other and become covered with white scales.
- Itchy skin, which causes further damage to the skin. Like other mechanical damage to the skin, such as scratches, cuts, such inflammation on the elbows combs, damages the skin, and this leads to the appearance of new spots.
- Severe redness, inflamed areas of the skin begin to bleed.
plates on the elbows
Psoriasis can occur in the groin area, on the trunk, extremities or head, but wherever the disease is localized, its sure sign is plaques. Sores on the elbows in the form of red spots with white scales most often occur due to the opening of this area of the skin, since it is easy to damage. The altered area of the epidermis becomes inflamed, scaly red spots gradually increase and can cover the entire elbow. With careless shaping, the plates can bleed, and when trying to scrape, the phenomenon of "stearin stain" appears, as after a drop of hardened wax.
Causes
The scientific studies that are still being carried out have not yet been able to determine with total certainty the origin of the appearance of the disease, and among the medical versions of the causes of psoriasis in the elbow area, are the following:
- Genetic predisposition is an important statistical factor. If one of the parents has chronic inflammation of the skin, there is a high probability that the child will also have psoriasis.
- The entry of specific substances that penetrate through the injured areas of the skin. The affected areas of the epidermis begin to thicken, the body begins to fight against abnormal symptoms and rejects cells, which outwardly manifests itself as a fungus on the elbows.
- Violation of the work of T-lymphocytes, which are faced with the task of creating a barrier against pathogens.
- Silicon deficiency in the body.
- endocrine diseases.
- Serious limb injuries.
- Severe mechanical damage, non-healing wounds.
- Emotional, mental stress.
- Long-term medication.
- Weak immunity.
stages
A chronic inflammatory process in the elbows, which, under the influence of a number of reasons, intensifies or decreases and progresses without adequate treatment. The course of therapy must be prescribed by a dermatologist, but to determine the effectiveness of the method, the choice of drugs, procedures, the course of the disease must be assessed by the doctor. Further tactics will depend on the clinical picture, while it is customary to distinguish the following stages of skin lesions on the elbows with psoriasis:
- Initial. The skin surface on the outside of the elbows is covered with a rash. Reddish spots of a round shape with a white film grow, they are covered with scales, and after 2-3 weeks plaques form. With prompt treatment, the signs of psoriasis may disappear for a time and then reappear, or the lesion may occur in another part of the body.
- Progressive. This stage of the disease can be characterized by the presence of psoriatic elements with many scales. The appearance of such signs indicates the beginning of an exacerbation of psoriasis, and it is easy to notice by the presence of a hyperemic border (redness) along the edge of the scaly plaque.
- Stationary. It is characterized by a decrease in the inflammatory process, which indicates the effectiveness of the treatment used. The appearance of new plaques on the elbows stops, there is no red border around the psoriatic elements, their diameter decreases, while the scale completely covers the inflamed area.
- Regressive. It indicates a partial recovery, while the peeling is almost imperceptible or disappears, pigmented areas of the skin appear instead of the plates. Another set of measures will be aimed at preventing exacerbations of psoriasis.
Forms
The undulating course of the disease, when a spontaneous period alternates with an improvement, is not the only component of the insidiousness of psoriasis. The severity of the course of the inflammatory process depends on the nature of the rash, another important factor is the shape. With the localization of rashes on the elbows, a simple (vulgar) type of ailment is often found, which is characterized by redness, peeling and itching. The neglected form of the disease threatens with complications and the appearance of pustular, erythrodermic and seborrheic psoriasis; with them, the area of \u200b\u200bthe lesion will expand.
How to treat psoriasis on the elbows.
There are effective methods of therapy, but they will not work to completely cleanse the skin on the elbows, because psoriasis belongs to the group of incurable diseases. The entire complex treatment system will be aimed at the maximum elimination of external signs. The duration of remission depends on many factors, and in order to eliminate the manifestation of psoriasis, it is recommended to develop a treatment regimen using such basic methods as:
- local therapy (ointment, cream, lotion);
- physiotherapy procedures;
- phototherapy;
- special diet;
- take complexes of vitamins and minerals.
The cure for psoriasis on the elbows
Medicines are actively used in the treatment of multifactorial disease, but their effectiveness is noted only in combination with other means. For the treatment of psoriasis, it is customary to use external drugs, and if they are not effective, the following drugs may be prescribed:
- cytostatics;
- antihistamines;
- enterosorbents.
Ointment
A quick way to get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of psoriasis is topical treatment. Ointments with vitamin D, zinc and tar are used to help remove dead cells, moisturize the skin of the elbows, and hormonal agents help to cope with the most severe forms of the disease. Corticosteroids are relatively safe if used as directed by a physician who has examined the psoriatic plaques on the elbows, assessed the condition of the upper layers, and the extent of the lesion. Only a dermatologist can introduce hormonal ointments into the treatment regimen, self-medication is strictly prohibited!
alternative treatment
Compresses, lotions, decoctions, baths can rightfully be considered no less useful methods of treating psoriasis. If the plates on the elbows are covered with a white film, then at home itching and redness can be conveniently removed by soaking the affected areas for 7-10 minutes in a solution of fresh herbs. The composition must be selected individually, brew with boiling water, but hot baths should be avoided. Herbs useful for treating psoriasis include:
- celandine;
- chicory root;
- valerian root
Prevention
There is no reason to assume that psoriasis will go away on its own, but self-medication is also not worth it, because there is a risk of aggravating the course of a chronic disease. Eliminating the inflammatory process is the first step towards recovery, since for a long-term remission, you will need to follow some recommendations of doctors. To avoid exacerbation of psoriasis, it is necessary to adhere to such preventive measures:
- follow the proper diet;
- exclude the use of alcoholic beverages, alcohol, sweets, spicy foods;
- get enough sleep, while the period of sleep duration should be at least 8 hours a day;
- avoid mechanical damage to the skin, injuries;
- monitor the internal state of the body;
- develop skills to cope with stress;
- support the functioning of the immune system, avoiding infectious diseases;
- minimize contact with household chemicals.
Photo of psoriasis on the elbow.
