Psoriasis, or psoriasis, is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the skin and manifests itself in the form of red spots, plaques covered with small scales. The disease is incurable, therefore psoriasis treatment methods boil down to managing symptoms, stopping pain and inflammation, and achieving early and long-term remission. There are many prejudices about the disease in society. People who don't know what it is believe that psoriasis can be contracted. In the description, several types of this non-communicable disease can be distinguished, each with individual symptoms and course.
Where does psoriasis come from?
The causes of psoriasis have not been established, as little is known about this skin disease. Symptoms of the disease in the initial stages may resemble dermatitis, eczema, but it is impossible to confuse pronounced psoriatic plaques with other skin diseases. Scientists and doctors agree that one of the factors that causes psoriasis is a genetic predisposition.
For example, if a mother is diagnosed with a skin disease, there is a 15% chance that the child will inherit the disease. If both parents receive treatment for psoriasis, the risk of hereditary transmission of the disease increases 4 times, that is, it rises to 60%.
But even if the parents carry a gene that causes a skin disease, that doesn't mean the child will get sick. The causes of psoriasis on the body are different. Stress, nervous shocks, mental traumas "trigger" skin diseases.
Psoriasis is also due to:
- skin wounds, burns, insect bites, tattoos;
- medications the person is taking;
- infectious diseases;
- alcohol abuse, smoking;
- exposure to chemicals, such as detergents;
- dermatitis and fungal diseases;
- HIV;
- pregnancy and childbirth.
Recently, scientists have claimed that psoriasis can occur due to malnutrition, but no convincing evidence has been found in favor of this theory.
Doctors know that a certain gene is responsible for the skin disease, but they cannot determine the exact causes of psoriasis.
What does psoriasis look like in the early stages?
The first symptoms of psoriasis look like this:
- A person's nails exfoliate and the skin cracks.
- A pustular rash appears on the body.
- The skin begins to peel off and die.
- There are blisters on the hands and soles of the feet.
- Itchy red spots covered with whitish scales appear on the elbows, knees, and face.
A person sinks into depression, is not interested in anything, notes a breakdown and even low self-esteem.
On the head, face and under the hair.
First, a person notices increased flaking of the skin, which resembles dandruff. Then the plates themselves appear, covered with silvery scales. The rash grows, it affects an increasing area of the skin, but even with pronounced psoriasis, the hair does not fall out.
In 80% of cases, psoriasis mainly affects the scalp. If the pathology is not treated, then rashes appear in other places.
A harbinger of a disease that affects the skin of the face is severe itching. At first, psoriasis resembles an allergy, the skin is covered with small red spots that enlarge and coalesce to form an inflamed nodule or papule.
Rashes cover the entire face. The spots themselves are covered with scales, which are easily and painlessly separated. Beneath them is a terminal film that resembles bright scarlet leather. If the itchy places are combed, they become covered with small drops of blood.
in arms and legs
The skin disease, psoriasis, affects the skin:
- upper arms and legs;
- brushes;
- knuckles on hands and feet;
- near the nails.
The disease begins with the appearance of small round reddened areas on the skin between the fingers, on the shins, wrists, elbows and knees.
In 10% of cases, psoriasis affects the nails. Psoriatic plaques appear on the nail plates long before the onset of the main symptoms of the disease that affects the skin of the body.
In palms and feet
Palmar-plantar is called the manifestation of psoriasis, which affects the skin on the palms of the hands and feet.
It is characterized by the appearance of scaly red spots covered with whitish scales. At the site of the rash, the skin thickens, cracks, and swells. The aggravated form is expressed in the formation of pustules, deep abscesses.
on the torso
Signs of a disease that affects the skin of the body are similar to psoriasis on the palms of the hands and feet, head and face. Rashes often appear on the back and lower back.
Red spots covered in grayish-white scales that are itchy and itchy. They cannot be combed, because the thin terminal film does not protect the smallest capillaries, and the surface of the skin, when combed, becomes covered with microscopic droplets of blood. Psoriasis can appear in the chest area and on the sides.
The red spots expand and coalesce into formations that doctors call "paraffin lakes. "
Psoriasis causes several skin changes:
- peeling;
- thickening;
- edema;
- the appearance of blisters-pustules.
Dry keratinized skin often cracks, causing pain and discomfort.
Other locations
Psoriasis spreads throughout the body if the disease is running. Psoriatic plaques can be located in the groin, on the buttocks, in the elbow and knee creases. The disease causes great discomfort, because the rashes itch, but they should not be scratched. Careless actions can easily damage the thinned affected skin and cause further infection.
The symptoms of cutaneous psoriasis, regardless of its location, are similar, which is why a dermatologist diagnoses the disease as follows:
- red rashes with a light border;
- the so-called psoriatic triad - the phenomenon of the "stearin stain", that is, the plaque itself, covered with soft silvery scales, the presence of a terminal film under them, and tiny droplets of blood that cover the stain if it is scraped off ;
- the appearance of new plaques at the site of skin lesions;
- Itch.
Psoriasic arthritis
This form of complication affects the joints, tendons, which lose their density and elasticity.
Arthritis accompanies the symptoms of psoriasis, is characterized by inflammation of the joints and is divided into:
- Asymmetric, which affects several joints on one side of the body and does not affect the paired bony elements.
- Symmetrical, resembling rheumatoid. Paired joints suffer. This form often leads to disability.
- Distal interphalangeal joints, involving the phalanges of the fingers and toes.
- Vertebral column, in one or more departments.
- Deforming when the joints are destroyed.
Joint inflammation is characterized by severe pain, swelling, the skin at the site of the affected bone joint has a bluish color. In this case, a person experiences a collapse, sometimes the lymph nodes increase.
Psoriasis classification
The types of psoriasis differ depending on the nature of the rash. The international classification describes 10 forms of a chronic autoimmune disease:
- The most common is plaque or simple psoriasis. It affects any part of the body, it occurs in women and men. It begins with the appearance of swollen red spots, which are later covered with an easily peelable whitish scaly film, "plaque".
- After a strep infection, guttate psoriasis can affect the skin. It manifests itself on the thighs, lower legs, and also affects the neck and back. Rashes of red, bluish and lilac color rise above the surface of the skin and resemble drops in shape.
- The spotted form is characterized by extensive rashes all over the body. The disease is more common in women than in men.
- Pustular, the most serious, which can be distinguished by the appearance of blisters: pustules surrounded by red, inflamed skin and filled with clear fluid. If an infection gets into the blisters, pus fragments appear in the contents.
- Follicular, which affects the skin of the legs and thighs, in the form of small whitish papules.
- Psoriasis of the flexor surfaces, which affects the skin in the folds, for example, in the creases of the knees, groin, under the breasts, armpits.
- Palmar-plantar, which often appears in people engaged in physical labor.
- Psoriatic onychia affects only the fingernails and toenails. The nail plates change color, turn yellow, exfoliate, and sometimes die. The skin around the nails thickens.
- The scalp, which is characterized by red scaly rashes in the area of hair growth and itching.
- Seborrheic, most often localized on the chest, behind the ears, between the shoulder blades, in the nasolabial folds. Psoriatic foci are very scaly, often eczema-like, covered with purulent crusts.
- Symptoms of the erythrodermic form of psoriasis are pronounced. The affected skin can peel off with plaques, a person experiences severe pain, body temperature rises. Untreated erythroderma flows into pyoderma, a purulent skin lesion, and can lead to death.
Any form of psoriasis requires timely treatment, which can only be prescribed by a dermatologist after examination and necessary investigation.
How psoriasis manifests itself at different stages
In total, 4 phases of psoriasis development are distinguished:
- initial, or early;
- progressive;
- stationary;
- regressive.
In most cases, psoriasis begins with the appearance of small papules. Round pinkish, shiny spots, sometimes no larger than the head of a pin, that protrude from the surface of the skin and have a clear border. They are covered in silvery scales. The presence of skin rashes in the early stage of psoriasis can be mistaken for eczema or an allergic rash.
The clinical picture of the disease at different stages varies. For example, severe skin inflammation is characteristic of an acute or progressive form that requires intensive medical attention and treatment.
However, the rashes do not go away, but increase and merge with each other. Psoriatic plaques, clearly bordered by a pink corolla, begin to peel off. The affected skin itches and itches unbearably.
It takes from 2 weeks to several months, and psoriasis passes into a stationary stage. The growth of psoriatic plaques stops, peeling increases, which covers the entire affected area of the skin.
With regressing psoriasis, peeling gradually disappears, psoriatic plaques flatten and gradually disappear. There are no traces, scars or scars on the skin. Sometimes there is hyperpigmentation of the skin. In the remission stage, the skin takes on a normal color and texture.
What is the danger of the disease?
The severity of the course of the disease depends on the condition of the skin. If the lesions are not extensive, the person leads a normal life. People whose rashes occupy a large area experience physical and psychological discomfort, the skin becomes inflamed. A major health hazard is a complication of pustular psoriasis if an infection has gotten into the blisters.
Psoriatic arthritis is also dangerous because some of its forms destroy joints and lead to disability. However, inflammation of the bone joints develops very rarely - in 10% of cases.
Even if the plaques on the skin are insignificant and the person feels normal, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a dermatologist who will make a diagnosis and begin treatment. Timely access to a doctor will prevent complications and help achieve a stable remission.
Complex treatment of psoriasis.
There is no effective way to get rid of psoriasis forever. Skin disease is treated by various means. A person is prescribed pills, ointments and physiotherapy. It is recommended to take healing baths and carefully care for the condition of the skin, to prevent injuries, such as scratches, cuts, scrapes.
Comprehensive psoriasis treatment works if a person complies with medical prescriptions.
How is psoriasis treated with pharmaceuticals?
These are ointments, tablets, injections that the attending physician prescribes to the person who has asked for help. Tablets are drunk at the appointed time of the day before or after meals, ointments are applied to the affected areas with clean hands, injections can be done at home or in the hospital. These can be products based on plant components, hormones and other chemically active substances.
In the complex therapy of scaly lichen use:
- Antihistamine medications, which are prescribed if a person develops an allergy.
- Hepatoprotectors that support the liver.
- Immunomodulators that facilitate the course of the disease.
- Immunosuppressants in the form of injections. They are effective, but expensive and have serious side effects. Medicines should not be used by people with infections or oncology.
- Glucosteroids are effective, but addictive. Therefore, treatment with hormonal drugs lasts no more than 2 weeks.
If the scaly lichen is easy, the doctor tries to limit himself to topical medications.
Medications for topical use - ointments, sprays
Local remedies for psoriasis are divided into:
- Hormonal, which affect the body's autoimmune processes.
- Therapeutic, which includes zinc, naphthalan, tar, vitamins. They moisturize cracked skin, soften hardened psoriatic lesions, support skin function and restore the damaged skin.
Hormonal skin ointments, lotions and sprays are used during an exacerbation. Biologically active substances in the composition of powerful creams:
- reduce itching;
- relieve swelling;
- constrict blood vessels;
- relieve pain and fight inflammation.
Apply the product on the affected areas of the skin of the body, face and parts of the head. Medical ointments are most often used after the acute period of psoriasis has passed, and doctors do not recommend using hormonal preparations and creams with vitamin D for more than 2 weeks.
Pills and injections
A person who is interested in how to treat psoriasis can ask a dermatologist about effective pills and injections that are used in complex psoriasis therapy.
- Some medications are prescribed if psoriasis is severe. For example, pills that a person receives if the damaged skin does not heal.
- The doctor prescribes B vitamins, folate, omega acids, other multivitamins, and lecithin. These drugs help recovery, are not addictive, shorten the length of treatment, and prolong remission.
Complex therapy of scaly lichen is not limited to the ingestion of special agents and vitamins.
If a person follows the rules, uses high-quality cosmetics, maintains the health and condition of the skin, psoriasis is practically not terrible for him.
If there are no contraindications, a person can give injections containing immunosuppressants:
- Some medications are given subcutaneously, while others used to treat psoriatic arthritis are given intravenously.
- Injections have serious contraindications. They can not be used by persons under 18 years of age, pregnant and lactating, in the presence of malignant tumors and infectious diseases.
Homeopathy
Manufacturers of homeopathic remedies claim that the use of such drugs reduces the risk of relapse and ensures a speedy recovery from the problem. In addition, the funds:
- Support immunity and internal organ health.
- They are a source of minerals and vitamins that the body needs.
- Restores the work of the intestines, sowing the digestive tract with beneficial bacteria.
- Helps eliminate toxins.
When selecting medicines, the homeopath takes into account the history of the person, the stage and nature of the course of the disease, heredity and the psychosomatic factor.
Official medicine has no proof of the efficacy of homeopathic remedies in the treatment of psoriasis.
Physiotherapy in the fight against skin diseases
Most often, the affected skin is irradiated with light waves of the ultraviolet spectrum of different lengths or with a laser. Sometimes, before the procedure, a person takes psoralens, which increase the sensitivity of skin cells to radiation. The doctor also prescribes cryotherapy, when the affected skin is exposed to low temperatures. More recently, ultraviolet blood irradiation has been used against psoriasis.
Ultraviolet radiation is one of the simplest methods of physiotherapy treatment. At the same time, the effectiveness of this method showed quite reliable results.
The length of the sessions varies, but physical therapy is quite effective. This is a way to quickly cure psoriasis. Procedures return activity to a person, allow him to fully live and work.
Is it possible to cure psoriasis forever with home remedies?
Squamous lichen is not treatable. Tablets, ointments and injections fight the symptoms of the disease and reduce the number of relapses. Home remedies are no exception. Healing decoctions, tinctures and baths contribute to the onset of remission, but do not relieve autoimmune disease.
Medications for oral administration.
Means based on herbs and medicinal plants help to stop the symptoms of psoriasis. The safest are chamomile decoction, fresh juice of aloe, compresses and decoctions of rhizome and leaves of burdock.
In pharmacies, you can buy herbal preparations against scaly lichen. They can be prepared with boiling water, infused, and drunk before or after a meal, or poured into water and taken in therapeutic baths.
According to traditional medicine, the use of hydrogen peroxide eliminates the manifestations of psoriasis. Use the drug:
- in solution form. Firstly, dilute a drop of the product in 3 tablespoons of water and drink on an empty stomach half an hour before meals. Gradually increase the strength of the solution to 10 drops per the same amount of water. Take the medicine every three days.
- Externally, compresses are applied to the affected skin for an hour, moistening sterile gauze in a solution of 2 teaspoons of peroxide and 50 ml of water.
Before using any folk remedy, consult your doctor.
Compresses and baths
Compresses and baths with decoctions of medicinal plants will not cure the disease, but will relieve the general condition, relieve itching and inflammation. Prepared for external use:
- chamomile;
- succession;
- thyme;
- burdock root;
- oak bark;
- skip;
- sage and others.
Taking baths longer than 20 minutes is not recommended.
After bathing, moisturizing creams and therapeutic ointments are applied to the skin.
Baths and compresses with herbal decoctions have practically no contraindications.
Skin care and protection
There is no complete cure for psoriasis. But for the entire time of treatment and during the period of remission, a person must properly care for the skin:
- Avoid traumatic effects on the skin. Don't scratch, don't scratch. During physical work or cleanup, wear protective gear.
- Wear comfortable clothing made from natural materials.
- Use special dermatological cosmetics.
- Moisturize the skin.
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
Prevention measures also include changes in the person's diet and lifestyle.
Change lifestyle and nutrition.
Diet is not the cause of psoriasis, however, malnutrition weakens the body's defenses, reduces resistance to stress factors. Therefore, a person with lichen scaly needs to monitor the daily routine and nutrition.
The doctor, when asked how to treat psoriasis, will list the preventive measures:
- Refusal of heavy, fried and fatty foods.
- Active lifestyle, moderate physical activity.
- Sunbathe in the afternoon and morning hours.
- Quit smoking and alcoholic beverages.
A person should give preference to healthy meals with a high content of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
What to do if a child is sick
The first thing that parents do when noticing the manifestations of scaly lichen on the skin of children is to seek help from a doctor. Treatment of the disease in the early stages can reduce the intensity of the rashes that cause physical and emotional suffering to children.
It is necessary to teach the child to properly care for the skin, to adhere to a healthy lifestyle. Socialization is very important for children, so parents should encourage the child's desire to play sports, make friends, attend circles. To deal with emotional discomfort, children may need the help of a psychotherapist to teach them not to react to possible silly comments from peers and even narrow-minded adults.
Is psoriasis completely curable?
A person who is faced with itchy and scaly skin rashes, which bring with them physical and psychological discomfort, seeks to know whether this disease is being treated or not.
Everything about psoriasis and its treatment can be learned from the dermatologist to whom you turned for help. There are associations and support centers where you can also get the necessary information, including legal information, for example, what benefits are due if a person is diagnosed with psoriasis.
It is impossible to completely cure psoriasis, since the disease is associated with a genetic factor, and genes are not amenable to drug therapy, procedures, homeopathy and folk remedies.
Modern drugs, ointments and procedures really effectively fight the symptoms of the disease and prolong remission. But regardless of the methods used, psoriasis can return. The disease recurs more often if a person neglects medical examinations, does not follow simple rules of prevention.
Can the disease be prevented?
"Three pillars" on which the prevention of skin diseases is based:
- Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
- Proper nutritious nutrition.
- Rejection of bad habits.
For washing, it is better to use only cosmetic dermatological products purchased at a pharmacy. Well, if they contain tar.