Psoriasis is a non-infectious autoimmune disease that is manifested by intense redness, inflammation and scaling of the skin. The disease is difficult to treat and has a wavy character: it progresses with remissions and relapses. It is especially unpleasant when it affects the face, since this part of the body cannot be covered with clothing. Psoriasis on the face brings not only itching and discomfort associated with skin irritation, but also moral depression due to the attitude of others who do not understand that this disease is not contagious.
Is there psoriasis on the face?
In most cases, psoriatic skin defects affect the scalp, elbows and knees, neck, armpits, and groin sockets. Can there be psoriasis on the face? Perhaps, but this form is considered atypical and rare.
Psoriasis can be vulgar (common) and seborrheic. It is the face that is most often affected by the second form, which is considered more serious due to especially dense large papules, as well as scales covered with a layer of sebum with a yellowish tint.
Factors contributing to the development of the disease.
Doctors still cannot come to a common opinion about the causes of skin pathology, but they suggest that psoriasis is caused by:
- autoimmune disorders;
- metabolic disturbances.
Autoimmune disorders occur due to improper work of the immune system, when it begins to aggressively perceive its own body. The predisposition to such disorders is hereditary, autosomal dominant or recessive.
Metabolic disorders are provoked by nervous tension, malnutrition, chronic infections, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, hormonal disorders. Also, the cause of improper metabolism can be uncomfortable weather conditions and bad habits.
Psoriasis cannot occur on the face due to only one reason. It usually leads to many unfavorable factors. In a separate group, doctors identify factors that increase the likelihood of manifestation of pathology:
- Chronic inflamation;
- exchange failures;
- weakening of the immune system;
- hidden infections;
- regular skin lesions (the main cause of psoriasis on the nose and other protruding places);
- severe or prolonged stress;
- freezing and overheating;
- poisoning, including alcoholism;
- Uncontrolled intake of antibiotics, beta blockers and antiviral drugs.
What does psoriasis look like on the face: varieties
Psoriasis on the skin of the face is of two types:
- It occurs at a young age, up to 40 years. The peak incidence occurs at the age of 16-24 years. Early pathology often becomes generalized, severe, difficult to treat, and often relapses.
- It affects people over 40 years of age. The peak incidence occurs at the age of 55-60 years. This type is less persistent, the symptoms are not as strong as in the previous version, it is easier, it is better treatable.
There are also two main types of psoriasis on the face: vulgar and seborrheic. Vulgaris is diagnosed in the majority of patients and rarely affects the face. For such a place, the seborrheic type of psoriasis is more characteristic, which often relapses, is more difficult to treat and is characterized by the maximum severity of symptoms. The papules are especially dense and large, the scales are covered with a layer of sebum and have a yellowish tint, making them very noticeable.
The disease can be localized in the following places on the face:
- on the cheeks;
- In the nose;
- on the eyelids;
- under the eyes;
- on the eyebrows;
- around the mouth.
Sometimes the disease affects the forehead, less often psoriasis is diagnosed on the lips. In a neglected version, skin defects can extend to the ears.
clinical stages
Pathology is not instantaneous, it proceeds in stages, the stages are called stages. It is advisable to start treatment at the first stage, but for this you need to know how psoriasis begins.
The stage of the pathology can be determined by the symptoms:
- Initially, facial psoriasis is manifested by papules that resemble acne marks. They itch, increase in size, form dry plaques. The skin underneath is white.
- Later, the affected skin turns red, the disease is activated (sebopsoriasis or seborrheic). This stage is called progressive. The skin is very itchy, sore, scaly, covered with dense yellow crusts.
- Then the affected areas begin to bleed and itch severely. Drops of blood come out after scraping off a dense scale. Wound surfaces do not heal. Peeling goes to the entire face, the itching becomes unbearable.
- After this, the stationary stage begins, during which the growth of papules stops and peeling decreases. The plates on the face take on a bluish tint.
- The last stage is regressive. All symptoms gradually disappear. The disease goes into remission, peeling and itching completely disappear, papules and plaques disappear.
Since psoriasis is chronic, after remission there will definitely be a relapse. The duration of remission is individual and largely depends on the correct treatment, as well as facial skin care. If the pathology is not treated, instead of remission, various complications can be obtained.
consequences and complications
Complications of skin pathology can be local (the disease spreads to other parts of the body) and systemic. The neglected form of psoriasis often leads to arthritis, and if it spreads to the eyelids and ears, it can lead to blindness and deafness. In addition, comorbidities worsen in patients: diabetes, hypertension, obesity, Crohn's syndrome, heart failure. That is why it is so important to be seen on time.
How to cure psoriasis on the face.
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, since it is chronic, but many years of remission can be achieved. For this, the treatment of psoriasis on the face must be comprehensive - complex, consisting of the following procedures:
- vitamin therapy;
- hormonal and non-hormonal therapy with special systemic and locally acting preparations;
- physiotherapy;
- maintain a proper diet;
- folk medicines.
Before treatment, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist and pass a standard set of tests to determine the features of the pathology. Therapy is selected individually and begins with special preparations against psoriasis.
Preparations
The first outbreak, especially with a complex course, is treated with systemic drugs. Retinoids quickly and powerfully combat the manifestations of psoriasis on the face. They stop pathological cell division, so the disease stops progressing and goes into remission.
Anti-allergy medications will help reduce itching, redness, inflammation, and swelling (symptomatic treatment). A drug with succinic acid in the composition can speed up the recovery of the skin and improve its condition. For the general strengthening of the body, injections of vitamins of group B are prescribed. Instead of injections, children can be given a vitamin complex in tablets.
If medications are ineffective, then the most powerful immunosuppressive drug against psoriatic rashes is used. It is used as a last resort due to the high probability of side effects.
In mild forms of the disease, as well as psoriasis in childhood, they try to treat with topical drugs: ointments, creams, gels.
How to smear psoriasis on the face, the doctor will tell. Usually assigned:
- 0. 5% salicylic acid ointment;
- ointment based on tar and sulfur, not less than 10% (concentration of the active substance);
- 5% naphthalene cream;
- glucocorticoid drug;
- Non-hormonal cream of plant origin fat-based.
Creams and gels, as well as similar preparations for topical application, are applied to skin defects 2-4 times a day until the symptoms completely disappear. Hormonal and non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs enhance the effectiveness of drug therapy:
- non-hormonal - shark oil, vitamin F, creams based on natural oils and medicinal herbs, ointment with calcipotriol;
- hormonal ointments for psoriasis
In addition to the listed drugs, it is imperative to take sedatives (valerian, motherwort), since stress aggravates the symptoms. After the transition of the pathology to a calm stage, physiotherapy is prescribed:
- UV to accelerate skin regeneration;
- radiation therapy against itching and inflammation;
- ultrasound to reduce redness and swelling;
- magnetotherapy to improve metabolic processes.
Home remedy therapy.
How to treat skin psoriasis, recommends traditional medicine. Masks will help to quickly remove psoriasis from the face at home:
- from dry chamomile infusion: prepare the flowers, strain, dip the gauze into the solution and apply to the face, hold for 20 minutes;
- from aloe - cut the leaf and rub the affected areas of the face with juice;
- from turmeric - the spice is diluted with water to a soft state and applied to the plates. You need to keep 8-12 hours.
Face masks can be done every other day or every day before bed for 2-4 weeks. Then it is desirable to take a short break, after which the course of treatment can be repeated.
Another powerful remedy for psoriasis on the face is concentrated essential oils (coconut, sea buckthorn, juniper). It is recommended to add oils to the care cream or wash water. They soften, nourish and moisturize the skin, facilitating the peeling of seborrheic psoriasis.
Pathology is well neutralized by sea salt, which must be added to masks, washing water and scrubs. Alternative methods of treatment will not replace the official ones, but will help significantly speed up the healing process. It is recommended to combine such treatment with the use of pharmaceutical preparations.
diet and lifestyle
All patients (including children) should follow a diet that eliminates all potential allergens: citrus fruits, coffee, chocolate, colorful vegetables, shellfish. If psoriasis is on the forehead or cheeks, then you should definitely give up sugar and starchy foods.
Also, the problem can be solved by giving up bad habits - alcohol addiction and smoking. The correct way of life will have to be constantly maintained, even after the transition from the disease to remission.
face skin care
Care for problem skin on the face should be careful, regular and correct. For care, it is better to use a daily moisturizing cream for the face with vitamin D in the composition. It will improve the quality of the skin, soften it and saturate it with nutrition for its recovery. And you also need:
- avoid actively rubbing the skin with a cloth towel (it is better to wipe your face after washing with paper napkins);
- during relapses do not use decorative cosmetics for the face, especially in the hot season;
- do not peel or damage the skin with the peel;
- replace razors with electric razors (tips for men);
- regularly protect the skin of the face from solar ultraviolet rays with the help of special creams and hats.
Is it possible to sunbathe with psoriasis on open areas of the body? No, the affected skin should be protected from the sun's rays, especially in the acute stage, since ultraviolet rays can cause complications.
Despite the specific nature of psoriasis on the face, with a comprehensive and competent approach to treatment, if all the doctor's recommendations are followed, the prognosis for achieving a long remission will be favorable.