The causes of skin lesions with psoriatic plaques have not been fully established. The vast majority of doctors consider that genetic predisposition is a fundamental factor in the development of the pathology. Psoriasis is a systemic, non-infectious, chronic, and recurring disease that primarily affects the skin, nails, and joints.
The main signs and causes of psoriasis.
Psoriatic disease is characterized by increased reproduction of epidermal cells. Normally, cell division, maturation, and death occur within 3 to 4 weeks. With psoriasis, this process takes no more than 5 days.
Outwardly, this is manifested by the formation on the skin of dense areas of red or pink color, covered with small white flakes of dead cells. If carefully scraped away, a thin, shiny film (terminal) with a clearly visible network of capillaries will be exposed. After a slight friction, drops of blood appear on it.
This feature is called the "psoriatic triad" and is the main difference between psoriasis and other skin diseases. To confirm the diagnosis, a histological examination of skin particles from the affected areas is performed.
It is considered that the main factors that cause the appearance of psoriasis are:
- Exogenous (external causes). These include various skin injuries of a physical or chemical nature.
- Endogenous (internal causes). They may consist in the presence of diseases of the immune system, endocrine, HIV infection. Smoking, alcohol, unhealthy diet also cause psoriatic skin lesions.
- psychogenic. In most cases, the first manifestations of psoriasis appear after suffering nervous shocks or prolonged emotional overexertion.
Often, skin rashes are a consequence of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Many doctors attribute this to a weakened immune system. People with a genetic predisposition to psoriasis are advised to avoid the factors that cause it.
Forms of psoriatic disease
This or that form of the disease depends on the type of rash and the place of its localization. During pregnancy, due to changes in the hormonal background, psoriatic manifestations may disappear or, conversely, manifest themselves with greater force.
psoriasis vulgaris
The most common form of pathology. The first signs are papular eruptions. They can be individual, grouped in different parts or throughout the body. With the progression of the disease, the psoriatic plaques gradually increase and merge with each other.
Depending on the form of the rashes, ordinary psoriasis is divided into:
- punctate (point-shaped papules the size of the head of a matchstick);
- drop-shaped (oblong spots the size of the head of a pin);
- coin-shaped (round plates the size of a pea).
Rashes can be in the shape of an arc, circle, spiral, garland. Sometimes they resemble the outlines of the continents on a geographic map. If the disease is located on the scalp, it is called seborrheic psoriasis. Sometimes the neck, nose, forehead, and chest are affected. Diagnosis is difficult due to the similarity of the pathology with seborrhea.
Distinctive features are the clarity of the boundaries of the affected areas, the presence of the "psoriatic triad", the silvery color of the scales. Often there is itching, the hair does not fall out.
The grouping of plaques on the feet and hands has given the name to palmoplantar psoriasis. It is characterized by the formation of polished areas of the skin, similar to calluses. Nail psoriasis changes its color, shape and structure. They loosen, become covered with small depressions, and take the shape of a thimble.
Isolation of exudate from the papules causes a burning sensation. The scales stick together and form a scab that adheres firmly to the skin. In this case, they talk about the exudative form of psoriasis.
In severe cases, the entire surface of the body is affected. The skin becomes hot to the touch, acquires a red tint, swells, there is severe itching, burning, and a feeling of tightness. This form of the disease is classified as psoriatic erythroderma.
Pustular psoriasis
It happens very rarely. It develops against the background of the vulgar or appears on absolutely healthy skin. In this case, inflamed areas first appear, on which blisters form during the day, quickly turning into pustules. Its content is sterile and, when drained, dries up and forms crusts.
There are several types of the disease. All of them are characterized by chills, fever, fever, sometimes diarrhea, vomiting. The condition worsens when the pustules coalesce and occupy large areas of the skin. If pustular psoriasis occurs in the context of psoriasis vulgaris, no fusion is observed.
arthropathic psoriasis
It affects the joints, most often the small ones (phalanges of the fingers and toes). Sometimes the pathological process affects the spine. This form of psoriasis often leads to disability.
The first signs of the disease are pain, aggravated by movement, and swelling of the joints. Evening fever, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, loss of appetite are characteristic of an exacerbation of the disease.
Over time, there is joint deformity and loss of mobility. The pathology can develop independently or in parallel with the skin manifestations of psoriasis vulgaris.
All forms of pathology can develop gradually, over years, or rapidly over several days and even hours. The treatment regimen depends on the form and degree of the disease and should be drawn up by a specialist dermatologist.
Most often, external agents are prescribed in the form of ointments and gels and physiotherapy. In some cases, drug therapy is required. Self-medication can lead to an exacerbation of the disease.