The cause and methods of treatment of psoriasis on the head

Psoriasis is a non-infectious, chronic inflammatory skin lesion that has a negative impact on the quality of life of patients ("Psora" from Greek - scales). It was from there, like many other diseases, that the first observations on psoriasis were described. This term was introduced by Galen, one of the key researchers in medicine.

The skin signs of psoriasis created confusion among people and doctors alike, as leprosy was widespread at the time and had dire consequences. Psoriasis patients were subjected to social pressure, they were avoided, forcibly isolated. In Europe, these people were forced to warn others of their arrival by ringing bells. Treatment attempts were the use of manure, onions, sea salt, oil, urine, but all were ineffective and made psoriasis patients outcasts.

PREVALENCE OF PSORIASIS

The disease can occur at any age, but occurs most frequently in the 49 to 69 age group. The reported prevalence of psoriasis in countries ranges from 0. 09% to 11. 4%, making psoriasis a serious global problem.

Despite the widespread misconception that psoriasis is not as serious as other non-dermatological conditions, psoriasis creates a burden of disease that extends well beyond dermatological symptoms. Its psychological effects are similar to those of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Plaques of psoriasis are often visible, which can negatively affect interpersonal relationships, school or work success. Not surprisingly, people with psoriasis have higher rates of depression with a higher number of suicidal thoughts.

Psoriasis patients are also at risk of developing severe comorbidities that will complicate control of the disease and increase the risk of premature death. Cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome are more common in patients with psoriasis.

Furthermore, psoriasis is itself a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, tripling the relative risk of developing myocardial infarction. Severe psoriasis is also associated with an increased risk of mortality, resulting in a 3. 5 and 4. 4 year reduction in life expectancy for men and women, respectively, compared to people without psoriasis.

CAUSE OF PSORIASIS IN THE HEAD

There have been many theories about the origin of psoriasis. This is the influence of microbes, viruses, allergies, poor hygiene, impaired blood supply to the skin, impaired functional balance of internal organs, and one of the most urgent at this time is the autoimmune nature of the disease, whenhuman immune cells attack their own tissues. And even this assumption remains a theory, as no skin-damaging antibodies have so far been found in psoriasis patients.

At the moment, the cause of the pathology remains unknown. But in the course of research, scientists have identified factors that, with a certain degree of probability, can lead to psoriasis.

The following points are distinguished:

• Inheritance. There is not one hundred percent chance that even if the mother and father are sick, their child will necessarily suffer from psoriasis. But in such a situation, the risk of contracting such a pathology is higher. It was also observed that if among identical twins one is ill, the second twin is more likely to become ill than the usual risk in the population. This proves that this nosology has a genetic prerequisite.
• Skin Injuries: Accidental cuts with knives, cat scratches, mosquito bites, sunburns increase the risk of triggering another outbreak.
• Infections: Staph, strep, and other infections can also act as triggers. Children often have strep throat before the onset of skin psoriasis.
• There are drugs that can trigger illness, for example, anti-malarial drugs, some drugs against depression.
• Changing your HIV status to positive can also promote the development of psoriasis. Therefore, HIV testing when psoriasis is suspected is not uncommon.
• Stress. The most famous trigger for the layman. "It's all due to stress" - Every psoriasis patient has heard this phrase at least once. Some people have doubts about this phrase, but it has its own justification. Scientists believe that our immune systems can respond to emotional and mental pressures, as well as physical defects such as trauma and infection.
• Excess weight adversely affects the entire body systemically, and if an obese person has a history of psoriasis, treatment is more difficult and often less effective.
• Smoking. It has been observed for a long time and it is no secret to anyone that cigarettes have a negative effect on the condition of the skin. Hence the probability of causing psoriasis, especially the head and hands that are damaged.
• Alcohol is one of the most common individual triggers for psoriasis.
• Hormonal changes. The disease often manifests itself during puberty. Menopause can also cause psoriasis, but during pregnancy a decrease or even a complete regression of plaques has been noted.

SYMPTOMS OF PSORIASIS ON THE HEAD

In 50% of cases, psoriasis makes itself felt in the head. Psoriasis can appear anywhere on the head. Sometimes small plaques develop that are easy to hide in the hair, but when the entire scalp is covered, it is difficult to hide the plaques.

The appearance of psoriasis on the head will manifest itself as follows:

• Reddish spots on the scalp. Some stains may be barely visible due to discoloration, but there are also bright red items that are easy to see.
• The scales are shed from the psoriatic skin. The scalp condition in this pathology may resemble common dandruff. But there are differences, for example, with psoriasis, a silver glow is observed, and it can also be accompanied by itching.
• Dry scalp. The scalp can be so dry that the skin will crack and bleed, which will create the conditions for the addition of an infection, the treatment of which in that location has certain difficulties.
• Itching. This is one of the most common symptoms. Someone experiences a slight itch, which the patient may forget in daily activities, and some experience such an intense itch that it is impossible to work, study and even sleep.
• Bleed. Because scalp psoriasis can be itchy, the patient may scratch the skin and damage it. In addition to bleeding, scratching can worsen the course of psoriasis by making the plaque larger and more dense. That is why dermatologists tell their patients: "Try not to injure the scalp. "
• Burning. The patient may describe his scalp as literally "burning".
• Hair loss. Scratching the scalp, using force to remove scales can lead to hair loss. Although this phenomenon is temporary, it can still cause discomfort to the patient.

These clinical manifestations can rapidly increase and collapse. This is an individual process. In one patient, the entire pathological process will end in a pale plaque under the hair, while another will have many bright spots all over the head. This is influenced, among other things, by the triggers described above.

Various problems that the patient may face:

1. Skin manifestations visible to others. Living with psoriasis can make a person shy. Any aspect of social life can be stressful for these people, such as holding hands on a date.
2. Finance. Treating psoriasis can be expensive. This is more true for generalized psoriasis resistant to conventional therapy, for which new drugs based on monoclinal antibodies are used.
3. Pain. Chronic pain can occur with psoriasis, further increasing stress levels. This will be especially true when skin manifestations are combined with inflammation of the joints, while reducing a person's daily activity.
4. Healing. Especially when the patient seeks help late, some procedures do not have the expected effect, which, of course, worries the patient, emotionally oppressing him. Other procedures can take a long time. For example, you may need phototherapy 3 times a week for up to a year. For some, such a regimen will be difficult to be compatible with the standard pace of life.
5. Living with a chronic illness. Psoriasis, like many other chronic diseases, requires great volitional efforts. It is difficult for a patient, especially in the initial stages, to cope with a number of additional problems that have "fallen on his head. "This creates the conditions for the onset of depression.

DIAGNOSIS OF PSORIASIS IN THE HEAD

The decision to consult a doctor or not depends on the patient, depending on the severity of the symptoms. However, the best solution, regardless of the location of the plaques, would be to visit a doctor. In order for further treatment to be as successful as possible, an accurate diagnosis needs to be made, even if symptoms are mild.

In most cases, psoriasis of the scalp is diagnosed after a physical examination and analysis of the medical history.

A dermatologist can determine psoriasis of the scalp by examining the pathological elements of the skin.In rare cases, the patient may be advised to undergo a skin biopsy to rule out other diseases.

TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS ON THE HEAD

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for this ailment. Therapy is necessary throughout life and aims to maintain remission. Furthermore, caring for psoriasis patients not only requires skin treatment, but it is also very important to control existing chronic diseases and prevent new ones.

These conditions will include cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, and psychological health.

Treatment objectives:

• Achieve the patient's clinical recovery as soon as possible;
• The remission must be stable and long-term;
• Maintain a positive psychological state of the patient.

DIET FOODS

Treatment traditionally begins with diet. Foods that contain antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, beta-carotene (vegetables, fruits, sage, ginger, and others) can play a positive role, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which are rich in salmon, sardines, and other fish.

The link between alcohol and psoriasis is unclear, but experts say that drinkers respond worse to treatment and psoriasis remissions last longer after quitting alcohol. Also, some antipsoriatic drugs are not compatible with alcohol.

There is a clearer correlation with being overweight. In obese people, as a rule, the pathology progresses faster with a brighter clinical picture.

SHAMPOO

Hair especially makes the treatment of psoriasis of the scalp difficult. Few people agree to remove their hair to more effectively resolve the clinical manifestations of the disease, especially considering the fact that the defects will be even more noticeable to others.

Conventional hair care products are not suitable in this situation, as they can also irritate the scalp and contribute to the progression of the pathology. Therefore, tar shampoos are used, the effectiveness of which in the fight against psoriasis of the scalp has long been noted.

Tar has a "calming" effect on the epidermis of the scalp, inhibiting the formation of scales. In addition, phenolic acid shampoos are used, as it has a keratolytic effect (destroys dense horny scales). Plus is used to improve the penetration of other medications, including corticosteroids.

When prescribing shampoo, the individual characteristics of a person are taken into account in hair hygiene. For example, some women don't wash their hair every day, so it would be best to apply the solution to their hair before bed 2-3 times a week, and then wash their hair in the morning.

PHENOLIC ACID

Phenolic acid can also be used alone as an ointment. The fact that the ointment is applied for a relatively long time increases its effectiveness of hyperkeratic properties. And for patients who complain about the difficulty of separating the scales from their hair, applying a pomade before the shower can help solve this situation.

COAL FIELD

Coal tar has been used as a psoriasis treatment for several decades due to its powerful antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and antipruritic effects.

Although crude coal tar is the most effective resin. Applying raw stone tar to the scalp is troublesome. It is generally recommended to use a resin solution (5-20%) formulated as a lotion or added to a corticosteroid. This remedy helps fight psoriasis, but has a number of side effects: coloring, thinning of the hair and a more serious negative effect: carcinogenic, so the use of this method is limited.

For example, for this reason, coal tar is banned in Canada and the European Union.

CORTICOSTEROIDS

Of all the topical treatments available, corticosteroids have been shown to be the most effective in clinical trials for psoriasis of the scalp and are the most frequently prescribed treatments. Corticosteroids are also convenient because there are a large number of forms of production for any situation: creams, lotions, ointments, oils, gels, foams, solutions, sprays and shampoos.

Do not underestimate the importance of psychological harmony in this pathology. Stress can become a trigger, cause a detailed clinical picture, and inhibit the treatment process. Therefore, patients with internal anxiety are recommended to consult a psychotherapist, psychologist.

CARE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PSORIASIS OF THE HEAD

It is important for a psoriasis patient to follow the doctor's advice first, but nevertheless, by following the simple rules outlined below, you can further improve quality of life:

1. Use moisturizing lotions. The cutaneous manifestations of the disease are markedly worse when the skin is dry, so it is important to keep the skin moist. Ointments, lotions, or, for example, regular petroleum jelly can help with this.
2. Take good care of skin with psoriatic plaques. When washing your hair, never forcibly peel off the scales that are stuck to the skin, as it can only spread the process to nearby healthy tissues.
3. Be careful when cutting your nails. Cases are described in which accidental damage to the nail growth area with manicure scissors caused the appearance of new skin elements.
4. Find the right non-flaking shampoo for you to use on your scalp in remission. Or just continue to use tar completely, only in a lower concentration, for daily care.
5. The weather can also play a role. It is noted that cold has a negative effect on patients, causing the development of plaques. Sunny weather causes regression of skin manifestations, but not always.

6. Use a humidifier. This can keep the skin moist and eliminate dry air that is bad for psoriasis patients.
7. Do not take medications that can damage your skin. Your doctor should be told about any medications you are taking, even those you think are harmless. For example, for the treatment of depressive states, preparations containing lithium salts can be used, which are contraindicated for patients with psoriasis.
8. Prevents all kinds of skin damage: scratches, cuts, bumps. Lesions on the skin can cause a condition called Koebner's phenomenon (when psoriatic elements develop along the line of damage to the skin). Be careful when shaving. Try to avoid acupuncture, avoid getting tattoos on your body, and do your best to avoid insect bites.
9. Try to appear in the sun, but in moderation. Ultraviolet rays in sunlight slow down the growth of skin cells, so it is good to receive moderate doses of UV rays (30 minutes at a time is enough). Excessive sun exposure, paradoxically, can cause psoriasis. Also, keep in mind that certain medications can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.
10. Psoriasis patients should reduce their anxiety level. Of course, it is easy said than done, but relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga can be tried.
11. Calculate the amount of alcohol you drink. The link between alcohol and psoriasis is unclear, but scientists still believe that it can make symptoms worse, especially in men. It is well known that alcohol is dangerous when combined with certain psoriasis medications.
12. Balance your diet and try to lose weight. If you find it difficult to do this on your own, seek the help of specialists who can assess in which direction it is worth working best.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CONTROL OF PSORIASIS OUTBREAKS ON THE HEAD

By monitoring the progress of psoriasis, you can help the patient to better control their disease and take the necessary measures in time, as well as increase the productivity of the doctor-patient relationship. A few simple rules will help you with this:

• Create a "self-portrait" of a psoriasis outbreak. A digital camera, a smartphone or just a sheet of paper will help you with this, where you can record all the changes that occur with the plates. It is also worth recording where the changes initially appear and in what sequence they increase. For such introspection, the doctor will only praise you and know that you are determined. Over time, by analyzing the recordings, situations with patterns can be identified, for example, an outbreak always begins with a plaque in the occiput.
• Every time psoriasis regresses or progresses, try to find out what it is. Maybe the weather has changed? Without medicine? Are you taking a new medicine? Recently damaged skin? Such triggers can be individual, making it difficult for the physician to understand without introspection from the patient (eg,an attack causes a certain type of coffee).

Although the disease is not transmitted by contact, the appearance of patients scares those who do not know it. Beauty salons are afraid to provide services, some taxi drivers do not want to transport such people, it is difficult to get a job. Not to mention starting a family, and the fear that their children are condemned to the same suffering prevents them from having children.

Cases have even been described where people with psoriasis were denied access to the Olympic pool in response to collective complaints from other athletes. The management had to reject such people, even though they perfectly understood that this pathology is not dangerous in an infectious sense.

It is difficult for them to participate in daily activities, since the burden of psychological pressure is high and a person needs social contact. For these reasons, societies for the protection and support of psoriasis patients are being formed in many countries. Companies are being deployed to educate outsiders about this disease.

People should be judged on their actions, deeds and not on their appearance. In fact, among patients with such nosology there are doctors, policemen, firefighters, athletes and many other highly professionals, for whose actions not only their relatives, but also their country can be proud of them.