A complex systemic disease associated with skin lesions is psoriasis. In a healthy body, cells live between 30 and 40 days and then renew themselves. With the development of psoriasis, the life of skin cells is 4-5 days. When they die, they peel, plaque form, dry out. Treating early stage psoriasis is always easier, so it is important not to start the disease. The methods of therapy in the progressive phase differ significantly. You will read about the treatment of only the initial stage of psoriasis in the article.
Causes of the disease
In psoriasis, several systems are disrupted: endocrine, immune, and nervous. Until the end, doctors did not discover the causes of this disease, nor did they invent a cure for psoriasis.
Experts propose the following hypotheses for the development of the disease:
- Viral.Retroviruses, which are inherited, may be the causative agent of psoriasis. In many patients, changes were found in the peripheral lymph nodes, which may indicate the viral nature of the disease.
- Immune.With weakened immunity and impaired defense mechanisms at the cellular level, favorable conditions are created for the progression of psoriasis. Also among the causes of the disease is autoimmune aggression, a process in which lymphocytes begin to attack the body's own healthy cells.
- Infectious.Many researchers have looked for psoriasis pathogens. Epidermophytes, spirochetes, streptococci were suspected, but all assumptions remained incorrect. However, scientists have found that infectious diseases: ARVI, influenza, tonsillitis are a push mechanism in the development of psoriasis. In 90% of cases, this disease is accompanied by tonsillitis.
- Genetic.Psoriasis is passed to the child from the parents. 60% of patients have relatives with this skin disease. If a mom or dad is diagnosed with psoriasis, the risk of such a disease in a child increases by 25%, if both parents are sick - by 60%.
- Metabolic.Metabolic disorders (lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals) can cause psoriasis. Patients often have disorders in the functioning of the thyroid gland and other glands of the endocrine system.
Main signs and symptoms
This local disease is not contagious. The skin, nails and hair are damaged. Small rashes appear on the epidermis, in which papules form over time - bright red or pink areas that protrude from the skin. From above, they are covered with silvery scales (plates).
Papules may itch a little or not bother at all, peeling is not noticeable. At first, the size of the affected skin areas is 1-2 millimeters, over time, their size is estimated to be 10 centimeters or more.
Early stage psoriasis: what parts of the body can be affected by the disease? The main symptoms of the disease of different localization:
- In the head.The scalp is covered in scaly red spots with many dandruff-like scales. In this case, the hair is not involved in the pathological process. Itching is observed in patients. Skin lesions can spread to the neck and ears.
- In the face.In the initial stage, psoriatic plaques form on the skin around the eyes, on the eyelids, in the area of the nasolabial folds and the eyebrows. Occasionally, psoriasis affects the lining of the mouth, cheeks, lips, tongue, and a little more often the lip contour.
- Available.Individual red papules appear on the palms and between the fingers. The back of the hand is affected much less frequently. If spots form on the fingertips, they lose sensitivity over time. Psoriasis can spread to the nails.
- On the elbows.In the initial stage, unique elements of psoriasis appear, covered with silver scales. They then grow into a continuous affected area of the skin, from which scales and a thin film are easily removed. After this action, the affected area acquires a pinkish-red color, drops of blood appear.
- Standing.The skin of the foot and the back of the leg suffer. The symptoms are similar to those that occur with psoriasis of the elbows: in the initial stage, small lesions develop, expanding to large areas, a symptom of blood spray is observed.
How and how to treat psoriasis in the initial stage
Curing Psoriasis Forever: How Realistic Is It? Unfortunately, although the answer is disappointing, this autoimmune disease can be corrected, but it is impossible to get rid of it completely.
Treatment of psoriasis in the initial stage gives excellent results and allows you to get rid of the visible manifestations of pathology. Traditional medicine uses ointments, creams, solutions, therapeutic ultraviolet irradiation, systemic drug treatment. There are also grandmother's remedies, but they do not give a stable result.
Hypoallergenic diet
Patients with different types of psoriasis should learn the basics of an alkaline diet. Patients need to eat foods that alkalize the internal environment. Their participation should be 65-75%, part of acidic foods: 25-35%.
General guidelines:
- One third of the diet is raw fruits and vegetables. Include in the menu beets, cabbage, carrots, herbs, cucumbers, onions, garlic, celery.
- Another third of the daily menu for psoriasis is complex carbohydrates and natural sweets in limited quantities. Eat porridge (barley, buckwheat), nuts (raisins, dried apricots, dates).
- The last part of the diet is animal and vegetable proteins. Eat lean meats, fish, peas, beans, seeds, eggs, nuts. Polyunsaturated fatty acids should also be on the menu.
- Drink at least 7-10 glasses of clean water a day. Alcohol prohibited.
- For effective treatment, ditch citrus fruits, fatty dairy products, and meat, chocolate, and red products. Use honey to a minimum.
- It is important to exclude from the diet sweet, spicy, smoked and acidic foods, as they have a negative effect on the skin. The amount of salt should be kept to a minimum.
Drug therapy
Treatment of psoriasis in the initial stage is carried out successfully with the prescription of drugs. There are several groups of them.
Topical preparations: creams and ointments. Medicines are made up of water, an emulsifier, and oil. They are sufficient to treat the initial stage of psoriasis.
Ointments are hormonal and non-hormonal. The second group is more secure, but not as effective.
Pills. Treatment of psoriasis with drugs is most often used to combat the progressive stage.
Systemic therapy. Its nature (dosage, duration of therapy) is determined only by a doctor for the treatment of advanced forms of pathology.
The complex uses:
- vitamins;
- fatty acids;
- hepatoprotectors;
- immunomodulators;
- antiallergic agents;
- preparations for removing toxins from the intestines.
Physiotherapy
What is psoriasis and how is it treated? The complexity of the therapy is important. In the initial stage of psoriasis, it is proper nutrition, the use of local drugs and treatment with physiotherapy procedures. The latter are intended for:
- decreased CNS excitability;
- normalization of the psychological state of the patient;
- reduction of itching;
- acceleration of psoriatic papules reabsorption.
Electrosleep:
- An excellent treatment with a calming effect.
- Due to the full recovery of the body, the papules decrease in size and the disease goes into remission.
- A patient with psoriasis should undergo 8-10 procedures lasting between 20 and 60 minutes.
- In the first sessions, patients fall into shallow sleep and then into deep sleep.
X-ray therapy:
- The affected areas of the skin are treated with X-rays, which accelerate the process of reabsorption of the psoriasis plaques.
- The treatment method involves the use of gentle X-rays.
- One session is performed every 4-7 days, the total radiation dose is safe (3. 5-4 Gy).
Ultrasound treatment:
- The skin is treated with ultrasound with vibrations of 800-3000 kHz.
- Treatment eliminates inflammation, itching, and pain, reduces sensitivity to allergens, and kills bacteria.
- The cycle of procedures includes 8 to 14 sessions, each lasting a quarter of an hour.
Among other effective physiological methods against psoriasis, it is worth highlighting cryotherapy, immersion in a magnetic field, current treatment, laser. Treatment of psoriasis at home can be accompanied by baths with sea salt (for 1 liter of water 5 g of salt, temperature - 37-38 ° C, duration 15 minutes, 15-20 daily sessions). With the onset of the disease, it is important to travel to a sanatorium and participate in health programs.
Ultraviolet irradiation
Psoriasis is effectively treated by treating affected skin areas with ultraviolet light. The wavelength should be 311-313 nm, but a specialist may recommend a different radiation spectrum. The patient is immersed in a special chamber equipped with ultraviolet lamps. Before that, take photosensitizing drugs that increase the effectiveness of the treatment. An effective method of UV therapy is PUVA therapy. The wavelength is 320 to 400 nm. To achieve a good treatment result, the patient undergoes 25 exposures, so 80% of the affected areas disappear.
Effective home remedies for home treatments
In the initial stage of psoriasis, you can use popular recipes:
- Chicken egg oil treatment. To get half a glass of the product, you need 20 homemade eggs. Boil the product for 15 minutes after boiling. You need yolks. Mash them into mush and fry them in a pan without oil over low heat for 45 minutes. Transfer the prepared dough to cheesecloth and squeeze. Grease the affected areas 1-2 times a day until the psoriasis symptoms are completely eliminated.
- Treatment of the initial stage with a complex ointment for psoriasis. Ingredients: 50 grams of birch tar, 20 grams of fat or petroleum jelly, 10 grams of boric acid, 30 grams of honey, 1 chicken egg white, 10 grams of fish oil. Store in a dark corner. Lubricate the papules 1-2 times a day.
- Treatment with celandine juice. Treat the affected areas of the skin with fresh root juice. This should be done in the early stage every day during the summer for three seasons in a row.
Peculiarities of treatment in children
Don't use home remedies on a growing body. They are not always effective and delays in this case are completely unacceptable. When the initial stage of psoriasis occurs, parents should show the child to a dermatologist who will prescribe a thorough examination and treatment. If the disease has not spread much, children are prescribed topical skin creams and ointments - keratolytics and anti-inflammatories.
The top layer of psoriasis plaques is removed with the help of a salicylic or sulfuric tar ointment. To do this, make a bandage on the skin soaked in the active agent, which is removed after 3-5 hours. Then the child must bathe successively; It will help remove scabs without pain. The last stage of treatment: glucocorticoid drugs are applied to the skin in a dose prescribed by a doctor. Children are prescribed antihistamines and vitamin complexes.
What the initial stage of psoriasis looks like - photo
The first stage of psoriasis is accompanied by lesions in certain areas of the skin of the body.
If you notice rashes like in the photo, see a dermatologist. You don't have to wait for the problem to resolve itself.
This skin disease is complex and requires prompt and comprehensive treatment. The sooner a person goes to a specialist, the more favorable the result will be.
Successful therapy leads to rapid remission and restoration of quality of life.