Psoriasis: why it appears, what are the symptoms and how to treat it?

Psoriasis, or psoriasis, is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the skin and appears in the form of red spots, plaques covered with small scales. The disease is incurable, so psoriasis treatment methods are reduced to controlling symptoms, stopping pain and inflammation, and achieving early and long-term remission. There are many prejudices about the disease in society. People who do not know what it is believe that psoriasis can be infected. In the description, several types of this non-communicable disease can be distinguished, each with individual symptoms and progress.

Where does psoriasis come from?

The causes of psoriasis have not been proven, 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 why psoriasis appears is a genetic predisposition.

For example, if a mother is diagnosed with a skin pathology, there is a 15% chance that the child will inherit the disease. If both parents are treated for psoriasis, the risk of hereditary transmission of the disease increases by 4 times, that is, it increases to 60%.

But even if the parents are carriers of a gene that provokes a skin disease, this does not mean that the child will get sick. The causes of psoriasis in the body are different. Stress, nervous breakdowns, mental traumas "cause" skin disease.

Psoriasis is also due to:

• skin injuries, burns, insect bites, tattoos;
• the drugs 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 stated that psoriasis can appear due to malnutrition, but convincing evidence in favor of this theory has not been found.

Doctors know that a certain gene is responsible for the skin disease, but they cannot determine exactly what causes psoriasis.

What does psoriasis look like in the early stages?

The first symptoms of psoriasis look like this:

1. A person's nails melt and the skin cracks.
2. A pustular rash appears on the body.
3. The skin begins to peel and die.
4. There are blisters on the hands and soles of the feet.
5. Itchy red spots covered with white scales appear on the elbows, knees, face.

A person sinks into depression, is not interested in anything, notices a breakdown and even low self-esteem.

On the head, face and under the hair

First, a person notices an increase in the skin of the skin, which resembles dandruff. Then the plates themselves appear, covered with silver scales. The rash increases, affects a growing area of the skin, but even with severe psoriasis, hair does not fall out.

In 80% of cases, psoriasis mainly affects the scalp. If the pathology is not treated, rashes appear in other places.

A warning sign of a disease affecting the skin on the face is severe itching. At first, psoriasis resembles an allergy, the skin is covered with small red spots that increase in size and coalesce to form an inflamed nodule or papule.

The eruptions cover the entire face. The spots themselves are covered with scales, which separate easily and painlessly. Below them is a terminal film that resembles bright red skin. If the itchy places are brushed, they are covered with small drops of blood.

In arms and legs

The skin disease psoriasis affects the skin:

• upper arms and legs;
• brushes;
• joints in hands and feet;
• near the nails.

The disease begins with the appearance of small, red, rounded areas on the skin between the toes, on the feet, ankles, elbows and knees.

In 10% of cases, psoriasis affects the nails. Psoriatic plaques appear on the nail plates long before the appearance of the main symptoms of the disease that affects the skin of the body.

On the palms and feet

Palmar-plantar is the manifestation of psoriasis, which affects the skin of the palms and soles.

It is characterized by the appearance of red scaly spots covered with white scales. At the site of the rash, the skin thickens, cracks and becomes inflamed. The aggravated form is expressed in the formation of pustules, deep abscesses.

In the torso

Signs of a disease that affects the skin of the body are similar to psoriasis on the palms and feet, head, face. Rashes often appear on the back and lower back.

Red spots covered with gray-white scales itch and itch. They cannot be combed, because the thin terminal film does not protect the smallest capillaries, and the surface of the skin, when combed, is covered with microscopic drops of blood. Psoriasis can appear on the chest area and sides.

The red spots expand and coalesce into formations that doctors call "paraffin lakes. "

Psoriasis causes various skin changes:

• peeling;
• obesity;
• edema;
• the appearance of blisters-pustules.

Often, dry keratinized skin cracks, which causes pain and discomfort.

Other locations

Psoriasis throughout the body spreads if the disease is ongoing. Psoriatic plaques can be located on the groin, buttocks, elbow and knee folds. The disease causes great discomfort, because the rashes itch, but should not be scratched. Careless actions can easily damage the thinned affected skin and cause an additional infection.

The symptoms of psoriasis of the skin, regardless of the location, are similar, so a dermatologist diagnoses the disease by:

• red rash with a clear border;
• the so-called psoriatic triad: the phenomenon of the "stearin spot", that is, the plaque itself, covered with soft silver scales, the presence of a terminal film under them and small drops of blood that cover the spot if it is scratched;
• the appearance of new plaques at the site of skin injuries;
• itching.

Psoriatic arthritis

This form of complication affects joints, tendons, which lose their density and elasticity.

Arthritis accompanies the symptoms of psoriasis, is characterized by joint inflammation and is divided into:

• Asymmetric, which affects several joints on one side of the body and does not affect paired bone elements.
• Symmetrical, resembling rheumatoid. Paired joints suffer. This form often leads to disability.
• Distal interphalangeal joints, affecting the phalanges of the fingers and toes.
• Back, in one or more departments.
• Deformation when joints are destroyed.

Inflammation of the joints is characterized by severe pain, swelling, the skin at the site of the joint of the affected bone has a bluish color. In this case, a person experiences a breakdown, sometimes the lymph nodes grow.

Classification of psoriasis

Types of psoriasis vary according to the nature of the rash. The international classification describes 10 forms of a chronic autoimmune disease:

1. The most common is plaque-like, or simple, psoriasis. It affects every part of the body, it appears in women and men. It begins with the appearance of red, swollen spots, which are then covered with a layer of white scales that peel off easily, "plaques".
2. After a streptococcal infection, guttate psoriasis can affect the skin. It appears on the thighs, lower legs and also affects the neck and back. The redness of red, bluish, lilac color rises above the surface of the skin and resembles dots in shape.
3. The spotted form is characterized by multiple rashes all over the body. The disease is more common in women than in men.
4. Pustular, the most severe, which can be distinguished by the appearance of blisters - pustules surrounded by red, inflamed skin and filled with clear fluid. If an infection enters the blisters, then fragments of pus appear in the contents.
5. Follicular, affecting the skin of the legs and thighs, in the form of small white papules.
6. Psoriasis of the flexor surfaces, affecting the skin in the folds, for example, in the creases of the knee, groin, under the breast, armpit.
7. Palmar-plantar, which often appears in people engaged in physical work.
8. Psoriatic onychia affects only fingernails and toenails. Nail plates change color, turn yellow, bloom, sometimes die. The skin around the nails thickens.
9. The scalp, which is characterized by a red, scaly rash in the area of hair growth and itching.
10. Seborrheic, most often located on the chest, behind the ears, between the shoulder blades, in the nasolabial folds. Psoriatic foci are very salty, often similar to eczema, covered with purulent crusts.
11. The symptoms of the erythrodermic form of psoriasis are pronounced. The affected skin can break off with plaques, a person experiences severe pain, the body temperature rises. Untreated erythroderma turns 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 the necessary examination and research.

How psoriasis appears in different stages

In total, 4 stages of psoriasis development are distinguished:

• initial, or early;
• progressive;
• stationary;
• regressive.

In most cases, psoriasis begins with the appearance of small papules. Round spots with pink shine, sometimes no larger than a pinhead, raised above the surface of the skin and have a clear border. They are covered with silver scales. The presence of skin rashes in the initial stage of psoriasis can be confused with eczema or an allergic rash.

The clinical picture of the disease in different stages varies. For example, severe inflammation of the skin is characteristic of an acute or progressive form that requires medical attention and intensive treatment.

However, the rashes do not go away, but grow and merge with each other. Psoriatic plaques, clearly delimited by a pink crown, begin to peel off. The affected skin is unbearably itchy and itchy.

It takes from 2 weeks to several months and the psoriasis goes into a stationary phase. The growth of psoriatic plaques stops, peeling increases, which covers the entire affected area of the skin.

With regressive psoriasis, peeling gradually disappears, psoriatic plaques flatten and gradually disappear. There are no marks, wounds or scars on the skin. Sometimes there is hyperpigmentation of the skin. In the remission phase, the skin takes on a normal color and texture.

What is the risk 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. Physical and psychological discomfort is experienced by people whose rashes occupy a large area, the skin becomes inflamed. A significant health risk is a complication of pustular psoriasis if an infection has entered the blisters.

Psoriatic arthritis is also dangerous because some of its forms destroy the joints and lead to disability. However, inflammation of bone joints develops quite 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 start treatment. Timely access to a doctor will prevent complications and help achieve a lasting remission.

Complex treatment of psoriasis

There is no effective way to get rid of psoriasis permanently. Skin diseases are treated with different means. A person is prescribed pills, ointments and prescribed physiotherapy. It is recommended to take healing baths and take care of the condition of the skin, to prevent injuries, such as scratches, cuts, scrapes.

Comprehensive psoriasis treatment works if a person follows medical prescriptions.

How psoriasis is treated with pharmaceutical products

These are ointments, tablets, injections that the attending physician prescribes to the person who asked for help. Tablets are drunk at the specified 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:

1. Antihistamine drugs, which are prescribed if a person develops an allergy.
2. Hepatoprotectors that support the liver.
3. Immunomodulators that facilitate the course of the disease.
4. 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.
5. Glucosteroids are effective but addictive. Therefore, treatment with hormonal drugs lasts no more than 2 weeks.

If scaly lichen is mild, the doctor tries to limit himself to topical medications.

Medicines for local use - ointments, sprays

Local remedies for psoriasis are divided into:

1. Hormonal, which affect the body's autoimmune processes.
2. Therapeutic, which include zinc, naphthalan, tar, vitamins. They hydrate cracked skin, soften hardened psoriatic lesions, support skin function and restore damaged skin.

Hormonal ointments, creams and skin sprays are used during a flare-up. Biologically active substances in the composition of powerful creams:

• reduce itching;
• relief of swelling;
• constrict blood vessels;
• relieve pain and fight inflammation.

Apply the product to the affected areas of the skin on the body, face and parts of the head. Medical ointments are used more often after the acute period of psoriasis has passed, and doctors do not recommend using hormonal preparations and vitamin D creams 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 the complex therapy of psoriasis.

1. Certain medications are prescribed if the psoriasis is severe. For example, the pills that a person takes if the damaged skin does not heal.
2. The doctor prescribes B vitamins, folic acid, omega acids, other multivitamins and lecithin. These drugs help recovery, do not cause addiction, shorten the duration 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:

1. Some drugs are given subcutaneously, while others used to treat psoriatic arthritis are given intravenously.
2. Injections have serious contraindications. They cannot 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 remedies reduces the risk of relapse and guarantees a quick recovery from the problem. In addition, the funds:

1. Supports immunity and health of internal organs.
2. They are a source of minerals and vitamins necessary for the body.
3. Restore intestinal function by seeding the digestive tract with beneficial bacteria.
4. Helps eliminate toxins.

During the selection of drugs, 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 evidence for the effectiveness 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 lasers. Sometimes before the procedure, a person receives psoralens, which increase the sensitivity of skin cells to radiation. The doctor also prescribes cryotherapy, when the affected skin is exposed to low temperatures. 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 duration of the sessions varies, but physiotherapy is quite effective. This is a way to cure psoriasis quickly. Procedures return activity to a person, allow him to live and work fully.

Is it possible to cure psoriasis forever folk remedies

Scaly lichen is not treated. Tablets, ointments, injections fight the symptoms of the disease, reducing the number of relapses. Folk remedies are no exception. Decoctions, tinctures, healing baths contribute to the onset of remission, but do not relieve the autoimmune disease.

Medicines for oral administration

Herbs and medicinal plants help stop the symptoms of psoriasis. The safest are chamomile decoction, fresh aloe juice, compresses and decoctions of burdock rhizomes and leaves.

In pharmacies you can buy herbal preparations against scaly lichen. They can be boiled with boiling water, injected and drunk before or after meals, or you can pour it into water and take a therapeutic bath.

According to traditional medicine, the use of hydrogen peroxide removes the manifestations of psoriasis. Use the medicine:

1. In the form of a solution. First, dilute one drop of the product in 3 tablespoons of water and drink it on an empty stomach half an hour before meals. Gradually increase the strength of the solution to 10 drops for the same amount of water. Take the medicine every three days.
2. Externally, compresses are applied to the affected skin for an hour, soaking sterile gauze in a solution of 2 teaspoons of peroxide and 50 ml of water.

Before using any folk medicine, consult your doctor.

Compresses and baths

Compresses and baths with decoctions of medicinal plants will not cure the disease, but will alleviate the general condition, soothe itching and inflammation. Made for external use:

• chamomile;
• continuity;
• thyme;
• burdock root;
• oak bark;
• hop;
• wise and others.

It is not recommended to take a bath for more than 20 minutes.

After washing, moisturizing creams and therapeutic ointments are applied to the skin.

Baths and compresses with herbal decoction have practically no contraindications.

Skin protection and care

There is no complete cure for psoriasis. But during the entire treatment period and during the remission period, a person must properly care for the skin:

• Avoid traumatic effects on the skin. Don't scratch, don't scratch. During physical work or cleaning, use protective equipment.
• Wear comfortable clothing made from natural materials.
• Use special dermatological cosmetics.
• Moisturize the skin.
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.

Preventive measures also include diet and lifestyle changes the person makes.

Lifestyle and nutrition changes

Food is not the cause of psoriasis, however, malnutrition weakens the body's defenses, reduces resistance to stress factors. Therefore, a person with scaly lichen should monitor their daily routine and diet.

The doctor, when asked how to treat psoriasis, will list preventive measures:

1. Rejection of heavy, fried, fatty foods.
2. Active lifestyle, moderate physical activity.
3. Making the sun in the evening and morning hours.
4. Quitting smoking and drinking alcohol.

A person should give preference to healthy foods with a high content of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

What to do if a child is sick

The first thing parents do, noticing the manifestations of scaly lichen on children's skin, is to seek help from a doctor. Treating the disease in the early stages can reduce the intensity of the rashes that cause physical and emotional suffering in 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 classes. To cope with emotional disturbances, children may need the help of a psychotherapist who will teach them not to react to potentially stupid remarks from peers and even narrow-minded adults.

Is psoriasis completely curable?

A person who is faced with itchy, scaly skin rash, which brings with it physical and psychological discomfort, wants to find out if this disease is 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 needed 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 suitable for drug therapy, procedures, homeopathy and folk remedies.

Modern drugs, ointments, procedures really effectively fight the symptoms of the disease, 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 prevention rules.

Can the disease be prevented?

The "three pillars" on which the prevention of skin diseases is based:

1. Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
2. Proper nutritious food.
3. Rejection of bad habits.

For washing, it is better to use only dermatological cosmetic products bought in a pharmacy. Well, if they contain tar.