Psoriasis is a non-infectious autoimmune disease that manifests itself with severe redness, inflammation and flaring of the skin. The disease is difficult to treat and has a wave character - it continues with remissions and relapses. It is especially unpleasant when it touches 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 inguinal cavities. Can psoriasis be 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 often affected by the second form, which is considered more severe due to the particularly dense large papules, as well as scales covered with a layer of sebum with a yellow tint.
Factors that contribute to the development of the disease
Doctors still cannot reach a common opinion about the causes of skin pathology, but suggest that psoriasis is caused by:
- autoimmune disorders;
- metabolic disruptions.
Autoimmune disorders occur due to the inadequate work of the immune system, when it begins to perceive its body aggressively. The predisposition to such disorders is inherited, autosomal dominant or recessive.
Metabolic disorders are provoked by nervous stress, malnutrition, chronic infections, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, hormonal disorders. Also, the cause of improper metabolism can be unpleasant climatic conditions and bad habits.
Psoriasis cannot appear on the face for only one reason. It usually leads to many unfavorable factors. In a separate group, doctors identify factors that increase the likelihood of pathology:
- chronic inflammation;
- exchange failures;
- weakening of the immune system;
- hidden infections;
- regular skin injuries (the main cause that provokes psoriasis on the nose and other extended 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: the varieties
Psoriasis on the skin of the face is of two types:
- It occurs at a young age - up to 40 years. The maximum 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 old. The maximum 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 most patients and rarely affects the face. For such a place, the seborrheic type of psoriasis is more characteristic, which often gives relapses, is more difficult to treat and is characterized by the maximum severity of symptoms. The papules are particularly dense and large, the scales are covered with a layer of sebum and have a yellow tint, therefore they are very visible.
The disease can be located in the following places on the face:
- in the face;
- 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
The pathology is not immediate, 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 starts.
The stage of the pathology can be determined by the symptoms:
- At first, facial psoriasis manifests itself with papules that resemble acne scars. They itch, increase in size, form dry plaques. The skin underneath is white.
- Later, the affected skin becomes red, the disease becomes active (sebopsoriasis, or seborrheic). This stage is called progressive. The skin is very itchy, sore, cracked, covered with dense yellow crusts.
- Then the affected areas begin to bleed and itch severely. Drops of blood appear after scratching a dense scale. Wound surfaces do not heal. Peeling goes all over the face, itching becomes unbearable.
- After that, the stationary phase begins, during which the growth of the papules stops and the peeling decreases. The plaques 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 disappear completely, papules and plaques disappear.
Since psoriasis is chronic, after remission there will definitely be a relapse. The duration of the remission is individual and depends mainly on the proper treatment, as well as on the care of the facial skin. If the pathology is not treated, then 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 flows into arthritis, and if it passes to the eyelids and ears, then it can provoke blindness and deafness. Also, associated diseases worsen in patients: diabetes, hypertension, obesity, Crohn's syndrome, heart failure. That's why it's so important to get treated on time.
How to cure psoriasis on the face
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, as it is chronic, but many years of remission can be achieved. For this, the treatment of psoriasis on the face should be complete - complex, consisting of the following procedures:
- vitamin therapy;
- hormonal and non-hormonal therapy with special systemic and local preparations;
- physiotherapy;
- maintaining a proper diet;
- folk remedies.
Before treatment, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist and pass a standard set of tests to determine the characteristics of the pathology. Therapy is selected individually and begins with special preparations against psoriasis.
training
The first eruption, especially with a complex course, is treated with systemic medications. Retinoids quickly and powerfully fight the manifestations of psoriasis on the face. They stop the pathological division of cells, due to which the disease stops progressing and goes into remission.
Antiallergic drugs will help reduce itching, redness, inflammation and swelling (symptomatic treatment). A medicine with succinic acid in the composition can accelerate the recovery of the skin and improve its condition. For general strengthening of the organism, injections of group B vitamins are prescribed. Instead of injections, children can be given a complex of vitamins in tablets.
If the medications are ineffective, then the most powerful immunosuppressant drug against psoriatic rashes is used. It is used as a last resort due to the high likelihood of side effects.
In mild forms of the disease, as well as in psoriasis in childhood, they try to treat with topical drugs - ointments, creams, gels.
How to paint psoriasis on the face, the doctor will tell you. It is usually assigned:
- ointment with salicylic acid 0. 5%;
- ointment based on tar and sulfur, not less than 10% (concentration of the active substance);
- naphthalan cream 5%;
- glucocorticoid drug;
- non-hormonal cream of vegetable origin with a fat base.
Creams and gels, as well as similar preparations for topical application, are applied to skin defects 2-4 times a day until the symptoms disappear completely. Hormonal and non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs increase the effectiveness of drug therapy:
- non-hormonal - shark oil, vitamin F, creams based on natural oils and medicinal herbs, calcipotriol ointment;
- hormonal ointment for psoriasis.
In addition to the listed drugs, it is necessary to take sedatives (valerian, amullia), since stress worsens the symptoms. After passing the pathology to a quiet stage, physiotherapy is prescribed:
- UV to accelerate skin regeneration;
- radiotherapy against itching and inflammation;
- ultrasound to reduce redness and swelling;
- magnetotherapy to improve metabolic processes.
Therapy with folk remedies
How to treat skin psoriasis, traditional medicine recommends. Masks will help to quickly remove psoriasis from the face at home:
- from the infusion of dry chamomile - create the flowers, strain, soak the gauze in the solution and apply to the face, keep for 20 minutes;
- from aloe - cut the leaf and wipe 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 should keep it for 8-12 hours.
The face mask 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). The oils are recommended to be added to the care cream or to the washing water. They soften, nourish and hydrate the skin, facilitate the peeling of seborrheic psoriasis.
Pathology is well neutralized by sea salt, which should be added to masks, washing water and cleaning. Alternative methods of treatment will not replace the official ones, but will help significantly speed up the healing process. Such treatment is recommended to be combined with the use of pharmaceutical preparations.
Diet and lifestyle
All patients (even children) should follow a diet that removes all possible allergens: citrus fruits, coffee, chocolate, colorful vegetables, seafood. If psoriasis is on the forehead or cheeks, then you should definitely give up sugar and starchy foods.
Also, the problem can be treated by giving up bad habits - alcohol addiction and smoking. The right way of life will have to be maintained continuously, even after the disease goes into remission.
Facial skin care
Care for problematic skin on the face should be carefully, regularly and correctly. As a precaution, it is better to use a daily facial moisturizer with vitamin D in the composition. It will improve the quality of the skin, soften it and saturate it with nourishment for recovery. And you also need:
- avoid active rubbing of the skin with a cloth towel (it is better to wipe the face after washing with paper towels);
- during relapses, do not use decorative cosmetics for the face, especially in the hot season;
- do not peel or damage the skin with skin;
- replace razors with electric shavers (tips for men);
- regularly protect the skin of the face from solar ultraviolet rays with the help of creams and special hats.
Is it possible to sunbathe with psoriasis on open areas of the body? No, the affected skin should be protected from sunlight, especially in the acute phase, as ultraviolet rays can cause complications.
Regardless of the specific nature of psoriasis on the face, with a comprehensive, competent approach to treatment, if all the doctor's recommendations are followed, the prognosis for achieving a long remission will be favorable.