People who suffer from psoriasis, in a world of many — according to the most optimistic estimates, more than 3% of the total population of the planet. Psoriasis is a disease that is manifested by the appearance of the eruption in the form of pink plaques with silvery scales of color, often accompanied by itching. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg. The base of the disease are not understand the processes.
Psoriasis — a mysterious enemy
In psoriasis, the skin cells start to divide into 6-10 times faster than it should. This leads to the chronic inflammation of the skin and flaking.
Scientists have studied psoriasis for many decades, however, a clear answer to the question: why do I have psoriasis? — modern science is still there. This disease is not contagious but can be inherited. Exacerbations can cause a variety of internal and external factors: stress, skin trauma, use of certain medications (often antibiotics), alcohol abuse, infectious diseases (caused by Streptococcus, viruses, etc.).
The manifestations of psoriasis are manifold: the surface of the lesion can be dry or wet, can be affected by different parts of the body. In some patients, the knees and elbows, the other the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, the third-largest folds of the skin or of the mucous membranes or the nail plate. Sometimes psoriasis affects a very large area of the body, and sometimes localized only in certain areas and never spread beyond.
It is no exaggeration to say that the psoriasis is one of the most mysterious diseases. Scientists have found that is happening in psoriasis patients and how to relieve their condition, but it is not clear what is causing these changes pathological and how they can be prevented.
Interesting fact Winston Churchill struggled all his life with psoriasis and promised to establish a gold monument to the doctor who has to solve the mystery of this disease and to find an effective treatment. Unfortunately, the award has not found its owner.
Why do I have psoriasis?
Exactly the reasons of science, I don't know, but over the years of study the problem was formed several hypotheses:
- The autoimmune theory. The problem was with the concentration of T-lymphocytes, which leads to a constant inflammation of the affected area of the skin. As if the body begins to perceive their own skin, in the role of aggressor.
- Hereditary theory which explains the psoriasis is a defect in the DNA.
- The endocrine theory, according to which psoriasis occurs due to irregularities in the operation of the system of secretion internal, especially the pituitary and the thyroid gland.
- The exchange theory. The researchers found that patients with psoriasis have problems with accumulationis lipidorum and nitrogenous metabolism, as well as high levels of toxins in the body.
All these theories have a right to exist, but until now none of them turned out totally. Therefore, the modern treatment of psoriasis is aimed at reducing the severity of symptoms, reduce recurrence of the disease and the General health of the body.
By the way The symptoms are similar to the indications of psoriasis, described in ancient Roman medical treatises. However, in those days, the psoriasis is often confused with other skin diseases of an entirely different origin. First psoriasis was recognized as a separate disease only in 1799, and at the end of the 19th century, doctors have demonstrated their non-infectious nature.
That is susceptible to the disease?
Psoriasis knows no gender — they are equally often sick, and women and men. Psoriasis usually manifests itself at an early age — the peak of 15-25 years. However, if you have never had psoriasis in my youth, this does not mean that the danger has passed — sometimes, the first manifestation of psoriasis appears around the age of 50-60 years. The good news is that people who are faced with psoriasis at a later age, the disease is less pronounced.
If one of the parents suffers from psoriasis, the risk of disease in the child is approximately 25%, and if both the 60%. However, psoriasis affects children of parents who never this problem is not found.
According to statistics, more often psoriasis affects people with thin, light, and dry skin.
The first symptoms of the disease
Psoriasis begins in silence: in the first stage of the development of the disease affects small areas of the skin, generally curves, of the extremities, the scalp and along the hairline. Sometimes, the first signs of psoriasis occur at the site of a permanent mechanical irritation of the skin, that is to say, where the clothing presses and rubs. First, the person feels itching and a feeling of tightness of the skin, then there are small raised Islands reddened, flaky skin. In these grey spots arise from the cells of dead skin, similar to the wax chips, which are easily separable. Sometimes, these plates become wet on the surface, is formed of plate scales-crusts of yellowish color. When you remove the last exposed weeping, bleeding surface. Slowly plaques grow and merge with others, all that affect large areas of the skin.
Signs of psoriasis different types
There are several types of psoriasis:
Psoriasis. Most often occurs on the scalp. It is manifested by itching and scaling, apply to the area behind the ears and the skin along the line of the hair.
Exudative psoriasis. With this type of psoriasis affected skin not only flakes but also get wet, and on the surface of the papules (nodules of the rash) appear yellowish brown.
Intertriginoznoy psoriasis. More common in children. With this type of psoriasis plaques bright red colour, with light peeling (can be absent). Sometimes plaque wet. Parents often mistake this type of psoriasis intertriginös.
Plantar psoriasis. Occurs on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands. It is manifested by thickening of the skin, the dryness, the cracks.
Chronic psoriasis is manifested by large plates which are not very long, sometimes they have new growths — warts and papillomas.
Rupioidny psoriasis is a form of chronic psoriasis. Plates appear on the front cover, and gradually, the plaque becomes more, taking the shape of a cone.
Guttate psoriasis is characterized by abundant eruption that consists of multiple small papules.
The nail plates psoriasis (psoriatic onychite) causes the deformation of the nails, appearance of yellow-brown spots under them. Common type of psoriasis, which occurs in 25% of patients with this disease.
Psoriasis of the mucous membranes affects the mouth and causes the appearance of papules on the mucous membranes.
The frequency of psoriatic manifestations
Psoriasis is cyclical. In advanced stage of execution, the plates appear itching or a small rash, which gradually merge into a single point. After 1-4 weeks the broadcast of the plates stops, are covered with silvery scales. This so-called phase stationary. This is followed by the phase regressive, when the platelets gradually disappear. But don't be fooled — this is not to say that the recovery occurs. If psoriasis is not treated, it all repeats at first, but after a time, the scene will begin to change the other all the time, and the tension will be almost monthly.
Curing psoriasis is possible and necessary. If the time does not take the measures of psoriasis will soon pass into the chronic stage, and get rid of it would be very difficult. For the treatment of psoriasis, today used medical methods, physical therapy, and local funds for external use — ointments and creams of psoriasis, the effectiveness of which is very high.
However, it should be noted that before starting to use any type of psoriasis, you should consult with your doctor. As a minimum, because a layman can not diagnose.
What is important to know about eczema treatment?
In the early stages of psoriasis development the leading role belongs to special external assets, which slow down the process of cell division, reduce inflammation, protect damaged skin from infection and to soothe the itching. Particularly effective at the base of pyrithione zinc, which is also called active zinc. This substance has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal activity, reduces the secretion of histamine, significantly reducing itch and helps to restore the lipid mantle of the skin, restoring its function as a barrier and reduces sensitivity to aggressive environmental factors. That is the true success of the pharmacology in modern.