Psoriasis

What is psoriasis

Psoriasis (psoriasis) is a non-infectious chronic skin disease that is manifested as flaking and rashes on the skin. It is characterized by undulating course, with periods of remission (improvement), and periods of exacerbations. The disease can appear at any age, but most often psoriasis affects people of young age.

The intensity of psoriasis can vary greatly in different stages. The disease may affect only a small areas of skin or cover the whole body. Often the disease progresses, patients report that over time (once the period of exacerbation) psoriasis affects a large area of the skin. In addition to the skin also secrete nail psoriasis, which can be produced in isolation.

Psoriasis – the causes of the disease

The cause of psoriasis is unknown, but the disease can cause changes in immunological in the body (autoimmune attack), neurological diseases, metabolic disorders. Contribute to the emergence of the inheritance of psoriasis, disorders of the immune system after illness, stress.

To date, among the causes and factors of development of psoriasis include:

• Genetic predisposition (genetics, the theory of the development of psoriasis). The likelihood of developing psoriasis is higher if a person has close relatives that also suffer from this disease. Perhaps some group of genes are responsible for psoriasis.
• Neuro-psychic overvoltage (neurogenic theory for the development of psoriasis). It is well known that psoriasis can be triggered by a great upheaval emotional. The stress leads to serious factors in the development of this disease. In people with psoriasis, stress can cause the exacerbation of the disease.
• Hormonal disorders. Changes in the endocrine glands can be a triggering mechanism in the development of psoriasis.
• A disorder metabolic (metabolic theory of the development of psoriasis). Problems with the metabolism, some vitamins and minerals (particularly silicon) can contribute to the appearance of psoriatic plaques.
• Parasites. Analyzes the parasitic theory of psoriasis development, according to which the disease is caused by certain intestinal parasites. Numerous studies show that among people that suffer with psoriasis, many carriers of different infections parasitic. Scientists believe that a special role in the development of the disease can play roundworm, Giardia, beef tapeworm, and others. It is believed that the toxic products that they emit these parasites are powerful allergens that cause an imbalance in the immune system.
• The viral infection.

And even though the causes of psoriasis is not fully explained, to date, the medicine has been known the mechanism of appearance of this pathology. Based on the appearance of psoriatic rash is a violation of the immune system. The cells of the immune system to be aggressive towards their own skin cells, which leads to the appearance of psoriatic plaques.

Psoriasis – symptoms

The psoriasis is manifested by the appearance of scaly spots, red plaques that itch with force. Spots tend to be located in the skin of the scalp, elbows, knees, in the areas of skin folds. With time, the surface scales can be easily removed, in its place are more dense scales, located in depth. With the progression of psoriasis, there is a so-called phenomenon Kebnera: the appearance of psoriatic plaques, at sites of scratches of skin or lesions.

Here are the characteristic symptoms of different types of psoriasis:

• Psoriasis in the form of plaques appears raised above the surface of the healthy skin areas red, inflamed, dry, thick, hot to the touch of the skin, covered with silvery-white scales (psoriasis patches). The skin of these areas are prone to exfoliation. In place of the skin are peeled red lesions, which are easily injured and bleed. Psoriatic plaques tend to merge with the other, increasing in size and the formation of the plate of plates ("paraffin lakes"). Psoriasis flexor surfaces peeling are mild. While there are red spots, which are found in the skin folds (groin, the area of the external genitalia, inner thighs, tummy tuck, underarm).
• Guttate psoriasis is characterized by a large amount of dry, small, red or purple lesions, raised above the surface of the skin, reminiscent of teardrops or circles. These elements are surprising in large areas of the skin. Guttate psoriasis often develops after suffering from streptococcal infection (e.g. pharyngitis or tonsillitis).
• Pustular psoriasis appears raised above the surface of the intact skin bubbles filled with clear content. Pustules surrounded by red swollen skin that easily peels off. Nail psoriasis is characterized by the change of color of the nail, nail bed, the appearance of dots, spots, cross-striations in the nail, thickening of the skin around the nail bed, thickening and stratification of the nails, complete loss of the nail.
• Psoriatic arthritis is accompanied by processes of inflammation in the joints and connective tissue. Psoriatic arthritis most commonly affects the small joints of distal phalanges of the hands, the feet, causing psoriatic dactylitis. Psoriatic erythroderma appears widespread exfoliation and inflammation, exfoliation of the skin on the large surface of the body, edema, pain of the skin, intense pruritus.

Other symptoms of psoriasis include:

• bleeding area of skin;
• the appearance of erosions and dimples in the nails;
• severe itching;
• possible joint pain and inflammation.

The classification of psoriasis

The following types of psoriasis:

• vulgar (or common) psoriasis;
• exudative psoriasis;
• arthropathic psoriasis;
• psoriatic erythroderma;
• psoriasis of the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet;
• pustular psoriasis.

Psoriasis occurs in three stages:

• Progressive stage of psoriasis. This is the first stage of the disease, which is characterized by fever, in which there is an increase in the number of new lesions.
• Phase stationary psoriasis. This period is characterized by the preservation of the current pattern of the disease. Rashes and other symptoms of psoriasis is not getting any more, nothing less.
• Stage of psoriasis, which retreats. This is the final phase of the disease, where lesions are absent.

Depending on the prevalence of the pathological process of psoriasis happens:

• restriction affects smaller areas of the body;
• common – affects large areas of the body;
• widespread – affecting almost all body.

Depending on the season, when the disease is acute, psoriasis happens:

• winter – exacerbation of psoriasis usually occurs in the cold season;
• in the summer of the exacerbation of psoriasis occurs in the summer;
• uncertain – when the periods of exacerbation of psoriasis are not associated with any time of the year.

Diagnosis of psoriasis

Diagnose the disease by a dermatologist on the basis of the typical clinical picture. To clarify the diagnosis by skin biopsy.

The patient

You can take a sun bath for 15 minutes a day. You will need to refrain from drinking alcohol, avoid stress, watch your weight, maintain a healthy lifestyle for the proper care of the skin.

The treatment of psoriasis

For the treatment of psoriasis use emollients and medications that restore the stratum corneum, topical preparations (ointments, lotions, creams) with the content of glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone), preparations containing pyrithione zinc ointment that contains vitamin D3 analogues, tar, naphthalene, hydroxyestrone. In severe forms of psoriasis, the inefficiency of the treatment topical, lesions more than 20% of the surface of the skin prescribed systemic drug therapy, which includes agents cytotoxic (methotrexate), synthetic retinoids (retinol acetate, retinol palmitate, tretinoin), glucocorticoids, multi-vitamins (aevit, etc.).

A special role in the treatment of psoriasis, has been giving some substances biologically active, among which we should mention:

• Silicon. In recent years, doctors are increasingly talking about the role of silicon in the development of psoriasis. A component of the treatment of psoriasis are medications and vitamins, minerals complexes that contain silicon. On the one hand, silicon improves the condition of the skin, and with another– acts as a sorbent that aspires to the antigens that play a role in the development of psoriasis.
• Vitamin D. As you know, one of the most important minerals necessary for the success of the fight against psoriasis is the calcium. However, for a correct absorption of calcium need vitamin D. the best vitamin products To insert after the transfer of the active phase of psoriasis in the hospital.
• Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids acids. To remove the inflammatory process in psoriasis is necessary that the intake of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, which in large quantities contained in fish oil.
• Lecithin. This substance is necessary for the rapid restoration of epithelial cells, which is dying in the psoriasis. Preparations lecithin allow to quickly deal with the inflammation and restore the integrity of the skin.

Non-drug therapy systemic photochemotherapy: ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of 320-400 NM in a background of reception photosensitizer (therapy PUVA). Also through cryotherapy, plasmapheresis.

The patient must follow special diets. Diet for psoriasis should be balanced. The patient should be excluded from the diet of refined foods, spicy food and sweets. You need to carefully monitor their health and to prevent colds, as any violation of immunity might trigger the development of the disease.

Complications

Among the possible complications of the arthritis, the depression caused by low self-esteem.

Prevention of psoriasis

To avoid that the disease is impossible, but there are methods to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis and reduce the number of exacerbations. It is necessary to protect the skin from drying, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, try to avoid injuries to the skin. Avoid stressful situations, infections, medication that increase the manifestations of psoriasis (for example, β-blockers, lithium), to stop Smoking, limit the consumption of alcohol. And remember that the treatment of psoriasis, should be entrusted to professionals. Psoriasis treatment at home and any kind of self-medication of this disease are unacceptable.