Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease. Occurs when the immune system is malfunctioning. The development of the disease is divided into clear stages - appearance, progression, stabilization and regression. Different stages of psoriasis vary in the appearance of spots and rashes, itchy itching, and extensive skin inflammation.
Why is it necessary to distinguish between stages of disease development and what are the features of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of development and in the process of recovery?
Why you need to know the stages of psoriasis
The division of psoriasis into stages is used by doctors for the correct choice of therapeutic methods. The complex of drugs and external agents prescribed for the treatment of inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the beginning of the manifestation of the disease, general therapy is needed - vitamin complexes, diet, external aseptic treatment of rash, for example, a course of UV procedures. Also prescribed drugs that stimulate the cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels, liver.
Be sure to have your psycho-emotional state corrected - by a neurologist or psychologist.
In the initial stage of the disease, they do not use powerful drugs that suppress the immune system, do not prescribe hormonal oils. These drugs have a long list of side effects, so they are only prescribed when it is impossible to do without them.
Psoriasis: treatment in the acute phase and in remission
In the case of an acute progressive course of the disease, several drugs with different actions are prescribed. Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching. External treatments are supplemented with photochemical therapy, ultrasound and laser. Also, agents are prescribed for antiseptic treatment of damaged skin.
In a stabilized state, they continue to take hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs, gradually reducing their dose. To restore damaged skin, oils with a regenerating effect are prescribed.
In forgiveness - support the body. Proper nutrition, take complexes of vitamins and minerals to restore immunity.
Treatment time
The earlier treatment is started, the easier it is to put psoriasis under control.
Timely therapy limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its extent, prevents subsequent skin relapses. Since psoriasis is often mistaken as an allergic rash at an early stage, it is necessary to know its initial signs so as not to miss the onset of a skin disease.
Note:Doctors are still investigating the causes of psoriasis. But it is definitely known that psoriatic skin inflammation is not contagious. It cannot be contracted from a sick person, or an infection in case of injury. This is our personal failure, in the human body.
The cause of psoriasis is an immune failure, which can be caused by various factors. Severe stress, poisoning (including potent drugs, industrial emissions, alcohol), previous infection.
Psoriasis is difficult to treat. The disease is prone to recurrence, relapse. And the therapy itself is symptomatic. It consists in preventing the appearance of new spots and relieving existing itching of the skin.
Which stage of psoriasis is called initial? How to distinguish early psoriasis from diathesis rash? And how will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: initial stage
The first appearance of psoriasis on the skin looks like acne. Most often, the rash appears at the bends of the elbows and knees, or in places where clothes are pressed hard against the body (for example, under the belt at the waist). Rash can also appear along the edge of the hair and under the hair, around the nails and on the nail plates. Sometimes psoriasis occurs on the feet and palms.
Almost always, psoriasis appears symmetrically - on the elbows of both hands, or on both sides of the lower back, or on both knees.
Acne itself (in medical terminology - papules) in the initial stage has a modest appearance. They have:
- Pink or red;
- Sharp and fuzzy edge;
- Small size - acne at the base does not exceed two millimeters;
- Flat shape - small pimples spotted at the beginning of the disease have almost no swelling, so they look like spots.
As the disease progresses, flaky skin flakes appear on the acne. They are gray or silver, on the background of a red pimple they look white.
The appearance of scales is accompanied by a very severe itching. If you do not resist and do not scratch, then the scales are removed, exposing the shiny areas of new pink skin down. It is very thin, palpable, with prolonged scratching of the itchy papules - it is damaged, bleeding.
The initial stage of psoriasis lasts up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: the stage of progression
In the progressive stage, individual pimples coalesce into a common site, forming so-called psoriatic plaques. They are raised above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered with skin. At the edges of the psoriatic plaques, there is a non-flaming pink-red edge.
The presence of a lip is a sign of a progressive stage of the disease. The edge is one to two millimeters wide. The skin on it is inflamed, its structure resembles parchment paper.
The edge represents the country's expansion zone. This is skin that is already inflamed but still does not peel skin. After a while, it will also be covered with scales. And the patch will expand to cover new areas of skin and form a new wider lip.With the active development of the disease, the adjacent spots join together. At some point, a large, inflamed red spot may form on the human body.
Psoriatic tablets are very itchy, giving a person uncomfortable sensations, disrupting his work, rest and sleep. They grow, occupy a large area and form a new rash on clean and healthy skin.
The main sign of the progressive phase is the appearance of new rashes. As soon as new pimples and blemishes cease to appear, the next stage of psoriasis begins - immobile. This is not yet a complete victory, but it is already a turning point towards recovery.
In the stage of progression, psoriasis is almost always associated with weakness, fatigue, weakness. Depression is common. Possible temperature.
Note:some medical theories say the opposite. Depression is not a consequence of psoriasis. And psoriasis is a consequence of neurology, the depressive psyche.
The duration of the progressive stage of psoriasis can be long, several months.
Psoriasis: immobile phase
The main sign of the stationary phase is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes. At the same time, itching also weakens, becomes more tolerable. The rash loses its bright color, fades, becomes invisible. This is also one of the signs that the process is stabilizing.
The pink streaks around the perimeter of the plaques disappear as the inflammation stops spreading. Active exfoliation and healing begins, the regeneration of new healthy skin.
It is obvious to the naked eye that the cortex grows in the stationary stage. Stairs completely cover the entire surface of the psoriatic point, leaving no room for rims.
Psoriasis takes on the characteristic scaly appearance that is commonly recognized by the general public. Wide bark in the stationary phase is not dangerous.
When all the dead cells come out of the surface of the psoriatic spot, healthy skin with a light shade will remain in place.
Other signs of progression or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of redness, spots, and scaling, there are a number of other signs that can be used to judge the development of the disease. This is the nature of the itching sensations (strong or tolerable), the general state, the depressed mood. And also the presence of temperature.
In the initial stage, the itching is changeable and the redness is incomprehensible. Further, the itching intensifies every day. In the acute stage of psoriasis, it becomes intolerable. Disrupts sleep, rest, interferes with work. The person becomes irritable because the itching sensations do not give him the opportunity to rest.
In the stationary phase, the itching decreases. Every day - a person feels better. The general state of changes in the psyche, negativity and depressive states weaken. The duration of the stationary phase is several weeks - from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in the mitigation phase
The fading stage of psoriasis is the almost complete disappearance of plaques, spots, redness, inflammation, itching.
At this stage of the disease, psoriasis only reminds you of skin pigmentation. In place of former psoriatic spots, it seems easier. The surface of healthy skin has a dark shade.
In some cases, so-called hyperpigmentation is formed. The skin at the site of the psoriasis spots does not become lighter but darker. In any case, the changes in skin pigmentation will be noticeable even for one to two months.
Psoriasis after recovery: the possibility of recovery
The possibility of recurrence of psoriasis is determined by the person's lifestyle, diet, allergic condition and the condition of the body as a whole. It is also determined by the amount of toxins in his body, blood, liver. You can reduce the chances of recurrent skin inflammation if you strengthen the immune system and cleanse the body of toxins in the liver, blood vessels and intestines.
Seasonal relapses of psoriasis are often rare after cleansing. A person remains susceptible to the disease, but the likelihood of its occurrence is significantly reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking vitamin and mineral complexes help boost immunity. This is especially important if immunosuppressants are used during treatment, in the progressive stage of psoriasis. Their need was due to the work of inflammatory mediators. After suppressing the autoimmune defense, it is necessary to restore the immune system.