Plaque lesions on the skin of the hands are the most common manifestations of scaly lichen. Psoriasis on the hands is a chronic disease that significantly impairs a person’s quality of life. There are special symptoms as well as many prerequisites for development.
Causes of psoriasis on the hands
What causes a rash in the form of rough plaques on the palms and in the flexion areas of the upper limbs? it is not always easy to understand immediately. The main causes of psoriasis on the hands are:
- hereditary predisposition to disease;
- result of infection, virus and cold;
- metabolic disorders and hormonal pathology (diabetes mellitus);
- stressful situations, nervous breakdowns, emotional turmoil;
- frequent contact with aggressive chemicals (household chemicals, cosmetics);
- skin lesions (scratches, scars, abrasions, scratches).
People prone to allergic reactions are at risk of developing psoriatic psoriasis. In addition, malnutrition, alcohol and tobacco abuse, prolonged use of antidepressants, steroid medications can provoke scaly lichen.
Symptoms of manifestation
In adults, psoriasis starts on the elbows and hands. The first signs are visible in the extensor, when small flat papules appear, which eventually increase in size, forming rough, round plaques of pale pink or red color. Further, redness appears on the palms. The skin becomes dry, thick, takes on a deep red color and sometimes cracks.
The development of psoriasis on the fingers can reach the nails. At first, small pits form on them, and over time, the nail plate thickens, disappears, and resembles a fungal infection. Therefore, people often ask if scaly lichen is contagious? Psoriasis is a chronic disease that is not transmitted through shaking hands or other contact. A predisposition to the disease may be genetically transmitted, but not the disease itself.
Another symptom of scaly lichen is the appearance of scaly plaques between the fingers. The skin in these places resembles calluses, the same rough and tough.
Forms of hand psoriasis
The nature of the course and the clinical manifestations of scaly lichen are very different. The rash can affect not only the hands but also the shoulders, neck, chest, especially if the child suffers from the disease. Psoriasis of the hands is the most common type of dermatosis and can occur in several basic forms, described below.
Tile or ordinary
The skin in the affected areas becomes denser, covered with white crusts and cracks, which sometimes bleed. The plaques join in groups, forming large lesions.
Tear shape
The rash most often affects the upper arms and shoulders. The plates are densely covered with white scales and look like dots. This type of psoriasis spreads rapidly throughout the body, affecting the forearms and hips. Worsens mainly after ingestion of streptococcus (causative agent of tonsillitis, tonsillitis, ARVI).
Exudative or pustular squamous lichen
Locally located in the forearms, there is a heavy flow - numerous vesicles with a clear fluid, purulent processes, as well as the emergence of redness outside the upper extremities.
Psoriasis of the nails
This shape is characterized by the appearance of longitudinal or transverse lines of a white or gray color. The skin around the plate thickens, and the nail itself exfoliates and disappears, leading to its further destruction.
Apparently any shape of scaly hands is clearly visible in the picture.
If you do not start treating psoriasis of the hand in time, the disease can provoke inflammation of the joints (psoriatic arthritis). The rash can spread to other areas of the body (head, legs, back, abdomen, chest).
Stages of skin disease
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that has a specific sequence of development. Depending on the intensity of the disease manifestations and the frequency of recurrences, there are 3 main stages of the disease:
- progressive - initial stage - the appearance of some scaly papules on the hands, shoulders, between the fingers and on the elongation of the elbows, which are accompanied by edema, inflammation, itching;
- stationary phase - new rashes do not occur, and the old plaques are densely covered with white scales, the affected areas stop itching (the disease freezes in one place);
- regression phase - symptoms begin to disappear (papules fade, dry plaques disperse, skin clears, only small dark spots remain).
In a remission state, psoriasis can be from 2-4 months to several years. New recurrences are more severe each time, which leads to a gradual thickening and thickening of the corneal layer on the hands, elbows, between the toes and around the nail plates.
Pharmacy treatment
Scaly lichen, although not a contagious disease, brings a lot of inconvenience and annoyance. The main purpose of drug treatment is to improve the general condition of the patient:
- elimination of redness and itching;
- relieving inflammation;
- softens the skin.
Therapy should be comprehensive and include several different groups of drugs for external and internal use.
- Hormonal - relieve inflammation, irritation, swelling, itching and pain, reduce fluid papules in exudative psoriasis. In addition, the oils relieve allergic manifestations.
- Non-hormonal - zinc oil, salicylic oil - relieve the main symptoms, do not cause side effects, act gently on the skin, but are less effective than glucocorticosteroid (hormonal) drugs.
- Homeopathic - used for heavy skin, itching, relief during the period of joint damage.
Homeopathy is effective only if it is chosen correctly, taking into account all the nuances of the course of the disease and the characteristics of the patient's body.
In case of a poor result from local medicines, the doctor may prescribe systemic therapy in the form of injections and pills. Medications suppress the intense division of skin cells, detoxify the body, thus eliminating the main symptoms, which help improve the quality of life.
In addition to the main drugs aimed at curbing psoriasis, complex therapy uses funds to support the whole body:
- vitamins;
- liver support drugs - hepatoprotectors;
- sorbents - cleanse the intestines of toxins and poisons;
- antihistamines;
- immunomodulators.
Better to treat this or that form of psoriasis, the specialist will determine. It will combine medicines to achieve maximum effect and not harm your body as a whole.
Folk remedies
Patients are often interested in how to cure psoriasis at home. In the fight against scaly lichen planus, herbal preparations and healing baths help well. In addition, folk remedies help increase the action of medication and pass the disease to the remission stage.
Banja Celandine
Pour the chopped grass (100 g) with 3 liters of boiling water and leave for 1-1. 5 hours. Pour the filtered liquid into a hot bath (37-40 degrees). The duration of a procedure is not more than 15 minutes.
The course of treatment is 10-12 sessions, which can be performed daily.
Herbal collection for water manipulation
It is necessary to mix in equal proportions (50 g each):
- St. John's wort;
- calm;
- valerian root;
- celandine;
- succession.
Boil 30 g of the collection in 250 ml of water for 5 minutes. Let the soup cook for 1. 5-2 hours, strain and add to a large bath container.
Herbal baths facilitate the course of the disease, soothe the skin, reduce inflammation and cracking, and, most importantly, prevent further spread of plaque.
Propolis ointment
Melt 300 g butter, add 20 g chopped propolis, boil everything until a single consistency is formed. With the cooled oil finished, treat the affected areas on the hands. The product is also suitable for compresses. Apply a small amount of the medicine on a cotton pad, apply to the affected areas, fix with a bandage.
Before using the oil, you should treat the plates with hydrogen peroxide and wait until they dry. This will increase the effect of the folk remedy.
Birch tar
For 30-45 days, you should lubricate the affected areas of the hands with birch tar. Better yet to do this an hour before bedtime. The substance should stay on the skin for at least 10 minutes, after which it is washed off with warm water. Gradually, the residence time of the tar on the tiles increases to 30 minutes.
This medicine is most effective in treating skin diseases. A folk remedy well relieves unpleasant symptoms and prolongs the remission period for a long time.
Prevention of psoriasis on the hands
Hands more often than other areas of the skin suffer from rashes. The disease is difficult to treat due to the constant contact of the hands with provocative factors. To achieve long-term forgiveness, it is important to adhere to preventative measures:
- do not allow the skin to dry out;
- use household chemicals with gloves;
- use specially selected hand creams;
- avoid contact with aggressive substances;
- seek medical help immediately when the first rashes appear;
- do not abuse alcohol and smoking.
In preventing psoriasis of the hands, attention should be paid to proper nutrition. Fried, smoked, salty, fatty, spicy foods should be excluded from the diet. It is not recommended to withdraw from chocolate and flour products. Better yet better to cook, steam or cook food and heat fruits and vegetables with red pigment (cherries, strawberries, tomatoes) for heat treatment.
Psoriatic rashes on the hands tend to recur. The disease is not curable, but only temporarily passes in remission. The duration of psoriasis relief depends on the correct treatment and prevention. Look at your lifestyle, stick to your diet, avoid stress and treat the first manifestations of the disease in time.