Psoriasis is a common skin disease with neurogenic etiology. The disease is not contagious and does not spread from person to person. Most often, psoriasis becomes chronic due to its latent course. Usually, the disease develops in people under 30 years of age, but can also appear in old age.
External symptoms may be absent, the clinical picture of the disease depends on its type and stage. Most often, psoriasis begins with the appearance of bright red spots, which are covered with dry scales, so the disease has a second name - squamous lichen.
Skin blemishes can be of different sizes, some can combine in an affected area of skin and come out noticeably on the surface.
Psoriasis causes physical and mental discomfort to the patient, the disease worsens periodically, in between there is a period of remission and the symptoms subside.
Skin patches are called psoriatic plaques or papules, most often they affect the elbows and knees, spreading to the head and lumbar region. The plaques can affect other parts of the body, depending on the type of disease. The treatment can last more than a year.
Causes of the disease
Psoriasis causes several causes related to various factors, external and internal:
- a common cause is genetic inheritance;
- the disease can develop due to constant stress, anxiety, shock, depression and mental disorders;
- various autoimmune diseases and a malfunction of the immune system create ideal conditions on the surface of the skin for the onset of the disease;
- Chronic psoriasis can also cause metabolic disorders as well as endocrine system dysfunction.
The type of psoriasis and its course depend on the etiology of the disease.
Classification of psoriasis
The disease has different forms, on which depend the external manifestations and symptoms:
- The most common form of the disease is scaly psoriasis. The surface of the skin is covered with red or pink spots covered with scales. They are in stark contrast to healthy skin, denser and raised above the underlying surface. The scaly layer is easily removed and, if disturbed, begins to bleed, which causes severe itching and burning. When the disease worsens, the spots can grow and coalesce with each other, forming large areas of damage.
- Throat psoriasis looks different, the spots may be pink or purple, during the period of deterioration they become brighter. The scales may be larger and resemble dots in appearance; they can also merge into large areas.
- Another form of psoriasis that affects only the skin folds and folds - the elbows, armpits, areas under the folds of belly or chest fat, in the groin. The spots are smooth, uniform, do not itch and have no scales. If there is rubbing with clothing on the affected areas, the surface of the stain is easily injured.
- The chronic form of nail psoriasis is also common, mainly the nail plate on the fingers or toes is affected. Nails lose their shape, deform and change color. Nails begin to thicken and bloom, the disease can provoke the loss of nail plate. In the initial stage, nail psoriasis is easily confused with a fungal infection, so you should see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
- The most severe form of the disease is pustular, characterized by the appearance of blisters filled with light-colored fluid, which can be easily broken by rubbing clothes. When the pustules are destroyed, pus forms in them and secondary skin infection occurs. This form of psoriasis is dangerous because it can cover almost the entire body, which aggravates its course.
- Rheumatoid psoriasis affects not only the surface of the skin but also the periarticular joints and soft tissues. This mainly concerns the joints of the knees, shoulders and hips. Lesions are manifested not only by external symptoms, but also by pain inside the joint, which brings additional suffering to the patient. If the hands or feet are affected, swelling of the fingers is noticed, their sensitivity decreases and deformation begins. In the most severe and neglected form, the patient may lose limb sensitivity and become incapacitated.
All these forms can progress alone, or can appear together, it all depends on the severity of the disease.
Stages of psoriasis
The chronic form of the disease has different stages, each of which has its own symptoms and characteristics:
- with a progressive stage scaly spots appear and grow rapidly. They are usually red in color, but may change their nuances depending on the form of the disease. The skin in these places is very itchy, burning and painful;
- in a steady stage, the disease does not cause painful sensations, it flows massively, the scales gradually increase, they may merge periodically;
- with a regression stage, the papules can resolve on their own, they cause no discomfort other than external signs.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that alternates between worsening and remission.
Reasons for deterioration
A worsening of the disease can be caused by many reasons, external and internal:
- prolonged exposure to cold by freezing of the skin;
- violation of the hormonal background of the body during puberty, pregnancy or menopause;
- long-term therapy with certain drugs (antibiotics), self-medication, overdose when taking complex vitamins and herbal supplements;
- the disease may be exacerbated by climate change or exposure to sunlight;
- alcohol abuse can not only provoke a worsening of the disease, but also complicate its course;
- trauma, burns, frostbite and other mechanical damage to the skin always cause worsening of psoriasis;
- infection with viruses and bacteria can cause an outbreak of the disease, sometimes a common respiratory illness causes an exacerbation of skin diseases.
The rheumatoid form of psoriasis has a seasonal worsening:
- in summer - in case of staying in the sun;
- in winter - due to hypothermia.
Ultraviolet rays help papules heal, but the sun's infrared rays irritate the skin.
Psoriasis is diagnosed without much difficulty, the disease has vivid symptoms, additional studies are performed in the form of a blood test and a skin biopsy to rule out other diseases.
Treatment
Modern medicine has made great strides in treating skin diseases, including psoriasis; there are several methods that can be used to treat an advanced form of the disease. The doctor determines the method of treatment on a purely individual basis, based on the form, stage, causes and symptoms. Treatment is always performed in a comprehensive manner, combining drug therapy and physical therapy.
Drug treatment includes the use of internal and external drugs:
- to eliminate skin pathologies, ointments based on salicylic acid, sulfur, ditranol and urea are used;
- glucocorticoid ointment;
- lotions for the treatment of the scalp.
In the deterioration phase, hormonal oils are used to eliminate the inflammatory process, treatment always starts with the less severe ones. If the disease starts to progress again, use strong fluoridating agents. They are used for two weeks to achieve the result.
Ointments with fewer side effects are used for the elderly and children.
With an increase in dose, dithranol-based ointments are prescribed to eliminate the inflammatory process, itching and swelling.
Preparation with kalcipotriolhas a direct medicinal effect on pathogenetic provocative factors. Has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Usually, a course of treatment in two months has a noticeable positive result, the rash on the skin can disappear completely. This drug has no side effects in the form of skin atrophy and has a persistent effect. The drug is used to treat a form of tear-shaped psoriasis, which is difficult to treat.
All medications must be alternated, otherwise addiction can occur and the body will stop reacting to them.
Aromatic retinoid treatment is also considered effective.
In addition to drug therapy, a number of requirements for successful treatment must be met:
- follow a dietetic diet;
- take the necessary vitamins under the supervision of a doctor;
- avoid stressful situations, in case of a depressive state, you should consult a doctor to prescribe the necessary funds;
- protect the affected areas from contact with chemicals as much as possible, especially hands and nails;
- wear only cotton clothes so as not to cause additional skin irritation;
- do not consume alcoholic beverages and sweets, contact with allergens should also be avoided.
If all the recommendations and rules of treatment are followed, it is possible to achieve remission of the disease, and in some cases - a complete cure.