Skin disease a large group of diseases that, in addition to the direct negative effects on human health, the impact on their psychological state. Part of the dermatological disorders psoriasis is a chronic disease, the successful treatment of which remains a challenge for doctors and a prerequisite for a fulfilling life of patients.
Features located in any of the psoriasis
Often the first area of skin lesions in psoriasis, it turns into the hair of the head. In some cases, the disease is limited to the region, but often, especially in the absence of treatment, a new plaque will eventually appear in other parts of the body. The reasons due to which psoriasis affects the scalp, consider a special structure of the epithelium in this area, as well as the inevitable daily skin damage in the process of combing.
According to the statistics of psoriasis occurs in 1 of every 100 people, but in different regions this indicator is different. Approximately 80% of patients have lesions of the scalp, and a fourth part of them the disease is limited to this area, others, finally, extending to the skin of the hands, the feet, the exterior surface of the joints, etc.
Since psoriasis is not immune, however, accumulated clinical experience allows physicians to allocate the risk. Thus, the majority of the pathology occurs in women, the initial phase of the disease is usually recorded in the patients in 15-25 years. The risk of psoriasis is increased in people, fathers, mothers, brothers or sisters, who also suffer from this disease.
Causes
Psoriasis, a mysterious illness, to explain the appearance of which is difficult even for modern scientists. Every year there are new and new theories about what becomes the cause of the inflammatory response and the excess of synthesis of the skin cells in the body of the patients. While the main hypothesis is genetics: according to her, some people have a predisposition innate to accelerate the renewal of keratinocytes, that, in the case of the manifestations of the disease, leads to some reactions of the immune system. The result is a vicious circle: as more produce new cells that form the plaque, more inflammation of the skin in this area (the body treats it as something alien), and the more damaged the skin under the influence of immune cells - the active participation in the queratinòcits..
In some cases, the starting point for the development of the disease is the pathology of the immune system, which in turn is a consequence of extreme stress or infectious disease. Thus, it should be noted that among the HIV-infected of psoriasis occurs three times more often than the average population.
It is interesting In the average Age of the plate in the body of the patient, it was called the "rose of the devil". It was believed that these marks are the evidence of the curse and can be passed on to healthy people when needed. The tragedy was that until the nineteenth century doctors did not differentiate psoriasis, leprosy, scabies and other skin diseases, so that everyone who has suffered a chronic skin disease were banished from society and forced to wear a white dress that hides the body and face, and bells warning others about the "danger of infection".
How does psoriasis on the head: the signs of defeat
Scalp psoriasis is called psoriasis, although this term is also true of the lesions of the skin of the areas with high density of sebaceous glands — ear regions, nasolabial folds, chest, and interblade region. The disease first manifests itself usually by flaking, similar to dandruff. The appearance of plates is accompanied by itching and the skin in this area is covered with silvery scales. It is important that psoriasis, even in patients with severe inflammatory process is not observed, the hair loss that is the hallmark of this disease.
Psoriatic plaques tend to grow and join together to form larger units — they call them "paraffin, lagos". The skin below is easily traumatized and bloody, so that patients have, in spite of the severe itching, resist the desire to scratch the affected area.
In some types of psoriasis plaques with a reddish or even purple, in others, they look like blisters with clear fluid. For the disease characterized by a chronic progressive course: the periods of exacerbation followed by periods of remission, when the symptoms recede, but to eliminate all the manifestations of the disease is usually not possible. Thus, depending on each patient, the psoriasis can be a minor cosmetic defect and is not accompanied by unpleasant sensations, and a serious debilitating condition, which impedes their personal lives, work, and even limit the patient's ability for self-care.
Characteristics of the treatment
A prominent British politician, Winston Churchill, who himself suffered from psoriasis, once promised to erect a statue of pure gold to the person who finds a cure for this disease. Unfortunately, it is still a reliable way to once and for all deal with this skin lesion was found. But this does not mean that there is no cure, the medicine has a variety of tools that will help to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis and improve the quality of life of the patient, extending the periods of rest of the skin without sudden exacerbations and recurrences.
Treatment of psoriasis of the scalp is especially in this form, the external signs of the disease are the most noticeable to others (that can't be hidden under the clothes), so that the patients experience pronounced psychological discomfort and look for any means to get rid of the plaque. In addition, for the psoriasis is characterized by itching, so patients often require symptomatic therapy aimed at pain relief affected area.
External preparations for treatment of psoriasis of the scalp
Medications intended for direct application to the area affected by psoriasis, are selected individually. The patient should be prepared for the fact that the first medication prescribed by a doctor will be inefficient — it takes time to find the best combination of effective drugs.
Hormones
Medicines on the basis of steroid hormones can quickly reduce inflammation and itching. Unlike steroids systemic effects (that is used in the form of pills or injections in severe forms of psoriasis), these ointments and creams do not have pronounced side effects on the body. However, its regular use can be harmful to the health of the skin in the area of application that often discolours, becomes thinner and vulnerable to secondary infections, which significantly complicates the treatment. With prolonged use of topical (local) steroids can cause the syndrome of abstinence after the withdrawal of the exacerbation and the suspension of the drug, the disease returned with renewed vigor and with more symptoms. It is for this reason that there are a number of restrictions on the use of steroids topical. They are not:
- of frequent use and long-term (not more than 5 days);
- apply to sensitive skin areas (face, neck, folds) and in the large areas of skin lesions (more than 20% of its surface).
It is important that the use of ointments, creams and shampoos on the basis of glucocorticosteroids was made only after consultation with your doctor.
Non-hormonal creams and ointments
To improve the condition of psoriasis of the scalp without having to resort to hormonal preparations. The base of creams, ointments and shampoos of this group of active substances which possess anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictive, soothing and moisturizing effect: zinc pyrithione, tar, salicylic acid, kertiol and others. Their application is useful, regardless of the stage of the disease — that reduce the formation of plaques, scaling, itching and inflammation.
The efficacy and safety of non-hormonal creams and ointments depends on the main active ingredient. Therefore, drugs based on zinc, which can be applied without restrictions on the frequency of use, while the tar means dry skin, so it is preferable to use 1-2 times a week in combination with moisturizing emulsions.
Cosmetics
Patients, a long time suffering from psoriasis often turn to cosmetic remedies to improve the appearance of the scalp, but not having a medicinal effect. We are talking about all kinds of shampoos and oils, designed to relieve irritation, soften the skin and make peeling plates less pronounced. To evaluate the real effectiveness of these tools is not possible, especially when used in combination with the therapy prescribed by the doctor.
Treatment symptomatic
Some drugs that help for psoriasis of the scalp, is not able to change the course of the disease, however, significantly facilitate the condition of the patient. Because of the factors that influence the activity of the pathological process, very, the importance of taking care of the health of the patient as a whole, and struggle with the consequences of the disease (for example, the infection of the affected skin or medicinal liver).
Physical therapy
Irradiation with ultraviolet reduces the symptoms of psoriasis of the scalp many patients, therefore physical therapy based on the use of artificial light is a very popular method of treatment of this pathology.
With phototherapy the ultraviolet spectrum (UVB) light is applied to a wavelength that is visible to the human eye. Each session lasts a few minutes, and the treatment course takes 6-8 weeks.
The therapy PUVA involves a combination of phototherapy applied to the skin photosensitizing substances. Get treatment in the form of tablets or creams, and then comes to the sessions of irradiation with ultraviolet light of the spectrum of A. This method is effective even in severe forms of psoriasis, but in the long run may increase the risk of the patient of skin cancer.
Naturotherapy
The use of environmental factors is another important approach to the treatment of psoriasis. Stay at resorts with special weather conditions (the Death of the sea, the Caucasian mineral waters, etc.) contributes to the lengthening of the periods of remission and relief of symptoms. Many patients report the effect of the therapeutic use of mud, and baths with herbal decoctions, the use of bee products (apitherapy) and the applications of naphthalene oil and other rare chemical compounds that have shown its effectiveness in the complex therapy of diseases of the skin.
However, the final guidance does not exist, the success of these methods depends on the individual characteristics of each patient.
Correction of style of life
A change of diet (avoiding foods that cause exacerbation of psoriasis), the rejection of alcohol consumption, regular exercise and psychotherapy intended to reduce anxiety, help patients with psoriasis. Some patients report that a healthy lifestyle helps not only to reduce the manifestations of the underlying condition, but also global welfare by addressing the factors that trigger other diseased states. It is important to follow the recommendations of the doctor and positive reviews relate to the promotion of the full refusal of drug treatment in favor of non-traditional methods.
Patients with psoriasis often become depressed from the realization that this disease appeared at once, it will remain with them for life. However, a positive attitude and active position in relation to the new approaches to the therapy of contributing to the return of the high quality of life and minimize the unpleasant symptoms. There is No need to put up with the psoriasis is only a problem that has a variety of options. Don't let illness spoil your life.
Why is it important to start the treatment of psoriasis in the shortest time?
Without a doubt, completely cure psoriasis is impossible, but you can reduce the frequency and duration of exacerbations if competent and, most importantly, time to start the treatment at the first signs. It is useful to choose the medications, the efficacy and the safety of which is confirmed by clinical studies.