Psoriasis is one of the most common chronic dermatoses. In such a pathological process there is damage to the skin and skin appendages. The high urgency of this problem lies in the fact that it leads to a deterioration in the quality of life of a sick person due to aesthetic disorders.
Most often, the first episode of psoriasis occurs in the age range of fifteen to forty-five years. According to statistics, this disease is diagnosed in about three percent of the population. In addition, the number of women and men with such pathology is in equal proportions.
There are several theories about the mechanism of development of psoriasis. The main one is the autoimmune theory, which says that this pathological process is formed as a result of an incorrect immune response to external factors. Excessive immune response leads to the development of an inflammatory reaction in the layers of the skin, which activates the mechanisms of division and proliferation of cellular structures. In addition, it is suggested that hereditary predisposition and exposure to various infectious agents may play a role in the development of this disease.
It is noted that psoriasis is most common in those people who:
- You have other dermatological conditions;
- You have thin and dry skin;
- Smokes and drinks alcohol;
- Systematically come into contact with irritating chemicals;
- They often injure the skin from mechanical impacts;
- Observe excessive hygiene;
- They are subject to severe stress;
- You have a reduced level of immune protection or use drugs that suppress immunity.
Depending on the symptoms of psoriasis, it is common to classify this pathology into several forms:
- Plaque shape. This form is the classic version. It occurs in more than eighty percent of people. The clinical picture in this case is characterized by typical scaly plaques that tend to grow peripherally;
- Tear shape. The disease, occurring in this form, is accompanied by the appearance of numerous small foci on the surface of the skin. Such lesions can be very different in color, raised above the surface of the skin and intensively peel off. As a rule, they do not increase in size, only their number grows;
- Exudative form. This is one of the most unfavorable options. In this case, bubbles and blisters filled with serous fluid form on the surface of the plaques. Very often such elements undergo a secondary infection with subsequent appearance of pus in them;
- Psoriatic onychodystrophy. It is characterized by the participation of nail plates in the pathological process, which become grooved and thickened. In most cases, the nails become discolored, flaky and break. In advanced cases, complete loss of the nail plate is possible;
- Psoriatic arthropathy. The symptoms of psoriasis in this case are manifested by inflammation of the joints and connective tissue. In some cases, this form develops on its own, but is most often accompanied by cutaneous manifestations;
- Psoriatic erythroderma. This form is characterized by a very severe course and is often fatal. The development of inflammation in large areas of the body is noted, which is accompanied by intense peeling and peeling of the skin.
The main symptoms of psoriasis
We will talk in more detail about the classical form. What does psoriasis look like? First, single papules that are pink or red appear on the surface of the skin. These papules are covered with silvery-white scales that are easy to scrape off. Over time, the number of papules increases more and more, they begin to merge into plaques.
Plaques formed during this disease have a hyperemic and edematous appearance. In some cases, there may be mild itching of the skin. Pathological foci are prone to fairly rapid peripheral growth and their surface is highly scaly. Over time, the growth of plaques stops and their boundaries become clear. A specific feature of such a pathological process is a pseudoatrophic edge located on the periphery of foci. In the stationary stage, the appearance of a stagnant cyanotic tint on the surface of the plaques is observed.
Symptoms of regression psoriasis are characterized by the gradual disappearance of desquamation, starting from the central part. The skin then acquires a normal color, after which the tissue infiltration disappears.
Diagnosis and treatment of this disease
First of all, psoriasis is established on the basis of its clinical picture. There is a triad of specific phenomena that show this pathological process: stearin stain, terminal film and bloody dew. The phenomenon of stearin stain is that when the lesion is scraped, the peeling becomes more intense. If we continue to scrape, then we notice a thin film peeling and the appearance of a wet and hyperemic surface - the phenomenon of terminal film. The phenomenon of bloody dew suggests the presence of punctate bleeding with further scraping.
Of the drugs for this disease can be used the following:
- glucocorticosteroids;
- cytostatics;
- Antihistamines;
- Keratolytic and anti-inflammatory ointments.
In addition, various physiotherapeutic procedures are widely used.
Prevention of exacerbations in psoriasis
To prevent exacerbations, it is recommended to avoid stressful situations, give up bad habits and eat well. In addition, you should limit any irritating effects on the skin and avoid contact with substances to which you are allergic.