A large percentage of the world's population suffers from psoriasis. All ages are sick of this disease because once it occurs, the disease will never be cured again.
In this article we will take a closer look at the causes and symptoms of psoriasis in adults, as well as discuss methods of treatment with folk remedies and medicines, we will understand what experts in the field of psychosomatics think about it.
Reasons
According to statistics, most often the first symptoms of psoriasis can appear at the age of fifteen to twenty-five years, if a person has a predisposition to psoriasis. Psoriasis is chronic. This means that no matter what stage the patient is at, what drugs are used for therapy and for how long, it will not be possible to completely get rid of the disease forever.
The underlying cause of psoriasis is still unknown. There is an opinion among scientists that if psoriasis appeared before the age of twelve, then the hereditary factor plays a major role in this case. If an adult gets psoriasis, then psoriasis is related to the work of the immune system, as well as the negative effects of bacteria and viruses. There are the following main causes of psoriasis in adults:
- Heredity. According to studies, the majority of people with psoriasis have patients with the same disease in the family or who have other chronic dermatoses.
- Genetic disorders that occur when special viruses and bacteria enter can lead to changes in the structure of chromosomes. The risk of this process increases with disorders of the immune system.
- Secondary skin infection, purulent inflammation increase the risk of developing the disease.
- Impaired metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. If the indicators deviate from the norm according to the biochemical blood test, then the risk of developing the disease increases. Changes in the functioning of the endocrine and cardiovascular systems are also observed.
- Chronic inflammatory process in a patient, such as tonsillitis, sinusitis, otitis media. Patients with psoriasis have high levels of lymphocytes and leukocytes in the blood.
- In climatic conditions unsuitable for the patient's skin, ie in dry or too humid air, disorders in the division of skin cells are observed.
- Stress, depression, anxiety can lead to the development of psoriasis.
- Taking antibiotics, immunomodulators leads to symptoms of psoriasis.
- Alcohol and tobacco abuse increase the risk.
- Other disorders of skin cell division.
- Insufficient amount of vitamins and minerals in the body.
- Improper nutrition, eating foods with many allergens.
- Overweight.
These factors provoke the appearance of psoriasis. Diseases of the internal organs also contribute.
If the patient notices the appearance of skin rashes, dryness, roughness, then you should consult a doctor for a diagnosis, as the external symptoms of most skin diseases at the beginning of their development are similar.
To predict what type of disease the patient develops before diagnosis, you should look at pictures of psoriasis symptoms in adults in the forums or in a special section of the site, then you should definitely consult a doctor, as self-diagnosis may be incorrect, andimproper self-medication may impair health.
If a person suffers from psoriasis, he is prescribed medication to maintain the state of remission, recommendations are given to prevent recurrence.
But even in this case, within a few years there are still relapses and various factors such as stress, anxiety, diseases of the endocrine system, contact with chemicals, antibiotics, hormonal agents and immunomodulators, bad habits, impaired immune functionother reasons can speed it up.
The disease is seasonal and can recur every year at certain times of the year. Patients with psoriasis usually return during the winter season, when the skin does not have enough sunlight and the symptoms disappear when it warms up. Climate change may contribute to relapse.
According to psychosomatics, psoriasis in adults is related to its position in life. The more positive a person is about everything, the easier his psoriasis is.
Symptoms
Symptoms in many patients differ in their activity, but the general characteristics of the disease remain.
First of all, the main symptom of psoriasis is a red rash on the skin, a picture of which can be seen in the section. At the very beginning of the disease, pink or red papules appear on the skin, which can peel off.
If the patient does not take appropriate measures at this stage, then the affected area may enlarge, resulting in redness of the skin, swelling, unbearable itching may occur, causing the patient to scratch the affected areas. An infection can get into the scratches, causing a secondary infection.
Wounds then form in the combed areas, which may begin to bleed on further combing. The skin hardens, dries out and white or gray plaques form on the skin. Often, psoriasis develops not only on the skin, but even on the nails.
Then the rash becomes redder, the affected areas become more noticeable, the plaques are larger. The line between healthy and sick skin is noticeable. Diseased areas may be slightly raised above healthy ones.
Patients suffer from itching, pain and skin irritation. If the patient ignores the doctor's recommendations and does not start the prescribed course of treatment, the symptoms will not only not disappear, but will worsen.
If the patient follows all the advice of a dermatologist, then the symptoms will disappear, the itching and irritation will disappear, the redness will gradually disappear. The skin will become hydrated and soft. Here the disease goes into remission.
But then there may be a recurrence of psoriasis, which is characterized by the appearance of new areas of damage. The plaques reappear, a thermal film may appear under the plaques, which tears and bleeds when scratched. Again, a secondary infection can enter the wounds. Cracks appear on dry skin.
The disease is localized in different parts of the body, but usually psoriasis occurs in the scalp, elbows and knees, feet, palms.
A pregnant woman can also get psoriasis. She needs to be twice as careful about her health, because a disease without proper treatment can provoke a miscarriage.
Treatment of psoriasis
The treatment of psoriasis begins with the fact that the doctor first diagnoses the disease. As many skin diseases are similar in symptoms, especially at the very beginning of the disease, special diagnostic tests will be needed.
The patient should be assigned to donate blood for testing, and a skin biopsy should also be performed for a more detailed examination of the skin cells. Many experienced dermatologists diagnose the disease only by external signs, but research provides more detailed information about the patient's skin condition.
First of all, a patient with psoriasis is prescribed a special diet that excludes any allergens from the diet, helps to stop the production of histamine and as a result to alleviate the symptoms of skin disease.
It is imperative to give up fast food, because it lacks vitamins and minerals useful for health and immunity, which are necessary for patients with psoriasis. Patients should give preference to those products that contain sufficient amounts of vitamins and nutrients.
You can not eat sweet, spicy, fried, smoked, salty and black pepper beans, coffee and strong tea, fruits and vegetables with red pigment.
Folk remedies for adults
Traditional methods remain popular to this day among many patients with psoriasis, although doctors do not recommend resorting to them, as the consequences of such therapy are unknown. It is mandatory to visit the attending physician throughout the treatment, because tests must be performed to verify the effectiveness of the treatment process.
Typically, home remedies include the following products to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis:
- Various medicinal herbs that patients collect and dry both on their own and buy ready-made at the pharmacy, which is more recommended. Herbs are brewed and compresses are made, external skin treatment is performed.
- Home ointments are also widely used by patients. Patients choose products such as propolis, solidol, sea buckthorn oil for ointments. After mixing, these components should be applied to the affected areas. The mixture will eliminate inflammation, relieve itching, skin irritation.
- Baths are used everywhere for the treatment of dermatological diseases. They are also prescribed by doctors as part of complex therapy. Ingredients such as sea salt, celandine juice, calendula root and many other medicinal herbs are added to the baths. The patient is usually given a bath for about twenty minutes. During this time, the substance added to the water will eliminate inflammation, normalize blood circulation and improve the condition of the dermis. Sea salt is also used in the form of a compress, which can be used when the disease is localized on a small part of the skin.
- Tar ointments are also effective in treating the symptoms of psoriasis. Ointment variants include tar-based ointment, sea buckthorn oil and salicylic alcohol, taken in equal proportions. The resulting mixture is applied to the affected areas and covered with polyethylene. Then wash the ointment with water.
Folk remedies are usually used as part of complex therapy to increase the effectiveness of drugs. In an independent form, folk recipes rarely help to eliminate the symptoms of psoriasis.
Medicines
Researchers from around the world have developed a unified scheme for the treatment of various dermatological diseases. According to her, the therapy should be carried out with the following goals:
- Eliminate the main symptoms of skin disease. In the case of psoriasis, it is redness and flaking of the skin.
- Inflammation of the skin.
- Unpleasant appearance of the skin, redness, gray plaques often lead to the fact that patients have complexes on their skin. The quality of life in patients with psoriasis is usually lower than in healthy people.
A whole range of different medications are usually prescribed to eliminate psoriasis. Treatment can take a long time, and psoriasis may recur after a while and then need to be treated again. It is advisable to take preventive measures to minimize the risk of recurrence.
The complex for the treatment of psoriasis of the skin in adults includes not only drugs but also prescriptions of traditional medicine that increase the effectiveness of drugs. A special diet for patients with psoriasis must be followed, which excludes allergens from the diet.
It is recommended to attend physiotherapy, which also has a preventive effect.
Patients are prescribed drugs from different groups.
Antihistamines block the production of histamine, as a result of which symptoms such as itching, swelling, skin irritation, redness are eliminated - that is, everything related to an allergic reaction.
Sedatives can reduce irritation, redness, itching and other symptoms of psoriasis.
Preparations that eliminate inflammation and relieve pain.
Mandatory complex of treatment includes preparations in the form of ointment for psoriasis of the skin in adults. They can be either non-hormonal, ie include only natural ingredients that do not have systemic side effects, or hormonal, containing an active ingredient in the composition that effectively relieves the symptoms of psoriasis.
Non-hormonal agents include salicylic, tar, ichthyol ointments. There are non-hormonal products in the form of creams, solutions.
It is recommended to take sorbents - activated carbon.
In case of complications, many patients are prescribed immunomodulators, ie drugs that correct the functioning of the immune system.
It is also recommended to conduct courses of physiotherapy, such as ultraviolet radiation, cryotherapy, laser radiation.
Prevention
If a person is diagnosed with psoriasis, he should start treatment immediately, following all the doctor's recommendations. The earlier a person reaches remission, the faster he can return to the previous rhythm of life.
It is also recommended that you engage in supportive care or follow preventative measures that will prevent relapse.
Skin contact with external irritants and aggressive substances should be limited. For example, do not come into contact with chemicals and use protective equipment if necessary.
You should not stay in direct sunlight for a long time, because excess ultraviolet radiation can cause relapse.
You must also prevent the patient from getting into stressful situations that contribute to relapse. To avoid stress, you should drink these herbal preparations that the neurologist prescribes.
Also, you should not allow a sharp drop in temperature or humidity. Too dry or humid air provokes deterioration.
You also need to take care of your skin, moisturize it with skin care products.
A visit to the sea is recommended, as there is salt water, which has a positive effect on the skin, especially in psoriasis.
It is advisable to follow a proper diet and consume vitamin and mineral complexes.