Psoriasis: why it occurs, what are the symptoms and how to treat it?

Psoriasis or psoriasis is an autoimmune chronic disease that affects the skin and manifests itself in the form of red spots, plaques covered with small scales. The disease is incurable, which is why psoriasis treatment methods are limited to controlling symptoms, stopping pain and inflammation, and achieving early and long-term remission. There are many prejudices about the disease in society. People who don't know what it is believe that psoriasis can be contagious. In the description, several types of this non-infectious disease can be distinguished, each with individual symptoms and course.

Where does psoriasis come from?

The causes of psoriasis have not been established as little is known about this skin disease. Symptoms of the disease in the initial stages may resemble dermatitis, eczema, but it is impossible to confuse pronounced psoriatic plaques with other skin diseases. Scientists and doctors agree that one of the factors for the appearance of psoriasis is genetic predisposition.

For example, if a mother is diagnosed with a skin pathology, there is a 15% chance that the child will inherit the disease. If both parents are treated for psoriasis, the risk of hereditary transmission of the disease increases 4 times, that is, it reaches 60%.

But even if the parents are carriers of a gene that provokes a skin disease, this does not mean that the child will get sick. The causes of psoriasis on the body are different. Stress, nervous breakdowns, mental trauma "trigger" skin diseases.

Psoriasis is also caused by:

• skin injuries, burns, insect bites, tattoos;
• medications the person is taking;
• infectious diseases;
• alcohol abuse, smoking;
• exposure to chemicals such as detergents;
• dermatitis and fungal diseases;
• HIV;
• pregnancy and birth.

Recently, scientists have stated that psoriasis may appear due to malnutrition, but convincing evidence in favor of this theory has not been found.

Doctors know that a certain gene is responsible for the skin disease, but they cannot determine the exact causes of psoriasis.

What does psoriasis look like in the early stages?

The first symptoms of psoriasis look like this:

1. A person's nails exfoliate and the skin cracks.
2. A pustular rash appears on the body.
3. The skin begins to peel off and die.
4. He has blisters on his hands and feet.
5. Itchy red spots covered with whitish scales appear on the elbows, knees, face.

A person sinks into depression, is not interested in anything, notes a breakdown and even low self-esteem.

On the head, face and under the hair

First, a person notices increased flaking of the skin, which resembles dandruff. Then the plaques themselves appear, covered with silvery scales. The rash grows, affects an increasingly large area of the skin, but even with pronounced psoriasis, the hair does not fall out.

In 80% of cases, psoriasis mainly affects the scalp. If the pathology is not treated, rashes appear in other places.

A harbinger of a disease that affects the skin of the face is severe itching. Initially, psoriasis resembles an allergy, the skin is covered with small red spots that increase in size and coalesce, forming an inflamed nodule or papule.

Eruptions cover the entire face. The spots themselves are covered with scales that are easily and painlessly removed. Underneath them is a final film that looks like scarlet shiny skin. If the itchy areas are brushed, they are covered with small drops of blood.

On the hands and feet

Skin disease psoriasis affects the skin:

• upper arms and legs;
• brushes;
• knuckles of hands and feet;
• near the nails.

The disease begins with the appearance of small red areas with a rounded shape on the skin between the fingers, on the shins, wrists, elbows and knees.

In 10% of cases, psoriasis affects the nails. Psoriatic plaques appear on the nail plates long before the appearance of the main symptoms of the disease, which affects the skin of the body.

On the hands and feet

Palmar-plantar is the manifestation of psoriasis that affects the skin of the palms and feet.

It is characterized by the appearance of red scaly spots covered with whitish scales. At the site of the rash, the skin thickens, cracks and becomes inflamed. The aggravated form is expressed in the formation of pustules, deep abscesses.

On the torso

The signs of a disease that affects the skin of the body are similar to psoriasis on the palms and feet, head, face. Rashes on the back and lower back often occur.

Red spots covered with gray-white scales, itch and itch. They cannot be combed, because the thin final film does not protect the smallest capillaries, and the surface of the skin, when combed, is covered with microscopic droplets of blood. Psoriasis can appear on the chest and sides.

The red spots expand and coalesce into formations that doctors call "paraffin lakes".

Psoriasis causes various skin changes:

• peeling;
• thickening;
• swelling;
• the appearance of blisters-pustules.

Often, keratinized dry skin cracks, causing pain and discomfort.

Other localizations

Psoriasis spreads throughout the body if the disease is in progress. Psoriatic plaques can be localized in the groin, on the buttocks, in the elbow and knee folds. The disease causes great discomfort, as the rashes itch, but should not be scratched. Careless actions can easily damage the thinned affected skin and cause further infection.

The symptoms of skin psoriasis, regardless of the location, are similar, so the dermatologist diagnoses the disease by:

• red rashes with a clear border;
• the so-called psoriatic triad: the phenomenon of "stearin spot", i. e. the plaque itself covered with silvery soft scales, the presence of a final film under them and small droplets of blood that cover the spot if it is scraped;
• the appearance of new plaques at the site of skin injuries;
• itching.

Psoriatic arthritis

This form of complication affects the joints, tendons, which lose their density and elasticity.

Arthritis accompanies the symptoms of psoriasis, is characterized by inflammation of the joints and is divided into:

• Asymmetric, which affects several joints on one side of the body and does not affect paired bony elements.
• Symmetrical, which resembles rheumatoid. Paired joints suffer. This form often leads to disability.
• Distal interphalangeal joints affecting the phalanges of the fingers and toes.
• Spine, in one or more divisions.
• Deformation when the joints are destroyed.

Inflammation of the joints is characterized by severe pain, swelling, the skin at the site of the affected bone joint has a bluish color. In this case, a person experiences a collapse, sometimes the lymph nodes increase.

Classification of psoriasis

The types of psoriasis differ according to the nature of the rash. The international classification describes 10 forms of autoimmune chronic disease:

1. The most common is plaque-like or simple psoriasis. It affects any part of the body, it occurs in women and men. It begins with the appearance of red swollen spots, which are subsequently covered with a whitish, easily peeling scaly film, "plaque".
2. After a streptococcal infection, guttate psoriasis can affect the skin. It occurs in the thighs, lower legs, and also affects the neck and back. Rashes of red, bluish, purple color rise above the surface of the skin and resemble drops in shape.
3. The spotted form is characterized by extensive rashes all over the body. The disease is more common in women than in men.
4. Pustular, the most severe, which can be distinguished by the appearance of blisters - pustules surrounded by red, inflamed skin and filled with clear fluid. If the infection gets into the blisters, then fragments of pus appear in the contents.
5. Follicular, affecting the skin of the legs and thighs, in the form of small whitish papules.
6. Psoriasis of the flexor surfaces, affecting the skin in the folds, for example in the knee folds, groin, under the breasts, armpits.
7. Palmar-plantar, which often occurs in people engaged in physical labor.
8. Psoriatic onychia only affects fingernails and toenails. Nail plates change color, become yellowish, exfoliate, sometimes die. The skin around the nails thickens.
9. Scalp, which is characterized by red scaly rashes in the area of hair growth and itching.
10. Seborrheic, most often localized on the chest, behind the ears, between the shoulder blades, in the nasolabial folds. Psoriatic lesions are very scaly, often resembling eczema, covered with purulent crusts.
11. The symptoms of the erythrodermic form of psoriasis are pronounced. The affected skin can be separated with plates, a person experiences severe pain, the body temperature rises. Untreated erythroderma flows into pyoderma - purulent damage to the skin and can lead to death.

Any form of psoriasis requires timely treatment, which can only be prescribed by a dermatologist after an examination and the necessary tests.

How psoriasis manifests itself in the different stages

In total, 4 phases of psoriasis development are distinguished:

• initial or early;
• progressive;
• stationary;
• regressive.

In most cases, psoriasis begins with the appearance of small papules. Round pink shiny spots, sometimes no larger than the head of a pin, raised above the surface of the skin and have a clear border. They are covered with silver scales. The presence of skin rashes in the initial stage of psoriasis can be confused with eczema or an allergic rash.

The clinical picture of the disease at different stages varies. For example, severe inflammation of the skin is characteristic of an acute or progressive form that requires medical attention and intensive treatment.

However, the rashes do not disappear, but increase and merge with each other. The psoriatic plaques, clearly demarcated by a rose petal, begin to peel off. The affected skin is unbearably itchy and itchy.

It takes from 2 weeks to several months and the psoriasis goes into a stationary stage. The growth of psoriatic plaques stops, peeling increases, covering the entire affected area of the skin.

In regressive psoriasis, the peeling gradually disappears, the psoriatic plaques flatten and gradually disappear. There are no marks, marks or scars on the skin. Sometimes there is hyperpigmentation of the skin. In the remission stage, the skin acquires a normal color and texture.

What is the danger of the disease

The severity of the course of the disease depends on the condition of the skin. If the lesions are not extensive, the person leads a normal life. Physical and psychological discomfort is experienced by people whose rashes occupy a large area, the skin becomes inflamed. A significant health hazard is a complication of pustular psoriasis if the infection has entered the blisters.

Psoriatic arthritis is also dangerous because some of its forms destroy joints and lead to disability. However, inflammation of bone joints develops quite rarely, in 10% of cases.

Even if the plaques on the skin are insignificant and a person feels normal, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a dermatologist who will make a diagnosis and start treatment. Timely access to a doctor will prevent complications and help achieve a stable remission.

Complex treatment of psoriasis

There is no effective way to get rid of psoriasis forever. Skin diseases are treated with various means. A person is prescribed pills, ointments and prescribed physical therapy. It is recommended to take medicinal baths and carefully take care of the condition of the skin to prevent injuries such as scratches, cuts, scratches.

The overall treatment of psoriasis gives results if a person follows medical prescriptions.

How to treat psoriasis with pharmaceutical products

These are ointments, tablets, injections that the attending physician prescribes to the person who requested help. Tablets are drunk at the specified time of the day before or after meals, ointments are applied to the affected areas with clean hands, injections can be done at home or in the hospital. These can be products based on plant components, hormones and other chemically active substances.

In the complex therapy of scaly lichen, the following are used:

1. Antihistamine drugs that are prescribed if a person develops an allergy.
2. Hepatoprotectors that support the liver.
3. Immunomodulators that facilitate the course of the disease.
4. Immunosuppressants in the form of injections. They are effective but expensive and have serious side effects. Medicines should not be used by people with infections or oncology.
5. Glucosteroids are effective, but lead to addiction. Therefore, treatment with hormonal drugs lasts no more than 2 weeks.

If lichen scaly is easy, the doctor tries to limit himself to local remedies.

Medicines for local application - ointments, sprays

Topical medicines for psoriasis are divided into:

1. Hormonal that affect the body's autoimmune processes.
2. Therapeutic, which include zinc, naphthalene, tar, vitamins. They moisturize chapped skin, soften hardened psoriatic lesions, support skin function and restore the damaged coating.

During an exacerbation, hormonal ointments, lotions and skin sprays are used. Biologically active substances in the composition of powerful creams:

• reduction of itching;
• relieve puffiness;
• constrict blood vessels;
• relieve pain and fight inflammation.

Apply the product to the affected areas of the skin of the body, face and parts of the head. Medical ointments are most often used after the acute period of psoriasis has passed, and doctors do not recommend using hormonal preparations and creams with vitamin D for more than 2 weeks.

Pills and injections

A person who is interested in how to treat psoriasis can ask a dermatologist about effective pills and injections that are used in the complex therapy of psoriasis.

1. Certain medications are prescribed if the psoriasis is severe. For example, pills that a person receives if the damaged skin does not heal.
2. The doctor prescribes B vitamins, folic acid, omega acids, other multivitamins and lecithin. These drugs help recovery, are not addictive, shorten the duration of treatment and prolong remission.

The complex therapy of scaly lichen is not limited to taking special means and vitamins.

If a person follows the rules, uses high-quality cosmetics, maintains the health and condition of the skin, psoriasis is practically not terrible for him.

If there are no contraindications, a person can give injections containing immunosuppressants:

1. Some medications are administered subcutaneously, while others used to treat psoriatic arthritis are administered intravenously.
2. Injections have serious contraindications. They cannot be used by persons under the age of 18, pregnant and lactating, in the presence of malignant tumors and infectious diseases.

Homeopathy

Manufacturers of homeopathic medicines claim that the use of such medicines reduces the risk of relapses and ensures a quick recovery from the problem. In addition funds:

1. Supports immunity and health of internal organs.
2. They are a source of minerals and vitamins needed by the body.
3. Restore bowel function, saturating the digestive tract with beneficial bacteria.
4. Helps eliminate toxins.

When choosing medicines, the homeopath takes into account the history of the person, the stage and nature of the course of the disease, heredity and the psychosomatic factor.

Official medicine does not have evidence for the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines in the treatment of psoriasis.

Physiotherapy in the fight against skin diseases

Most often, the affected skin is irradiated with light waves of the ultraviolet spectrum of different lengths or with a laser. Sometimes before the procedure, a person takes psoralens, which increase the sensitivity of skin cells to radiation. The doctor also prescribes cryotherapy when the affected skin is exposed to low temperatures. More recently, ultraviolet irradiation of the blood has been used against psoriasis.

Ultraviolet irradiation is one of the simplest methods of physiotherapy treatment. At the same time, the effectiveness of this method showed quite confident results.

The duration of the sessions varies, but physiotherapy is quite effective. This is one of the ways to quickly cure psoriasis. The procedures restore a person's activity, allow him to live and work to the fullest.

Is it possible to cure psoriasis forever with folk remedies?

There is no treatment for lichen scaly. Tablets, ointments, injections fight the symptoms of the disease, reducing the number of relapses. People's funds are no exception. Decoctions, tinctures, healing baths contribute to the onset of remission, but do not alleviate the autoimmune disease.

Medicines for oral administration

Means based on medicinal herbs and plants help relieve the symptoms of psoriasis. The safest are decoction of chamomile, fresh juice of aloe, compresses and decoctions of rhizome and leaves of burdock.

In pharmacies, you can buy herbal preparations against scaly lichen. They can be boiled with boiling water, infused and drunk before or after meals or poured into water and taken therapeutic baths.

According to traditional medicine, the use of hydrogen peroxide eliminates the manifestations of psoriasis. Use the medicine:

1. In the form of a solution. First, dilute a drop of the product in 3 tablespoons of water and drink on an empty stomach half an hour before meals. Gradually increase the strength of the solution to 10 drops for the same amount of water. Take the medicine every three days.
2. Externally, compresses are applied to the affected skin for an hour, soaking sterile gauze in a solution of 2 tablespoons of peroxide and 50 ml of water.

Before using any folk remedy, consult your doctor.

Compresses and baths

Compresses and baths with decoctions of medicinal plants will not cure the disease, but will alleviate the general condition, soothe itching and inflammation. It is prepared for external use:

• chamomile;
• continuity;
• thyme;
• burdock roots;
• oak bark;
• hops;
• sage etc.

It is not recommended to take baths for more than 20 minutes.

After bathing, moisturizing creams and therapeutic ointments are applied to the skin.

Baths and compresses with herbal decoctions have practically no contraindications.

Protection and skin care

There is no complete cure for psoriasis. But throughout the treatment and during the period of remission, a person must properly care for the skin:

• Avoid traumatic effects on the skin. Don't scratch, don't scratch. Use protective equipment during physical work or cleaning.
• Wear comfortable clothes made of natural materials.
• Use special dermatological cosmetics.
• Hydrate the skin.
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.

Prevention measures also include dietary and lifestyle changes that the person makes.

Lifestyle and nutrition changes

Food is not the cause of psoriasis, but malnutrition weakens the body's defenses, reduces resistance to stress factors. Therefore, a person with lichen scaly must monitor daily life and nutrition.

A doctor, when asked how to treat psoriasis, will list preventive measures:

1. Refusal of heavy, fried, fatty foods.
2. Active lifestyle, moderate physical activity.
3. Sunbathing in the evening and in the morning.
4. Refusal of smoking and alcoholic beverages.

One should give preference to healthy meals with high content of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

What to do if the child is sick

The first thing that parents do, noticing the manifestations of scaly lichen on the skin of children, is to seek help from a doctor. Treating the disease in the early stages can reduce the intensity of the rashes, which cause physical and emotional distress to children.

It is necessary to teach the child to properly care for the skin, to adhere to a healthy lifestyle. Socialization is very important for children, so parents should encourage the child's desire to play sports, make friends, attend circles. To cope with emotional discomfort, children may need the help of a psychotherapist who will teach them not to react to possible stupid remarks from peers and even narrow-minded adults.

Is psoriasis completely curable?

A person who experiences itchy, scaly skin rashes that bring with them physical and psychological discomfort seeks to know whether this disease is treatable or not.

You can learn everything about psoriasis and its treatment from the dermatologist to whom you turned for help. There are associations and support centers where you can also get the necessary information, including legal information, for example what benefits are due if a person is diagnosed with psoriasis.

It is impossible to completely cure psoriasis, because the disease is related to a genetic factor, and genes do not lend themselves to drug therapy, procedures, homeopathy and folk remedies.

Modern drugs, ointments, procedures really effectively fight the symptoms of the disease, prolong the remission. But, regardless of the methods used, psoriasis can return. The disease recurs more often if a person neglects medical examinations, does not follow simple rules of prevention.

Can the disease be prevented?

"Three pillars" on which the prevention of skin diseases is based:

1. Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
2. Proper nutrition.
3. Giving up bad habits.

For washing, it is better to use only cosmetic dermatological products purchased in a pharmacy. Well, if they contain tar.