Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease. Occurs when the immune system malfunctions. The development of the disease is divided into clear stages - onset, progression, stabilization and regression. The different stages of psoriasis differ in the appearance of spots and rashes, painful itching and extensive inflammation of the skin.
Why is it necessary to distinguish between the stages of development of the disease and what are the peculiarities of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of development and in the process of recovery?
Why you need to know the stages of psoriasis
The division of psoriasis into stages is used by physicians to make the right choice of therapeutic methods. The complex of drugs and external agents that are prescribed to treat inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the beginning of the disease, general therapy is needed - vitamin complexes, diet, external aseptic treatment of the rash, such as a course of UV procedures. Drugs that stimulate the cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels, liver are also prescribed.
Do not forget to make a correction of the psycho-emotional state - by a neurologist or psychologist.
In the initial stage of the disease, they do not use powerful drugs that suppress the immune system, do not prescribe hormonal ointments. These drugs have a large list of side effects, so they are prescribed only when it is impossible to do without them.
Psoriasis: treatment in acute and remission
In the case of an acute progressive course of the disease, several drugs with different actions are prescribed. Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching. External treatments are complemented by photochemical, ultrasound and laser therapy. Antiseptics for damaged skin are also prescribed.
In a stabilized state, they continue to take anti-inflammatory hormonal drugs, gradually reducing their dose. Ointments with a regenerating effect are prescribed to repair damaged skin.
In remission - support the body. Proper nutrition, take vitamin and mineral complexes to restore immunity.
Timeliness of treatment
The earlier treatment is started, the easier it is to control psoriasis.
Timely therapy limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its degree, prevents subsequent recurrences of peeling. Because psoriasis is often confused with an allergic rash at an early stage, it is necessary to know its initial signs so as not to miss the onset of skin disease.
Note:Doctors are still investigating the causes of psoriasis. But it is definitely known that psoriatic skin inflammation is not contagious. It cannot be taken by a sick person or an infection in case of injury. This is our personal failure in the human body.
The cause of psoriasis is immune deficiency, which can be caused by various factors. Severe stress, poisoning (including powerful drugs, industrial waste, alcohol), previous infection.
Psoriasis is difficult to treat. The disease is prone to recurrence, relapse. And the therapy itself is symptomatic. It consists in preventing the appearance of new spots and relieving existing itchy skin.
Which stage of psoriasis is called initial? How to distinguish early psoriasis from diathesis rash? And how will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: initial stage
The first appearance of psoriasis on the skin looks like pimples. The rash most often occurs in the bends of the elbows and knees or in places where the clothes are tightly pressed to the body (for example, under the waist belt). Rash can also appear on the edge of the hair and under the hair, around the nails and on the nail plates. Sometimes psoriasis occurs on the feet and palms.
Psoriasis almost always occurs symmetrically - on the elbows of both hands, or on both sides of the lower back, or on two knees.
The pimples themselves (in medical terminology - papules) in the initial stage have a moderate appearance. They have:
- Pink or red;
- Sharp, blurred edge;
- Small size - the bud at the base does not exceed two millimeters;
- Flat shape - small pimples at the beginning of the disease have almost no swelling, which makes them look like spots.
As the pimple disease progresses, flaky skin flakes appear. They are gray or silvery, against the background of a red pimple look white.
The appearance of scales is accompanied by quite severe itching. If you do not resist and scratch, then the scales are removed, exposing the shiny areas of pink young skin underneath. It is very thin, vulnerable, with prolonged scratching of itchy papules - injured, bleeding.
The initial stage of psoriasis lasts up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: stage of progression
In the progressive stage, the individual pimples merge into one common place, forming the so-called psoriatic plaques. They are raised above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered with peeling. There is a non-scaly pink-red edge on the edges of the psoriatic plaques.
The presence of the rim is a sign of a progressive stage of the disease. The rim is one to two millimeters wide. The skin on it is inflamed, its structure resembles parchment paper.
The rim represents the area of spot expansion. This is skin that is already inflamed but not yet white. After a while, it will also be covered with scales. And the patch will expand to cover new areas of skin and form a new wider edge.
In the active development of the disease, the neighboring spots merge with each other. At one point, a large, inflamed red spot may form on the human body.
Psoriatic plaques are very itchy, causing discomfort, disrupting work, rest and sleep. They grow, occupy a large area and form a new rash on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of the progressive stage is the appearance of new rashes. As soon as new pimples and spots stop appearing, the next stage of psoriasis begins - stationary. This is not yet a complete victory, but it is already a turnaround for recovery.
In the stage of progression psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue, weakness. Depression is common. Possible temperature.
Note: Some medical theories claim otherwise. Depression is not a consequence of psoriasis. And psoriasis is a consequence of neurology, the depressed psyche.
The duration of the progressive stage of psoriasis can be long, several months.
Psoriasis: stationary stage
The main sign of the stationary stage is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes. At the same time, the itching also decreases, it becomes more tolerable. The rash loses its bright color, discolors, becomes invisible. This is also one of the signs that the process is stabilizing.
The pink bands around the perimeter of the plaques disappear when the inflammation stops spreading. Active exfoliation and healing begins, regeneration of new healthy skin.
It is noticeable to the naked eye that the peeling increases in a stationary stage. The scales completely cover the entire surface of the psoriatic spot, leaving no room for the rims.
Psoriasis acquires the characteristic scaly appearance that is widely recognized by the general public. Extensive peeling in a stationary stage is not dangerous.
When all the dead cells come out of the surface of the psoriatic spot, healthy skin with a slight light tinge will remain in place.
Other signs of progression or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of rashes, spots and scaling, there are a number of other signs that can be used to assess the development of the disease. This is the nature of the itchy sensations (strong or tolerable), general condition, depressed mood. And also the presence of temperature.
In the initial stage, the itching is variable and the rash is incomprehensible. In addition, the itching intensifies every day. In the acute stage of psoriasis, it becomes unbearable. Disrupts sleep, rest, interferes with work. The person becomes irritable because the itchy sensations do not allow him to rest.
In the stationary stage, the itching subsides. Every day - a person feels better. The general state of the psyche changes, negativity and depressed moods weaken. The duration of the stationary stage is several weeks - from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in the fading stage
The disappearing stage of psoriasis is the almost complete disappearance of plaques, spots, redness, inflammation, itching.
At this stage of the disease, psoriasis is only reminiscent of different skin pigmentation. In place of the former psoriatic spots it looks brighter. The surface of healthy skin has a darker shade.
In some cases, the so-called hyperpigmentation is formed. The skin at the site of psoriasis spots does not become lighter, but darker. In any case, the differences in skin pigmentation will be visible for another one to two months.
Post-recovery psoriasis: possibility of recurrence
The possibility of recurrence of psoriasis is determined by lifestyle, diet, allergic mood and the condition of the body as a whole. It is also determined by the amount of toxins in his body, blood, liver. You can reduce the likelihood of re-inflammation of the skin if you strengthen the immune system and cleanse the body of toxins in the liver, blood vessels and intestines.
Seasonal relapses of psoriasis are often rare after cleansing. A person remains susceptible to the disease, but the probability of its occurrence is significantly reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking vitamin and mineral complexes help boost immunity. This is especially important if immunosuppressants have been used during treatment in the advanced stage of psoriasis. Their need is due to the work of mediators of inflammation. After suppressing the autoimmune defense, it is necessary to restore the immune system.