Psoriasis of the feet is a skin disease in which itchy papules, spots or pustules appear on certain parts of the limbs. Over time, they grow and merge into plaques. This disease is incurable and chronic. A well-designed complex therapy helps to quickly relieve the symptoms of psoriasis on the legs. Therefore, those wishing to achieve stable remission (to clear the skin completely or partially of the elements of the rash), you should not prescribe treatment.
Causes of pathology
Scientists have not yet understood why psoriasis occurs on the legs and other parts of the body. Many researchers have linked a psoriatic skin rash to a genetic defect in the cells of the epidermis and the subsequent overactivity of the immune system. This pathological condition occurs as follows:
- As a result of skin dysfunction, keratinocytes (which make up 90% of the cells of the epidermis) do not have time to mature, but at the same time multiply rapidly, leading to a change in the structure of individual areas of the skin.
- In response to such a failure, the body's immunity sends T-lymphocytes (killer cells) and macrophages (eating cells) to destroy immature and pathologically altered keratinocytes.
- As a result of the accumulation of a large number of immune cells and keratinocytes in the upper layers of the epidermis, the skin grows and begins to peel off. No medication can help to completely normalize skin renewal functions.
The progression of psoriasis on the feet is facilitated by a bacterial infection that can penetrate the skin through small scratches, as well as by a disturbed hormonal background, contact allergic dermatitis and a number of other external factors.
What does psoriasis of the feet look like, depending on the type of disease
Psoriatic lesions on the feet and knees of the feet can look different from person to person. This factor is explained by the cyclical course of the disease. In addition, one or more forms of psoriasis can develop on the skin of the feet, including palmar-plantar, common (vulgar), lacrimal, punctate, and psoriasis of the nails and joints.
Psoriasis of the legs and feet
Elements of psoriatic rashes can be localized on different parts of the skin of the feet:
- on the knees;
- of the shins;
- on the heels;
- in the thighs.
Psoriasis of the lower leg, foot, knee and inner thigh begins with the appearance of single red papules and severe itching (typical of punctate and vulgar forms of the disease) or with small patches of pink and purple (with drop-shaped psoriasis).
In the first case, the elements of the rash protrude slightly above the surface of the skin, differ in density and have a tip with silvery scales, which flakes when scraped with a fingernail. Over time, the papules enlarge, and those that are close together merge into a single plaque. As a result, they completely cover the skin of the knees or cover hard areas of skin from the knees to the feet. Peeling appears on the surface of the plaques.
In the initial stage, the teardrop-shaped elements of a psoriatic rash affect the entire skin of the feet with the same type of small rash. Then, as the disease progresses, single spots merge into groups and cover large areas of the skin on the feet. Such psoriatic lesions rarely appear on the heels.
Palmar-plantar psoriasis often develops on the foot. Elements of the rash form on the inflamed skin of the feet in the form of small spots and pustules with clear borders and sterile yellow contents. If the pustules on the legs open, then the fluid from them leaks, dries and forms a yellowish crust, the ulcers under it also dry out.
Pustules that do not burst are covered with dry scales. Gradually they increase and combine in groups, the scaly layer begins to strongly tighten the skin, which causes discomfort when walking. The skin around the plaques becomes thick and dry, cracking. Through such cracks, the infection usually penetrates the deep layers of the dermis, after which weeping and disintegration of the skin begins.
Psoriatic arthritis
In most cases, plaque psoriasis of the legs provokes psoriatic joint damage. This arthritis is divided into 5 types:
- Symmetrical - simultaneous inflammation of the paired joints of the knees, thighs, ankles or feet.
- Asymmetric - pathological changes affect both large and small joints, such as the joints of one knee and the joints of the toes.
- Inflammation of the distal joints - the small joints of the toes closer to the nails swell.
- Spondylosis - Arthritis affects the lumbosacral spine, leading to pain in the thighs and lower extremities.
- Deforming arthritis is a rare inflammatory pathology in which the small joints of the fingers are completely destroyed.
The skin above the swollen joints swells, turns purple-blue and becomes hot.
Damage to the nail plates
Psoriatic nail damage occurs against the background of:
- psoriatic arthritis in 80-90% of cases;
- vulgar or pustular psoriasis in 50-60% of cases.
In 5-10% of clinical cases, toenail psoriasis is primary, ie it occurs on its own, not preceded by psoriatic lesions of the joints or skin of the feet.
Initially, common psoriasis of the feet or psoriatic inflammation of the distal joints of the toes cause pathological changes in the skin around the nail area. The pathology then spreads to the nail bed or affects the nail plate lying on it. There is a deformation of the nail - the formation of dents, transverse lines - and discoloration of the plate.
Such signs of psoriasis in women are rare in youth, the disease is most common in young men. In old age, psoriatic nail damage affects both women and men equally.
Stages of progression
Psoriasis of the lower extremities, if left untreated, goes through 3 stages of development:
- initial;
- progressive;
- stationary.
Then the pathological changes cease, the stage of remission begins. Without preventive treatment, the disease recurs over time.
The manifestation of the initial stage of the disease on the legs is characterized by the formation of a small single rash in the form of spots, papules or pustules. At first, it may appear simultaneously on the bends of both knees. The elements of the rash are red or pink, after which their tips are covered with white scales. The initial stage of psoriasis lasts about 3 weeks. During this time, the papules or pustules increase in size and form groups.
The initial stage of psoriasis can be stopped if you seek professional help immediately. But more often people ignore the symptoms of the disease, which is why psoriasis continues to develop. At a progressive stage, the number of psoriatic plaques on the skin of the feet increases, those that are close to each other merge into "paraffin ponds" of various shapes and sizes. Psoriasis of the toes leads to inflammation and desquamation of the nail tissue andnail damage.
The progressive period is characterized by the Kebner phenomenon, when a psoriatic rash forms on the healed skin, for example after an incision or scratch.
In the stationary stage, psoriasis of the feet and other areas of the skin of the feet still manifests as severe itching and flaking. The new elements of the rash no longer appear and the plaques stop growing in size. There is no inflammatory edge around them; in its place dry scales appear. If treatment is stopped at this stage, the exacerbation of the disease will begin again. Otherwise, the psoriatic plaques stop peeling off, some of them disappear completely, some simply light up - the remission stage begins.
How to treat psoriasis of the feet
The treatment regimen for psoriasis of the feet is drawn up for each patient individually, taking into account the location of the rash, the form of the disease, the stage of progression and a number of other factors. It is dangerous to independently invent a treatment for this disease, as complications can occur in the form of extensive skin lesions, inflammation of the joints, to their destruction and the addition of bacterial (staphylococcal, streptococcal) infection.
Medicines
First, outbreaks of psoriasis are affected by non-hormonal ointments:
- tar, naphthalene - ointments relieve inflammation, are antiseptics, but should be used only as directed by a doctor, as they have serious contraindications.
- sulfur -salicylic ointment, salicylic acid - refers to keratolytic agents (destroying the stratum corneum). They have an exfoliating effect and help the plaques to dissolve.
- ointments that contain solid oil, soften the skin of the feet, have a regenerating effect.
- ointments that contain the active form of vitamin D3 slow down the process of cell division, thus reducing inflammation and flaking of the skin of the feet.
If non-hormonal drugs do not help to stop psoriasis of the feet, then corticosteroid ointments are prescribed, which are divided into:
- Weakly active - the funds act on the surface of the skin, suitable for the initial stage of psoriasis. Some ointments in this group are approved for use by children, pregnant and lactating women.
- Moderately active - prescribed for the treatment of psoriasis on rough areas of the skin of the feet, especially the knees and feet.
- Highly active - prescribed if moderate ointments can not stop the increase of psoriatic plaques on the skin of the feet.
If no ointment for psoriasis helps, then at the stage of disease progression pills are prescribed simultaneously with external drugs for:
- suppression of immune cell activity;
- preventing the proliferation of epidermal cells;
- they also take retinoids, vitamin A derivatives needed to repair epidermal cells.
How to get rid of psoriasis of the feet with home methods
Folk remedies for psoriasis are drugs for external and internal use, but in the treatment they should be used as carefully as drugs.
Questions like how to treat psoriasis at home are still unanswered. Some homemade recipes help to eliminate the symptoms of the disease for a long time, but not completely get rid of them.
Ointment for exacerbation
Ingredients:
- unrefined sunflower oil - 1 liter;
- celandine herb - 50 g;
- elecampane roots - 50 g;
- acetylsalicylic acid - 50 tab.
Method of preparation: grind tablets and herbs using a coffee grinder, pour the resulting powder into vegetable oil, mix well. Leave for 30 days in a warm, dark place to infuse. During this period, the mixture should be heated every 3 days on a steam bath, stirring but not boiling.
How to use: strain the drug, mix the resulting liquid with Vaseline (3: 1), apply 3 times a day on psoriatic plaques.
An ointment that relieves symptoms for 10 days
Ingredients:
- birch tar - 150 g;
- pharmacy alcohol - 150 mg;
- camphor oil - 75 mg;
- chicken yolk - 3 pcs.
Method of cooking: beat the yolks in an enamel bowl, gradually adding camphor, then tar and alcohol. Store the ointment in a dark place.
How to use: Apply with gauze on inflamed skin of the feet. After three days you should wash your feet with warm water with tar soap foam, wipe off the moisture and reapply the ointment for 3 days. If the disease has not started, the procedure is repeated again, after which the skin is cleansed.
During the period of treatment with home ointments it is very important to maintain the body's immunity. For this purpose, 1 teaspoon can be taken orally daily. sea buckthorn oil.
Diet
Proper nutrition is one of the conditions for effective treatment of psoriasis not only on the legs but also on other parts of the body. Medical scientists have concluded that the allergic factor contributes to the progression of all forms of psoriasis, so allergenic foods should be excluded primarily from the menu:
- chicken eggs;
- Seafood;
- natural honey;
- chocolate, cocoa;
- bunches;
- lamb;
- pork;
- chicken;
- alcohol.
During this period it is very important to give up sweet, spicy, too salty and smoked foods - they slow down the body's metabolism. The menu should include dairy products, river fish, cereals, baked apples, vegetable oils, green peas, carrots.
Complete fasting in psoriasis, when a person drinks only one water, is contraindicated.
During the exacerbation of psoriasis on the legs, doctors recommend organizing a fasting day once a week, for example, to eat only apples, kefir or boiled river fish.
Physiotherapy
The answer to the question of how to treat psoriasis of the legs with physiotherapy is quite extensive. For this purpose, doctors prescribe:
- Ultrasound therapy - the ultrasonic waves emitted by the device cause compression and stretching of the skin tissues, which is done in order to restore their cells. In this way, it is possible to relieve inflammation, itching and swelling of the skin of the feet.
- Electrosleep - prescribed for psoriasis of the skin of the feet, if a person can not cope with the stress caused by the pathology.
- Phototherapy - under the influence of ultraviolet rays, the skin's immunity is strengthened, the rate of growth and cell division decreases.
Acupressure helps to improve metabolic processes in the skin of the feet with psoriasis. It is recommended to be performed only in the period of remission of the disease, otherwise there is a high probability of infection in the inflamed skin.
Hygiene rules
In order not to cause the appearance of new psoriatic plaques on the skin of the feet, during the period of remission it is recommended to use only warm water and baby toilet soap with a moisturizing effect to wash the skin. When the disease progresses, the feet should be washed with warm water and tar soap, which not only cleanses the skin, but also relieves inflammation from it. After washing, dry the skin and toenails well with a soft cloth.
Additional recommendations
Treatment for psoriasis of the feet will be long-term if a person:
- He is engaged in active sports - his feet are sweating, there is a great load on his feet. After a workout, it is very important to wash your feet with lukewarm water, dry them thoroughly, wear clean socks and wide shoes that will allow your skin to breathe.
- Regularly and continuously darkens in the sun - excessive sunbathing causes burns and worsens metabolic processes in the skin. At the stage of progression of psoriasis on the skin of the feet is better to refuse copious sunbathing, and in remission you should use sunscreen.
Preventive measures and prognosis
Today, psoriasis is considered incurable. Therefore, once a lasting reduction in symptoms has been achieved, efforts should be made to maintain this condition in the manner recommended by the physician. There is no place for self-treatment here.