How psoriasis begins and manifests itself: symptoms and diagnosis

26 December 2020

According to statistics, psoriasis is a non-communicable chronic disease that affects one percent of the population, with symptoms such as focal rash, itching, and severe peeling of the skin.

The disease can develop at any age and regardless of the social environment to which a person belongs. Pearls occur equally in men and women. The disease often affects young people under the age of twenty.

Many people are interested in the question: "Psoriasis itching, what are the symptoms and treatment, most importantly it is contagious? " Itching in psoriasis occurs in almost 85%, but the disease is generally not contagious and can be transmitted by airborne droplets or homenot infected with. It is difficult to treat, but complex therapy almost always gives good results.

Manifestation of the disease

How does psoriasis manifest and what is it? Psoriatic plaques often develop in the most exposed areas, such as the elbows or knees.

In addition, the symptoms of psoriasis can appear on almost any part of the skin - the head, face, back, abdomen, palms, feet, underarms and even the genitals.

Another similar disease - eczema - affects the outer part of the knee and elbow joints - psoriasis and the inner part of the flexor surfaces.

The pathology is chronic and has a wavy course, ie a person's condition can improve under the influence of treatment or, conversely, worsen under the influence of adverse factors, and remission and exacerbation are generally spontaneous.

Relapse can be caused by alcohol, stress, or infectious diseases. The severity of psoriasis varies from person to person and even from person to person during the course of the disease.

The main symptoms of psoriasis are plaques that appear as small lesions in certain areas. In some cases, they can cover the whole body.

Psoriasis progresses over time, especially if proper measures are not taken to correct it. The progression of the disease consists of an increase in the frequency of exacerbations and an increase in the area of the lesion by involving healthy areas of the skin in the inflammatory process. There are cases when the disease persists without a period of remission.

Onychodystrophy - pathologies such as nail damage are very common. The disease can go away on its own without the addition of a skin lesion. In addition, psoriasis can contribute to the development of an inflammatory process in the joints - psoriatic arthritis (disease of the lower extremities and small joints of the hands) and onychodystrophy are observed in about 15% of patients with psoriasis.

There are many different ways to fight this disease, but psoriasis is very difficult to treat due to the tendency of the disease to recur and worsen. It is almost impossible to completely recover, ie it remains in a person for the rest of his life, but with proper treatment and adherence to all medical prescriptions, longer-term remission can be achieved.

Reasons

To date, medicine does not know the true cause of this pathology, but it has been proven that a malfunction of the immune system, neurological diseases and metabolic diseases can cause the disease. There are a number of factors that can lead to the development of the disease:

Genetic predisposition,in other words, simple heredity. Experts say that people suffering from psoriasis can have symptoms of psoriasis. In addition, if one parent is ill, the risk of developing the disease increases to 20%, and both parents to 50%. This is due to the presence of certain genes responsible for the development of dermatological changes. The first signs of hereditary psoriasis usually appear before the age of 25.
Neurological diseases.Any emotional shock, nervous tension, chronic fatigue can lead to the development of the disease. In addition, any stressful situation in patients with psoriasis can lead to exacerbation of the disease.
Hormonal deficiency.All pathological changes in the endocrine system can lead to the development of the disease.
Disorders of the metabolic process.Psoriasis can be caused by metabolic diseases associated with a lack of beneficial trace elements and vitamins in the body.
Helminthic invasion.Some types of parasites can cause a disease. Many laboratory studies have been conducted, the results showed that many patients with psoriasis are infected with giardiasis, opisthorchiasis, ascariasis, enterobiasis. The fact is that during their vital activity, helminths release toxins that poison the whole body. This leads to exacerbation of chronic diseases and a significant decrease in immunity.
Viral infections,also attack the human immune system.

It is clear from the above that the development of psoriasis is in one way or another associated with disorders of the body's defense mechanisms. Psoriasis in the body can develop under the influence of a whole trigger or under the influence of factors such as unbalanced diet, climate change, alcohol abuse and smoking.

Clinical appearance and types of psoriasis

How does psoriasis start? The first signs of the disease are the appearance of itchy and lichen-like red plaques and scaly patches. Over time, the stains peel off and a thicker scaly layer forms underneath.

When the disease progresses, plaques appear at the sites of skin trauma (wounds, cuts, burns) is called the Kenber phenomenon.

Varieties

There are several types of psoriasis, each with a specific clinical picture:

Plaque (true psoriasis)is the most common form of the disease, occurring in more than 80% of all patients. The skin becomes inflamed, dry and thickened with the above areas covered with light silver scales. The skin in these areas is peeled hot and constantly to the touch. After peeling, often damaged and bleeding red inflammatory foci are found. Inflammation can combine into large foci. Peeling with psoriasis on the elbows and knees is not so obvious.
Tear- a small dry inflammation of a red or purple, round shape that rises above the surface of the skin. Guttate psoriasis covers large areas of the body. The first symptoms of the disease may occur after a sore throat or pharyngitis caused by a previous streptococcal infection.
Pustulesare the most complex form of the disease. Looks like blistering rashes raised above the surface of healthy skin. These bubbles are filled with exudate. The skin around the pustules turns red, swells, thickens, and then peels off. When a secondary infection is added, the blisters are filled with purulent fluid. Typically, this psoriasis is limited and affects specific areas such as the lower leg and forearm. In severe cases, the inflammation begins to spread further along the surface of the skin, and the rash spots unite in one focus.
Psoriatic arthritis- joints and connective tissue are involved in the pathological process. The main manifestation of this form is severe itching. In addition, the skin of the joints in the fingers is painful, swollen, peeling and swollen.
Onychodystrophy (nail psoriasis)can look like mycosis. With such a disease, the appearance of the nails changes, they become brittle and abrasive, the color of the nail bed and the plaque itself may be yellow or gray. White spots, dots and transverse lines appear on the nails and under the nails. The skin under and around the nails is firm. Onychodystrophy often leads to nail loss.

Additional symptoms of psoriasis include:

bleeding wounds (at the site of skin trauma);
nail erosion;
severe itching;
In psoriatic arthritis, fever, swelling, and joint pain (not always).

How the disease develops

There are several stages in the course of the disease:

progressive.This is the initial stage of the disease. It is characterized by an increase in the number of new rashes.
Stationary.At this stage, the picture of the disease remains unchanged, ie the symptoms of rash and other psoriasis do not increase or decrease.
Regression phase.The last stage of the disease, which goes on without a hitch.

Depending on the spread of the inflammatory process, the disease may be:

limited- small areas of skin are affected;
general- large areas of skin are affected;
generalized- affects almost the entire surface of the body.

Among other things, psoriasis is a seasonal disease, which means that all the symptoms worsen depending on the season. Most people generally get worse in the winter or spring. In some patients, this process is not associated with seasonal changes.

Diagnostics

How is this disease diagnosed? The diagnosis of psoriasis is primarily based on an examination by a dermatologist. Examination reveals the shape and extent of the lesion.

In some cases, a differential diagnosis is made to differentiate psoriasis from other dermatological diseases. How do we know that a patient has this particular disease?

As already mentioned, psoriasis is a Kenber phenomenon that is not specific to skin pathologies. Another symptom should be considered when there is a slight edge around a new papule that has not yet begun to peel - a kind of vascular reaction that indicates that the disease is progressing.

Sometimes a skin biopsy is used to make the diagnosis more accurate, or tests are taken to detect an inflammatory process in the blood. You should start treatment immediately after the diagnosis of psoriasis.

Treatment

Medication

The main therapy is the use of topical medications in the form of ointments, gels, creams and sprays.

These drugs contain substances that stop the excess cell division in the skin and eliminate an unpleasant symptom such as itching. There are a number of substances that effectively fight this disease:

Glucocorticoid hormones.Eliminates inflammation and normalizes the immune system.
Vitamin D.The use of drugs containing vitamin D will be most effective when the patient's condition is stable after the patient reaches the inpatient stage. Good results are obtained when such drugs are taken in combination with ultraviolet radiation procedures.
Silicone.Improves skin condition, has a sorbent effect and attracts antigens involved in the development of the disease.
Tarhas a good effect on inflammatory foci localized in the head.
Lecithin.Promotes rapid tissue regenerationPreparations with this substance help the body fight inflammation faster.
Activated zincquickly eliminates redness and itching.

Patients are also prescribed drugs of the following groups:

corticosteroids- normalizes metabolic processes;
cytostatic- prevents cell division, but can weaken the body's defense mechanisms;
immunomodulators- also regulate immune reactions, but their effectiveness is questionable;
non-steroidal- eliminates inflammation and itching.

Vitamin complexes are prescribed in combination with these drugs.

In addition to drug treatment, the following methods are very popular:

Hirudotherapy.Leech therapy improves blood circulation and normalizes immune mechanisms.
Cryotherapy.A unique "ice cream" way eliminates itching, swelling and inflammation.
ultraviolet radiation.These short-term procedures are combined with the use of special drugs.

Attention!Self-medication for psoriasis is unacceptable because many drugs have contraindications and are prescribed by a specialist only taking into account the individual physiological characteristics of the patient.

Children generally have a lower incidence of psoriasis than adults, so topical therapy gives good results, and even in case of exacerbation, a repeated course of treatment can lead to long-term remission.

Even if a child is diagnosed with a severe form and receives adequate treatment in time, the prognosis will be more or less favorable.

The basic rule for parents is to know how to identify the symptoms of psoriasis and start fighting the disease immediately!

Traditional medicine

Traditional medicine recipes are often used to treat psoriasis. Herbal compresses will be effective.

Grind 4 tablespoons to make a paste. spoon dried herbs and pour a glass of boiling water, then infuse. You need to moisten the gauze in the broth and apply it to the sore spots.

The following plants have healing properties:

calendula;
ponytail;
walnut leaves;
celandine;
yarrow;
sweet clover;
burdock;
black currant leaves.

You can also make an oral tincture. To do this, 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dry grass should be poured into a glass of boiling water, insist 8 hours, filtered and drink 100 ml twice a day, preferably half an hour before meals. Suitable for herbal collection:

St John's wort;
celandine;
sequence;
marshmallow;
valerian.

Attention!Some of these herbs can cause side effects, so you should read all the contraindications before starting treatment.

Ointments for home treatment are very popular. Some effective recipes:

Burn the dried rose hips and mix the ash with the petroleum jelly. The ointment should be applied to the affected areas every day.
Grind celandine leaves to make 2 tsp. spoon, add lanolin and petroleum jelly. Ointment to treat inflamed skin.
Mix rope tincture with lanolin and petroleum jelly and rub on psoriatic plaques.
Grind the roots of meadow sweets, mix with butter or petroleum jelly, boil the resulting ointment, peel and remove wounds.

Soothing herbal teas are helpful. Can be cooked from motherwort, oregano, chamomile, mint, thyme, valerian, linden, peony.

Traditional medicine does not guarantee 100% results, it is better to combine it with the main treatment.

Psoriasis and pregnancy

Many women with psoriasis are worried about how the disease will behave during this period.

Psoriasis is an unexpected disease, so it is difficult to answer the question: "How to determine the course of the disease during pregnancy. "Psoriasis symptoms may begin to progress, remain inactive, or decrease. There are cases when the disease disappears completely after birth.

Every pregnant woman worries that the disease can be passed on to her baby, but the disease itself is not hereditary, it is only prone to it.

During lactation, if the mother is treated with strong drugs, breast milk is very dangerous, because the substances can harm the health of the baby. In this case, you should stop treatment or switch the baby to artificial feeding.

The disease does not affect the conception and development of the fetus, but medications taken by the expectant mother can have negative consequences, so it is important to consult with your doctor, who cancel some of them when planning a pregnancy.

Prevention

This disease is not preventable, but its manifestations can be significantly reduced. To reduce the symptoms of the disease, you should follow the following preventive rules:

Try not to get upset and learn to control your emotions. Natural sedatives can be used to make this easier.
Reduce consumption of salty, smoked, spicy, fried and fatty foods, as well as honey, citrus fruits, chocolate and coffee.
Wear clothes made of natural fabrics.
Choose personal care products that are deeply dry or have a low pH level that won't irritate.
Be careful with medications, as many can cause inflammation in psoriasis, antibiotics are especially dangerous.
Quit smoking and alcohol.
Avoid direct sunlight.

Psoriasis is one of the most common skin diseases, the nature of which is still not fully understood. Illness causes a lot of anxiety, worsens the quality of life and lowers a person's self-esteem.

It can happen suddenly and, unfortunately, no one is immune to this disease. Therefore, it is very important to know how this pathology manifests itself in order to see a doctor in time and start treatment.