Psoriasis of the elbows is an inflammatory process with characteristic skin rashes. Among the factors that trigger the onset of the disease are heredity, various diseases, bad habits, stressful situations and others.
Itching, redness, swelling and pain are accompanied by pathology in the affected areas. Bakposev tests for urine, blood, feces, biopsy, microflora are prescribed to make a diagnosis. Treatment includes medication, topical treatment, physiotherapy, and nutritional adjustments.
Other pathologies should be ruled out before starting treatment for psoriasis on the elbows: eczema, fungal infections.
Special medications are prescribed only after a thorough examination, so it is necessary to first consult a dermatologist.
stages
Psoriasis occurs in several stages, periodically replacing each other.
Initial
The outer surface of the elbow area is covered with small papules. Externally, they look like pimples with a random adjustment. After 14-21 days, the formations turn into volumetric plates covered with scales. The dryness of the skin increases, the surface becomes rough.
progressive
This stage is characterized by the formation of numerous large plaques. Patients complain of peeling and redness in the affected area. The boundaries of the spill are represented by a well-defined edge. At this stage, the disease progresses to exacerbation.
Stationary
With a properly chosen scheme of therapeutic measures, the clinical picture is less pronounced and the disease goes into a state of rest. The number of psoriatic rashes decreases, there are no new papules.
regressive
This stage is accompanied by a decrease in the severity of symptoms, the number of plaques is significantly reduced. The skin where the rash was previously localized is noticeably pigmented, but at the same time, there are no characteristic scales at the lesion sites, and the epidermis is not peeled off.
Symptoms
The beginning of the development of the pathological process is indicated by the appearance of small red spots of oval or round shape. As the disease progresses, the number of formations increases, spreading to healthy areas of the skin.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that cannot be completely cured. However, modern methods help to quickly get rid of the disease and achieve long-term remission.
Antihistamines are used; Local ointments and corticosteroids, creams containing salicylic acid are used for rashes on the joints.
An important method of treatment is the appointment of diet and vitamin complexes; The positive effects of some homeopathic remedies have been noted.
The early stage is characterized by a small number of rashes. If it is time to seek help from a specialist at this stage, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of the disease becoming chronic.
The main feature of psoriasis is the formation of light silver scales. Under mechanical action, their integrity is compromised, resulting in a smooth surface with bloody cracks.
There have been cases when psoriatic plaques do not have scales.
Patients begin to complain of severe itching, swelling at the site of the lesion, burning. If you palpate the affected areas, you may feel a rise in temperature and pain in these areas.
Depending on how well the body's protective functions work, when the disease affects the entire surface of the skin of the upper extremities, the pathological process is accompanied by the formation of single or multiple plaques. If appropriate measures are not taken in time, the probability of the pathology becoming indifferent increases several times.
The severity of the clinical picture also depends on the stage of the disease. Symptoms during remission are reduced, the patient feels better. A recurrent condition is characterized by the appearance of many psoriatic plaques, the general well-being of a person deteriorating due to painful symptoms.
Reasons
Despite the high prevalence of the disease, it was not possible to fully study and identify the exact factors that provoked it. However, experts have identified several alleged causes that can contribute to the development of psoriatic lesions on the elbows.
One of the most common factors is genetic predisposition. According to statistics, in 50% of cases, a pathological diagnosis is made in a person whose relatives are also susceptible to this disease.
Prerequisites for the development of psoriasis are the lack of resistance of the body to infectious diseases, malnutrition, uncontrolled intake of drugs that adversely affect the immune system and thus weaken it.
Also among the reasons:
- endocrine disorders;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- damage to the epidermis;
- frequent stress, neurosis, depression.
Vitamin deficiency and lack of trace elements in the body can contribute to the manifestation of psoriasis.
Diagnostics
Since the development of psoriasis on the elbows is accompanied by obvious clinical signs, the pathology is not difficult to detect. First, the dermatologist performs an external examination of the damaged areas of the epidermis and collects the patient's history.
The patient is sent for laboratory examination to confirm the initial diagnosis.
A blood test can detect a possible predisposition to an allergic reaction to certain medications that can be used to treat psoriasis. In addition, the analysis may help in the diagnosis of anemia, which will be accompanied by characteristic deviations in the levels of leukocytes and erythrocytes.
Urine analysis allows you to determine the level of water-salt balance, ie how much salt and water enters and leaves the human body.
The study of feces is necessary to identify helminths in them.
If the basic methods are not sufficient to make a final diagnosis, the doctor will order an additional examination:
- biopsy of epidermal samples taken from lesions;
- bakposev on the microflora;
- experiment with potassium oxide.
If you suspect a complex course of the pathological process, an X-ray examination is performed, which allows you to assess the presence of joint disease.
If women develop psoriasis during childbirth, they are referred for a prolactin test.
In addition, you should consult an orthopedist, rheumatologist, venereologist or mammologist.
Methods of treatment
Psoriasis cannot be treated, but it can prevent inflammation and prolong the remission phase. In this case, therapy should be comprehensive. The use of such treatments consists of:
- usemedicalinternal medications;
- usefundslocal activities;
- vitamin therapy;
- sanatorium-resorttreatment;
- applicationhomeopathicmedicines.
In addition, it is important to follow a special diet. This includes foods in the diet that contain substances that help initiate remission and limit the use of foods that are harmful to psoriasis.
Medications used for psoriasis
In the treatment of the disease, it is important to use drugs for internal administration in the form of capsules, tablets, tablets.
Antihistamines can be used to relieve itching.
It should be remembered that only an experienced specialist can prescribe such drugs, taking into account the severity of the disease, age criteria, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Ointments for rashes on the elbows and legs
Psoriasis on the elbows is widely used for external use.
Experts say that the treatment of psoriasis should be comprehensive, so a single application of creams will not be enough, because they only eliminate the symptoms of the disease on our skin.
vitamins
Vitamin therapy in psoriasis is an important method in the complex treatment. In case of damage to the skin of the flexor surface, it is recommended to use vitamins of groups B, E, D, A and ascorbic acid.
To do this, you need to eat right: increase the consumption of foods that contain these substances. In addition, vitamins can be obtained from pharmacies. The vitamin solution can be used to lubricate problem skin.
Some ointments contain the necessary ingredients, so specialists often prescribe such drugs for external use.
Vitamin and mineral complexes can be prescribed.
It is also prescribed for severe forms of psoriasis medication for intramuscular injection.
They are prepared every day or every other day.
homeopathic remedies
Mixed agents are considered the most effective.
The dose of these drugs is determined by a qualified specialist, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body and the severity of the pathology.
Diet
In pathological conditions, it is important to follow a diet. Therefore, the following products should be included in the diet for psoriasis:
- lean fish;
- dairy products;
- vegetable oil;
- fruits and vegetables;
- cereals;
- greenery.
These substances enrich the body with nutrients and reduce acidity. In case of illness, it will be useful to establish a drinking regimen. The amount of water consumed daily should be at least 1. 5 liters.
The following products are contraindicated for use in pathology:
- smoked meat;
- spicy spices and condiments;
- acids;
- sweet products;
- fatty meat;
- alcoholic beverages;
- sausage;
- coffee;
- citrus fruits;
- chocolate;
- confectionery.
It is necessary to limit the consumption of fried, fatty and salty foods.
In addition, fractional meals are recommended for psoriasis: portions should be small and the number of meals per day should be increased to six times.
Spa treatment
With psoriasis, it is recommended to visit spas located in areas dominated by hot and dry climates.
Annual stay in sanatoriums with radon or sulfide baths is also desirable. In such places, the patient can undergo physiotherapy procedures that help to eliminate the symptoms of the disease and prolong the remission phase. These include applications with paraffin or ozokerite, ultraviolet radiation, phototherapy, cryotherapy.
These procedures are performed daily for 21-29 days.
Treatment of psoriasis on the elbows is carried out with an integrated approach. Drug therapy involves the use of funds for internal and external use. It is also important to take vitamins and follow a diet during treatment. It is recommended to stay in sanatoriums and use homeopathic medicines.
Results
Due to the long absence of therapeutic measures, the course of pathology in the elbows is complicated by the appearance of a number of diseases.
Psoriatic erythroderma may begin. In most cases, abrupt cessation or complete absence of treatment, often stressful situations, severe infectious diseases, occur against the background of alcohol abuse.
Pustular generalized psoriasis is a more serious health hazard. Such a course of pathology is characterized by mass accumulation of papules, as a result of which large foci appear at the site of erosion of the skin, pustular areas are formed.
Another complication is psoriatic arthritis. It is a pathological process affecting the joints, accompanied by swelling, severe pain and limited mobility.
Prevention
As the epidermis in this area is quite dry, regular care of the elbow area is required. To do this, use a special cream with moisturizing properties.
You should also stop smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Strengthening the immune system plays an equally important role. For this purpose, experts recommend taking vitamin-mineral complexes, doing sports, walking more in the fresh air.
It is important to protect the skin from mechanical damage, not to expose the body to frequent stress and psychological disorders.
At the first signs of the development of an infectious disease, a visit to the doctor for timely medical care should not be delayed.