People who encounter this skin disease for the first time, which has very unpleasant symptoms, want to know what psoriasis is and how to get rid of it.This is a disease that primarily affects the upper layer of the epidermis and its appendages: nail plate and bed, hairs.According to statistics, psoriasis affects about 4% of the world's population.Moreover, the disease is more common at a young age: from 18 to 23.
There are many diseases similar to psoriasis, so it is important to know the symptoms in order to choose the right treatment.
In general, you should not deny yourself with this disease, as psoriasis develops and can cause serious complications.A visit to a dermatologist is the only correct decision if you discover the symptoms of the disease.
Kind
There are many varieties of this skin disease.When classifying psoriasis, the nature of the rash, the severity of the course and the location of the lesions are taken into account.There are the following main types of psoriasis:
- Psoriasis (common).This is the most common type of disease occurring in 85% of all patients.It is characterized by the presence of gray or silvery-white plaques raised above the surface of the skin, which peels off easily.Vulgar psoriasis is another name for this form of the disease.
- Guttate psoriasis.The harmful elements of this disease look like drops or dots from red to purple.
- Pustular psoriasis.This is the most severe form of skin disease.It is characterized by the presence of pustules on the body - vesicles filled with clear, non-dissolving liquid.If the disease does not develop, there is a liquid education.
- Psoriatic nail damage (onychodystrophy).The symptoms of psoriasis of this form affect the nail plates and the area around them: the nail changes, spots appear on its surface, the skin around the bed, the plate breaks and destroys.
- Arthropathic psoriasis.The disease is characterized by inflammation of small joints.This form of psoriasis is the most disabling.
- Inverse psoriasis (fold or reverse).The disease affects skin folds in the groin area, inner thighs, armpits and under the breasts (in women).
- Palmoplantar psoriasis.With the development of this form of the disease, all the characteristic symptoms begin to appear in the legs and hands.In severe cases, the disease affects the nails and other areas of the body.
- Seborrheic psoriasis.With this form, rashes are localized on the head, face and back.
Symptoms of the disease
What does psoriasis look like?How not to confuse it with another skin disease?In the initial stage of the disease, the following symptoms of psoriasis appear:
- the appearance on the skin of pink, red or blue papules symmetrically located in specific areas of the body;
- general weakness;
- chronic fatigue;
- depression or apathy.
Gradually, the rash merges into plaque - permanent formations that can be easily removed.The area of inflammation grows towards the edges.
At this stage of psoriasis, there are signs that can help distinguish the disease from other skin diseases.If you remove the scales, you can observe the phenomenon of psoriatic triad caused by the following symptoms:
- Stearin Stain: After the plaque has fallen off, silvery-white scales look like stearin shavings;
- Terminal film: at the site of removal of the fracture, a very thin shiny film covering the papule remains;
- "Bloody dew": At the site of the removed terminal film, pin point bleeding due to damage to the subcutaneous vascular network may be seen.
Symptoms of psoriasis vary depending on the stage of the disease and the season.In most patients, the manifestations of psoriasis intensify in winter.The "summer" form of the disease is extremely rare, because the patient's condition improves under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.
How does psoriasis manifest itself in different stages?In general, there are 3 stages of disease development.
- In the advanced stage, new rashes constantly appear and existing plaques increase in size.The patient feels severe itching, the skin peels all the time.
- What does psoriasis look like in the stationary phase?During this period, papules stop growing.Small layers are observed in the area of the plates.There is still intense itching.
- In the regressing stage, the plaques begin to disappear, the peeling disappears, and the itching is painful.Pigmented areas can be seen where they occur.
Some types of psoriasis have different symptoms.
For example, when the scalp is affected, dandruff-like plaques appear first.In this case, only the skin suffers;The condition and growth of the hair does not affect the disease.From the head, the rashes spread to the area behind the ears, neck and forehead.
The appearance of psoriasis on the palms and feet is accompanied by thickening of the skin and the appearance of cracks.In the initial stage of the disease, pustules with transparent contents that gradually turn purulent.Later, wounds appear at the site of such joints, causing discomfort and pain during physical activity (working with manual labor).In the future, the disease can be transferred to the back of the hands and fingers.
Psoriasis of the nails has the following description: At first, the plate is covered with small depressions resembling needle marks, it changes color and begins to flake and flake.The tissue around the nail thickens and becomes inflamed.
The main reasons
The pathogenesis of psoriasis is not fully understood.Scientists have put forward several theories as to why this disease occurs.There are two main causes of psoriasis.
- The causes of the disease are a malfunction of the immune system.Cells designed to protect the body from bacteria and viruses enter the upper layer of the epidermis, which produces substances that trigger the inflammatory process.Due to this, skin cells divide rapidly and the affected area thickens.This theory is supported by a study of a psoriatic plaque, which reveals a large accumulation of immune cells.
- The skin disease psoriasis is caused by a disordered division and maturation of epithelial cells.As a result of this pathology, the diseased skin cells are attacked by immune cells.
The development of psoriasis is affected by a number of factors.The risk of disease increases if the body is affected by several conditions at once.
- Having dry and thin skin.Experts have noted that people with thick, oily and hydrated skin rarely suffer from psoriasis.This is due to the structural features of the epidermis and the protective functions of sebum.
- Extreme love of hygiene.An unreasonable desire to constantly clean the body, using soap and washcloths too often injures the skin and reduces its protective properties.
- Bad habits.When smoking and drinking alcohol, the condition of the epidermis worsens: subcutaneous blood circulation and tissue nutrition are disturbed.
- Negative factors from abroad.According to statistics, skin disease is regularly caused by detergents, household chemicals, alcohol solutions, etc.It appears more often in those who come in contact with the year
- Medicines.Chronic use of certain medications, such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, can cause psoriasis symptoms.
- Infectious diseases.Often, the pathology occurs immediately after a disease caused by a fungus or staphylococcus.
- Climate change.It is enough to move to a different climate zone for the development of psoriasis.
- Skin damage.Always wearing uncomfortable clothes with rough seams or poor-quality shoes, the habit of scratching the same area can cause the first signs of psoriasis to appear.
- Stress.Both psychological and physical (for example, prolonged hypothermia) shocks to the body can precede the onset of the disease.
- Severe eating disorders.The course of the disease can be complicated by abuse of sweet foods, carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, smoked meat and salty foods.
- Genetic predisposition.Is it possible to inherit psoriasis?According to scientists, the genes responsible for the functioning of the immune system are carriers of the disease.Therefore, the disease is transmitted from parents to children.
The life of psoriasis patients
Despite the fact that psoriasis is not a contagious disease and cannot be transmitted through physical contact with a patient, many patients consider themselves out of society, therefore they have serious psychological anxiety.
The biggest problem is the rash on the head, ears and face. More than half of those affected are constantly focused on their appearance and fear public condemnation and rejection by society, as psoriasis often resembles Lichen.As the disease progresses, a person limits communication with people.Only a quarter of psoriasis patients do not feel stressed about their appearance.
The disease also causes severe physical discomfort.Constant itching and burning limit the patient's ability to work, interfere with proper rest, often interfere with sleep and exercise.Psoriatic arthritis adds joint pain to the unpleasant symptoms.
Psychological anxiety combined with physical anxiety can lead to severe depression, and some patients even experience social phobia.Long-term and expensive treatment of the disease has a negative effect on the patient, interferes with his extra strength and socialization.
Why is psoriasis dangerous?
At the initial stage, the disease causes a person anxiety associated with the manifestation of symptoms: itching, burning, peeling.
If psoriasis is not treated, it develops which is dangerous to health and even the patient's life.
In many cases, the following dangerous complications develop:
- Pathological changes occur in metabolic processes;
- Heart function worsens, risk of stroke, myocarditis;
- There are disorders in the functioning of the kidneys and liver;
- Joints are affected (in most cases, phalanges of fingers, elbows, knees;
- Mucous membranes are affected: eyes, gastrointestinal tract, bladder;
- As a result of severe psoriasis, the brain and nervous system are affected;
- It can be stronger in men;
- Due to the spread of plaques along the skin, the respiratory function of the skin and the activity of sweat and sebaceous glands are disturbed;
- Thermoregulation is disturbed, which causes inflammation of the epidermis, which can lead to blood poisoning and eventually death.
The result of an aggravated disease can be erythroderma.
This complication occurs in only 2% of all patients.In the initial stage, it is characterized by the appearance of bright red lesions on the skin reminiscent of burns.Over time, scales appear in such areas that peel off in large layers.The skin in this area is hot and very sensitive.Other symptoms also appear: tightness, persistent itching, brittle nails, severe hair loss, enlarged lymph nodes.
If you find the symptoms of psoriasis, you should immediately contact a dermatologist.The diagnosis is based on the external examination of the skin and nails.Additional tests, as a rule, are not prescribed.If the patient complains of joint pain, X-rays and blood tests are done to rule out other types of arthritis.
Only a doctor can correctly diagnose and decide how to treat psoriasis.
Treatment methods
It should be noted right away that psoriasis cannot be completely cured.
Winston Churchill also said: "I will erect a monument made of pure gold to someone who can learn everything about psoriasis and find an effective treatment for this disease."
External preparations
Regardless of the causes of psoriasis, first of all, the doctor prescribes local treatments that help to relieve the unpleasant symptoms.First, non-hormonal lotions, ointments and creams are used, tar, oil, zinc or herbs.In most cases, such drugs help to forget the unpleasant symptoms of psoriasis after 3-4 weeks of use.
If non-hormonal ointments are ineffective, hormone-based drugs are used for psoriasis.They should be used as prescribed by a specialist, in no case overdosing or increasing the course of treatment.With the help of hormonal ointments, you can quickly forget what happened - psoriasis, but there is a high risk of serious side effects.
Even the newest local drugs must be used in combination with other drugs.In addition to ointments, enterosorbents will remove toxic substances from tissues and immunosuppressants designed to reduce the response of the immune system.Treatment is impossible without taking vitamin complexes, especially B, A, C, D.
Physiotherapy
These psoriasis treatment methods are widely used at every stage of the disease.Procedures such as baths, phototherapy and ultraviolet radiation give excellent results.
New methods of treating the disease include cryotherapy, electrosleep, hirudotherapy and puva therapy.
In advanced forms of the disease, the use of ultraviolet light has a good effect.Thanks to this method, in just 20-30 procedures, damaged cells are destroyed, peeling is eliminated, damaged skin is restored, and the immune system returns to normal.Before performing the full procedure, a test session exposes a small area of the patient's body to radiation.If the skin reaction is normal, a full course is prescribed.In the summer months, the patient is suggested to continue the ultraviolet treatment under the natural rays of the sun.
Traditional medicine
Folk remedies for any type of psoriasis can be used only in consultation with a doctor.
It is important to understand that severe symptoms of psoriasis cannot be eliminated at home.
Traditional recipes only help soften damaged skin and temporarily remove itching.The following products received the best reviews among patients.
Tar:
- In the first days of the onset of the disease, apply tar to the affected areas with a cotton swab for 10 minutes, then wash with tar soap;
- On days 4-5, increase the duration of the procedure by 40 minutes;
- The full course of treatment is 12 days;
- It is better to use tar before going to bed, because its smell disappears completely at night.
Celandine:
- a meat grinder was uprooted from several bushes;
- Squeeze the water from the resulting mass;
- anoint each affected area of the body with water;
- Repeat the procedure until the external signs of the disease disappear completely.
Eggs and vinegar:
- Make an ointment by beating 2 eggs and 20 ml of vegetable oil;
- Add 10 ml of acetic acid to the mass;
- Lubricate rashes and plaques with the resulting product every night;
- Treatment course: 3-4 weeks.
Herbs:
- 20 g of dwarf flowers, 20 g of Celandine root, 10 g of Marigold flowers and 10 g of propolis into a paste (it is better to do this in a clay pot);
- Add 20 ml of vegetable oil to medicinal herbs;
- Apply the prepared product to the affected areas three times a day;
- You can stop the treatment as long as there are visible signs of the disease.
Elderberry infusion:
- Pour 10 g of dawn and flowers into 0.5 liters of boiled water;
- Leave the infusion in the room for half an hour;
- take 80 ml of infusion each time when itching increases after eating;
- Treatment course - 10 days.
Diet
Treatment methods are used for psoriasis, without following a special diet, it will not be possible to achieve much improvement.To adjust the diet, it is better to contact a specialist who will create a menu taking into account the individual characteristics of a particular patient.In order to ensure that the "psoriasis" entry in the medical history no longer appears in the medical history, you need to know and follow the nutritional guidelines for patients.In case of this disease, the following should be excluded from the menu:
- any nuts;
- citrus;
- smoked meat;
- spices;
- salinity;
- spicy foods;
- fatty foods;
- Alcohol;
- blue cheese.
If you have a diagnosis of psoriasis in your medical history, you should ensure that your diet is balanced.There should be foods on the table that provide the body with all the necessary substances every day.
It is especially important to get enough fatty acids from all types of fish.
Recommendations for the patient
In order not to forget for a long time what disease tormented you, regardless of what kind of psoriasis, follow these important rules during and after treatment:
- Take care of delicate skin: wash with warm water and a neutral product, do not rub your body with a towel, but pat it gently;
- Give up regular cosmetics for a while, do not use products that are new to you;
- Wear protective gloves when doing any household work;
- Limit contact with allergens;
- Wear clothes and shoes made of natural fabrics without rough seams;
- Drink at least 1.5 liters of clean water a day.
You should understand that psoriasis cannot be completely cured.However, if you choose the right tool to fight this disease, you can get rid of its unpleasant symptoms and achieve stable remission.
Keep your skin clean, pay attention to the smallest changes in its condition, and if you have suspicious symptoms, contact a specialist.Taking care of your body will always allow you to stay healthy and beautiful.To get acquainted with interesting information and current news, subscribe to our articles and be sure to share them with your friends on social networks.Look again!
This article has only educational, encyclopedic and informational functions.Before using the tips and tricks described in this article, you need to get your doctor's approval.You should not hurt yourself!