Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease.It occurs when there is a malfunction in the immune system.The development of the disease is divided into clear stages - appearance, progression, stabilization and regression.The different stages of psoriasis are distinguished by the appearance of spots and rashes, the severity of itching and the degree of skin inflammation.
Why is it necessary to distinguish the stages of the development of the disease and what are the characteristics of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of development and in the recovery process?
Why do you need to know the stages of psoriasis?
Dividing psoriasis into stages is used by doctors to choose the right treatment methods.The complex of drugs and external agents prescribed to treat inflammation depends on the stage of the disease.
At the beginning of the disease, general therapy is necessary - vitamin complexes, diet, external aseptic treatment of the rash, for example, a course of UV treatment.They also prescribe drugs that stimulate the cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels and liver.
The psycho-emotional condition should be corrected by a neurologist or psychologist.
In the initial stage of the disease, do not use strong 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 it.
Psoriasis: treatment in acute phase and remission
In the acute progressive course of the disease, several drugs with different effects are prescribed.Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching.External treatment is completed with photochemical, ultrasound and laser therapy.Antiseptic treatments are also prescribed for damaged skin.
In a stabilized state, they continue to take anti-inflammatory hormonal drugs, gradually reducing the dose.Ointments with a regenerative effect are prescribed to restore damaged skin.
In the phase of remission - they support the body.Take vitamin and mineral complexes to restore proper nutrition and immunity.
Timeliness of treatment
The sooner treatment is started, the easier it is to get psoriasis under control.
Timely therapy limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its degree and prevents subsequent relapses of peeling.Since psoriasis in the early stages is often mistaken for an allergic rash, it is necessary to know its initial signs in order not to miss the appearance of the skin disease.
Note:Doctors are still determining the causes of psoriasis.However, it is definitely known that psoriatic skin inflammation is not contagious.It cannot be contracted from a sick person or cause infection through injury.This is a failure of man in his own personal, human body.
The cause of psoriasis is immune deficiency, which can be caused by various factors.Severe stress, poisoning (including strong drugs, industrial emissions, alcohol), previous infection.
Psoriasis is difficult to treat.The disease tends to return and relapse.And the therapy itself is symptomatic.It consists in preventing the appearance of new spots and removing existing skin rashes.
Which stage of psoriasis is called the initial stage?How to distinguish psoriasis from diathesis rash at the beginning?And how will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: the initial stage
The first appearance of psoriasis on the skin is similar to acne.Most often, the rash appears in the bends of the elbows and knees or in places where clothing is tightly pressed to the body (for example, under a belt at the waist).Rashes can also appear on the edges of the hair and under the hair, around the nails and on the nail beds.Sometimes psoriasis occurs on the feet and palms.
Psoriasis almost always manifests itself symmetrically - on the elbows of both arms or on both sides of the lower back or on both knees.
At the initial stage, the pimples themselves (in medical terminology - papules) have a modest appearance.They have:
- pink or red color;
- Clear, non-blurred edge;
- Small size - the pimple at the base does not exceed two millimeters;
- Flat form - at the beginning of the disease, acne with small dots has almost no bulge, so it looks like spots.
As the disease progresses, scaly skin flakes appear on the acne.They are gray or silver in color and appear white on a red pimple background.
The appearance of scales is accompanied by severe itching.If you can't resist scratching, the scales come off, revealing bright areas of pink, youthful skin underneath.It is very thin, sensitive, and if you scratch the itchy papules for a long time, they will hurt and bleed.
The duration of the initial stage of psoriasis is up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: stage of development
In the progressive stage, individual pimples merge into one common point and form psoriatic plaques.They are raised above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered with peeling.Along the edges of psoriatic plaques there is a pinkish-red border without flakes.
The presence of a ring is a sign of the advanced stage of the disease.The width of the ring is one to two millimeters.The skin on it is inflamed and its texture resembles parchment paper.
The ring represents the area where the stain has expanded.This is skin that is already inflamed, but not yet peeled.After a while, it will also be covered with scales.And the spot will expand, occupying new areas of the skin and forming a new, wider ring.
With the active development of the disease, neighboring spots merge with each other.At some point, a person may develop a large, inflamed red spot on their body.
Psoriatic plaques are very itchy, cause discomfort in a person, disrupt work, rest and sleep.They grow, occupy a large area and form a new rash on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of a progressive stage is the appearance of new rashes.As soon as new pimples and spots stop appearing, the next stage of psoriasis begins - stationary.It is not yet a complete victory, but it is already a turn towards recovery.
In the development stage, psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue and weakness.Depression is very common.Possible temperature.
Note:Some medical theories still say otherwise.Depression is not a result of psoriasis.And psoriasis is the result of neurology and a depressed psyche.
The duration of the progressive stage of psoriasis can be long, several months.
Psoriasis: stationary phase
The main symptom of the stationary stage is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes.At the same time, itching also weakens and becomes more bearable.The rash loses its bright color, becomes discolored and invisible.This is one of the signs of stabilization of the process.
Pink rims around the perimeter of plaques disappear as inflammation stops spreading.Active exfoliation and healing, regeneration of new healthy skin begins.
In the stable phase, the peeling is noticeable with the naked eye.The scales completely cover the entire surface of the psoriatic spot, leaving no room for rims.
Psoriasis takes on a characteristic scaly appearance, which ordinary people usually recognize.Extensive peeling in the stationary phase is not dangerous.
When all the dead cells have disappeared from the surface of the psoriatic patch, a slightly lighter colored healthy skin will be left in their place.
Other signs of development or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of rashes, spots and crusts, there are a number of other signs that can judge the development of the disease.It is a feeling of itching (strong or tolerable), general condition, depressed mood.Also the presence of temperature.
In the initial stage, the itching is variable, and the rash is inexplicable.In addition, the itching is getting stronger every day.In the acute phase of psoriasis, it becomes unbearable.It disturbs sleep and peace, interferes with work.A person is irritated because the feeling of itching does not give him the opportunity to rest.
In the stationary phase, itching decreases.Every day a person feels better.The general state of the psyche changes, negativity and depressive mood weakens.The duration of the stationary phase is several weeks - from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in the weakening phase
The weakened stage of psoriasis is the almost complete disappearance of plaques, spots, redness, inflammation and itching.
At this stage of the disease, only the different pigmentation of the skin reminds of psoriasis.In place of the former psoriatic spots, it appears lighter.The surface of healthy skin has a darker shade.
In some cases, the so-called hyperpigmentation occurs.The skin at the site of psoriasis spots is not lighter, but darker.In any case, differences in skin pigmentation will be visible in another month or two.
Psoriasis after healing: possibility of relapse
The probability of recurrence of psoriasis is determined by a person's lifestyle, diet, allergic mood and the state of the body as a whole.It is also determined by the amount of toxins in his body, blood, and liver.If you strengthen your immune system and cleanse the body of toxins from the liver, blood vessels and intestines, you can reduce the likelihood of recurring skin inflammation.
After frequent clearing, seasonal relapses of psoriasis become rare.A person remains susceptible to the disease, but the probability of its occurrence is significantly reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking vitamin-mineral complexes help to increase immunity.This is especially important if immunosuppressants are used during treatment in the advanced stage of psoriasis.Their need was related to the work of inflammatory mediators.After suppressing the autoimmune defense, it is necessary to restore immunity.