Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is difficult to treat.Psoriatic plaques appear in different parts of the body, causing a lot of discomfort and suffering to the patient.A noticeable cosmetic defect worsens relations with others and leads to the development of complexes.
Treatment of psoriasis requires an integrated approach.Failure to consult a doctor in time leads to serious consequences: the disease may be hereditary.Following the doctor's recommendations will ease the suffering and reduce the symptoms of psoriasis.
Reasons
Skin diseases are of interest to researchers.Doctors only have guesses about the factors that can cause psoriasis.The most common cause of psoriasis is genetic predisposition.However, dermatologists have not yet come to a consensus: "Why does psoriasis appear?"
There are two theories:
- the first one says: the scaly type of lichen develops when the maturation of epidermal cells, their reproduction and differentiation is disturbed.Autoimmune processes play a minor role;
- second hypothesis: the cause of skin lesions is a malfunction in the immune system.Problems with the normal functioning of epidermal cells are secondary.
Precipitating factors:
- lack of vitamins and minerals in the body due to the lack of vegetables and fruits in the menu;
- disruption of nervous health due to frequent stress;
- abuse of strong drugs;
- metabolic disorders due to poor nutrition;
- decrease in immunity after infectious diseases.
Risk group:
- hypertensive patients;
- obese people;
- diabetic patients;
- people who drink too much alcohol;
- patients who have undergone courses of chemotherapy, treatment with corticosteroids and strong antibiotics.
Symptoms and stages of the disease
Stages of psoriatic rashes:
- initial stage.Pink or red papules covered with scales with a heterogeneous structure appear on the elbows and other places.Over time, the rash occupies a larger and larger area, redness of the skin appears, swelling and itching develop;
- Most of the symptoms appear in people whose body is oversaturated with drugs.The risk group includes people who have suffered psycho-emotional trauma;
- the next stage is the appearance of the Koebner phenomenon.After scratching, scratches, wounds and bleeding spots appear on the body.They gradually merge, symmetrical lines and plates are formed.Nails are often affected;
- third stage.The rash becomes brighter, the plaques get clear contours, the affected areas become blue, itch and peel;
- fading of symptoms occurs gradually.First there is peeling, then the color of the epidermis is restored.The last stage is the resorption of infiltrates, which improves the condition of the skin.
Is psoriasis contagious?Is it possible to get sick while communicating, shaking hands, playing together, having sex?Answer: "No!"The nature of the pathology is different;no virus or fungus on the skin.Do not alienate a person with psoriasis!It is already difficult for him.Be a person's moral support.
Locations:
- elbow joints.Relatively soft form.Plaque groups with clearly defined borders appear symmetrically in both arms.Color - salmon or pink-red;
- palmThe disease is characterized by keratinization of surfaces, peeling, severe itching;
- ears and scalp.Psoriatic rashes appear on the inside and outside of the ears and on the head.If unexpected itching occurs inside the ears, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist immediately;
- legs.Often, plaques on the lower extremities, redness and itching appear at the same time as rashes on the arms.Externally, the manifestations of the disease are similar;
- back.Lichen squamosis affects different areas of the back.The rash takes the form of drops.Often rashes look like ordinary plaques;
- faceRashes are less visible in this area.Small papules appear on the eyebrows, nasolabial folds and near the eyes.In isolated cases, formations covered with scales are noticeable on the lips.
Diagnosis of the disease
A dermatologist or therapist can easily diagnose psoriasis based on its characteristic symptoms.Sometimes a biopsy of the affected skin is required.A microscopic piece is sent for laboratory examination.
The hemoscanning method using a drop of blood is widely advertised.Special computer programs and a high-powered electron microscope are used.
Experts recommend refusing the services of "doctors" without medical training.Quacks often use only this method to diagnose various diseases without bothering with further research.
Be sure to consult a dermatologist or therapist.An experienced doctor will tell you whether you have psoriasis based on clinical symptoms.
Treatment methods
How to treat psoriasis?Complex therapy will help to eliminate unpleasant symptoms and improve the patient's condition.In many cases, treatment is long-term;Relapses are possible with further exposure to provoking factors.
Experts recommend using not only medicines, but also traditional recipes, diet food, and physical therapy methods.The patient is required to strictly follow the doctor's instructions.
Medicines
Both local and systemic drugs are used:
- antihistamines;
- sedatives;
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- ointments and gels for psoriasis.
Physiotherapy methods are effective:
- phototherapy;
- ultraviolet radiation;
- laser therapy;
- cryotherapy.
Nutrition for psoriasis
The patient is required to follow a hypoallergenic diet for psoriasis.Foods that cause blood flow to the affected skin should be consumed as little as possible.It is important to focus on foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
Prohibited:
- spicy foods;
- smoked meat;
- alcohol;
- red, black pepper, other spices;
- coffee;
- hot drinks.
Not recommended:
- chocolate;
- sweets;
- whole milk;
- honey;
- citrus;
- vegetables, red fruits.
Folk remedies and recipes
Add home remedies to medications and physical therapy treatments after consulting a dermatologist or therapist.Effective ointments, herbal decoctions, lotions and baths will improve the condition and relieve itching and burning.
Treatment of psoriasis at home with folk remedies.The best recipes:
- string and sea salt baths.Prepare a decoction: 2 tablespoons per liter of water.l.heirs.Pour 4 tablespoons into the bath.l.sea salt, pour into strained broth.The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.Excellent soothing, drying;
- decoction of medicinal plants.Brew a teaspoon each of nettle, burdock root, licorice and calamus in 0.5 liters of water.Boil for 5 minutes, let it brew.Wipe the affected areas with a healing decoction several times a day;
- tea from dandelion roots, nettle leaves, St. John's worttake it internally.The drink perfectly cleans the blood, increases immunity and calms;
- herbal lotions.Take 4 tbsp.l.add celandine, calendula, string, motherwort, chamomile (you need 2 tablespoons of all the herbs).Fill it with a liter of boiling water and heat it in a water bath.Apply gauze soaked in broth to painful areas twice a day;
- homemade ointment.Combine fish oil, pine resin, aloe juice, olive oil, sulfur and birch resin in equal proportions.Add the same amount of celandine, remove the herbs, pour a few drops of sea buckthorn oil.Let it brew, strain.Lubricate the affected areas daily.The product soothes the skin, reduces itching, heals wounds;
- application of birch resinhas a good effect on elbows, ears and other places affected by scaly lichen manifestations;
- monastery tea for psoriasis.Medicinal drink made from medicinal plants will ease the course of the disease.
Skin psoriasis in children
Chronic disease occurs in both infants and older children.Most cases of psoriasis are observed in preschool and elementary school students.
Symptoms:
- spots, blisters and red dots appear on the skin;
- Gradually, the number of rashes increases and peeling appears;
- the body itches, crusts crack, painful spots appear.
The main places of rashes:
- elbows;
- knees;
- legs, arms;
- Sometimes psoriasis affects the nails.
Diagnosis is not difficult.It is difficult to confuse the visible symptoms with the manifestations of other diseases.
Reasons:
- stress;
- hormonal imbalance;
- cold;
- some medications;
- genetic predisposition;
- respiratory diseases;
- sudden climate change.
Treatment:
- proper skin care;
- ascorbic acid;
- vitamin B12;
- ointments and gels;
- antihistamines.
Chamomile, yarrow, celandine and string herb baths have a good effect.Sedative preparations will help improve your sleep.In severe cases, the doctor will prescribe sleeping pills.
Sometimes a child needs to be hospitalized to relieve acute symptoms.Do not give up going to the hospital.Drops and injections significantly alleviate the situation.
Advice!Do not prescribe strong drugs to yourself.Doctors try to use drugs with less toxic effects.
Preventive recommendations
There are no special measures to prevent this severe skin disease.For this reason, many people suffer from unpleasant symptoms for many years.
Sometimes psychological trauma is no less serious than periodic rashes and itching during exacerbation.Try to ease the course of the disease.
What else can you do:
- avoid hypothermia;
- maintaining optimal air humidity in the room;
- carefully care for the epidermis;
- create a calm environment in the family;
- if necessary, change jobs to avoid stressful situations and other harmful effects;
- do not allow skin damage.
Remember- you are not alone in your troubles.A diagnosis of psoriasis is recorded in the outpatient records of hundreds of thousands of people.Do not despair, even with such a serious disease, you can live without losing hope for the future.Communicate, get support from loved ones, follow the recommendations of doctors.Try not to let the disease consume you.