In clinical dermatology, there are 3 stages of psoriasis, including: progressive, stationary, and regressive.They differ in duration, degree of damage to the skin and symptoms.Some dermatologists divide the course of the pathology into 4 stages, taking into account the initial one.
Initial stage
At an early stage, the patient develops small rashes.Depending on the type of disease, the following can be found:
- in arms, elbows and legs;
- on the head and face;
- on the stomach, thighs and back.
The rashes rarely exceed 2-3 mm in size and are characterized by a pale pink color.3-4 days after the appearance, the rash is covered with a grayish coating.This process means the death of the skin.
In people who suffer from psoriasis for a long time, the epidemic layer does not have time to renew itself, since the skin is immediately covered with plaques.In new patients, a similar process lasts 3 weeks, during which the development of the disease can be stopped.
Treatment
In dermatology, topical medications are used to treat lichen planus at an early stage of development.Ointments and creams help the patient get rid of unpleasant sensations, and also have a healing effect.Most often, drugs from the keratolytic group are prescribed.
Traditional methods
Among the recommended traditional therapeutic methods:
- Natural oils (juniper or lavender).They have a healing and calming effect and have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.Instructions for use: add a few drops of oil to the cream and apply directly to the rashes.
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%).It applies precisely and does not rinse off.Before use, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist.
Progressive
Features of the stage: damage to large areas of skin, formation of plaques (with psoriasis vulgaris) or other pronounced papules.The rash can vary in size and shape.As this stage progresses, the rashes will merge with each other and pronounced gray scales will form on the plaques.
One of the main symptoms of this stage is the Kebnera phenomenon (isomorphic auctor), which consists of the formation of papules in the affected areas of the skin layer.That is, if the patient injures his skin, after a while a psoriasis rash will appear in the irritated area.
The last sign of a progressive stage: a capillary layer, which can be seen by removing the scales from the plates.When the plaque is removed, spot bleeding begins.
Treatment
At this stage, all major treatment methods are used: oral and topical medications, diet, and physical therapy.Physiotherapy includes procedures such as: ultraviolet irradiation, PUVA therapy.
Among the medications, the following should be highlighted:
- Vitamin complexes.It is used to strengthen the immune system.This treatment is necessary so that the body can resist the disease.
- Retinoids.Similar products also refer to vitamins.Retinoids are analogues of retinol (vitamin A), which affect the structures of cell membranes and inhibit skin death.
- Steroids.They are used less frequently than other drugs, since they have a negative effect on the body.Steroid drugs affect metabolic processes and have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.
Traditional treatment methods use the same oils and hydrogen peroxide.
You can add a tincture based on celandine.To prepare it you will need 3 tablespoons of this plant (dried or fresh) and salt water.Under no circumstances should alcohol be consumed, as it can dry out the skin.
How to prepare the remedy:
- the components must be mixed with each other;
- leave for a couple of hours.
stationary stage
The stationary period of disease development lasts indefinitely.All rashes are covered with a thick crust, not even a pink border remains.The layer formed over the papules can be gray or grayish white.In the stationary stage, the skin becomes rough and peels.
The symptoms of psoriasis are mild: if in the progressive stage the patient feels unbearable itching and burning, in the hospital stage these symptoms lose intensity.Despite this, the rashes still do not stop itching.
In the photo you can see what a psoriasis rash looks like during the stationary period.
Treatment
Some new medications may be used to treat the stationary form of psoriasis, but generally the treatment regimen will not change.Powerful medications should be prescribed exclusively by a dermatologist.
At home, the patient can only try proven remedies:
- sulfur ointment;
- salicylic solution;
- Vishnevsky ointment.
The drugs on this list have a minimum of contraindications and are quite inexpensive.
Traditional methods
Several effective recipes for the treatment of dermatosis:
- Mix 30 grams of propolis with 250 ml of heated vegetable oil.The prepared mixture should be applied to dissolve the dead layer of the epidermis and restore the elasticity of the skin.
- Beeswax.This product has an anti-inflammatory and softening effect.The beeswax should be melted in a water bath and then carefully applied to the scab covering the papules.
- Honey.The main waste product of bees has a positive effect on the human body with psoriasis.It should be consumed in limited quantities: 2 tablespoons per day.
regression stage
This stage is characterized by the Voronov symptom (pseudoatrophic Voronov border), in which white rings form around the papules.During the regression period, the rashes begin to disappear.Initially, the rash changes its shade, first becoming pale pink, and then adapting to the color of healthy skin.In the regression stage, the itching disappears completely.
The appearance of new papules during this period is excluded.The last stage is the most painless and leads to remission.Squamous lichen can occur in a latent form from several months to tens of years.To prevent the disease from worsening, you should periodically visit a dermatologist and monitor your health.
Treatment
How to treat?Therapy at this stage does not require the addition of new medications.During the regression period, the patient is recommended to focus on internal healing, that is, to actively take vitamin complexes.You should continue using medications that previously gave a positive result.The use of hormonal drugs should be completely avoided, as they negatively affect the body and weaken immune defenses.
A common and effective way to cure quickly: leech therapy (hirudotherapy).This method belongs to alternative medicine, but is recognized by many specialists..Such therapy should be discussed in advance by a doctor.It lasts from 3 to 10 days, depending on the patient's condition and the stage of the disease.During the period of remission, the duration of treatment with leeches is 2-4 days.
With repeated exacerbations, the patient will learn to independently determine the stage of the disease.It is worth considering that severe forms of psoriasis can manifest themselves ambiguously.Only comprehensive treatment will help avoid relapses..Typically, squamous lichen worsens during the winter season, when a person's skin comes into contact with clothing and they are not breathing.