Psoriasis is a chronic disease and has an undulating course.This disease affects human skin and, less commonly, joints.Exacerbation of pathology occurs due to the influence of certain negative factors and is characterized by a worsening of symptoms.Then the disease subsides, a period of remission begins, which can also be replaced by an exacerbation.
Features of the course of the disease.
The disease manifests itself differently in different patients.Additionally, symptoms can vary from patient to patient, ranging from small local lesions to extensive lesions affecting large areas of skin.
Typically, the disease progresses with age.Over time, the remission periods become increasingly shorter and the affected area increases significantly.
It is important to know what psoriasis looks like in its early stages and how it can be treated to prevent further progression of the disease.
Causes of the disease
According to most experts, this disease is a genetically determined pathology.If the parents suffer from dermatosis, there is a high probability that the child will develop psoriasis when exposed to certain factors.
The factors that determine the beginning of the development of the pathology are:
- allergic reactions;
- serious infectious diseases;
- decrease in the body's immune defenses;
- diseases of the endocrine system;
- nervous system exhaustion.
Also, the impetus for the development of the disease in a person prone to dermatoses may be the long-term use of certain medications used to treat chronic diseases.
Types and stages of the disease.
There are two types of psoriasis: type 1 and type 2 disease. The pathology of the first type is diagnosed in children and adolescents.The disease of this form is genetically determined, while the child's parents can be healthy and in older generations there are cases of psoriasis.
As a rule, this disease can be transmitted through 3-4 generations.The first type of disease affects the skin and almost never affects the joints.
The second type of disease occurs mainly in middle-aged people over 45 years of age.A characteristic feature of this form of the disease is damage to the joints.
The disease develops slowly.There are 4 stages or stages of psoriasis development:
- early (initial stage of psoriasis);
- progressive;
- stationary;
- going back.
Favorite places for the disease are the elbows, head and torso.In rare cases, severe cases of the disease affect the flexor parts of the upper and lower extremities.
Initial stage of the disease.
Psoriasis in its initial stage presents symptoms and signs of an allergic skin reaction.The disease begins suddenly, small reddish rashes appear on the skin.In childhood, the symptoms and signs of psoriasis are often confused with a diathesis or the manifestation of a food allergic reaction, which makes timely treatment difficult.
In young children, the manifestation of stage 1 psoriasis can be localized in areas subject to friction when wearing clothing, while in adults the first signs of the disease are noticed on the hands or body.
Over time, the papules (as pimples are called in psoriasis) clump together, forming scaly plaques.The islands of the disease may be covered with grayish scales, which are separated from the rash painlessly.All this is accompanied by swelling and irritation of the epidermis.
Many people are interested in whether psoriasis is itchy in the early stage and how to recognize the symptoms of skin psoriasis in stage 1. The following signs will help determine what early psoriasis looks like:
- when the rash is scratched, the plaque turns white and the scales come off easily;
- If you continue scraping, a soft, reddish spot (“thermal film”) forms at the site of the plaque;
- If you continue scraping the resulting stain, it will become covered in small drops of blood due to spot bleeding.
The above techniques are used when examining a patient and help identify psoriasis at an early stage.
The initial form of psoriasis can last up to a month.In some cases, exudate may be released in places where plaques form.The wounds become covered with a scab, under which they become wet due to the release of fluid.This course of the disease can be complicated by the addition of infection and the appearance of an extensive inflammatory process.
Arthropatic form of the disease.
If the disease affects the hands, palms and the area between the fingers, an arthropathic form of psoriasis is diagnosed.This form is considered the most serious, since over time the skin becomes inflamed and cracked.There is a high probability of joint damage, which leads to the development of arthritis.This is fraught with loss of ability to work and disability for the patient.
This form of the disease is dangerous because it affects the nail plate and causes it to separate from the fingers.The arthropathic form of the disease is very difficult to treat and is characterized by frequent exacerbations.Due to inflammation and swelling of the skin of the hands, the patient experiences serious discomfort at work and at home, since any movement of the hands causes increased pain.
Pharmacological treatment
To the question of whether psoriasis can be cured at the initial stage, doctors, unfortunately, cannot give a positive answer.However, timely treatment will eliminate the acute phase of the disease and return the patient to normal life.
If initial psoriasis is diagnosed, treatment should only be selected by a dermatologist after all examinations.Self-treatment without consulting a specialist may not bring the expected result and will only worsen the course of the disease.
Healing psoriasis in the early stages largely depends on the degree of damage and the location of the resulting plaques.
The initial form of psoriasis is treated with the following means:
- ointments for local skin treatment;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- physiotherapeutic methods;
- diet adjustments;
- immunomodulators.
The doctor selects ointments to treat the affected skin depending on the degree of damage.Preparations based on tar or fat are normally used.For extensive skin lesions, treatment can be carried out with ointments containing corticosteroids.These medications have several side effects, which is why they are prescribed only in cases of severe illness.The course of treatment should not be long and after the relief of acute symptoms, such ointments should be replaced with milder preparations.
If psoriasis is diagnosed at a very early stage, only a doctor can tell you how to treat the disease.In some cases, a good effect is observed when using physiotherapy: paraffin baths or ultraviolet irradiation.
For psoriasis in the initial stage, home treatment should be coordinated with a doctor.Having understood how psoriasis manifests itself at the initial stage, it is necessary not to delay visiting a specialist, since the disease progresses rapidly.
An exacerbation may begin suddenly;In this case, folk remedies will help alleviate the patient's condition.For this, medicinal baths are used with the addition of honey, medicinal herbs (chamomile, calendula) and natural oils.The goal of this treatment is to reduce itching and swelling, but it should be used in conjunction with medications recommended by a doctor.
The answer to the question of whether psoriasis can be cured in the early stages and whether psoriasis can be cured in the initial stages in children can only be given by the treating doctor, based on the characteristics of the patient's disease.