Psoriasis is one of the most common skin pathologies.It can occur in patients of any age.The etiology of the disease has not yet been fully established, therefore it is impossible to completely cure psoriasis.That is why it is so important to recognize it at the initial stage of development.In this article we will see what psoriasis is, how it manifests and how to treat it.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a polyetiological skin disease that is manifested by a monomorphic rash. The pathology is chronic.Psoriasis occurs in waves, with possible periods of relapses and remissions.
A relapse can be caused by lack of proper treatment, alcohol abuse, stress, etc.The rash in both adults and children spreads gradually, affecting more and more areas of the skin.Psoriasis is characterized by the formation of dry, reddish, raised patches with a silvery-white, scaly surface.This rash is called "psoriatic plaques."
Most often, psoriasis is observed in the area of the elbows and knees, on the buttocks, that is, in the places of greatest pressure and friction.In some cases, the rash appears on the scalp, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and external genitalia.Psoriatic plaques on the face are very rare.
Causes
Many people wonder whether psoriasis is contagious to others or not.The pathology is not contagious, that is, it is not transmitted to others.Among the causes of psoriasis are:
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, thyroid gland dysfunction).
- Stress, neuropsychic overexertion.
- Parasitic infestations (giardiasis, ascariasis, porcine or bovine tapeworm infection).
- Metabolic pathologies (silicon deficiency is especially dangerous).
- Predisposition to allergies.
- Infectious diseases of a viral nature.
- Weak immune system.
- Prolonged use of medications.
In most cases, psoriasis makes itself felt between the ages of 15 and 30 due to one or more causes. According to medical statistics, more than 60% of psoriasis patients have family members who suffer from this disease.
Symptoms of psoriasis in the initial stage
To recognize how psoriasis begins, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the main signs of the disease.You must be careful:
- the formation of brightly colored skin rashes with clearly visible edges (most often they appear at the site of injury: burns, cuts, frostbite);
- the appearance of peeling in the central part of the plate;
- itching of psoriatic formations (manifested only in half of cases due to weakened immunity);
- swelling and inflammation in the area where the rash appears.
At first the rashes are very small, about the size of the head of a pin.They have a hemispherical shape and a smooth, shiny surface.After a few days, the rashes increase in size and become covered with light scales that are easily separated.When the plaque is scraped, drops of blood appear on its surface, indicating spot hemorrhages.
Sometimes psoriasis can be complicated by exudative phenomena (serous fluid).The scales absorb this exudate and transform into a rough scab.If you remove it, there are wet areas underneath.These phenomena are dangerous due to the addition of a secondary bacterial infection.
As a rule, psoriasis in an early stage lasts 2 to 3 weeks. If left untreated, the plaques grow up to 5-7 cm, merge and form entire conglomerates that cover large areas of the skin.
What psoriasis looks like in the initial stage
Now let's see what psoriasis looks like at the beginning of its development in different places.To facilitate perception, we present the corresponding photographs.
- Legs.The disease begins with small, single rashes, located mainly on the knees and feet, but can also be seen on any surface of the legs.
- Elbows.In most cases, plaque-type psoriasis appears in this area, which is characterized by small eruptions with very intense peeling.The skin on the elbows becomes rough.
- Hands.In this area, psoriasis appears suddenly in the form of a small rash, which many people mistake for an allergy.Only after dry flakes appear do people consult a doctor.Often the rashes are located between the fingers of the palms.
- Head.Psoriasis usually affects the scalp, ear area, and the back of the head.The rash in this area is characterized by wet scales and is almost always itchy.
- Face.The rash affects the nasolabial folds, eyelids, eyebrows, and eyes.This form of psoriasis is considered atypical.
- Nails.Nail psoriasis is more like a fungal disease.First, longitudinal stripes or spots appear on the edge of the nails and then extend to the roots.At the same time, the nail plate becomes dull and thickened.
Psoriasis treatment
Therapy should begin with a visit to a dermatologist. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate.Treatment of psoriasis in the initial stage should be comprehensive.Today, new treatment methods have been developed that help to completely eliminate scaly rashes, although they do not completely cure the disease itself.During therapy, it is necessary to exclude all factors that provoke an exacerbation of the pathology, change the diet and follow a special diet.
Drug therapy
Treatment tactics for early stage psoriasis are gradually changing.If earlier hormonal drugs of general action were prescribed, now local agents are widely used.
The following ointments provide good relief from the manifestations of psoriasis:
- Keratolytic and moisturizing.
- Vegetable.
- Glucocorticoid.
- Cytostatic.
- Solid oil based.
- Petroleum based.
The doctor may also prescribe sedatives, antihistamines for severe itching, immunomodulators, and vitamin and mineral complexes.Treatment should also include physical therapy.The following methods are widely used:
- paraffin baths;
- PUVA therapy;
- ultraviolet irradiation;
- Sulfur and radon baths.
Electrosleep and magnetic laser therapy have beneficial effects.Cryotherapy (cold treatment) and hirudotherapy (leech treatment) are gaining popularity.
When treating psoriasis on the head, you should not comb the skin.The head should be washed daily with medicated shampoos containing zinc, tar and selenium sulfide.
Home treatment
Before using any prescription, it is advisable to consult your doctor so that it does not cause the development of complications. Treatment with traditional medicine has the main objective of strengthening the immune system and relieving the inflammatory process.Therefore, it is necessary to drink vitamin teas: decoctions of rose hips, lemon, viburnum, raspberries, chamomile, etc.It is recommended to add honey to herbal infusions.
The most effective home therapeutic remedies include:
- celandine.It relieves inflammation well and calms the skin.The plates must be lubricated daily with the juice of this plant.
- hydrogen peroxide.To start, dilute the peroxide with water in a 1:3 ratio and use the solution to lubricate the psoriatic rash to disinfect.Use before applying ointments or lotions.
- linseed oil.Perfectly relieves inflammation and heals the skin.Apply to the affected area twice a day.
- Baking soda.Neutralizes the acidity of the skin, which increases with psoriasis.
- solid oil.It helps very well at the beginning of the disease.It is necessary to lubricate the affected areas before going to bed.
Prevention and recommendations
To reduce the risk of psoriasis, prevention is necessary. Follow these guidelines:
- moisturize your skin regularly with creams;
- avoid damage to the skin in the form of burns, scratches, bites, etc.;
- strengthen your immune system, play sports and walk more in the fresh air;
- abandon bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol);
- Take only those medications prescribed by your doctor.
It is important to note separately about a special diet for psoriasis. It helps achieve remission more quickly and reduces the duration of disease relapses.The following table contains a list of permitted, prohibited and restricted products.
| Products | Permitted | Limited use | forbidden |
| fish and meat | turkey, chicken, rabbit, lean river fish | lean beef and lamb | pork, sea fish |
| Cereals and flour products. | oat flour, buckwheat, millet, pearl barley, corn, wheat flakes | rice | semolina, puff pastry, baked goods made from wheat flour, bread |
| milk products | low-fat cottage cheese, skimmed milk | kefir, fermented baked milk, sour cream | cheese |
| Vegetables | carrots, broccoli, cucumber, asparagus, lettuce, green beans | corn, pumpkin | bell pepper, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant |
| fruits and berries | kiwi, pineapple, mango, grapes, nectarine, cherry | plum, blueberry, currant, lingonberry, avocado | strawberry, citrus, red apple |
| walnuts | almonds | pine nuts | everyone else |
| sweets | dried apricots, raisins, dates | Honey | chocolate, sweets and other confectionery products |
| spices | dill, parsley, green onions | horseradish, garlic, onion | pepper, cloves, nutmeg |
| Oils | sunflower, olive, cotton, corn | butter | spread margarine |
| Drinks | infusions, juices, compotes | green tea | black tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, alcohol |
Don't forget about the drinking regimen.It is necessary to drink between 1.5 and 2 liters of drinking water per day.
Psoriasis is a rather unpleasant skin disease that causes many inconveniences.It cannot be completely eliminated, but with a competent treatment approach a stable remission can be achieved.To do this, you should contact a dermatologist.Psoriasis in the initial stage responds well to drug therapy.You should not self-medicate, as this will only worsen the course of the disease.