Psoriasis is the most common type of chronic dermatosis. This is a complex disease that can manifest itself in different ways and have different origins. In most cases, psoriasis is considered a non-life-threatening disease. But there is information about the death of this disease due to its improper treatment.
A person can suffer from several forms of psoriasis at the same time.
Who can get sick?
Psoriasis can affect people of any age and gender.
In infants, the first signs of psoriasis appear in the inguinal folds and resemble a sweatshirt.
In adults, psoriasis can start mainly in two different ways:
1. Small papules are dense to the touch. They can be located on the palms, elbows, less often on the knee and ankle joints. If itching and painful sensations are present when touched, then these are real signs of psoriasis, and not simple irritation. With these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor, assingle papules quickly develop into plaques. And it is very difficult to cure them. The affected area causes severe itching and discomfort.
2. A rounded red spot appeared. This rash is characterized by the presence of a large number of whitish scales. In the course of the development of the disease, these rashes thicken and thicken, and also become convex. These rashes form psoriatic plaques. They look like drops of a paraffin candle frozen on the skin.
First signs of illness
Beginning psoriasis is expressed in the appearance of papules, which are small scaly nodules. They have a dark pink color, are dense to the touch, protrude slightly above the surface of the skin.
The first sign of psoriasis may be the appearance of a rash on areas of the body that are most exposed to friction, and the skin in these places is dry. These places are:
- palms or elbows;
- under the knees;
- shins;
- sides of the lower back;
- groin folds;
- scalp.
The location of the rash depends on the form of the disease.
The initial stage of psoriasis on the skin is barely noticeable and does not cause discomfort to the patient. But it is early treatment that will help to avoid severe forms of this disease, in which the nails of the hands and feet, mucous surfaces, and then the joints of a person are affected.
There are three hallmarks of psoriasis:
- "Stearin stain effect". When scraping the plaquesmall and transparent scales peel off easily.
- "Terminal film effect". If the scales are removed, the skin in this place will be thin, shiny, and it will also be red.
- "Blood dew effect". After scraping, tiny droplets of blood appear on the skin.
Also, the manifestation of psoriasis can be characterized by changes and stratification of the nails.
Types of psoriasis
A unified classification of this disease has not yet been developed, but its main types are distinguished according to the nature of the rash.
The first type is non-pustular, it is characterized by the spread of a rash over the entire surface of the skin. Includes such subspecies as:
- Simple (vulgar) or otherwise ordinary, it is the most common among all types of psoriasis. Usually occurs in a stable chronic form.
- Psoriatic erythroderma is always severe, severely damaging the skin. May cause other deadly diseases.
The second main type of psoriasis is pustular. It is characterized by the formation of not papules, but formations such as pustules. They are vesicles on the skin, inside which the serological fluid collects. This type of disease can be spread both over the entire surface of the body, and in a specific area, most often it is the palms and feet.
The following subspecies of pustular psoriasis are distinguished:
- persistent acrodermatitis (psoriasis of the soles of the feet and palms of the hands);
- barber's palmoplantar appearance (chronically leaking pustulosislimbs);
- Von Zumbusch generalized psoriasis;
- psoriatic herpetiform impetigo;
- erythema annulus;
- annular variety of pustular psoriasis.
This classification does not include, but the following forms of this disease belong to psoriasis:
- drug-dependent;
- seborrheic-like psoriasis occurs on the scalp, the skin acquires a yellowish tint, there is no inflammatory process;
- reverse on fold surfaces and skin folds;
- exudative.
Basic theories of the appearance of the disease
Scientists do not yet give an exact answer to the question of what causes psoriasis.
According to the immune theory, psoriasis is caused by disturbances in the functioning of the human immune system. That is, the immune system reacts to skin cells as aggressors and begins to fight them. This theory is also confirmed by the fact that the first signs of psoriasis often occur against the background of various diseases of infectious origin, such as tonsillitis, sinusitis, etc.
The second theory of psoriasis is genetic. That is, human genes are predisposed to the manifestation of psoriasis.
The endocrine theory suggests that the impetus for the manifestation of the disease is an abnormal level of hormones. The necessary level of hormones controls the normal process of skin cell division. And if there are too few or too many hormones, then skin cells begin to divide intensively,what causes psoriasis. This theory is also supported by the fact that often psoriasis can occur during the period of hormonal changes in the body, such as pregnancy, menstruation or ovulation. But scientists have not yet been able to identify the hormone responsible for the manifestation of the first signs of psoriasis and its further development.
Proponents of the neurogenic theory say that the disease occurs as a result of stress and psycho-emotional overstrain. Vasomotor neurosis causes vasoconstriction, which leads to a decrease in blood supply to the skin.
Violation of metabolic processes in the body can also cause psoriasis. It has been observed that people who suffer from psoriasis may have high cholesterol levels, low body temperature, lack of vitamins, trace elements, carbohydrates in the body.
Causes of psoriasis
So, summarizing all of the above, we can understand what can provoke the appearance of an ailment in everyday life:
- stress, emotional and physical overload;
- diseases of infectious origin;
- changes in the hormonal system;
- various skin injuries such as frostbite, burns or trauma;
- medication, such as antibiotics, immunostimulants, vitamins, etc.;
- unbalanced diet, alcohol abuse;
- dramatic climate change;
- other skin diseases.
Psoriasis treatment
It is impossible to try to cure psoriasis on your own, but firstturn to go to see a dermatologist. The disease should be treated comprehensively using external agents, injections and the use of instrumental methods of treatment.
The disease requires mandatory treatment, because over time, if left untreated, plaques cover all large areas of the body. The critical stage of the disease reaches 3-4 years after the onset and causes irreversible consequences, such as psoriatic arthritis (inflammation of the joints) or erythroderma (severe skin lesions).
Shampoos, ointments, creams, gels are used for external treatment and care. Most effective drugs:
- hormonal-based products;
- drugs based on refined petroleum products;
- ointments with solid oil or fat base;
- creams with mustard gas.
Some drugs can be addictive and should be limited in duration.
Oral medicines
Drugs help to cure not only psoriasis, but also improve the functioning of internal organs. The list of drugs that can be prescribed to a patient with psoriasis at a dermatologist's appointment:
- antibiotics;
- antihistamines;
- sedatives;
- immunomodulating drugs;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- enterosorbents;
- hepatoprotectors and enzymes.
Usually, oral medications are prescribed only after local therapy has not brought the desired result. Most drugs have contraindications and cause side effects, so they should be drunk as directed by a doctor and strictly follow the regimen and dose of the drug.
Non-drug treatments for psoriasis
Among them are the following ways:
- laser, magnetic and electrotherapy;
- PUVA therapy;
- ultraviolet;
- X-ray exposure;
- laser treatment.
How can I protect myself from psoriasis?
This disease can recur, that is, having faded, flare up with renewed vigor. Here are the simple rules of prevention:
physical and emotional rest;
- use skin hygiene products with medicinal properties or neutral ones;
- good balanced diet;
- beware of injury, burns, etc.;
- use the drugs according to the instructions and as prescribed by the doctor;
- treat infectious diseases in a timely manner.
Thanks to this, psoriasis can go into remission for a long time and not bother a person.
