How psoriasis begins and manifests itself: symptoms and diagnosis

26 December 2020

A chronic disease of a non-infectious nature, which, according to statistics, affects several percent of the entire population, is psoriasis, the symptoms of which manifest themselves in the form of focal redness, itching and intense skinof the skin.

The disease can develop at any age and regardless of the social environment to which a person belongs. Psoriasis occurs equally in men and women. Most often, the disease affects young people under twenty years of age.

Many people are interested in the question: "Does psoriasis itch, what are its symptoms and treatment, and most importantly, is it contagious? " Psoriasis itching is found in almost 85% of cases, but the disease is not at allcontagious and not transmitted by airborne droplets or household appliances. Difficult is difficult to treat, but complex therapy almost always gives good results.

Manifestation of the disease

How is psoriasis manifested and what is this disease? Psoriatic plaques often develop first in areas that are subject to greater friction, such as the elbows or knees.

Also, the signs of psoriasis can appear on absolutely any area of the skin - head, face, back, abdomen, palms, feet, armpits and even genitals.

If we consider another similar disease - eczema, then it affects the inside of the flexion surfaces, with psoriasis - the outside of the knee and elbow joints.

The pathology is chronic and has a wavy course, that is, a person's condition can improve under the influence of treatment methods or, conversely, worsen under the influence of negative factors, while forgiveness and deterioration are usually completely spontaneous.

Recurrence can be caused by alcohol abuse, stress, infectious diseases. The severity of psoriasis varies from person to person, even from the same person, throughout the disease.

The main symptoms of skin psoriasis are plaques, which appear as small lesions in certain areas. In some cases, they can cover the entire body.

Psoriasis progresses over time, especially if appropriate measures are not taken to correct it. Progression of the disease consists of an increase in periods of exacerbations and an increase in the lesion area with the involvement of healthy areas of the skin in the inflammatory process. There are cases when the disease continued continuously without periods of remission.

Pathology such as onychodystrophy - nail damage is very common. This disease can go away on its own, without adding a skin lesion. Also, psoriasis can contribute to the development of an inflammatory process in the joints - psoriatic arthritis (a disease of the small joints of the lower extremities and hands), and onychodystrophy is observed in about 15% of patients with psoriasis.

There are many different ways to deal with this disease, but due to the tendency of the disease to recur constantly and worsen, psoriasis is very difficult to treat. Complete recovery is almost impossible, that is, it remains with a person for the rest of his life, but with proper treatment and following all medical prescriptions, longer periods of remission can be achieved.

Reasons

To date, medicine does not know the true cause of this pathology, however, it has been proven that a malfunction in the immune system, neurological disorders and metabolic disorders can cause the disease. There are also a number of factors that can cause the disease to develop:

Genetic predisposition,in other words, simple inheritance. Experts say the signs of psoriasis can be found in people whose blood relatives suffered from psoriasis. Moreover, if one parent is ill, the risk of developing the disease increases to 20%, and if both parents - up to 50%. This is due to the existence of certain genes responsible for the development of dermatological changes. The first signs of hereditary psoriasis appear, as a rule, before the age of 25 years.
Neurological disorders.Any emotional shock, nervous strain, chronic fatigue can cause the disease to develop. In addition, in people with psoriasis, any stressful situation can provoke a worsening of the disease.
Hormonal failure.All pathological changes in the functioning of the organs of the endocrine system can cause the development of the disease.
Violation of the metabolic process.Metabolic disorders associated with a lack of beneficial micronutrients and vitamins in the body can cause psoriasis.
Helminthic invasion. Some types of parasites can provoke a disease. Many laboratory studies have been performed, the results of which showed that many patients with psoriasis were infected with giardiasis, opisthorchiasis, ascariasis, enterobiasis. The thing is that in the process of their vital activity, helminths release toxic substances that poison the whole body. This leads to a worsening of chronic diseases and a significant decline in immunity.
Viral infections,which also attack the human immune system.

From the above, it becomes clear that the process of developing psoriasis, in one way or another, is associated with disturbances in the work of the body's defense mechanisms. Psoriasis in the body can develop under the influence of a whole complex of causes, or under the influence of factors such as unbalanced diet, climate change, alcohol abuse and smoking.

Clinical picture and types of psoriasis

How does psoriasis start? The first symptoms of the disease are the appearance of reddish plaques and scaly parts that itch and resemble lichen. Over time, the spots peel off and beneath them lies a denser layer of scales.

When the disease begins to progress, the so-called Kenber phenomenon is observed, when plaques appear at the sites of skin trauma (with wounds, cuts, burns).

Varieties

There are several types of psoriasis, each of which has a specific clinical picture:

Plaque (true psoriasis)is the most common form of the disease, which occurs in more than 80% of all patients. The skin becomes inflamed, dry and dense, with raised areas above it, which are covered with light silvery scales. The skin in these areas is hot to the touch and flashes constantly. After peeling, reddish inflammatory foci are found, which are very often damaged and bleed. Inflammation can melt into large foci. With psoriasis of the elbows and knees, the cortex is not as pronounced.
In the form of spots- there are many small dry inflammations of a rounded shape of red or purple, which rise above the surface of the skin. Guttate psoriasis covers large areas of the body. The first signs of the disease may occur after a previous sore throat or pharyngitis, which are caused by streptococcal infection.
Pustularis the most complex form of the disease. Looks like blisters with blisters raised on the surface of healthy skin. These bubbles are filled with exudates. Around the pustules, the skin becomes red, swollen, thickened and then flakes. When a secondary infection joins, the blisters fill with purulent fluid. Typically, this psoriasis is limited and affects specific areas, such as the lower leg and forearm. In severe cases, the inflammation begins to spread further along the surface of the skin and the rash spots join in one focus.
Psoriatic arthritis- joints and connective tissue are involved in the pathological process. The main manifestation of this form is severe itching. In addition, the skin of the joints in the fingers becomes painful, swollen, itchy, and shaky.
Onychodystrophy (nail psoriasis)may look like mycosis. With such a disease, the appearance of the nails changes, they become brittle and flaky, the color of the nail bed and the plaque itself may become yellow or gray. Also, white spots, dots and dashes appear on the nails and under the nails. The skin under and around the nails becomes firm. Too often, onychodystrophy leads to nail loss.

Additional symptoms of psoriasis include:

bleeding wounds (in places of skin trauma);
nail erosion;
intense itching;
fever, swelling and joint pain in psoriatic arthritis (not always).

How the disease progresses

There are several stages in the course of the disease:

Progressive.This is the initial stage of the disease. It is characterized by exacerbations, in which there is an increase in the number of new rashes.
Stationary.At this stage, the appearance of the disease remains unchanged, i. e. the rash and other symptoms of psoriasis do not increase or decrease.
Regression phase.The last stage of the disease, which continues without redness.

Depending on the prevalence of the inflammatory process, the disease may be:

restricted- small areas of skin are affected;
common- large areas of skin are affected;
generalized- affects almost the entire surface of the body.

Among other things, psoriasis is considered a seasonal disease, that is, all symptoms worsen depending on the season. Most people usually get worse in winter or summer. In some patients, this process is not accompanied by a change of season.

Diagnosis

How is this disease diagnosed? The diagnosis of psoriasis is mainly based on an examination by a dermatologist. Examination allows you to identify the shape and extent of the lesion.

In some cases, differential diagnosis is performed to distinguish psoriasis from another dermatological disease. How do we know that a patient has this particular disease?

As already mentioned, in psoriasis, the Kenber phenomenon is observed, which is not natural in skin pathologies. Another symptom should also be considered, when a slight edge appears around a new papule, which has not yet begun to peel - a kind of vascular reaction, which indicates further progression of the disease.

Sometimes a skin biopsy is used to make a more accurate diagnosis, or tests are taken that can detect an inflammatory process in the blood. After being diagnosed with psoriasis, you should start treatment immediately.

Treatment

Medications

The main therapy is the use of topical preparations in the form of oils, gels, creams and sprays.

These medicines contain ingredients that prevent excessive cell division in the skin and relieve the unpleasant symptoms of itching. There are a number of substances that effectively fight this disease:

Glucocorticoid hormones.They relieve inflammation and normalize the immune system.
Vitamin D.The use of vitamin D medications will be more effective once the disease reaches a stationary stage, when the patient's condition is stable. Good results are obtained by taking such drugs in combination with ultraviolet radiation procedures.
Silicon.Improves skin condition, has a sorbent effect and absorbs antigens that are involved in the development of the disease.
Tarhas a good effect on foci of inflammation, which are located on the head.
Lecitina.Promotes rapid tissue regeneration. Preparations with this substance help the body deal more quickly with inflammation.
Activated zincin a short time removes redness and relieves itching.

Patients are also prescribed drugs of the following groups:

corticosteroids- normalize metabolic processes;
cytostatics- prevent cell division, but may weaken the body's defense mechanisms;
immunomodulators- also regulate immune responses, but their effectiveness is in question;
non-steroids- relieve inflammation and itching.

Vitamin complexes are prescribed in combination with these drugs.

Along with medication treatment, the following methods are very popular:

Hirudotherapy.Caterpillar therapy improves blood circulation and normalizes immune mechanisms.
Cryotherapy.A special way of "freezing" relieves itching, swelling and inflammation.
Ultraviolet radiation.These short-term procedures are combined with the introduction of special drugs.

Attention!Self-medication for psoriasis is unacceptable, as many medications have contraindications and are prescribed by a specialist only taking into account the individual physiological characteristics of the patient.

Children usually have a less severe course of psoriasis than adults, so local therapy gives good results, and even in the event of a worsening, a repeated course of treatment can achieve long-term remission.

Even if a child is diagnosed with a severe form, with adequate timely treatment, the prognosis will be more or less favorable.

The main rule for parents is to know how to identify the characteristic signs of psoriasis and immediately start fighting this disease!

Traditional medicine

Prescriptions of traditional medicine are often used to treat psoriasis. Herbal compresses will be effective.

To make a compress, grind 4 tbsp. tablespoons of dry herbs and pour a glass of boiling water, then let cook. In the broth, you need to moisten gauze and apply on painful spots.

The following herbs have healing properties:

calendula;
horse tail;
walnut leaves;
celandine;
yarrow;
sweet clover;
rodhe;
leaves black currants.

You can also prepare an oral solution. For this, 1 tbsp. a tablespoon of dried herbs should be poured into a glass of boiling water, insist for 8 hours, drain and drink 100 ml twice a day, preferably half an hour before meals. Suitable for collecting plants:

St. John's wort;
celandine;
;
marshmallow;
valerian.

Attention!Some of these herbs can cause side effects, so before starting treatment, you should read all the contraindications.

Medicinal ointments for home treatment are very popular. Here are some effective recipes:

Burn dry hips and mix the ash with Vaseline. The ointment should be applied to the affected areas daily.
Grind celandine leaves to make 2 tbsp. spoons, add lanolin and Vaseline. Ointment to treat inflamed skin.
Mix the tincture of a series with lanolin and Vaseline and rub on psoriatic plates.
Grind the sweet meadow roots, mix with oil or Vaseline, boil the resulting oil, cold and stained stains.

Soothing herbal teas are beneficial. They can be picked from mother, oregano, chamomile, mint, thyme, valerian, linden, peony.

Traditional medicine does not guarantee 100% of the result, it is better to combine it with the main treatment.

Psoriasis and pregnancy

Many women with psoriasis who are in position are worried about how the disease will behave during this period.

Psoriasis is an unpredictable disease, so it is difficult to answer the question: "How to determine the course of the disease during pregnancy. "The symptoms of psoriasis can begin to progress, remain immobile, or subside. There are cases when after birth the disease completely disappeared.

Every pregnant woman worries that the disease can be transmitted to her baby, but not the disease itself is inherited, but only a predisposition to it.

During lactation, if the mother is undergoing powerful drug therapy, breastfeeding is very dangerous, as the substances can harm the health of the baby. In this case, you should discontinue treatment or transfer the baby to artificial feeding.

The disease does not affect the conception and intrauterine development of the fetus, but the drugs that the expectant mother takes can lead to negative consequences, so it is important to consult your doctor when planning a pregnancy, which will cancel some of them. .

Prevention

This disease can not be prevented, but its manifestations can be significantly reduced. To achieve a reduction in the symptoms of the disease, you must adhere to the following preventive rules:

Try not to get nervous and learn to control your emotions. Natural sedatives can be used to facilitate this task.
Reduce your intake of salty, smoked, spicy, fried and fatty foods, as well as honey, citrus fruits, chocolate and coffee.
Wear clothes made of natural fabrics.
Choose personal care products with low pH levels that will not dry or irritate sore skin.
Be careful with medicines, as many of them can cause psoriasis outbreaks, antibiotics are especially dangerous.
Quit smoking and alcohol.
Avoid direct sunlight.

Psoriasis is one of the most common skin diseases, the nature of which is not yet fully understood. The disease causes a lot of anxiety, worsens the quality of life and lowers a person’s self-esteem.

It can happen suddenly and, unfortunately, no one is immune to this disease. This is why it is very important to know how this pathology manifests itself in order to consult a doctor in time and start treatment.