Scaly lichen is a very common skin disease, and dermatologists are most often found with it. This disease not only looks not so aesthetically pleasing (light red spots with irregular shape on the skin scare many others), but brings mental disturbances, physical and psychological problems and in the future, serious complications.
Therefore, knowing about the secrecy of the disease and the pitfalls of its chronic course (frequent recurrences) in a family where there are already patients with scaly lichen, its members are particularly afraid of getting sick and are wary of any changes in the skin.
How to recognize the first signs of psoriasis (another name for scaly lichen)? How does the disease start? At what age does the disease most often manifest itself? What do you need to know to not miss the first symptoms of psoriasis and to start treatment on time? Are there any differences in the first manifestations of the disease in men and women? We will try to answer these and many other questions in this article.
What causes the first signs of psoriasis?
Despite the fact that psoriasis is not inherited (this has been proven by recent research), there are many factors that, with a predisposition to psoriasis, can cause its clinical manifestation.
- Usually, the onset of psoriasis is preceded by some kind of nerve breakdown or mental trauma. This factor most often provokes the development of psoriasis.
- A hormonal imbalance can delay the disease, therefore, women during pregnancy, lactation and during menopause should be especially careful with themselves - to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, to avoid negative emotions, not to stay in the sun fora long time and be out with often.
- The trigger for the development of psoriasis may be a change in the surrounding climate (moving to another settlement, resting in a hot spot in January). Therefore, it is better to refrain from a sharp change in latitude, and even from winter to summer (moving to an area with a climate with a large temperature change), if there is scaly lichen in the family history. In case of a forced movement, it is very important during such a period to be especially careful about your body.
- Outbreaks of chronic infection can also lead to the appearance of psoriatic plaques. Chronic diseases should always be treated, but in a family where there are already cases of psoriasis, a streptococcal concentration in the body is particularly dangerous. However, caries, chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis, gingivitis - all these sluggish diseases pose a threat to any organism.
At what age do the first signs of psoriasis usually appear?
The first signs of psoriasis can appear at any age. Scaly licks do not spare either the elderly or children. There are cases of onset of the disease in infancy and the appearance of psoriatic plaques after 80. But more often the first signs of psoriasis reveal themselves at a young age from 14 to 30. As a rule, such patients, even at a young age, already have concomitant diseases, for example, such as overweight, allergies, diabetes mellitus, neurasthenia, thyroid pathology.
The first signs of psoriasis in humans
The manifestation of psoriasis depends on the type of disease. But, in any case, the first symptoms in the cutaneous forms of psoriasis are the appearance of rash. The rash is a rounded epidermal papule. What is the mechanism of psoriatic papule development?
Provocative factors cause the inflammatory process, which is based on hyperkeratosis (pathological proliferation of cells). As a result, the epidermis thickens, begins to appear on healthy skin, forming a nodule. This is the main element of scaly lichen - psoriatic papules.
The papule has a bright pink color, which varies in intensity. Initially, the papule is dark pink (up to a deep red color), then it becomes more pale and wobbly. Dead epithelial scales have a gray-silver color, they are very easily separated by scratches. In the basal layer of the dermis, new blood vessels appear, which supply the developing cells of the epidermis with nutrients. Because of this, during forgiveness, even in the absence of plaques, the skin will have a reddish color. As the process deteriorates, the elements grow and occupy an increasingly large area. The skin in these places is dry, cracked, bleeding, i. e. there is a visible psoriasis clinic.
Favorite places for the first rashes in psoriasis are the scalp, face (in teenagers), natural skin folds (in children), joints (elbows, knees), feet and heels. Psoriatic plaques, unlike eczema, are usually located on the outer extensor surfaces of the joint.
They talk about the initial stage of psoriasis if no more than 10% of the skin surface is affected. An experienced dermatologist will immediately recognize the symptoms of psoriasis, but sometimes allergic dermatitis or rheumatoid arthritis (with psoriatic joint damage) is confused with psoriasis.
The first signs of plaque psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is a vulgar cutaneous psoriasis, so its first signs are easier to distinguish. Psoriasis begins with the appearance of a small number of small nodules, which are usually localized in the nodal area. They resemble a small abscess filled with light-colored contents. The main elements of psoriasis do not bother the patient and are hardly noticeable. They can cross on their own, but after a while they reappear in greater numbers and become more visible. If you scratch the papule, it immediately becomes covered with silver scales. In summer, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the rash may disappear. As the disease progresses, its amount increases, it covers wider areas and the individual elements merge into wider plates.
Sometimes the first signs appear immediately with violence and in abundance. In response to the provocative factor, the skin becomes covered with reddish-pink psoriatic plaques, which cause severe itching. But such a start is unusual for psoriasis.
The first signs of nail psoriasis
The first changes in the nails may be different and resemble a fungal infection. Delamination appears, brittleness, thickening of the nail plate, depressed spots or grooves are visible all over the nail. Moreover, the first pathological signs appear on the edge of the nail, then they move to the root. One of the initial symptoms of nail psoriasis is a change in the color of the nails. Nail plate can become yellow, gray or white. Hemorrhage may appear under the nail. All of these marks may be on all nails or on just one.
The first signs of psoriasis on the feet and palms
In some patients, the only clinical sign of psoriasis is damage to the feet or palms in the form of dense scaly, scaly lesions. When you clean, a shiny surface appears, which, with further injury, begins to bleed ("bloody dew" syndrome).
The first signs of psoriasis of the head
Psoriasis of the scalp resembles seborrhea due to abundant scaling. It can be applied separately, without touching other areas of the skin, for a long time. Patients are treated for dandruff by buying special shampoos, not even realizing they have psoriasis on their heads. After some time, the lesion affects the back of the ear, neck and goes down. And only in this case, patients begin to give the alarm and go to the doctor.
The first signs of psoriatic arthritis
With psoriatic arthritis, rashes may not be present. The first signs of psoriasis will be complaints of joint deformity, which increase in size and become painful. The toes and feet are swollen and resemble sausage. As the disease progresses, gait changes. It can be problematic to diagnose psoriasis in this form, many patients are treated for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this case, the presence of psoriasis in relatives and a careful differential diagnosis with diseases affecting the joints helps to make the correct diagnosis.
The first signs of psoriasis in women
Psoriasis is the same for both men and women. But, unlike men, in whom the first symptoms of psoriasis usually appear around the age of 25-30, the first signs of psoriasis in women appear earlier. The triggering mechanism for the development of the disease are often hormonal changes in the period of puberty. In general, the development of psoriasis in women is associated with frequent changes in hormonal levels throughout their lives. For the onset of psoriasis, the most important and dangerous periods in a woman are:
- menstrual cycle (especially its appearance);
- pregnancy;
- Childbirth;
- lactation period;
- menopause.
If psoriasis already occurs at the time of conception, then pregnancy can have a beneficial effect on skin manifestations and a period of remission will begin. But after birth, perhaps a deterioration of all processes. Most often, according to statistics, the first signs of psoriasis in women occur during childbirth and during menopause. For other positions, the symptoms and signs of psoriasis in women and men do not change. But pediatric psoriasis has its own characteristics.
What to do when the first signs of psoriasis are found?
In any case, if the first signs and symptoms of psoriasis are found, an urgent need to consult a dermatologist in order to begin treatment of the disease in a timely manner. The doctor will prescribe the treatment of psoriasis, taking into account the severity of the course and the specifics of the manifestations of the disease. Beenshte proved that if less than 5% of the skin is affected by psoriasis, all symptoms can be eliminated. But treatment should be chosen by a competent specialist.
Except this:
- if you find the first signs of psoriasis in yourself or your family, try to remember what may have provoked the disease and avoid these factors in the future;
- be more often in nature and do not forget the sunlight;
- temperament - take a contrast bath, do not forget about washing water;
- try to go to sea and swim more;
- take good care of your skin, protect it from injury, use moisturizer;
- for scalp psoriasis, choose shampoo without aggressive ingredients; do not dye your hair;
- review your diet;
- avoid conflicts and stressful situations; learn to control your emotions (but do not suppress them), the ability to stay calm in dramatic moments of life will help maintain forgiveness for a long time;
- you can take valerian, motherwort (consult your doctor) if you are emotionally agile;
- wear cotton, especially focus on footwear, which should be made only from natural fabrics, do not wear synthetics;
- treat chronic infections in a timely manner;
- go to bed earlier, arrange yourself a good rest.
If possible, when the first signs of psoriasis or any suspicious symptoms appear, consult a dermatologist in Germany:
- You will be convinced of the reliability (or error) of the diagnosis:
- Thanks to experienced specialists, you will be able to quickly eliminate the symptoms of psoriasis (especially if these are the first signs of the disease);
- You will receive expert advice with detailed recommendations and guidance;
- You will buy quality medicines prescribed by a doctor to alleviate a possible deterioration;
- In the future, if necessary, you will be able to stay in touch with the attending physician using Skype, telephone or e-mail.