Psoriasis on the hands

This form of psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that mainly affects:

• The palm trees.
• The areas between the fingers.
• Hands.

Most often, people suffering from this form of the disease develop serious psychological complexes.

This form of the disease does not pose a serious threat to human life, however, with the development of severe forms, this disease can be associated with the development of a number of very serious complications.

One of the most common complications is damage to the joint area of the lower and upper extremities. This complication leads to the development of psoriatic arthritis. This disease is quite dangerous, as it can lead to the development of temporary disability and even disability.

Most people who suffer from psoriasis of the hands are diagnosed with lesions that appear especially on the palms and soles.

This form of the disease causes the patient many different concerns, since the main foci of the development of this disease cannot be hidden under clothing, and the formation of cracks is accompanied by the appearance of painful sensations.

The lesions themselves are small, pink plaques. The plaques protrude strongly above the surface of the skin and are eventually covered with gray scales.

In some cases, the formation of yellow pustules is observed.

The main symptoms of the development of this form of the disease:

• Dry skin.
• Thickening of the skin.
• The appearance of redness.
• The appearance of cracks.
• The appearance of callus-like formations.

Causes

Among the many factors that can provoke the disease are:

• Allergic reactions;
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Diseases of the kidneys, liver and pancreas;
• Excess weight;
• Metabolism and dysfunction of the endocrine system;
• Hereditary predisposition;
• Chronic depression, stress or nervous tension.

As we have already pointed out, the exact causes of psoriasis have not yet been determined. Experts have not been able to determine exactly what causes psoriasis and in what cases it occurs.

At the same time, diseases or moments that provoke skin damage in the patient have been identified:

1. Inheritance.
2. Immune system disorders and metabolic problems.
3. Psycho-emotional overload.
4. Bad habits and eating disorders.
5. General intoxication.
6. Viruses, bacteria, fungal infections.
7. With a sharp change in the climatic conditions of living.
8. In case of chronic skin diseases.
9. If the patient takes medications of different pharmacological groups for a long time.

Sometimes the manifestation of the disease can occur if a person uses detergents that deprive the skin of its natural covering. It is important to remember that since psoriasis is not contagious, you do not need to worry too much about personal hygiene.

Various factors can cause eczema on the hands:

• hereditary predisposition;
• weakened immunity;
• disruption in the functioning of the endocrine glands;
• changes in hormonal levels;
• chronic disease;
• infections;
• nervous tension;
• frequent stress;
• constant exposure to chemicals (detergents, paints, solvents) on the skin;
• uncontrolled use of drugs (for example, anti-inflammatory drugs);
• clothing made from synthetic fabrics;
• rings and bracelets made of certain links;
• cheap cosmetics of low quality;
• pollen;
• Poplar fluff;
• animal hair;
• insect bites;
• mold;
• house dust;
• helminthic infections;
• some food products.

The mechanism of psoriasis has not been fully proven, but it has been found to be caused by a violation of skin cell division, in which the diseased cells begin to multiply and grow 5-10 times faster. Soon, immune cells join the process and blood vessels grow.

After the cells die, keratinized areas remain on the smooth surface of the skin - convex psoriatic plaques. In addition to the genetic predisposition - the characteristics of immunity, the structure of the skin, indirect causes that influence the beginning of the development of psoriasis have been identified.

Recent medical research shows a link between the disease and other pathologies:

• metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, increased production of free radicals and nitrogen oxides involved in skin keratinization);
• atherosclerosis;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• liver and kidney pathologies;
• osteoporosis;
• obesity.

Risk factors include the following:

• smoking;
• alcohol abuse;
• changing weather conditions.

You cannot get infected by contact with a sick person; there are no external carriers of the disease. The inflammatory process occurs in the body and a genetic predisposition to a characteristic disease cannot be excluded. Other causes of hand psoriasis are detailed below:

• impaired metabolism;
• hormonal imbalance;
• risk at work;
• tendency to allergic reactions;
• the presence of bad habits;
• poor nutrition;
• immune disorders of the body;
• violation of personal hygiene rules.

Dermatosis is heterogeneous. There are exogenous and endogenous causes of the disease.

Exogenous factors include environmental temperature fluctuations, bad habits, prolonged use of medications, infections, injuries, and an atherogenic nutritional profile. Endogenous factors include hereditary predisposition, weakening of immunity, stress and sensitization of the organism.

Provocative factors promote the development of the pathological process. Modern dermatologists tend to consider psoriasis of the palms and soles to be the result of a combination of several causes.

The causes of the disease are not fully understood. Scientists identify several theories:

1. Psoriasis is a genetic disease.
2. Psoriasis appears due to disorders of the immune, endocrine and nervous systems.
3. Psoriasis is a disease that appears due to bad ecology and the accumulation of harmful substances in the body.

When these reasons are combined, psoriasis appears. However, the main factor is still genetic: scientists have identified several genes that are responsible for the occurrence of the disease.

Factors that provoke the appearance of psoriasis:

• stressful situations;
• hazardous industries, especially those with high concentrations of phenols;
• injuries, scratches, burns: sometimes psoriasis appears in these places;
• alcohol, smoking;
• infections: especially streptococcal;
• wrong selection of certain drugs.

Why does psoriasis develop on the palm?

Psoriasis can appear in a person regardless of age and gender. However, there are some statistics that show the frequent development of the disease between the ages of 30 and 50.

Scientists have discovered that the main reason for the development of the disease is the malfunction of the human immune system and genetic predisposition. However, these facts have not been fully proven and to date the clear causes of psoriasis remain unclear. The main factors that provoke palmar psoriasis include the following reasons:

1. Decreased immunity.
2. Mechanical injuries of the palms.
3. Frequent contact of hands with water.
4. Contact of the skin of the hands with chemicals, for example, household chemicals, as well as various products at work.
5. Often the cause is diseases such as scarlet fever, chronic tonsillitis, kidney disease and other diseases.
6. Oncology.

Doctors attribute alcohol abuse, drug use and certain medications as another cause of the disease.

The main manifestations of psoriasis of the palms

It is worth noting that this type of disease occurs mainly in people who do physical work accompanied by stress on the hands. In medical practice, it is customary to distinguish three types of the disease. This includes:

1. In the shape of a fan plate.
2. Circular.
3. Pass it on.

Types of psoriasis on the hands

Localization of psoriasis on the hands	Description of the problem
In the palms of the hands	Redness of the surface of the skin of the lips, itching, roughening of the upper layer, the appearance of calluses. From the outside, many people confuse palmar psoriasis with mycosis or eczema. To make an accurate diagnosis, you should consult a specialist.
On hands and fingers	Inflammation, swelling of the fingers, peeling, cracking of the skin, pain and itching.

Depending on the localization of the process and the specific location of the appearance of the primary lesions, several types of psoriasis of the hands are distinguished:

• Pustular - the most dangerous type, affects any skin. First, small spots appear on the phalanges of the fingers and palms, including the nail plates. Then the spots merge, fill with pus, the lesion spreads to the hands and other areas, causing swelling and degenerative changes in the organs.
• Dot-shaped - rashes are pale pink, convex, shaped like small dots. It is localized on the shoulders and forearms, growing to cover a wide area.
• Nails – This type of psoriasis leads to changes in the appearance of the nails and nail bed. A "symptom of the fingers" is observed when the color of the nail plates changes and small scars and pits are formed on them. At the same time, the nails thicken and begin to peel off, until they are completely lost.
• Plaque (vulgar) – ranks first in prevalence. These are typical psoriatic plaques with a tendency to coalesce and form "paraffin lakes". They appear above the elbow joints, on the extensor surface of the arms and touch the palms. Palmar psoriasis is characterized by thickening of the epidermis and the formation of fissured callus-like tubercles on the surface of the dermis.

Stages of the disease

In the initial stage of psoriasis of the hands, even before the first rash appears, the following disorders can be distinguished:

1. swelling is observed in the joint area;
2. the skin takes a reddish tint in places;
3. the nail plates become inflamed.

The following stages of psoriasis on the hands are distinguished:

1. Exacerbation is a progressive stage of the disease. It is characterized by an increase in the number and size of spots, increased itching and shedding.

2. Stationary phase - characterized by the mitigation of the disease, a change in the color of the psoriatic plaques (they become less red, whiter), as well as a decrease in spots.
3. The phase of remission is characterized by the complete disappearance of all signs of psoriasis.

Looking at hands affected by psoriasis is extremely unpleasant. But the disease is so common that people should know what psoriasis looks like on their hands in order to detect the problem in time and start treatment of the disease at the right time.

Psoriasis of the hands develops gradually. Doctors note that in medicine there are several stages of the disease, which invisibly replace each other in the absence of timely therapy. The clinical outcome for the patient depends entirely on the therapeutic response measures in time. The development and signs of the different stages of psoriasis of the upper extremities are as follows:

1. Initial stage. Small round papules have clear borders. At first they are solitary, but 2-3 days after peeling the dermis they spread and cover large areas of the lesion.
2. Progressive phase. Painful nodes are distinguished by a bright red shade, and in the center there is skin of the epidermis with the formation of a crust. Pathology is preceded by microtrauma of the skin.
3. Stationary phase. The once red rashes turn bluish and dry. The inflammatory process reduces its intensity, itching stops, but skin hyperemia is present.
4. Regressive phase. The local manifestations of psoriasis decrease in intensity and after the painful lesions recede. There is a long remission period, there is no skin, but white spots with clear borders are visible.

Psoriasis of any form and localization, including psoriasis of the skin of the hands, goes through 3 stages:

1. Progressive phase (exacerbation) - spots grow, new ones appear, psoriasis manifestations intensify.
2. Stationary stage - the manifestations of the disease fade, the spots fade and decrease in size.
3. Regressive phase (remission) - manifestations disappear completely.

The initial stage of psoriasis of the arms and hands can appear in different ways: either pale spots appear, barely visible, or immediately bright, as in the acute stage (less often).

Characteristics of therapy in pregnant women and children

Due to the weakened immunity of the mother and the immature immune system of the child, the treatment of eczema on the fingers requires:

1. Adjusting the diet of the mother and the breastfeeding child, limiting the intake of milk, eating fruits and green vegetables and fermented milk products. At an older age, it is necessary to exclude flour products, smoked meat and foods with a high salt content from the child's menu.
2. Taking vitamin complexes to support the immune system of a pregnant woman.
3. One of the recommended measures is to limit contact with household chemicals and water.
4. Use of antihistamine ointments or dermatotropic agents.

For the treatment of children, the following drugs can be prescribed:

• Making lotions based on boric acid
• Taking calcium-based drugs, taking into account the reduced content of this microelement, characteristic of this pathology in children.
• The use of ointments containing antibiotics is practiced to relieve the symptoms of severe infection.
• The use of antihistamines to reduce the intensity of itching.

A set of measures aimed at the recovery of the mother and child should include the observance of personal hygiene standards and maintaining the sanitary condition of the premises.

Psoriasis on the hands

Official medicine classifies hand psoriasis as a chronic disease with a multifactorial etiology. This means that the exact causes of the disease have not been determined and doctors consider them as possible factors. Doctors classify it as a skin disease based on its main symptom - red scaly plaques that appear on the skin. But the culprit of the disease is hidden deep inside the human body.

In the course of long studies of the mechanism of the development of psoriasis, scientists have identified a connection with autoimmune failure.

The first signs of psoriasis appear on the hands in the form of small red papules with clear contours. 2-3 days pass and the papules are covered with scales. Then begins a long process of disease progression, marked by periods of exacerbation and remission. Thus, psoriasis that first appears between the fingers can spread to the entire surface of the palm. The single plates grow and fuse, forming a continuous scaly crust. The photo clearly shows what psoriasis looks like on your hands.

The first changes are formed on the back of the hand, gradually affecting the sides of the hand. Invisible at the beginning of the negative process, they lead to an obvious cosmetic defect, when it is already difficult for a person to hide the presence of the disease. What can happen?

Symptoms of psoriasis on the hands

The characteristic symptoms of psoriasis on the hands should be considered in the context of their manifestation in any part of the patient's body. When the lesion begins, small areas of the dermis are affected, but the process does not end there, and over time, plaques can cover the entire hand. General symptoms look like this:

• the appearance of small papules;
• scale formation;
• dryness and peeling of the skin of the hands;
• nail plates lose their natural color, their structure changes;
• signs of skin hyperemia;
• the skin in the affected area becomes red;
• pain appears in the joints;
• feelings of inner restlessness.

We have given general signs of the disease, but experts divide them according to the stages of the disease.

What forms of the disease are there?

The versatility of the manifestations of psoriasis that doctors encountered forced them to describe the various forms of the disease. Experts have combined the existing species into two main groups: pustular and non-pustular.

The pustular group includes the following forms of the disease:

• generalized;
• similar to annular centrifugal erythema;
• palmoplantar.

The non-pustular group contains:

• the classic form of psoriasis with early or late onset;
• psoriatic erythroderma.

The presented classification does not include such types of diseases as seborrheic, exudative, napkin disease, atypical and drug-induced psoriasis.

Reasons for the formation of psoriasis on the hands

Among all sites affected by the disease, the hands account for 85% of all diagnoses. Many years of observations of patients suffering from an unpleasant disease have led scientists to the conclusion that the causes of psoriasis on the hands depend on the patient's gender and age.

Psoriasis is extremely rare in people of color. A scientific explanation for this fact has not yet been obtained.

What causes psoriasis on women's hands?

What doctors call genetic predisposition is the main reason. It is worth noting that even if the woman's parents did not have psoriasis, then perhaps one of her relatives had such a diagnosis. Other reasons include:

• climatic characteristics (very humid, cold or hot);
• hormonal imbalances;
• bad habits (alcohol, smoking, drugs);
• stress and nervous tension;
• taking antibiotics, some vaccines, overdose of vitamin preparations;
• injuries, burns, cuts.

The same reasons can cause an aggravation of the disease. It is difficult to eliminate the listed factors from your life, but some of them can be eliminated.

What causes psoriasis on men's hands?

In an effort to identify the main ones, doctors were forced to admit that they could not place them with high accuracy. The basis for the appearance of psoriasis on men's hands is a malfunction of the immune system, which is expressed by:

• improper metabolism;
• imbalance of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism;
• increased sugar levels;
• cholesterol.

A greater probability of developing psoriasis awaits those men who already have people in the family who have suffered from this disease. The reasons can be:

• chronic lack of sleep;
• poor nutrition;
• cold climate.

Those who moved from the southern country to the northern region say that the cold climate provokes a worsening of the disease and is difficult to treat.

Causes of psoriasis in children's hands

In recent years, cases of diagnosis have become more frequent. It often takes a generalized form, with plaques covering large areas of the body. The first thing that is determined as the cause of the disease is a hereditary factor. According to statistics, among the parents of patients with psoriasis, the child will inherit the disease in 50% of cases. In addition to genetics, the disease can be caused by:

• childhood infectious diseases (measles, ARVI, tonsillitis);
• stressful situations;
• severe fear, loss of a loved one;
• heat stroke;
• unbalanced diet;
• body hypothermia;
• predisposition to allergies.

Diagnosis of the disease

It is enough for a doctor to know what psoriasis looks like on the hands to make an accurate diagnosis. No specific studies have been conducted to determine the disease. If the patient says that the plaques on his hands have appeared for a long time, then the doctor can prescribe additional tests. Their list includes:

• blood biochemistry;
• general blood test to determine the amount of ESR;
• testing for rheumatoid factor and the presence of specific proteins;
• a biopsy performed to detect immature skin cells, accumulations of Rete bodies, macrophages, and T leukocytes.

How to treat psoriasis on your hands?

Treatment of psoriasis on the hands depends entirely on the stage of the disease. Although the disease cannot be cured, when an integrated approach to treatment is used, the symptoms become almost invisible and remission lasts a long time.

External means

In the initial and middle stages of the disease, it is enough to use medications for external use. These can be creams and ointments from different groups:

• Not hormonal. As a rule, they do not give side effects, and their effect is mild and gentle.
• Hormonal.

These drugs are used when severe symptoms appear (persistent redness, brittle nails) when other ointments do not help. Prescribed only by a doctor, they can have strong side effects. The frequency and duration of use of external agents depends on the severity of the symptoms: 1-2 times a day for 10-20 days. A break is required after each course.

Systemic medications

Tablets and injections are prescribed when external drugs are ineffective in the later stages of psoriasis on the hands:

• Tablets: antihistamine, anti-inflammatory. Drugs from the groups of cytostatics, monoclonal antibodies, immunosuppressants, immunomodulators, sedatives and vitamins are also used.
• Injections: antihistamines, hepatoprotectors, immunosuppressants, immunomodulators, hormones.

The form and type of drug depends on the stage of the disease and the intensity of its manifestations. The use of systemic drugs is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor.

Physiotherapy and traditional methods

Psoriasis is a long-term disease with multifaceted symptoms. Therefore, the treatment is always comprehensive. Alternative methods can be used:

• Physiotherapy: phototherapy, bioresonance and PUVA therapy, cryotherapy, ozone therapy, ichthyotherapy.
• Folk remedies: birch tar, linseed or sea buckthorn oil, aloe, bay leaves, baking soda, sea salt, etc.

Their purpose and use should also be agreed with a dermatologist.

Use of plants

Many medicinal plants have the following properties:

• anti-inflammatory;
• regenerative;
• antibacterial.

For the treatment of palm psoriasis, celandine, St. John's wort, horsetail, oregano, nettle and others are used. An infusion or decoction is prepared from the herb. They are also used to add to the bathroom.

Soda treatment

One of the methods offered by alternative medicine to get rid of psoriasis on the palm is the treatment with ordinary baking soda. Its use has the following effect on the affected skin:

• cleaning;
• softening;
• elimination of inflammatory processes;
• improvement of local blood circulation;
• eliminates the skin;
• relieves itching.

The recipe for preparing a solution for external use is quite simple: dilute a certain amount of the product in purified water. You should get a soft viscous mixture. This product should be applied to the areas affected by the disease. No need to rinse.

Prevention: what rules should be followed

It will be easier to cure psoriasis on the hands if, if possible, the factors that provoke it are eliminated or minimized. In this case, the treatment will be much more effective and the progression of the disease will be stopped.

The right therapy, even at the earliest stage, can only be prescribed by a specialist, so examination is mandatory. As well as using all available methods and tools: from ointments and creams to injections, tablets and physiotherapy. The doctor will prescribe the order and dose, but we must not forget about prevention even in the regression phase. Hands should be treated with maximum care: the use of protective creams and the exclusion of aggressive household chemicals.