Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease.It occurs when there is a malfunction in the immune system.The development of the disease is divided into clear stages - emergence, progression, stabilization and regression.The different stages of psoriasis differ in the appearance of spots and rashes, the severity of itching and the extent of skin inflammation.
Why is it necessary to distinguish between the stages of the development of the disease and what are the features of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of development and during the recovery process?
Why should you know the stages of psoriasis?
Dividing psoriasis into stages is used by doctors to correctly choose therapeutic methods.The complex of drugs and external agents that are prescribed for the treatment of inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the beginning of the disease, general therapy is necessary - vitamin complexes, diet, aseptic external treatment of the rash, for example, a course of UV treatments.They also prescribe medications that stimulate the cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels and liver.
The psycho-emotional state must be corrected by a neurologist or psychologist.
In the initial stage of the disease, do not use powerful drugs that suppress the immune system and do not prescribe hormonal ointments.These drugs have a large list of side effects, so they are prescribed only when it is impossible to do without them.
Psoriasis: treatment in the acute phase and in remission
In the acute progressive course of the disease, several drugs with different effects are prescribed.Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching.External treatment is supplemented with photochemical therapy, ultrasound and laser.Antiseptic treatments for damaged skin are also prescribed.
In a stabilized state, they continue to take anti-inflammatory hormonal drugs, gradually reducing their dose.To restore damaged skin, ointments with a regenerative effect are prescribed.
In the forgiveness phase - they support the body.Proper nutrition, take vitamin and mineral complexes to restore immunity.
Duration of treatment
The earlier treatment is started, the easier it is to get psoriasis under control.
Timely therapy limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its extent and prevents subsequent recurrences of peeling.Since in the early stages psoriasis is often confused with an allergic rash, it is necessary to recognize its initial signs in order not to miss the appearance of a skin disease.
Note:Doctors are still discovering the causes of psoriasis.But it is definitely known that psoriatic skin inflammation is not contagious.It cannot be caught from a sick person, or caused by an infection through injury.This is one's personal failure in the human body.
The cause of psoriasis is a failure of immunity, which can be caused by various factors.Severe stress, poisoning (including powerful drugs, industrial emissions, alcohol), previous infection.
Treatment of psoriasis is difficult.The disease is prone to relapse and relapse.And the therapy itself is symptomatic.It consists in preventing the appearance of new spots and relieving existing skin itching.
Which stage of psoriasis is called the initial stage?How to distinguish psoriasis at first from a diathesis rash?And how will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: initial stage
The first manifestations of psoriasis on the skin look like pimples.Most often, the rash appears in the bends of the elbows and knees, or in places where clothing is tightly pressed to the body (for example, under a belt at the waist).Rashes can also appear along the edges of the hair and under the hair, around the nails and in the nail beds.Sometimes psoriasis appears on the feet and palms.
Psoriasis almost always manifests symmetrically - on the elbows of both arms, or on both sides of the lower back or on both knees.
The pimples themselves (in medical terminology - papules) in the initial stage have a modest appearance.They have:
- Pink or red color;
- Clear, indistinct edge;
- Small size - the pimple at the base does not exceed two millimeters;
- Flat form - small pimples with dots at the beginning of the disease have almost no convexity, so they look like spots.
As the disease progresses, flakes of peeling skin appear on the pimples.They are gray or silver and appear white against the background of red pimples.
The appearance of scales is accompanied by severe itching.If you can't resist scratching, the scales break off, revealing shiny areas of pink, new skin underneath.It is very thin, sensitive, and if you scratch the itchy papules for a long time, it hurts and bleeds.
The duration of the initial stage of psoriasis is up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: the stage of progression
In the progressive stage, individual pimples merge in a common place, forming the so-called psoriatic plaques.They are raised above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered with skin.Along the edges of psoriatic plaques there is a pink-red non-cracked rim.
The presence of a lip is a sign of a progressive stage of the disease.The width of the rim is one to two millimeters.The skin over it is inflamed and its texture resembles parchment paper.
The edge represents the area where the point expands.This is skin that is already inflamed but not yet peeling.After some time it will also be covered with scales.And the spot will expand, capturing new areas of skin and forming a new, wider rim.
With the active development of the disease, neighboring points merge with each other.At some point, a large red inflamed dot can form on a person's body.
Psoriatic plaques itch a lot, causing discomfort to a person, disrupting his work, rest and sleep.They grow, occupy a large area and form a new rash on clean and healthy skin.
The main sign of a progressive phase is the appearance of new rashes.As soon as pimples and new spots stop appearing, the next stage of psoriasis begins - stationary.This is not yet a complete victory, but it is already a turning point towards recovery.
In the advanced stage, psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue and weakness.Depression is common.Possible temperature.
Note:Some medical theories still say otherwise.Depression is not a consequence of psoriasis.And psoriasis is a consequence of neurology and a depressed psyche.
The duration of the progressive stage of psoriasis can be long, several months.
Psoriasis: stationary stage
The main sign of the stationary phase is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes.At the same time, the itching also weakens and becomes more tolerable.The rash loses its bright color, turns white and becomes invisible.This is also one of the signs of stabilization of the process.
The pink bands around the perimeter of the plaques disappear as the spread of inflammation stops.Active exfoliation and healing begins, regenerating healthy new skin.
It is visually noticeable that the peeling intensifies in the stationary phase.The scales completely cover the entire surface of the psoriatic patch, leaving no room for edges.
Psoriasis takes on a characteristic scaly appearance, by which ordinary people usually recognize it.Extensive peeling in the stationary phase is not dangerous.
When all the dead cells disappear from the surface of the psoriatic patch, healthy skin with a slight light shade will remain in their place.
Other signs of progression or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of redness, spots and peeling, there are a number of other signs by which the development of the disease can be judged.This is the nature of the itching sensation (strong or tolerable), general condition, depressed mood.And also the presence of temperature.
In the initial stage, the itching is variable, and the rash is incomprehensible.Further, the itching intensifies every day.In the acute stage of psoriasis, it becomes intolerable.It disturbs sleep, tranquility and hinders work.The person becomes irritable because the itching sensation does not give him the opportunity to rest.
In the stationary phase, itching decreases.Every day a person feels better.The general state of the psyche changes, negativity and depressive mood weaken.The duration of the stationary phase is several weeks - from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in the softening stage
The softened stage of psoriasis is the almost complete disappearance of plaques, spots, redness, inflammation and itching.
At this stage of the disease, only the different pigmentation of the skin reminds of psoriasis.Instead of previous psoriatic patches, it looks lighter.The surface of healthy skin has a darker shade.
In some cases, the so-called hyperpigmentation is formed.The skin at the site of psoriasis spots does not become lighter, but darker.In any case, changes in skin pigmentation will be visible for another one to two months.
Psoriasis after healing: the possibility of relapse
The possibility of psoriasis recurrence is determined by lifestyle, diet, allergic mood and the state of the body as a whole.It is also determined by the amount of toxins in his body, blood and liver.You can reduce the likelihood of repeated inflammation of the skin if you strengthen your immune system and cleanse the body of toxins in the liver, blood vessels and intestines.
Often after clearing, seasonal relapses of psoriasis become rare.A person remains susceptible to the disease, but the likelihood of its occurrence is significantly reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking vitamin-mineral complexes help increase immunity.This is especially important if immunosuppressants have been used during treatment in the advanced stage of psoriasis.Their need was due to the work of inflammatory mediators.After suppressing the autoimmune defense, it is necessary to restore immunity.