Psoriasis is an unpleasant skin disease in which the body is covered with red rashes that melt into patches.A person may be disturbed by itching, which prevents him from falling asleep, and if complications arise in the form of arthritis, severe joint pain may occur.Psoriasis significantly affects the quality of life.Studies show that patients feel just as bad as those who have had a heart attack, heart failure or severe hypertension.
Unfortunately, doctors have not yet found the answer to the question of how to cure psoriasis.Everything offered by the pharmaceutical industry and medicine - ointments, creams, ultraviolet radiation, immune drugs - only brings temporary relief.Other measures - psychotherapy, taking vitamins, diet for psoriasis - do not cure, but help to improve the condition.
Psoriasis disease
Psoriasis on the head
How does scalp psoriasis appear?
- The first lesions appear in the form of peeling on the back of the head.
- Then the peeling spreads further, the skin itches and itches.In the initial stage of psoriasis, patients tend to believe that they just have dandruff and are intensively looking for a remedy to get rid of it.Contacting doctors is often ineffective - a dermatologist may confuse the lesions with seborrheic dermatitis and prescribe shampoo for it.
- In the next stage, the itching becomes unbearable, the patient scratches the skin until it bleeds.
- Then red plaques and bumps appear, which a person easily hurts when scratching.
- Plaques grow with gray particles that gradually cover the entire scalp.The particles are epithelium exfoliated from the surface.
- After that, psoriasis spreads to the smooth scalp that is not covered by hair.
Skin psoriasis
Cutaneous psoriasis is a non-infectious skin lesion that affects about 4% of the population.The reasons for this have not been fully identified, but the main version is a genetic disorder.An equally popular opinion is that psoriasis is an autoimmune disease.Versions of the infectious origin of the disease deserve attention.
Psoriasis of the nails
Depending on how the nail plate is damaged, there are:
- Changing the color of the nail bed.
- Appearance of grooves and precise damage on the plate.
- Corrosion or, conversely, thickening of the nail.
- Thickening of the skin under the nail plate.
Diagnosis of nail psoriasis is possible after proper testing for the presence of fungus.But sometimes even this type of study does not completely exclude the disease, since a fungal infection can accompany existing psoriasis.
Psoriasis in adults
Psoriasis in women
Psoriasis in pregnant women
Psoriasis is a chronic disease with periods of flare-ups and improvements.How does he behave during pregnancy?Observations show that pregnant women feel much better - they are less worried about the manifestations of the disease, even if during this period all treatment is almost completely canceled so as not to harm the unborn baby.
Sometimes the disease does not go away completely even during pregnancy and medication is required.If necessary, it is better to treat psoriasis with products that do not contain hormones.
Psoriasis in nursing mothers
How to treat psoriasis for nursing mothers?Many drugs that do not have a systemic effect and are not transmitted through milk are allowed:
- Hormonal drugs, provided that they are used under the supervision of a doctor and when urgently needed, in small areas of the body.
- Moisturizing cream (including children's skin).
- Fats and fat-like creams that can moisturize the skin by holding onto the stratum corneum.
- Treatment of psoriasis with salicylic ointment is allowed.
- To achieve an antiallergic effect, different sorbents can be used.
- The use of phototherapy is allowed (without oral administration of photosensitizers).
Psoriasis in men
Psoriasis is somewhat less common in men than in women.The course of the disease in men can be easier - the manifestations are less pronounced, and the disease begins on average at a later age compared to women.Otherwise, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis are almost the same in both sexes.
A characteristic feature of men is the localization of psoriasis in the glans penis area.Since the disease appears without characteristic skin, the diagnosis can be difficult, especially if the patient is not referred to a dermatologist, but to a urologist, whose specific work does not imply close familiarity with the symptoms of psoriasis.
Psoriasis in children
In childhood, psoriasis can bring a lot of suffering to the child, because it is accompanied by itching, pain, and if the joints are affected, their mobility can be limited.And peers sometimes lack tact and tease children with "likes", having no idea about the true non-infectious nature of the disease.
How does childhood psoriasis appear?It is characterized by several forms:
- Localization in typical places - on the extensor surfaces of the limbs, buttocks.
- Nail damage.
- Psoriasis on the scalp, on the scalp.
The exact causes of psoriasis in children are not known, but it is believed that the main cause is a genetic defect.Versions of an unfavorable external environment are also taken into account - exposure to allergens, rubbing the skin with clothing, chronic and acute stress.Finally, another possible cause of the disease is previous infections.
Psoriasis: symptoms
Symptoms of psoriasis in adults
The symptoms of psoriasis are so characteristic that they allow an accurate and quick diagnosis.The main manifestation of the disease are red, scaly spots (plaques) on the surface of the skin, consisting of papules.Patients are concerned about severe itching and signs of inflammation in the area of the spots.One of the characteristic features of psoriasis is the spread of plaques where there are skin lesions - microtrauma, scratches, cracks.The preferred localization of rashes is on the head under the hair, on the extensor surfaces of the joints, on the lower back and sacrum, in all natural folds of the skin.
Psoriasis has an undulating course, in which periods of exacerbation are spontaneously replaced by remission.Many patients note that they cannot connect any event in their life with the irritation that started.During this period, the symptoms of psoriasis manifest themselves more clearly - the peeling intensifies, the redness of the spots becomes clearly bright, and as a result of the peeling of the skin flakes and infection, suffocation of the plaques is possible.
Symptoms of psoriasis in children
Psoriasis in children is almost as common as atopic dermatitis.It occurs in several characteristic forms of childhood:
- Tear-shaped - red lumps that appear after injuries and infections.They are often confused with allergies.
- The plates.It appears with the same symptoms as the corresponding form in adults.
- The pustular form is uncommon and is usually caused by infection, anxiety or taking certain medications.The disease is expressed in the spread of pustules on the skin - vesicles with purulent-liquid content.As with plaques, the risk comes from itching of the pustule and possible infection.
- The erythrodermic form is characterized by the spread of lesions throughout the body, severe inflammation and itching of the skin, fever and fever.The severe course of the disease requires urgent hospitalization of the child.
- Psoriatic arthritis is one of the forms and at the same time a complication of psoriasis.It appears against the background of an existing disease and is expressed by joint pain and swelling, muscle stiffness.
- A special form of the disease is the so-called diaper psoriasis, in which the rashes cover the child's rear and therefore are mistaken by the pediatrician and the mother for irritation caused by contact with urine and feces.
Forms of psoriasis
There is still no generally accepted classification of psoriasis.The following forms are distinguished:
- Plate (ordinary).
- Exudative.
- Arthropathic.
- Pustular.
- Psoriatic erythroderma.
- Scalp psoriasis.
- Psoriasis of the folds.
- Psoriasis of the palms and soles.
Several clinical variants of the disease with different severity can be observed in the same patient.
Pustular form
Psoriasis sometimes appears in the form of pustular skin lesions.It is characterized by the formation of pustules-vesicles filled with purulent or sterile content.The size of the bubbles can reach 2.5-3 cm.The favorite place for rashes are the extensor areas of the arms and legs, as well as the torso.Pustular psoriasis of the scalp is common.The surface of the patient's body is red and hot.Patients complain of fever and fever, general malaise.
Exudative form
The exudative form is characterized by the appearance of large plaques on the surface of the skin, which then, unlike psoriasis vulgaris, are covered with yellow-brown crusts.
A characteristic feature of exudative psoriasis is the atypical location of the rashes.Unlike other forms, they occupy areas in the bends of the arms and legs and folds of the skin.Due to friction from clothing and irritation, the rash can become injured and then infected.
Stages of psoriasis
The initial stage of psoriasis
To assess the severity of psoriasis and its stage, different scales are used, which include:
- Rash area.
- Severity of the disease (redness, itching, swelling and exudates, surface bleeding).
- General symptoms (emotional and general physical condition).
- The impact of the disease on a person's lifestyle and social functions.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of previous therapy attempts.
The initial stage of psoriasis is the stage in which the skin surface is damaged by no more than 3%, nails and joints are not affected.At this time, a stable remission of the disease can be achieved.
Middle stage of psoriasis
The middle stage of psoriasis corresponds to skin lesions ranging from 3 to 10% of the skin.
Severe stage of psoriasis
The severe stage of psoriasis is skin damage of more than 10%, or the development of psoriatic arthritis in any area of the rash.The disease at this stage causes considerable discomfort and suffering to patients, because arthritis can be accompanied by pain, and a large area of rash is accompanied by debilitating itching and insomnia.
Psoriasis: causes
Causes of psoriasis in adults
The causes of psoriasis have not yet been fully identified.Of course, science has advanced in the study of the disease, but the exact answer to the question of why psoriasis appears has not yet been found.It is known for certain that dermatosis is not contagious, which means that the cause is most likely not due to infection.Researchers are inclined to believe that the disease is multifactorial in nature - both metabolic disorders and immune problems are to blame.
Causes of psoriasis in children
Psoriasis in children appears against the background of infectious diseases, emotional stress, cold weather, excessive tanning and plants.The cause for the development of the disease can be frequent contact with allergens.
Diagnosis of psoriasis
Visual examination and identification of the psoriatic triad
Psoriasis has characteristic symptoms that allow the doctor to accurately diagnose the disease using a visual examination of the skin:
- "Stearin stain" - if the plate is scratched, stearin-like shavings are created.
- "Terminal film" - after the scales are removed from the surface of the papule, a surface similar to a polyethylene film becomes visible in their place.
- "Blood dew" - after you continue to scratch the surface that appears from under the plaque, bleeding occurs in the form of drops.
Unlike the skin form, psoriasis of the nails is diagnosed by a dermatologist not by a triad of symptoms, but by other signs:
- Changing the color of the nail bed.
- Corroded nail.
- Grooves placed across the nail.
- Small dots on the nail plate, reminiscent of punctures with a sewing needle.
- Increased thickness of the skin under the nail.
- Thickening and change in the shape of the nail, growth on the finger.
Laboratory research
Based on the structure and characteristics of the cells of the fragment, a specialist can determine the origin of skin rash: with psoriasis, there is an increase in the number of Rene bodies, increased proliferation of keratinocytes and accumulation of T lymphocytes and macrophages in the skin layer.
Psoriasis: treatment
Treatment of psoriasis in adults
How to treat psoriasis?Medicine has not yet given a comprehensive answer to this question, but the principles of therapy were developed a long time ago.They can be divided into three groups:
- Eliminating the cause of the disease.
- Relief of symptoms.
- Strengthening immunity.
The goal of all types of treatment is to keep the disease in remission for as long as possible.
The effectiveness of therapy varies in each individual case.
Treatment of psoriasis in children
Treatment of psoriasis in childhood is aimed at quickly achieving long-term remission and is not fundamentally different from therapy for adults:
- Following a hypoallergenic diet with the usual composition of foods: excluding fried, salty, spicy vegetables and fruits, with preservatives that can cause allergies.
- Creating an allergen-free life (down pillows, dusty old things).
- Following hygiene advice (proper washing, drying and moisturizing of damaged skin).
- Physiotherapy.Electrosleep, phototherapy, magnetic therapy, ultrasound and laser can be used.The use of photochemotherapy, due to possible damage, is recommended for children aged 15 years and older.
- Sanatorium-resort treatment using mineral baths and therapeutic mud.
- Local treatment with hormonal and non-hormonal ointments and creams prescribed by the doctor in accordance with the severity of the disease, intensity of skin manifestations and individual response.
- If local treatment is not sufficient, children can be prescribed drugs and systemic procedures (UVA photochemotherapy, drugs that affect the immune system, retinoid).
Medications for the treatment of psoriasis
Psoriasis cream
What creams are most popular in the treatment of psoriasis?
- Contains synthetic hormones.They are good because they quickly and effectively relieve itching and inflammation and help reduce the size of psoriatic plaques.Hormonal creams have many side effects and should be used strictly according to the instructions and under the supervision of a doctor.
- Non-hormonal creams have the same effect as hormonal ones, but take much longer to appear after prolonged use.Therefore, they are not used as an ambulance.But, unlike hormones, such creams are not addictive and have almost no side effects.
Ointment for psoriasis
Like creams, ointments are hormonal and non-hormonal:
- Hormonal ones contain hormones, from the weakest medications to the most powerful ones of the 4th generation.Ointments are prescribed by a doctor and they can be stopped by gradually reducing the dose.
- Non-hormonal ointment for psoriasis moisturizes the skin, relieves inflammation and itching and heals wounds.
Physiotherapy as a remedy for psoriasis
The procedures are aimed at achieving different therapeutic effects:
- The main type of physiotherapy is phototherapy (or photochemotherapy).The treatment consists of treating the skin surface with ultraviolet radiation of different wavelengths.
- X-ray methods – treatment of the skin surface with soft x-rays.
- Electrosleep is putting a patient into a sleep state using electrical influence on the brain.The procedure does not treat skin redness, but it helps to reduce irritability and manifestations of neurosis, and because of this, the general condition of patients improves.
- Cryotherapy – treating the surface of the skin with nitrogen to accelerate regeneration, relieve inflammation and itching.
- Magnetic therapy is used when psoriasis is complicated by arthritis.
- Laser therapy is mainly used to treat plaque.
How to cure psoriasis at home
What is self-treatment for psoriasis at home?
- Organizing a hypoallergenic lifestyle - you need to get rid of carpets, pillows and blankets, try to change the furniture to something that is easy to dust.It is best not to have pets for patients with psoriasis, even if an animal allergy is not confirmed.Prolonged contact with them can cause body allergies.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Diet for psoriasis should be healthy and nutritious.
- Eliminating stress and anxiety, because they can serve as a cause for irritation.
- Compliance with hygiene rules - refusal of the bath in favor of a shower, careful drying, washing and subsequent moisturizing of the skin with special products prescribed by the doctor.
- Taking medications and performing procedures prescribed by the dermatologist depending on the stage of the disease.
- If the doctor has prescribed sunbathing or ultraviolet radiation, you must strictly adhere to the schedule of the procedure.
Treatment of psoriasis with folk remedies
What methods are used in folk medicine?
- Birch tar is used in the form of soap or in pure form for application to the affected skin.
- Treatment with soda is based on the hypothesis that psoriasis appears due to increased acidity of the skin.To neutralize it, it is proposed to treat the surface with an alkaline preparation, which is soda.
- Treatment of psoriasis with folk remedies in the form of fat is based on moisturizing the skin due to the fat it contains.
- Copper sulfate and potassium permanganate are also used to treat psoriasis.For treatment, a solution of vitriol and potassium permanganate is used, which is used to treat the surface of the skin for several hours.
Diet for psoriasis
What does a psoriasis diet allow and even encourage?
- Fiber.This allows you to improve metabolic processes, as well as normalize digestive function.
- Calcium is a generally known useful product that has a pronounced anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect, and therefore its presence in the diet is necessary: cottage cheese, milk and fermented milk products are mandatory for the patient.
- Unsaturated fatty acids are necessary to normalize fat metabolism, help absorb many vitamins and improve the condition of the skin and vascular walls.
- Zinc must be present in the diet to promote protein synthesis, which increases immunity.
- At any stage of psoriasis, you should eat foods rich in antioxidants.
Complications of psoriasis
Psoriatic erythroderma
Psoriatic erythroderma is a complication of psoriasis, in which the patient's entire skin is covered with bright red spots.A person's temperature rises, joints hurt, lymph nodes enlarge, and their general condition worsens.The complication is dangerous because it contributes to the development of heart failure, impaired kidney and liver function.Peeling and inflammation of the skin leads to dehydration, loss of heat and protein.
Generalized pustular psoriasis
Skin psoriasis can be complicated by a rash on the surface of the body in the form of small blisters (pustules) with bright red outlines.As the disease progresses, the pustules coalesce into patches, open or remain intact, and then dry to form a yellow crust.The places of rashes are the chest, sides and back, extensor areas of the limbs.
Symptoms of pustular psoriasis also include fever, hot flashes, burning and pain in the area of the rash.
Arthropathic psoriasis
Skin psoriasis with a long course, after 5-6 years from its beginning, can be complicated by the involvement of the joints in the process.The complication is called arthropathic psoriasis and usually appears in the form of inflammation of the phalanges of the fingers and toes.Fingers swell, the skin in the area of inflammation becomes red.In addition, the disease also affects other joints: intervertebral, iliac, heel.
Psoriasis disease in the form of arthropathy has an undulating course with improvements and irritations, sometimes accompanied by skin redness, but it can also occur without skin manifestations.Patients complain of severe pain and limited movement in the injured joint.It is easy to identify arthropathic psoriasis in the presence of accompanying rashes, and if they are not present, the disease can be confused with other types of arthritis.
Prevention of psoriasis exacerbations
Spa treatment
What is the effect of staying in resorts?
- Mud therapy helps improve skin condition and relieve inflammation.
- Climatic therapy - exposure to light heat, sea air and swimming has a beneficial effect on the general condition of the skin and strengthens the immune system.
- Sunbathing (heliotherapy) is indicated in moderation.They are good for the skin due to the beneficial effects of ultraviolet radiation.However, excessive exposure to the sun can provoke psoriasis complications, so you should not over tan.
- Hydrogen sulphide baths and thermal waters from natural sources improve capillary blood circulation and promote better skin regeneration.
Ultraviolet radiation
An excellent remedy for psoriasis is ultraviolet radiation, which can be natural (solar) or artificial.Ultraviolet treatment comes in several forms:
- PUVA photochemotherapy, when long-wave radiation is combined with the ingestion of a photosensitizer.
- 311 nm narrow wave therapy – narrow spectrum beam phototherapy.
- Combined phototherapy is a combination of medium and long waves.
Way of life
What should be changed in the daily life of patients?
- It is recommended to adhere to a hypoallergenic diet, limit alcohol and drink plenty of clean water (6-8 glasses a day, not counting liquids in dishes).
- Personal hygiene should include showering instead of bathing.
- The air in the rooms must be sufficiently humidified.
- Sun exposure is beneficial for psoriasis patients, provided it is approved by a doctor.
- To avoid the appearance of new foci of the disease, the skin must be protected from damage.
- In order not to provoke an aggravation of psoriasis, you should strengthen your immune system and protect yourself from colds and viral respiratory infections.
- The exact causes of psoriasis are not known, but it has been confirmed that stress causes its worsening.Therefore, patients should try to protect themselves from negative emotions, emotional stress and fatigue.It is very important that you get enough sleep.
Courses of vitamin therapy
Which vitamins are useful in case of skin disease?
- Retinol (vitamin A).
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E.
- Vitamin C.
- Vitamin B.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that completely changes a person's life.Diagnosing the disease is not difficult, because "signature" psoriatic rashes are known to every dermatologist.The causes of skin damage have not yet been precisely determined, and no effective remedy has been invented to get rid of it: neither creams, nor taking hormones, nor ointments for psoriasis guarantee a complete cure.But do not despair!You should always remember that this is not a fatal disease and with proper treatment, diet, preventive measures and sanatorium treatment, you can achieve lasting remission.