Psoriasis of the elbows is an inflammatory process with characteristic skin rashes. Inheritance, various illnesses, bad habits, stressful situations and others are distinguished among the factors that provoke the development of the disease.
The pathology is accompanied by itching, redness, swelling, pain in the affected areas. To establish the diagnosis, urine, blood, feces, biopsy, bakposev tests are prescribed to detect the microflora. Treatment includes medication, topical therapies, physiotherapy, dietary adjustments.
Other pathologies such as eczema and fungal infections should be ruled out before starting treatment for psoriasis of the elbows.
Special medications are only prescribed after a full examination, so prior dermatologist consultation is required.
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Psoriasis occurs in several stages, alternating periodically.
The initial
The outer surface of the elbow area is covered with small papules. Externally, they resemble randomly arranged acne. After 14-21 days, the formations turn into voluminous, scaly plaques. The dryness of the skin will increase and the surface will be rough.
advanced
This stage is characterized by the formation of several large plaques. Patients complain of peeling and redness in the affected area. The boundaries of the rash are represented by a well-defined rim. At this stage, the transition of the disease to the period of exacerbation can be observed.
Stationary
With a properly selected system of therapeutic interventions, the clinical picture is less pronounced and the disease becomes dormant. The number of psoriasis rashes is decreasing, new papules are missing.
decreasing
This stage is accompanied by a reduction in the severity of symptoms, with a significant reduction in the number of plaques. The skin where the rash has previously occurred is noticeably pigmented, however, there are no characteristic scales at the site of the lesions, and the epithelium does not peel off.
Symptoms
The onset of the pathological process is indicated by the appearance of small red spots with an oval or rounded shape. As the disease progresses, the number of formations increases and they spread to the surrounding healthy skin areas.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that cannot be completely cured. However, modern methods help to get rid of the disease worse quickly and achieve long-term remission.
antihistamines are used; for joint rashes, topical ointments and creams with corticosteroids, salicylic acid are used.
An important method of treatment is the selection of diet and vitamin complexes; positive effects of some homeopathic preparations have been observed.
The early stage is characterized by a small number of rashes. Having time to seek help from a professional at this stage can reduce the likelihood of the disease becoming chronic.
The main feature of psoriasis is the formation of light silvery scales. Due to mechanical action, their integrity is damaged, resulting in a smooth surface with bloody cracks.
There have also been cases where there were no scales on the plaques of psoriasis.
Patients complain of severe itching, swelling at the site of injury, burns. If you feel the damaged areas, there is an increase in temperature and pain in these areas.
Depending on how well the body’s protective functions work, the pathological process is accompanied by the formation of single or multiple plaques when the disease affects the entire surface of the skin of the upper limb. If appropriate measures are not taken in time, the likelihood of the pathology transitioning to a neglected form increases many times over.
The severity of the clinical picture also depends on the stage of the disease. During the remission period, the symptoms are relieved and the patient feels better. The recurrent condition is characterized by the appearance of multiple psoriatic plaques, and the general well-being of the person deteriorates due to painful symptoms.
Cause
Despite the high prevalence of the disease, the provocative factors have not been fully studied and identified. However, experts identify a number of alleged causes that may contribute to elbow psoriatic lesions.
One of the most common factors is genetic predisposition. According to statistics, in 50% of cases, the pathology is diagnosed in a person whose relatives were also susceptible to the disease.
The precondition for the development of psoriasis is the lack of resistance of the body to infectious diseases, malnutrition, the intake of uncontrolled drugs, which has a negative effect on the immune system, thereby contributing to its weakening.
Reasons include:
- endocrine disorders;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- damage to the epidermis;
- common stress, neurosis, depression.
Lack of vitamins and trace elements in the body can contribute to the development of psoriasis.
Diagnostics
Because the development of psoriasis is accompanied by clinical signs on the elbows, it is not difficult to detect the pathology. First, the dermatologist performs an external examination of the damaged areas of the epidermis and collects the patient’s medical history.
To confirm the preliminary diagnosis, the patient is sent for a laboratory examination.
A blood test will help you determine if you are prone to allergic reactions to certain medicines used to treat psoriasis. In addition, the analysis may help diagnose anemia, which is accompanied by characteristic differences in leukocyte and erythrocyte levels.
A urine test allows you to determine the level of water-salt balance, that is, how much salt and water has entered and moved out of the human body.
Stool studies are required to identify intestinal worms.
If the main methods of making a final diagnosis are not sufficient, your doctor will prescribe further testing:
- biopsy of epidermal specimens taken from lesions;
- bakposev on the microflora;
- testing with potassium oxide.
If a complicated course of the pathological process is suspected, an X-ray examination will be performed to allow an assessment of involvement in the joint disease.
If women develop psoriasis during childbirth, they are referred for a prolactin test.
In addition, you may need to consult an orthopedic, rheumatologist, venereologist, or mammologist.
Treatment methods
Psoriasis cannot be cured, but flares can be prevented and the remission period can be extended. In this case, the therapy must be complex. It consists of the use of the following treatment methods:
- usemedicalmedicines inside;
- usefundslocal action;
- vitamin therapy;
- sanatorium resorttreatment;
- Applicationhomeopathicmedicines.
It is also important to follow a special diet. It contains foods in the diet that contribute to remission and limit the use of foods that are harmful to psoriasis.
Medicines used to treat psoriasis
The use of drugs for internal administration in the form of capsules, tablets and tablets is important in the treatment of the disease.
Antihistamines can be used to relieve itching.
It is important to note that such drugs should only be prescribed by an experienced professional, taking into account the severity of the disease, the age criterion, and the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Ointments for rashes on the elbows and tibias
Psoriasis on the elbow is widely used for external use.
Experts say the treatment for psoriasis should be comprehensive, so applying the creams once will not be enough, as only the symptoms of the disease will be eliminated on our skin.
vitamins
In psoriasis, vitamin therapy is an important method in complex treatment. In case of damage to the skin of the bending surface, the use of vitamins B, E, D, A and ascorbic acid is recommended.
To do this, you need to eat right: you need to increase your consumption of foods that contain these substances. In addition, vitamins can be purchased from pharmacies. Vitamin solution can be applied to problem skin.
Some ointments contain the necessary substances, so experts often prescribe such drugs for external use.
Vitamin and mineral complexes may be prescribed.
Also prescribed severe psoriasis drugs by intramuscular injection.
They are made every day or every other day.
homeopathic remedies
Combined agents are considered to be the most effective.
The dosage of these drugs will be determined by a skilled artisan, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body and the severity of the pathology.
Diet
In a pathological condition, it is important to follow a diet. Therefore, the following products should be included in the diet for psoriasis:
- lean fish;
- dairy products;
- vegetable oil;
- fruits and vegetables;
- cereals;
- lomb.
These ingredients enrich the body with useful substances and reduce acidity. In case of illness, it will be useful to set up a drinking regimen. The amount of water consumed per day should be at least 1. 5 liters.
The use of the following products in pathology is contraindicated:
- smoked meats;
- spices and condiments;
- pickles;
- sweet products;
- fatty meats;
- alcoholic drinks;
- sausage;
- coffee;
- citrus fruits;
- chocolate;
- confectionery.
It is necessary to limit the consumption of fried, fatty and salty foods.
In addition, in the case of psoriasis, partial meals are recommended: the doses should be small and the number of meals a day should be increased up to six times.
Spa treatment
With psoriasis, it is recommended to visit resorts that are predominantly warm and dry.
Annual stays in sanatoriums with radon or sulfide baths are also desirable. At such sites, the patient may undergo physiotherapy procedures to help eliminate signs of the disease and prolong the remission period. These include applications with paraffin or ozocerite, UV radiation, light therapy, cryotherapy.
These procedures are performed daily for 21-29 days.
Elbow psoriasis is treated with an integrated approach. Drug therapy involves the use of funds for internal and external use. The intake of vitamins and diet is also important during treatment. It is recommended to stay in sanatoriums and use homeopathic medicines.
Consequences
Due to the long lack of therapeutic measures, the course of elbow pathology is complicated by the appearance of a number of diseases.
Psoriatic erythroderma may begin. In most cases, there is a sudden cessation or complete absence of treatment, frequent stressful situations, severe infectious diseases, and alcohol abuse.
Pustular generalized psoriasis is a more serious health risk. Such a course of pathology is characterized by a mass association of papules, resulting in the formation of large foci, at the site of which the skin peels, pustular areas.
Another complication is psoriatic arthritis. It is an abnormal process affecting the joints, accompanied by swelling, severe pain and limited mobility.
Prevention
As the epidermis in this area is quite dry, regular care of the elbow area is required. To do this, you need to use a special cream that has moisturizing properties.
You also need to quit smoking and drinking too much alcohol. Strengthening the immune system plays an equally important role. To this end, experts recommend taking vitamin and mineral complexes, exercising and spending more time walking in the fresh air.
It is important to protect the skin from mechanical damage, not to expose the body to frequent stress and psychological disorders.
In the event of the first symptoms of an infectious disease, a doctor's visit should not be postponed for timely medical treatment.