Symptoms and first signs of psoriasis

The characteristic species-specific signs of psoriasis play a decisive role in diagnosis and treatment.

According to statistics, the most common type of chronic dermatosis is psoriasis. It is a complex and multifaceted disease of polyetiological origin. For various reasons, a large number of different types have been identified, each with its own characteristic signs of psoriasis. The need to distinguish types according to symptoms arose due to the ambiguous reaction of the skin to drugs and other methods of exposure.

Until recently, the disease was not considered dangerous to health and life, until deaths were recorded due to incorrect identification of the cause, type and treatment. In addition, a person can be affected by several forms of the disease at the same time, the symptoms of which must be taken into account when prescribing treatment.

The disease affects people regardless of gender and age. The first symptoms of psoriasis can appear in babies and adults for no apparent reason. Depending on the type of disease, not only the onset but also the development is different, it can be fast or slow, with a gradual increase in symptoms.

Timely detection of the initial symptoms and signs of psoriasis is the key to the effectiveness of the treatment, this allows:

• Do not allow the disease to occupy large areas of the skin;
• It quickly eliminates the external symptoms of the disease and prevents damage to the internal organs;
• Take timely measures to prevent relapse and prolong the quiet period of the disease.

The terms "symptoms" and "signs", although similar in meaning, show significant differences. Symptoms are a person's subjective feelings that can be confirmed or refuted by test data.

The signs are objective examination and examination data, based on which the doctor makes a diagnosis.
For example, pain is merely a symptom, while skin rashes are a symptom.

It is important to keep this in mind, since it is not possible to make a correct diagnosis by simply sensing the symptoms, and only a specialist can determine the signs, specific type and form of psoriasis.

General signs

Regardless of whether the disease appeared suddenly and began to develop rapidly, or the initial manifestations were gradual, clinicians see the beginning of the formation of papules in various areas of the skin - small, scaly, dark pink, dense and protruding nodules. above the surface.

The first thing that the patient may notice is the development of rashes in places that are more exposed to friction than others, and the skin on them is the driest, this is:

• On the hand, palm or elbow area;
• Below the knee;
• In the inguinal folds;
• On the side of the lower back;
• On the leg;
• On the scalp under the hair.

The location of the injury directly depends on the form of the disease. Psoriasis vulgaris tends to appear on the elbows, and the teardrop type begins to spread to the lower back, the skin areas under the chest and the shoulder blades.
The first skin rashes are usually barely noticeable, do not form lumps and do not cause discomfort. But if you do not consult a specialist at this stage and ignore the development of the disease, the damage to the nails of the hands and feet begins gradually, and then the disease spreads to the mucous membrane and then to the joints.

The appearance of the first signs of psoriasis may differ depending on gender or age. In infants, the psoriatic rash most often begins in the inguinal folds and resembles the signs of miliaria. In adults, the appearance can be of two types:

1. Round rashes of varying sizes, deep pink or red, with many whitish scales. Gradually, although each patient has his own way, the areas of rashes thicken and noticeably rise above the surface of the skin. The rashes form psoriatic plaques, similar to the drops of paraffin candles.
2. Small, dense papules form small lumps on the elbows, palms, and sometimes along the knee joints and ankles. These signs are so insignificant that a person simply does not pay attention to them, mistaking them for ordinary irritation. It is important to listen to yourself to see if the typical symptoms of psoriasis, such as itching and tenderness, have appeared. If you miss the initial symptoms of psoriasis, individual papules quickly turn into plaques that are very difficult to get rid of.

Psoriasis can be distinguished from other skin diseases by three characteristic symptoms, which are as follows:

1. "Stearon stain effect". When scraping the surface of the plaque, the transparent, small scales peel off easily.
2. "Terminal Movie Effect". If you remove the peeling scales, in their place you will have a thin, shiny skin with a bright color.
3. "Bloody Dew Effect". After a short time, microscopic drops of blood appear at the scratch site.

The classification of specific forms of psoriasis is of great importance in defining the disease. A clear system has not yet emerged, experts distinguish main groups based on typical symptoms and signs.

Classification

The main division of the disease is divided into two large groups according to the nature of the skin rashes, these are:

1. Non-pustular formswhich are characterized by distribution over the entire surface of the skin, including the following types:
   • Simple (vulgar) or ordinary psoriasis, characterized by a stable chronic course, with the formation of plaques. The vulgar type of the disease is the most common, occurring in 85% of cases.
   • Psoriatic erythroderma. A dangerous type, it always appears in a severe form, and affects the skin's ability to regulate heat and protect itself. Erythrodermic psoriasis often ends with pyoderma or sepsis.
2. Pustular forms, characterized by the formation of not papules, but pustules - inflamed skin blisters filled with serological fluid. In their course, these forms of the disease can be generalized (distributed over the entire surface of the skin) or localized, mainly in the area of the palms and soles.
   • Generalized psoriasis type Tsumbusha;
   • Type of erythema annulare;
   • Barber-palmoplantar type (chronic pustulosis of the extremities);
   • Ring type of pustular psoriasis;
   • Persistent acrodermatitis (psoriasis of the soles and palms);
   • Psoriatic herpetiform impetigo.

This classification system has not yet included such types of diseases as:

• Seborrheic;
• Exudative;
• Drug-dependent form;
• Inverse psoriasis of the folds and skinfold surfaces.

Typical signs of different types of psoriasis

The general symptoms of psoriasis fully characterize only the vulgar form of the disease, which is the most common of all known forms of the disease. Plaque psoriasis is characterized by the place where the first rashes appear, these are:

• bends in the arms and legs;
• The border between the forehead and the scalp;
• The back of the hands.

tear drop type

A distinctive feature of this type of disease is the formation of single papules that are drop-shaped. The first signs of guttate psoriasis appear on the thighs and then spread over the entire surface of the skin. In the vast majority of cases, guttate psoriasis develops against the background of infectious diseases caused by streptococci.

Atypical appearance

This form is characterized by the development of the first manifestations in places atypical for psoriasis, these are as follows:

• skin folds,
• Side surfaces of the body
• Armpit.

Pustular (exudative) appearance

The development of the disease is characterized by the appearance of small blisters (papules) filled with non-infectious serous fluid on the surface of the palms, feet or legs. The skin around the papules is always inflamed, and the blisters themselves are very unstable and an open door to infection.

In most cases, exudative psoriasis develops in patients with endocrine diseases, metabolic disorders and obesity.

Psoriasis of the folded surfaces

Distinctive features of this form are the appearance of manifestations on the skin. The rash appears in the form of large red spots that are not covered with scales and do not extend above the surface. This species covers areas with intense sweat glands, such as:

• Bend the joints in the arms and below the knees;
• Armpit and inguinal folds;
• External genitalia;
• The skin area under the breast in women.

This form is often complicated by the addition of a fungal or streptococcal infection.

Psoriatic arthritis

One of the most insidious forms of the disease, characterized by a long latent course. The patient notices the first symptoms of psoriasis when the damage to the joints has become complete. The signs of this type of psoriasis are expressed in the pain and swelling of the joints, as well as their subsequent deformation.

Seborrheic appearance

The localization of this type of rash is initially concentrated on the face, the first signs appear in the area of the nasolabial triangle, behind the ears, along the edge of hair growth. Further distribution takes place on the back and chest along the shoulder blades. The rashes are covered with yellowish scales, the boundaries of healthy skin are blurred.

Onychodystrophy, nail psoriasis

This type is almost unmanageable. The pathology affects only the nail plates, which change their color to dark yellow or gray. The structure of the nail becomes thinner, and the cuticle area becomes inflamed for no apparent reason.

Conclusion

It is important to always remember that psoriasis is not only a skin disease, but also a very serious disorder of the body's internal systems. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate or turn to healers. Only an experienced specialist can choose an effective treatment regimen after a thorough examination.