Psoriasis is a common, chronic, non-infectious disease that affects approximately 100 million people worldwide.
What are the symptoms of psoriasis
This is how the disease manifests itself.Skin cells divide 10 times faster than normal, layering on top of each other, forming prominent red spots covered with silvery-white scales.Such wounds can appear anywhere, but most often on the head, elbows, knees and lower back.
Here are some other signs that appear with spots:
- itching and burning;
- thickening and small pits in the nails;
- swollen and painful joints.
Depending on the type of psoriasis, other symptoms may occur.
What types of psoriasis are there?
There are seven in total
- Common, aka vulgar.Most common type: raised, red and inflamed skin covered with white scales.
- Teardrop shaped.Small pink-red spots usually appear on the head, thighs, forearms and trunk.
- Nail psoriasis.They turn yellow-brown, become soft and may detach from the socket.Indentations or thickenings appear.
- Pustular.The rare form of the disease can be accompanied by fever, chills, nausea, muscle weakness and rapid pulse.Purulent bumps surrounded by red skin appear on the arms, legs and fingers.
- Inverse.Smooth and shiny red spots without scales.They most often appear in the groin, armpits, under the breasts and buttocks.
- Psoriatic arthritis.In addition to plaques on the skin, it causes pain and joint swelling.
Where does psoriasis come from?
Anyone can get psoriasis, but it is more common in adults than in children.
The exact causes of the disease are not known.But it is thought to be an autoimmune disease: immune system cells, also known as white blood cells, become overactive and mistakenly attack healthy tissue.
Psoriasis can be caused by one or more factors:
- infection;
- tension;
- smoking or drinking alcohol;
- sunburn;
- vitamin D deficiency;
- certain drugs and substances - lithium preparations, beta-blockers, antimalarials, iodides.
You cannot get psoriasis.It does not spread when it comes into contact with the patient's skin.
How is psoriasis treated?
Psoriasis cannot be cured, but its symptoms can be alleviated.The selection of procedures and drugs is quite difficult.What works for one person sometimes doesn't work for another.The treatment plan must be developed and modified by a dermatologist.
Your doctor may recommend the following.
Creams and ointments for skin
It is used to soften plaques, reduce itching and slow down the growth of skin cells.These external remedies are:
- hormonal ointments;
- coal tar shampoos and ointments;
- preparations containing retinoids.
Phototherapy
Irradiation of the skin with natural or artificial ultraviolet light is carried out in a hospital under the supervision of a dermatologist.Phototherapy is usually used in parallel with external drugs.
The simplest form is ordinary sunlight.But even if you decide to sunbathe, talk to your doctor first.This method is not suitable for everyone.
Systemic treatment
It is heavy artillery when other methods fail.The doctor prescribes pills or injections that affect the whole body.
It is a very bad idea to prescribe medication for yourself or take it on the advice of friends.
Due to self-medication of psoriasis, the disease can spread to unaffected areas of the body, and the frequency of outbreaks can increase.
The patient does not take into account the side effects of various drugs and harms himself.
Don't do this, go see a doctor!
How to reduce the frequency of psoriasis flare-ups
In addition to the prescribed treatment, do the following:
Do not smoke or drink alcohol.Dealing with bad habits is less effective.
Watch your weight.After shedding excess pounds, many patients find that medications that previously did not work begin to work.
Eat a balanced diet.This reduces the risk of psoriasis-related complications - high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, arteriosclerosis.
Do yoga and meditate.They reduce stress and anxiety, which can cause flare-ups.
Apply a thick moisturizer to your skin as needed throughout the day to soften it.Be sure to do this after showering and before going to bed.
Take a colloidal oatmeal or salt bath for 10 minutes every day.Just make sure the water isn't too hot.And don't use harsh soaps that dry out your skin too much.