Psoriasis is a disease whose mechanism of occurrence is still not fully understood.However, it has been accurately determined that there are a number of malfunctions in the immune system that cause skin cells to divide at a very high rate without dying physiologically.This is how a psoriatic plaque begins to form - an itchy formation covered with whitish scales (cells whose life cycle has turned out to be too short).
Only a dermatologist can make an exact diagnosis after an examination, but knowing the characteristics of the stages of the disease helps to draw the first conclusions about the nature of the skin changes that appear.
Psoriasis or not?
The disease goes through 3 stages:
- Progressive.The disease can appear suddenly and be preceded by severe stress or hormonal imbalance.A small, reddish spot the size of a pinhead appears on the skin.The surface of the changed skin gradually rises - this is a papule;silvery scales of keratinized skin are visible.The papules merge into plaques, the skin is very itchy, when scratched it becomes wet due to damage to the surface layer.
- Constant.After a certain time, the pathological process stops.No new spots and papules appear;the existing plaques are covered by a gray crust with easily detached scales.This period is characterized by the reduction of the inflammatory process and the gradual disappearance of itching, but the symptoms do not disappear completely.
- Decreasing.At this stage, the reduction and subsidence of plaques can be noticed, and the skin acquires a shade close to normal.Flaking and itching disappear.After the absorption of pathological elements, pigmented patterns in the form of rings remain on the skin, which is due to the uneven disappearance of plaques from the central part.After a few weeks, even the last traces of spots and papules will disappear, only mild foci of depigmentation remind of psoriasis.
The duration of the described stages may vary from patient to patient.The regressive stage does not indicate recovery - the exacerbation can begin unpredictably and suddenly.
How can psoriasis be recognized in its early stages?
Therapeutic measures for the treatment of psoriasis have the best effect in the early stages, which explains the special importance of an accurate diagnosis.Only a dermatologist can determine after examination and examination whether it is psoriasis or another disease.However, the patient himself can suspect this pathology if he pays enough attention to the appearing symptoms.
The following symptoms are more likely to indicate the development of the disease:
- The first plaques appear on the elbows, knees, hairline, or where the skin experiences the greatest friction or contact with clothing;
- the rash is accompanied by severe itching, silvery scales easily detach from the surface of the skin;
- after removing the scales, we find slightly moist skin with blood spots (a symptom of pinpoint bleeding);
- later, small indentations often appear on the nails, as if caused by the tip of a needle.
Psoriasis can easily be confused with various types of lichen, dermatitis and eczema, so in the case of the first skin changes, it is worth consulting a dermatologist to avoid causing harm by using inappropriate products.The prescribed complex treatment suppresses the uncontrolled growth of epidermal cells, reduces itching and peeling, restores the skin's barrier function and prevents infection.