Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease.It occurs when the immune system malfunctions.The development of the disease is divided into clear stages - appearance, progression, stabilization and regression.Different stages of psoriasis differ in the appearance of spots and rashes, the severity of itching and the degree of skin inflammation.
Why should a distinction be made between the developmental stages of the disease, and what are the characteristics of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of development and during the healing process?
Why do you need to know the stages of psoriasis?
Dividing psoriasis into stages is used by doctors for the correct selection of therapeutic methods.The complex of drugs and external agents prescribed for the treatment of inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the beginning of the disease, general therapy is required - vitamin complexes, diet, external aseptic treatment of rashes, for example, UV treatment.Medicines are also prescribed that stimulate the cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels and liver.
The psycho-emotional state must be corrected by a neurologist or psychologist.
In the initial stages of the disease, do not use strong drugs that suppress the immune system and do not prescribe hormonal ointments.These drugs have a long list of side effects, so they are prescribed only if it is impossible to do without them.
Psoriasis: treatment in the acute stage and in remission
During the acute progressive course of the disease, several drugs with different effects are prescribed.Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching.The external treatment is complemented by photochemical, ultrasound and laser therapy.Antiseptic treatment of damaged skin is also prescribed.
In a stabilized state, they continue to take anti-inflammatory hormonal drugs, gradually reducing their dose.In order to restore damaged skin, regenerating ointments are prescribed.
In the remission stage - they support the body.Proper nutrition, taking vitamin and mineral complexes to restore immunity.
Timeliness of treatment
The earlier treatment is started, the easier it is to keep psoriasis under control.
Timely treatment limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its extent, and prevents the relapse of subsequent peeling.Since psoriasis is often mistaken for an allergic rash in its early stages, it is important to know its initial signs so as not to miss the appearance of the skin disease.
Comment:Doctors are still figuring out what causes psoriasis.But it is definitely known that psoriatic inflammation of the skin is not contagious.You can't get it from a sick person, and it can't be caused by an infection through an injury.It is man's own personal failure in the human body.
Psoriasis is caused by a failure of the immune system, which can be caused by various factors.Severe stress, poisoning (including strong drugs, industrial emissions, alcohol), previous infections.
Treating psoriasis is difficult.The disease tends to return and relapse.And the therapy itself is symptomatic.This consists of preventing the appearance of new spots and relieving existing itchy skin.
Which stage of psoriasis is called the initial stage?How to distinguish initial psoriasis from diathesis rash?And how will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: initial stage
The first appearance of psoriasis on the skin looks like pimples.Most often, the rash appears in the bends of the elbows and knees, or in places where clothing is tightly pressed to the body (for example, under the waist belt).Rashes can also appear on the edges of the hair and under the hair, around the nails and on the nail beds.Psoriasis sometimes occurs on the feet and palms.
Psoriasis almost always occurs symmetrically - on the elbows of both arms, or on both sides of the lower back, or on both knees.
The pimples themselves (in medical terminology - papules) have a modest appearance in the initial stage.They have:
- pink or red color;
- Clean, blurred edge;
- Small size - the pimple does not exceed two millimeters at the base;
- Flat form - the small, pin-point pimples at the beginning of the disease have almost no convexity, so they look like spots.
As the disease progresses, peeling skin flakes appear on the pimples.They are gray or silvery and appear white against the background of the red pimple.
The appearance of scales is accompanied by quite severe itching.If you can't resist scratching, the scales will come off, revealing bright pink areas of young skin underneath.It is very thin and vulnerable, if you scratch the itchy papules for a long time, you will get injured and bleed.
The duration of the initial stage of psoriasis is up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: progressive stage
In the progressive stage, individual pimples merge into a single common spot, forming so-called psoriasis plaques.They rise above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered with peeling.Along the edges of psoriatic plaques there is a non-flaky, pinkish-red border.
The presence of a rim is a sign of the progressive stage of the disease.The width of the rim is one or two millimeters.The skin on it is inflamed, its texture resembles parchment paper.
The border marks the area where the stain expands.This is the skin that is already inflamed but has not yet peeled off.After a while, it is also covered with scales.And the spot expands, grabbing new areas of skin and forming a new, wider border.
With the active development of the disease, adjacent spots merge with each other.At some point, a large, inflamed red spot may form on a person's body.
Psoriasis plaques are very itchy, cause discomfort, and interfere with work, rest and sleep.They grow, occupy a large area and form new rashes on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of the progressive stage is the appearance of new rashes.As soon as new pimples and spots stop appearing, the next stage of psoriasis begins - standing.This is not a complete victory, but it is already a turning point towards healing.
In the progressive stage, psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue and weakness.Depression is common.Possible temperature.
Note:Some medical theories still claim the opposite.Depression is not a consequence of psoriasis.And psoriasis is a consequence of neurology and depressed psyche.
The duration of the progressive phase of psoriasis is long, it can be several months.
Psoriasis: stationary state
The main sign of the stationary phase is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes.At the same time, the itching also weakens and becomes more tolerable.The rash loses its bright color, becomes discolored and invisible.This is also a sign of the stabilization of the process.
The pink edges around the perimeter of the plaques disappear as the inflammation stops spreading.Active exfoliation and healing, regeneration of new, healthy skin begins.
It can be seen with the naked eye that the exfoliation intensifies in the stationary stage.The scales completely cover the entire surface of the psoriatic patch, leaving no space for the edges.
Psoriasis takes on a characteristic scaly appearance, which is usually recognized by ordinary people.Extensive peeling in the stationary phase is not dangerous.
When all the dead cells disappear from the surface of the psoriatic patch, healthy skin with a light shade is left in its place.
Other signs of progression or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of rashes, spots and peeling, there are also many other signs that can be used to judge the development of the disease.This is the nature of itching (strong or tolerable), general condition, depressed mood.And also the presence of temperature.
In the initial stage, itching can be changed, and the rash is incomprehensible.In addition, the itching increases every day.In the acute phase of psoriasis, it becomes unbearable.It disturbs sleep, rest and interferes with work.The person becomes irritable because the itchy feeling does not give him the opportunity to rest.
In the stationary stage, the itching subsides.You feel better every day.The general state of the psyche changes, negativity and depressive mood weaken.The duration of the stationary phase is several weeks - from 2 to 5.
In the weakening phase of psoriasis
The weakened stage of psoriasis is the almost complete disappearance of plaques, spots, redness, inflammation and itching.
At this stage of the disease, only the different pigmentation of the skin is reminiscent of psoriasis.It looks lighter in the place of previous psoriasis spots.The surface of healthy skin has a darker shade.
In some cases, so-called hyperpigmentation is formed.In the place of psoriasis spots, the skin does not become lighter, but darker.In any case, the differences in skin pigmentation will be visible for another month or two.
Psoriasis after healing: possibility of relapse
The possibility of a relapse of psoriasis is determined by the person's lifestyle, diet, allergic mood and the state of the body as a whole.It is also determined by the amount of toxins in your body, blood and liver.You can reduce the likelihood of recurring skin infections by strengthening your immune system and cleansing your body of toxins in the liver, blood vessels, and intestines.
Seasonal flare-ups of psoriasis often subside after cleansing.A person remains susceptible to the disease, but the probability of its occurrence is noticeably reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking vitamin-mineral complexes help strengthen immunity.This is especially important if immunosuppressants have been used during treatment in advanced stages of psoriasis.Their need was caused by the work of inflammatory mediators.After suppression of autoimmune protection, restoration of immunity is necessary.