Psoriasis is an unpleasant skin disease in which the body is covered with red rashes that coalesce into patches.A person may be disturbed by itching, which prevents him from falling asleep, and if complications arise in the form of arthritis, severe joint pain may occur.Psoriasis significantly affects the quality of life.Studies show that patients feel just as bad as those who have had a heart attack, heart failure or severe high blood pressure.
Unfortunately, doctors still haven't found the answer to the question of how to cure psoriasis.Everything that the pharmaceutical industry and medicine offers - ointments, creams, ultraviolet radiation, anti-immunity drugs - only bring temporary relief.Other measures - psychotherapy, taking vitamins, diet for psoriasis - do not cure, but help to improve the condition.
Psoriasis disease
Psoriasis on the head
How does scalp psoriasis occur?
- The first lesions appear in the form of peeling on the back of the head.
- Then the peeling continues to spread, the skin itches and itches.In the early stages of psoriasis, patients tend to believe that they have dandruff and search intensively for a cure to get rid of it.Contacting doctors is often ineffective - the dermatologist may mistake the lesions for seborrheic dermatitis and prescribe a shampoo.
- In the next stage, the itching becomes unbearable, the patient scratches the skin until it bleeds.
- Then red plaques and bumps appear, which are easily damaged by scratching.
- Plaques grow with gray particles that gradually cover the entire scalp.The particles are peeled off the surface by the epithelium.
- After this, psoriasis spreads to the smooth scalp that is not covered with hair.
Skin psoriasis
Cutaneous psoriasis is a non-infectious skin disorder that affects approximately 4% of the population.The reasons for this have not been fully identified, but the main variant is a genetic disorder.An equally popular opinion is that psoriasis is an autoimmune disease.Variants of the infectious origin of the disease deserve attention.
Nail psoriasis
Depending on how the nail plate is damaged, there are:
- A change in the color of the nail bed.
- The appearance of grooves and precise damage on the plate.
- Corrosion or, on the contrary, thickening of the nail.
- Thickening of the skin under the nail plate.
The diagnosis of psoriasis of the nails is possible after a proper examination for the presence of fungi.But sometimes even these types of tests do not completely rule out the disease, as a fungal infection can accompany existing psoriasis.
Psoriasis in adults
Psoriasis in women
Psoriasis in pregnant women
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that has flare-ups and flare-ups.How do you behave during pregnancy?Observations show that pregnant women feel much better - they are less worried about the manifestations of the disease, even if during this period all treatments were almost completely canceled so as not to harm the unborn baby.
Sometimes the disease does not go away completely even during pregnancy and medication is needed.If necessary, it is advisable to treat psoriasis with products that do not contain hormones.
Psoriasis in nursing mothers
How to treat psoriasis for nursing mothers?Many drugs are allowed that have no systemic effects and do not pass through milk:
- Hormonal drugs, provided that they are used under medical supervision and in case of urgent need in small areas of the body.
- Moisturizing creams (including children's skin).
- Fats and fat-like creams that can hydrate the skin by remaining in the stratum corneum.
- Treatment of psoriasis with salicylic ointment is allowed.
- Various sorbents can be used to achieve an anti-allergic effect.
- The use of light therapy is allowed (without oral photosensitizers).
Psoriasis in men
Psoriasis is slightly less common in men than in women.The course of the disease can be milder in men - the manifestations are less pronounced, and the disease begins on average at a later age than in women.Otherwise, the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis are almost the same for both sexes.
A characteristic characteristic of men is the localization of psoriasis in the area of the glans penis.Since the disease appears without a characteristic peeling, the diagnosis can be difficult, especially if the patient does not consult a dermatologist, but a urologist, whose specific work does not mean close knowledge of the symptoms of psoriasis.
Psoriasis in children
In childhood, psoriasis can cause a lot of suffering for the child, because it is accompanied by itching and pain, and if joints are affected, their movement may be limited.And contemporaries sometimes lack tact and tease children with "lichen", having no idea of the real non-contagious nature of the disease.
How does childhood psoriasis manifest itself?It is characterized by several forms:
- Localization in typical places - extensor surfaces of the limbs, buttocks.
- Nail damage.
- Psoriasis on the scalp, on the scalp.
The exact causes of psoriasis in children are unknown, but the main cause is thought to be a genetic defect.Variations of the unfavorable external environment must also be taken into account - exposure to allergens, rubbing of the skin with clothing, chronic and acute stress.Finally, another possible cause of the disease is previous infections.
Psoriasis: symptoms
Symptoms of psoriasis in adults
The symptoms of psoriasis are so typical that they allow for an accurate and quick diagnosis.The main manifestation of the disease are red, scaly spots (plaques) consisting of papules on the surface of the skin.Patients are concerned about severe itching and signs of inflammation in the area of spots.One of the characteristic features of psoriasis is the spread of plaques where there are skin lesions - microtraumas, scratches, cracks.The favorite localization of the rash is on the head under the hair, on the extensor surfaces of the joints, on the lower back and on the sacrum, in all natural skin folds.
Psoriasis has an undulating course, in which periods of exacerbation are spontaneously replaced by remission.Many patients note that they cannot connect a single event in their life with the onset of aggravation.During this period, the symptoms of psoriasis are most clearly manifested - the peeling intensifies, the redness of the spots becomes clearly bright, and the accumulation of plaques is possible as a result of peeling skin flakes and infection.
Symptoms of psoriasis in children
Psoriasis is almost as common in children as atopic dermatitis.It occurs in several forms typical of childhood:
- Teardrop-shaped - red bumps that appear after injuries and infections.It is often confused with allergies.
- plaques.It presents with the same symptoms as its corresponding form in adults.
- The pustular form is uncommon and is usually caused by infection, anxiety, or taking certain medications.The disease is expressed in the spread of pustules on the skin - blisters with pus-liquid content.As with plaques, the danger comes from scratching the pustule and possible infection.
- The erythrodermic form is characterized by the spread of lesions throughout the body, severe inflammation and itching of the skin, fever and fever.The severe course of the disease requires urgent hospitalization of the child.
- Psoriatic arthritis is a form and complication of psoriasis.It appears against the background of an existing disease and is expressed in pain and swelling of the joints and muscle stiffness.
- The special form of the disease is the so-called diaper psoriasis, in which the child's bottom is covered with rashes, which is why the pediatrician and the mother mistake it for irritation caused by contact with urine and feces.
Forms of psoriasis
There is still no universally accepted classification of psoriasis.We distinguish the following forms:
- plaque (ordinary).
- Exudative.
- Arthropathic.
- Pustular.
- Psoriatic erythroderma.
- Psoriasis of the scalp.
- Psoriasis in the folds.
- Psoriasis of the palms and soles.
Clinical variants of the disease with different severity can be observed in the same patient.
Pustular form
Psoriasis sometimes presents as pustular skin lesions.It is characterized by the formation of pustules-vesicles filled with purulent or sterile contents.The size of the bubbles can reach 2.5-3 cm.The most popular places for rashes are the extensor areas of the arms and legs, as well as the trunk.Pustular psoriasis is common on the scalp.The surface of the patient's body is red and hot.Patients complain of fever and chills, general malaise.
Exudative form
The exudative form is characterized by the appearance of large plaques on the surface of the skin, which are then covered by a yellowish-brown crust, unlike vulgar psoriasis.
A characteristic feature of exudative psoriasis is the atypical location of the rashes.Unlike other forms, they occupy surfaces on the bends of the arms and legs, as well as skin folds.As a result of friction and irritation from clothing, the rash can become damaged and then infected.
Stages of psoriasis
The initial stage of psoriasis
Different scales are used to assess the severity and stage of psoriasis, which include:
- Area of rashes.
- The severity of the disease (redness, itching, swelling and discharge, surface bleeding).
- General symptoms (emotional and general physical condition).
- The impact of the disease on a person's lifestyle and social functions.
- Assessing the effectiveness of previous therapeutic trials.
The initial stage of psoriasis is the stage when the surface of the skin is damaged by up to 3%, nails and joints are not affected.Then a stable remission of the disease is achieved.
The middle stage of psoriasis
The middle stage of psoriasis corresponds to skin lesions covering 3-10% of the skin.
Severe stage of psoriasis
The severe stage of psoriasis is more than 10% damage to the skin, or psoriatic arthritis that develops in any area of the rash.The disease at this stage causes significant discomfort and suffering to patients, as arthritis can be accompanied by pain, and most of the rash is accompanied by debilitating itching and insomnia.
Psoriasis: causes
Causes of psoriasis in adults
The causes of psoriasis have not yet been fully identified.Of course, science has progressed in the study of the disease, but the exact answer to the question of why psoriasis occurs has not yet been achieved.It is known for certain that dermatosis is not contagious, which means that the cause is most likely not an infection.Researchers tend to believe that the disease is multifactorial in nature - both metabolic abnormalities and immune system problems are to blame.
Causes of psoriasis in children
Psoriasis in children appears against the background of infectious diseases, emotional stress, cold weather, excessive tanning and medicinal herbs.Frequent contact with allergens can be the root cause of the disease.
Diagnosis of psoriasis
Visual examination and identification of the psoriasis triad
Psoriasis has characteristic symptoms that allow the doctor to accurately diagnose the disease by visual examination of the skin:
- "Stearin stain" - when the plaque is scraped off, a chip similar to stearin is formed.
- "Terminal film" - after the scales have been removed from the surface of the papule, a surface similar to polyethylene film can be seen in their place.
- "Blood dew" - after continuing to scrape the surface that appears from under the plaque, it bleeds in the form of drops.
Unlike the skin form, the dermatologist does not diagnose psoriasis of the nails with the three symptoms, but with other signs:
- A change in the color of the nail bed.
- Corroded nail.
- Grooves located through the nail.
- Small dots on the nail plate that resemble punctures with a sewing needle.
- Increasing the thickness of the skin under the nail.
- Thickening and deformation of the nail, ingrown into the finger.
Laboratory research
Based on the structure and characteristics of the cells of the fragment, the specialist can determine the origin of the skin rash: with psoriasis, an increase in the number of Rene bodies, increased proliferation of keratinocytes, and accumulation of T-lymphocytes and macrophages in the skin layer.
Psoriasis: treat
Treatment of psoriasis in adults
How do we treat psoriasis?Medical science has not yet given a comprehensive answer to this question, but the principles of therapy have long been developed.They can be divided into three groups:
- Eliminating the cause of the disease.
- Alleviation of symptoms.
- Strengthening immunity.
The goal of all types of treatment is to put the disease in remission for as long as possible.
The effectiveness of the therapy is different in each case.
Treatment of psoriasis in children
The treatment of psoriasis in children aims to quickly achieve long-term remission and is basically no different from therapy for adults:
- Adherence to a hypoallergenic diet with the usual food composition: excluding fried, salty, spicy, preservative-containing vegetables and fruits, which can cause allergies.
- Creating a life without allergens (down pillows, old dusty things).
- Adherence to hygiene advice (proper washing, drying and moisturizing of damaged skin).
- Physiotherapy.Electrosleep, light therapy, magnet therapy, ultrasound and laser can be used.Due to possible harm, the use of photochemotherapy is recommended for children over 15 years of age.
- Sanatorium resort treatment with mineral bath and medicinal mud.
- Local treatment with hormonal and non-hormonal ointments and creams, which are prescribed by a doctor depending on the severity of the disease, the intensity of the skin manifestations and the individual reaction.
- If local treatment is not sufficient, children may be prescribed systemic drugs and procedures (UVA photochemotherapy, drugs affecting the immune system, retinoids).
Medicines to treat psoriasis
Psoriasis cream
Which creams are the most popular in the treatment of psoriasis?
- Contains synthetic hormones.They are good because they quickly and effectively relieve itching and inflammation, and help reduce the size of psoriasis plaques.Hormonal creams have many side effects, so they should be used strictly according to the instructions and under the supervision of a doctor.
- Non-hormonal creams have the same effect as hormonal ones, but after longer use, the effect lasts much longer.That is why they are not used as ambulances.But unlike hormones, such creams are not addictive and have almost no side effects.
Ointment for psoriasis
Like creams, ointments are hormonal and non-hormonal:
- Hormonals contain hormones, from the weakest to the strongest 4th generation drugs.Ointments are prescribed by a doctor and can be discontinued by gradually reducing the dosage.
- The non-hormonal ointment for psoriasis moisturizes the skin, relieves inflammation and itching, and heals wounds.
Physiotherapy as a cure for psoriasis
The procedures are aimed at achieving different therapeutic effects:
- The main type of physiotherapy is light therapy (or photochemotherapy).The treatment consists of treating the skin surface with ultraviolet radiation of different wavelengths.
- X-ray methods - treatment of the skin surface with soft X-rays.
- Electrosleep is putting the patient into a sleep state by affecting the brain electrically.The procedure does not treat skin rashes, but it helps to reduce irritability and manifestations of neurosis, and thanks to this, the general condition of patients improves.
- Cryotherapy – treatment of the skin surface with nitrogen to speed up regeneration, relieve inflammation and itching.
- Magnetic therapy is used when psoriasis is complicated by arthritis.
- Laser therapy is primarily used to treat plaque.
How to cure psoriasis at home
What is the self-treatment of psoriasis at home?
- Organization of a hypoallergenic lifestyle - you need to get rid of carpets, down pillows and blankets, try to change the furniture to something that can be easily removed from dust.For patients with psoriasis, it is better not to keep pets, even if an allergy to animals is not proven.Prolonged contact with them can cause the body to become allergic.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, stopping smoking and alcohol consumption.
- A psoriasis diet should be healthy and nutritious.
- Eliminate stress and anxiety, as these can cause aggravation.
- Observance of hygiene rules - refusal to take a bath in favor of a shower, careful drying, washing and subsequent moisturizing of the skin with special products prescribed by the doctor.
- Taking medications and performing procedures prescribed by the dermatologist depending on the stage of the disease.
- If the doctor prescribed sunbathing or ultraviolet irradiation, you must strictly follow the schedule of the procedure.
Treatment of psoriasis with folk remedies
What methods are used in folk medicine?
- Birch tar is used in the form of soap or in its pure form on the affected skin.
- Treatment with soda is based on the hypothesis that psoriasis occurs due to increased acidity of the skin.To neutralize it, it is recommended to treat the surface with an alkaline preparation, which is soda.
- The treatment of psoriasis with folk remedies in the form of fat is based on moisturizing the skin due to the fat in it.
- Copper sulfate and potassium permanganate are also used to treat psoriasis.For treatment, a solution of vitriol and potassium permanganate is used to treat the surface of the skin for several hours.
Diet for psoriasis
What does the psoriasis diet allow and even encourage?
- Fiber.It enables the improvement of metabolic processes and the normalization of the digestive system.
- Calcium is a generally recognized useful product that has a pronounced anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect, therefore its presence in the diet is necessary: cottage cheese, milk and fermented milk products are mandatory for the patient.
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids are necessary for normalizing fat metabolism, promoting the absorption of many vitamins, and improving the condition of the skin and blood vessel walls.
- Zinc must be present in the diet to promote protein synthesis, which boosts immunity.
- At any stage of psoriasis, you need to eat foods rich in antioxidants.
Complications of psoriasis
Psoriatic erytoderma
Psoriasis erythroderma is a complication of psoriasis in which the patient's entire skin is covered with bright red spots.A person's temperature rises, joints ache, lymph nodes enlarge, and his general condition worsens.The complication is dangerous because it contributes to the development of heart failure and impaired kidney and liver function.Peeling and inflammation of the skin leads to dehydration, heat and protein loss.
Generalized pustular psoriasis
Psoriasis of the skin can be complicated by the appearance of small blisters (pustules) with bright red outlines on the body surface.As the disease progresses, the pustules coalesce into patches, open or remain intact, then dry out and form a yellow crust.The locations of the rashes are the chest, sides and back, extensor areas of the limbs.
Symptoms of pustular psoriasis include fever, increased temperature, burning sensation, and pain in the area of the rash.
Arthropathic psoriasis
The long-term course of psoriasis of the skin, the involvement of the joints after 5-6 years from its onset, can complicate the process.The complication is called arthropathic psoriasis and usually manifests as inflammation of the phalanges of the fingers and toes.The fingers swell, the skin in the inflamed area turns red.In addition, the disease affects other joints: intervertebral, hip joint, heel.
Psoriasis in the form of arthropathy has a wave-like course with improvement and worsening, sometimes with skin rashes, but it can also occur without skin rashes.Patients complain of severe pain and limited movement in the injured joint.Arthropathic psoriasis is easily identified by the presence of accompanying rashes, and if they are not present, the disease can be confused with other types of arthritis.
Prevention of psoriasis exacerbations
Spa treatment
What are the effects of staying at resorts?
- Mud therapy improves skin condition and relieves inflammation.
- Climate therapy - exposure to mild heat, sea air and swimming has a beneficial effect on the general condition of the skin and strengthens the immune system.
- Sunbathing (heliotherapy) is recommended in moderation.Due to the beneficial effect of ultraviolet radiation, they are good for the skin.However, excessive sun exposure can cause complications of psoriasis, so you should not overdo it.
- Hydrogen sulphide baths and thermal waters from natural springs improve capillary blood circulation and promote better skin regeneration.
Ultraviolet radiation
An excellent remedy for psoriasis is ultraviolet radiation, which can be natural (solar) or artificial.There are several forms of ultraviolet treatment:
- PUVA photochemotherapy, when long-wave radiation is combined with the ingestion of a photosensitizer.
- Narrow wave 311 nm therapy – light therapy with narrow spectrum rays.
- Combined light therapy is a combination of medium and long waves.
Lifestyle
What needs to be changed in the daily life of patients?
- It is advisable to follow a hypoallergenic diet, limit alcohol and drink a lot of clean water (6-8 glasses a day, not counting liquids in containers).
- Personal hygiene should include showering instead of bathing.
- The air in the rooms must be properly humidified.
- Sun exposure is beneficial for patients with psoriasis, provided it is approved by a doctor.
- In order to avoid the appearance of new foci of the disease, the skin must be protected from injuries.
- In order not to provoke an exacerbation of psoriasis, you need to strengthen your immune system and protect yourself from colds and respiratory viral infections.
- The exact causes of psoriasis are not known, but it has been proven that stress causes its worsening.Therefore, patients should try to protect themselves from negative emotions, emotional stress and fatigue.It is very important to get enough sleep.
Vitamin therapy courses
What vitamins are useful for skin diseases?
- Retinol (vitamin A).
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E.
- Vitamin C.
- Vitamin B.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that completely changes a person's life.Diagnosing the disease is not difficult, because "significant" psoriasis rashes are well known to all dermatologists.The causes of skin damage have not yet been accurately determined, and no effective means of getting rid of it has been found: neither creams, nor taking hormones, nor ointments for psoriasis guarantee complete recovery.But don't despair!You should always remember that this is not a fatal disease, and with proper treatment, diet, preventive measures and sanatorium treatment, you can achieve a stable remission.