Scaly lichen is a very common skin disease and dermatologists are found more often with it. This disease not only looks unattractive aesthetically (scaly red spots with irregular shapes on the skin scare many others), but it brings mental discomfort, physical and psychological problems and, in the future, serious complications.
Therefore, knowing the insidiousness of the disease and the pitfalls of its chronic course (frequent recurrences) in a family where there are already patients with scaly lichen, its members are afraid of getting sick and are suspicious of any changes in the skin.
How to recognize the first signs of psoriasis (another name for scaly lichen)? How does the disease begin? At what age does the disease manifest itself most often? What do you need to know in order not to miss the first symptoms of psoriasis and start treatment in time? Is there a difference in the first manifestations of the disease in men and women? We will try to answer these and many other questions in this article.
What triggers the first signs of psoriasis?
Although psoriasis is not hereditary (this has been proven by the most recent research), there are many factors that, with a predisposition to psoriasis, can trigger its clinical manifestation.
- Usually, the onset of psoriasis is preceded by some type of nervous breakdown or mental trauma. Most of the time, this factor causes the development of psoriasis.
- A hormonal imbalance can drive the disease, so women during pregnancy, lactation and menopause need to take special care of themselves - adhere to a healthy lifestyle, avoid negative emotions, don't stay in the sun for long and in the airfree more often.
- The trigger for the development of psoriasis can be a change in the surrounding climate (moving to another place of residence, resting in a warm country in January). Therefore, it is better to avoid a sudden change in latitude, and even from winter to summer (moving in an area with a wide temperature difference), if there is scaly lichen in the family history. In the case of a forced movement, it is very important during this period to take special care of the body.
- The outbreaks of chronic infection can also lead to the appearance of psoriatic plaques. Chronic diseases should always be treated, but in a family where there are already cases of psoriasis, a streptococcal focus on the body is especially dangerous. However, caries, chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis, gingivitis - all of these slow diseases pose a threat to any organism.
At what age do the first signs of psoriasis appear?
The first signs of psoriasis can appear at any age. Scaly lichen does not spare the elderly or children. There are cases of onset of the disease in childhood and the appearance of psoriatic plaques after the age of 80. But the first signs of psoriasis appear most often in childhood, between 14 and 30 years old. Generally, these patients, even at this young age, already have concomitant diseases, for example, such as obesity, allergies, diabetes mellitus, neurasthenia, thyroid pathology.
The first signs of psoriasis in humans
The manifestation of psoriasis depends on the type of disease. But, in any case, the first symptoms in the skin forms of psoriasis are the appearance of a rash. The rash is a rounded epidermal papule. What is the mechanism of development of psoriatic papules?
The triggering factors trigger the inflammatory process, which is based on hyperkeratosis (pathological cell proliferation). As a result, the epidermis thickens and begins to protrude above healthy skin, forming a lump. This is the main element of the scaly lichen - psoriatic papule.
The wheal has a bright pink color, which differs in intensity. Initially, the wheal is dark pink (even a deep red), then it becomes more faded and scaly. The dead scales of the epithelium have a silvery gray color, are easily separated by scraping. In the underlying layer of the dermis, new blood vessels appear, which supply nutrients to the cells emerging from the epidermis. Therefore, during remission, even in the absence of plaque, the skin is reddish in color. As the process worsens, the elements increase and occupy an increasingly larger area. The skin in these places is dry, cracked, bleeds, that is, there is an obvious clinic for psoriasis.
The preferred sites for the first rashes in psoriasis are the scalp, face (in teenagers), natural skin folds (in children), joints (elbows, knees), feet and soles. Psoriatic plaques, unlike eczema, are usually located on the external extensor surfaces of the joint.
They talk about the initial stage of psoriasis if no more than 10% of the skin's surface is affected. An experienced dermatologist will immediately recognize the symptoms of psoriasis, but sometimes allergic dermatitis or rheumatoid arthritis (with psoriatic joint damage) is mistaken for psoriasis.
The first signs of plaque psoriasis
Plaque soriasis is common skin psoriasis, so its first signs are the easiest to detect. Psoriasis begins with the appearance of a small number of small nodules, which are usually located in the area of the joints. They resemble a small abscess filled with light-colored content. The primary elements of psoriasis do not bother the patient and are almost imperceptible. They can pass on their own, but after a while they reappear in greater numbers and become more noticeable. If you shave the wheal, it will immediately be covered with silver scales. In summer, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the rash may disappear. As the disease progresses, its quantity increases, covers more extensive areas and the individual elements fuse into extensive plaques.
Sometimes, the first signs appear immediately in a violent and abundant way. In response to the provocation factor, the skin is covered with bright red-pink psoriatic plaques, which cause intense itching. But this start is unusual for psoriasis.
The first signs of nail psoriasis
The first changes in the nails can be varied and resemble a fungal infection. Delamination, fragility, thickening of the nail plate, depressed spots or streaks appear all over the nail. In addition, the first pathological signs appear at the edge of the nail, then move to the root. One of the initial symptoms of nail psoriasis is nail discoloration. The nail plate may turn yellow, gray or white. The bleeding may appear under the nail. All of these signs can be on all nails or just one.
The first signs of psoriasis of the soles and palms
In some patients, the only clinical sign of psoriasis is damage to the soles of the feet or palms in the form of dense psoriatic lesions covered with scales. When scraping, a shiny and glossy surface appears that, with more injuries, begins to bleed ("bloody dew" syndrome).
The first signs of scalp psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis resembles seborrhea due to abundant flaking. You can proceed separately, without affecting other areas of the skin, for a long time. Patients are treated for dandruff by buying special shampoos, without even realizing that they have psoriasis on their head. After some time, the lesion reaches behind the ear, neck and goes down. And only then, do patients start to sound the alarm and go to the doctor.
The first signs of psoriatic arthritis
In psoriatic arthritis, skin rashes may not be present. The first signs of psoriasis will be complaints of joint deformities, which increase in size and become painful. The fingers and toes are swollen and resemble sausages. As the disease progresses, the gait changes. It can be problematic to diagnose psoriasis in this way; many patients are treated for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this case, the presence of psoriasis in relatives and a careful differential diagnosis with diseases that affect the joints help to make the correct diagnosis.
The first signs of psoriasis in women
Psoriasis is the same for men and women. But unlike men, in whom the first symptoms of psoriasis usually appear around the age of 25-30, the first signs of psoriasis in women appear earlier. The triggering mechanism for the development of the disease is usually hormonal changes in the pubertal period. In general, the development of psoriasis in women is associated with frequent changes in hormone levels throughout life. For the onset of psoriasis, the most significant and dangerous periods in a woman are:
- the menstrual cycle (especially your appearance);
- pregnancy;
- childbirth;
- lactation period;
- menopause.
If psoriasis already occurs at the time of conception, pregnancy can have a beneficial effect on skin manifestations and a period of remission will begin. But after childbirth, perhaps an aggravation of all processes. Most of the time, according to statistics, the first signs of psoriasis in women occur during childbirth and during menopause. For other positions, the symptoms and signs of psoriasis in women and men are no different. But childhood psoriasis has its own characteristics.
What to do when the first signs of psoriasis are detected?
In any case, if the first signs and symptoms of psoriasis are detected, it is urgent to consult a dermatologist to start treating the disease in a timely manner. The doctor will prescribe the treatment of psoriasis, taking into account the severity of the course and the specifics of the manifestations of the disease. It has been proven that if less than 5% of the skin is affected by psoriasis, all symptoms can be eliminated. But the treatment must be selected by a competent specialist.
Furthermore:
- if you find the first signs of psoriasis in you or your family, try to remember what may have caused the disease and avoid these factors in the future;
- stay outdoors more often and don't forget to sunbathe;
- temperament - take a contrast bath, don't forget to get wet;
- try to go to the sea and swim more;
- take good care of your skin, protect it from injury, use moisturizers;
- for psoriasis of the head, choose shampoos without aggressive ingredients; do not dye your hair;
- review your diet;
- avoid conflicts and stressful situations; learning to control your emotions (but not suppressing them), the ability to remain calm in the dramatic moments of life will help to maintain remission for a long time;
- you can take valerian, motherwort (see your doctor) if you are emotionally unstable;
- cotton dress, with emphasis on underwear, which should only be made with natural fabrics, do not use synthetics;
- treat chronic infections in a timely manner;
- go to bed early, arrange for a good rest.
If possible, when the first signs of psoriasis or any doubtful symptoms appear, consult a dermatologist in Germany:
- You will be convinced of the reliability (or erroneous) of the diagnosis:
- Thanks to experienced specialists, you can quickly eliminate the symptoms of psoriasis (especially if these are the first signs of the disease);
- You will receive expert advice with detailed instructions and recommendations;
- You will buy quality medications prescribed by a doctor to alleviate a possible exacerbation;
- In the future, if necessary, you will be able to contact the responsible doctor via Skype, phone or email.